Pre-65 Bikes

Hi everyone, I've just bought my first AMC bike which is an AJS 16 that's been built as a trials (style) bike. A fair bit has been done to it but there is also a lot I need to sort out and improve upon. The plan is to use it for some road trials like the Arbuthnot, some rides out with my local VMCC sections and a bit of playing around at my trials club's local practice ground. I'm not looking to use it for serious pre-65 competition use. From what I can tell so far, it's quite a bit of a bitsa. I believe the frame is a 1959 but the engine may be earlier as it has a pressed steel primary chaincase and magneto with manual retard control. I was also told that the crankca…

Evening all , During a clear out and cataloging of my late father inlaws paraphenalia there are a few tanks to sort out , If any kind soul would be able to help identify what they are from I would be eternaly grateful as I have spent hours on the net trying to find out but am close to causing myself serious harm !! On the Blue and silver tank it has TRIBSA on it and when I searched it I found many but nothing like it . And the Green tank with Velocette on it , is not as it should be as it was being used as part of a Velocete trialer project ! If anyine has any ideas of what they are worth would be good aswell please . Many thanks in advance http:// http:// http…

Firstly who does this conversion? Secondly what's involved. i read here that the stanchions are machined down. Why if it's 35mm into 35mm? What's the bit about bondong/gluing them. I have basic engineering skills, so wondering why I can't do this myself? Thanks

Lots of interest in my friends Sunbeam today at the Vmcc trial, thought I'd post a pic, for anyone interested it will be competing in the 2016 Scottish.

Morning all could anyone please tell me how to set up the 4 clutch springs? I know on some you tighten them all the way then back them off 4 turns but not sure about the bsa. Also should they be wired once set up? Many thanks

Hi I know that nametab do a 9e clutch conversion but I've heard that you can get different clutch plates that get rid of the cork standard ones. Does anyone know who does these? Thanks.

Looking at my increasing collection of Cub spark plugs that have virtually no wear (less than 8 hours use) but have been removed because they are 'sooted' up, I decided to take the plunge and invest in a Spark Plug Cleaner. Basically it is a mini bead blaster that plugs into a compressor air line. Before you respond, I am also taking steps to resolve my dirty plug habit! I note that the cleaning medium is cast iron balls rather than sand (silicon) and have ordered a spare bag as I have no idea how long it will last. Does anyone have any experience using one of these devices and/or any tips? (not spark plug tips!) If not, I'll let you know how I get on. These tools …

Hello I am working on a D1 Bantam which has been converted to a rigid rear end, i want to increase the ground clearance and to my way of thinking, the best way to do it is basically cut the bottom of the frame off and weld it further up and thus moving the end up towards the tank etc. Has anyone got any suggestions or words of advise on this sort of thing. I appreciate its not to everyone's taste but its a spare frame and the bike needs to be a bit more usable or the project will die a death in the corner of a garage unless some new life is breathed into it! At the same time, we'll be improving the fork angle, any angles that are considered the "golden angle"? Thanks…

Sorry that its another pesky bantam question, but where would i be able to get a frame kit from?

I’ve completed my trials project rolling chassis, but I’m now stuck for an engine! Does anyone know where the best place to find a Villiers 32a or 37a engine? (I’ve placed an ad in the classifieds) How hard is it to find just an engine, and would the earlier 9e engine be worth considering?

I first saw a 350 CCM in action when Dave Thorpe struggled round the Scottish way back in... whenever it was. Saw one for sale a bit later and took the plunge. Did a few SE Centre trials on it, got the four stroke bug and swapped it for... can't remember, possibly a 350 Ajay (no, it was a 250 Honda Pinkie from Gordon Farley's Ash shop). The buyer bought it on behalf of an American enthusiast who was intending to rebuild 'as new', so it went off to the USA where I presume it still resides, possibly in a millionaire's collection, or museum. Must be worth quite a few bob now I suppose. Out of curiosity, I revisited my bike blog to check out the 350CCM posting where I listed …

Wouldd7 barrel work on b175 bottom end for super stock racer

Hi Guy

As per the title really,in my quest for gradual improvement of my HT5 the forks are going to get bodged... They are pretty shot really,but I'm not interested in fitting modern internals etc,I just want to get the best out of the standard setup for now.I dont want to take it to bits as it just wont get put back together,there is too much else in my workshop thats in front of it.

Even though I don't have a trials specific C15 I thought I would try posting my question here as there seems to be loads of experience of people working on C15 engines. Hope that is ok? I have a collection of BSA C15 parts that I have been trying to build into vintage flat track style bike having been inspired by the picture attached. I have a complete engine and also another bottom end and head that I was thinking of trying to get a bit more HP out of with a few easy modifications. When I finally started looking at these parts last week I discovered I had been very lucky. The head is SS80 that has also been ported and a huge inlet valve fitted. The bottom end w…

Firstly a big big thank you to a rider of an Arial today. If not for him i would probably still be on my back at Edensfield, what a total 5h1thole that place is, today. Brings home the old adage "Never go practising alone". Freak accident really came over a blind crest between sections, down a bank, hit a log, went over bars and somehow managed to get the bar end. throttle AND brake lever down the inside of my boot. Trapped under the bike i couldnt move. Luckily the guy on the Arial who was following me, bad move i'm usually lost, managed to stop on the crest. Thought i was going to break me leg but finally managed to move the bike enough to get under the boot and loose…

Hi I don't no if this is the right place to ask, I

does anyone know where you can buy alloy brake plates for standard Tiger Cub hubs ? and do they make the hubs work any better. Bruce

Question. I've had a question from a guy who has a Sprite trials bike in basically standard condition with an iron barreled Villiers 32A motor. He wanted to know if the Sprite was eligable for Pre65 events. Now i thought that Sprites were made from 65 onwards so they are most definately NOT eligable for Pre65 events. Not a problem to ride in our events as we dont have a Pre65 class any longer as i felt it was too much of a minefield so the class has been changed to British Bike but he was concerned taht his bike is or is not eligable for Pre65. Roy Bacons book seems to infer that as i said they are not eligable but canb anybody here give me a categorical answer?

Hi my Francis Barnet build is coming along now but just having an issue finding a diagram for the albion gearbox. The engine was rebuilt prior to me buying it but there seems to be a few bits missing from the gearbox Does anyone have a exploded view or know where I could get one to identify the parts that are missing? Thanks