Pre-65 Bikes

Real simple one, should a C15 have a primary chain tensioner fitted?

what length shockers for mr pickerings finest and any ideas on spring lb'S for a lad whose eaten all the pies on more than one occasion..

I've been using an NGK B5ES in the Ariel (spark is thanks to Interspan unit) and was just wondering what everyone is running. I had a plug break down on Sunday and people are starting to say Champion are better that NGK etc etc. So I started wondering if the nose is the same would I be any better off using one of the new all singing all dancing plugs or just try a Champion equivelant? What is the preference NGK or Champion? Thanks

Can someone please help with advice on crank end float for a C15. Based on Rupert Ratio and Google I am not clear whether it needs shimming to control the setting between crank and main bearing or is used to centre the con-rod in the barrel. Either way it seems to need a ‘dry’ build to measure the clearance but assume this will not take account of any gasket material between the crankcase faces, although this will be minimal. I have had the crank refurbished by Alpha bearings including a timing side bush to bearing conversion. Any experience/advice gratefully received.

Hi, Originally posted this in the SSDT forum, but I reckon this is where I should have. My brother and I are currently trying to sort out a load of bikes and parts that our parents collected over the years. We've done a bit of digging into a DOT we have and the info suggests it's 1961 works trials rep that was shipped up to Duncan's in Brechin for John Noble to ride in the SSDT. Would anyone on here have access to start lists/results from the early 60s to see if that could be true? Very grateful for any info or help. Thanks in advance Ian In case anyone is interested, here's a (somewhat blurry) pic!

Toying with building a Bantam Cub. Tiger cub engine in a Bantam frame. I have been offered a Cub engine, it's an early distributor engine, needs a rebuild. What advantage has the later engine got over the early type?? Can they be built to be as good ?? I realise some varying specs are available, I don't want to go over the top. Thanks in advance.

Hi guy's , Vale Onslow Villiers Top end V's a standard 32a top end , any info welcome please , weight wise , performance etc ................................... Cheers

Hi guys, I was helping my dad clear out one of his garages and in the corner lurking behind an enfield was a old BSA bantam rolling chasis, under a cloth there was an engine and other odds and sods looks like maybe 90% of the bike present. It is obviously a road bike and it is of the twinshock era rather then ridgid. My question is what work and cost would it take to make this basket case into a decent trials machine? Is it even worth the effort of should i do it back up into a road bike and flog it? If i could.convert it i would keep it but i dont have a road license.

The clutch was slipping really bad when I trid to start her up on the second day of the Dartmoor trial. Took it apart and the fibre had worn right down on all of the plates, which surprised me as I've only done about 10 trials on it. Are there different types of plate I should get with a more hard wearing compound? I see you can get alloy friction plates which cost nearly £40 each (I think, maybe this is for a set) what's the advantage of using these over the steel one? I have 11 plates in total 6 fibre and 5 steels, has anyone tried mixing them up, so using some alloy some steel? Final question, where's the best place to get these from? All help much appreciated. Th…

Afternoon, I have the opportunity to buy a 1963 BSA C15 frame no C15C *** engine no C15S *** which I think is a 1960. Does this frame make for a good LDT frame, It looks as though the rear seat hoop has been made wider by about 1-2inches in comparison to my standard C15 frame? is this a easy fix? I know that the engine if in standard form is a high compression engine, Probably not right for trailing! am I right in saying the gearing would be closer to the trials gearing? lastly any ideas on what I should be offering, it has a Sammy miller PVL system and is a runner although very snappy power delivery. Alloy petrol tank. 19inch wheels? I am at a point weather to con…

Hi all, I'm just starting to make the fuel tank for my Bantam and was wondering about fuel capacity, how much fuel do you think a trials Bantam needs? I'll only be doing club events and won't be doing any road trials, is a gallon enough capacity? Thanks.

Can anybody confirm for me that Cub sprockets fit the later type Bantam rear hubs i.e. D10 - D14. Lots of people seem to offer rear sprockets for trials Cubs but not for Bantams, I thought they were the same fitment ???

Anyone suggest a suitable decompressor for a Bantam cylinder head? The only one I can think of is a RE Bullet item.

Had a great outing on my 1960 Scottish. I love the looks from folks on modern bikes. Be safe out there Mike

Hi guys. I am after a pair of British Hubs to get a new project mobile. The sort I am after are the same as fitted to various Greeves models. With the brake on the RH side on the rear. They are pressed steel Can anyone point me in the right direction This style

Hi all can anyone help me to locate a 15mm alloy spindle about 230mm long as i broke my bantam one today at a trial and now want to fit a knock through one , i think wrighty was selling them at telford ? or failing that what sort of alloy would i need so i could get the local guy to turn me up one , need it quick as pre 65 champ round next sunday CHEERS FOR ANY HELP

I'm about to start using a restored steel tank on my Norman and despite several thorough washouts, would like to minimize problems with any remaining debris...there is sure to be some! So, can anyone recommend a particular type or source for a good inline fuel filter that they have used? Many thanks

Hi all doing a bantam engine and I cant remember what gears I swop from mainshaft to lay shaft I think its main shaft 3rd with lay shaft 2nd the ones fixed with the circlip not the sliding gears . I wrote down the number of teeth 26 to22 and 25 to 21 but cant remember if its the fixed or sliding gears . Many thanks Martin

Hi all I am looking for a tiger cub cup and cone set to move forward with my cub project. I have emailed various dealers and looked on ebay with no look can anybody help? These are the measurements: OD 42.81mm/1.685" ID 1"/25.4mm Depth 0.4"/10.17mm I also have another set of yokes with a smaller diameter stem that i can use however i have forgot the exact size so i will upload this later. Any help guys??Cheers Sam

I'm now up against a problem that you're probably familiar with(!) but I've only just come across - where can I get a 20" trials tyre from? Do Dunlop occasionally produce some for older 'bikes or are 20" trials tyres now made from "absolute unobtainium"? I can't seem to find one anywhere. I've even considered lacing another C15 hub onto a 19" or 21" (clearance problems with 21"), while keeping the original wheel (and old, cracked tyre) for posterity. But what a lot of unnecessary and expensive hassle, particularly when I want to keep the 'bike completely original. What can I do? All suggestions gratefully received. Thanks. Barry