Pre-65 Bikes

Hi, I am just building the engine for my Trials Cub Project. I am fitting a PVL ignition which I purchased second hand about a year ago. I'm sure Alan Whitton said set the timing 5mm BTDC but the guy who sold me the ignition said 2.0 - 2.5mm BTDC. I'm running a +40" 7:1 piston and 'R' Cam in a Square barrel, side points engine. I know Alan uses a higher compression Kawasaki piston (I've got one but couldn't bear to bore a perfictly good barrel). I can just about get both timings but would like to set the correct timing in the middle of my adjustment. I'll be running the engine on a Mikuni VM22 (26mm) pit bike carb if it makes any difference to the timing as I belie…

Hello All, long time reader first time poster 😀 I own a pre65 Triumph cub with an original swing arm. I am wanting to run a modern trials tyre however things are tight down there 🤣 I understand that Feked do a trials swing arm to give more clearance however i was wanting to hear from those that have modified the original swing arm quite sucessfully without going down the feked path. Many thanks

My G3 Matchless uses a Lucas wader magneto with manual advance retard, as it would have been back in the day. The majority of unit 4 strokes and most of the two strokes have all moved to electronic ignition, which potentially leaves the pre unit further behind... What ignition system are you using for you pre unit bikes? Is it an improvement on the original magneto, and is it worth changing?

Hi, how much tarmac road work is there on the Arbuthnot trial please ?

Just bought a Trifield rolling chassis , has short road shocks fitted... Anyone here know the ideal shock length eye to eye ? Thanks

Hi, I've got a Bantam with replacement front forks/yokes - one of the top oil seals is knackered and I'm trying to identify the make of forks, does anyone know the make or where I can source a replacement seal. See attached photos. Thanks Elliot

Am needing some help/advice. Have bought a 1961 T20 and recently topped up the primary chain case with oil, on the next run found it had leaked out onto the drive sprocket. I'd put in red ATF, so the leak was definitely from the primary chain case. I've not had a T20 engine apart, but I know that on the Triumph 500 and 650's there is an oil seal set into the back plate behind the clutch assembly. I can see that this engine doesn't have a removeable back plate, can someone point me in the right direction, is there an oil seal on the inboard side of the primary chain case and is it accessible once the clutch has been removed, the Haynes manual is pretty vague. Thanks.

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 …

Hi , I have a ex tom ellis c15 i am looking for information on . It has a pink/ red scrutineering mark on the frame that we have now identified as entry number 84 in the 1963 ssdt. This was Tom u Ellis entry number and i understand he did not finish due to injury. I am tying to get any pictures of this bike and rider . We have approached various photo archives but thought it might be worth asking on here for help

Hello, I'm restoring a 1962 Comerfords Tiger Cub. Has anyone got one of these so I can have some pictures? Just want to try and sort out what it should look like. Also, mine has a 4.00 rear tyre on it that rubs the swinging arm. Would the original bike have a had 3.50 or 3.75 tyre maybe? I know you can get wider rear frames. It if it came with standard width, I'd rather leave it like that. Thanks in advance! Martin.

Hi. I’m embarking in my first Villiers project. This is a Francis Barnett with an 8E engine and 4 speed box. I’m after some advice on gearing and primary ratios, so here goes - To begin with I’ll be using the standard clutch. I have though about lowering the primary ratio but figure that may introduce some clutch slip. Currently the ‘box of bits’ includes a clutch with 38t and a primary sprocket of 19t. Should I go lower than the 19t? - Final drive I can go 13t/50t by looking at the Villiers Services shop. Do anyone have problems with chain issues using a 13t? - Final one, given the answers above is there any benefit in going low 2nd? Is there some…

Hi folks, just a question for future sprocket alternatives. I have a motor which is B40 cases, with B44 crank and top end, 23 eng sprocket and 52 clutch....gearbox is 11 teeth with 55 on rear. I'm guessing standard side point motor gear box ratio's, but no clue realy. So bike handles sections in first gear reasonably well if not realy tight, and second good for hill climbs, so quite usable. Was just wondering if I went to a 18 tooth engine sprocket....I may be able to go up a tooth or two on the gear box and less teeth on the rear and shorter chain, and still lower the overall gearing slightly. Sounds feasable to me, but any input welcome. My biggest wor…

I've been searching the internet for over two weeks and I can't find a lower crankrod pin, bushing or roller (bearing) for a E3342 rod (what the little Terrior used). I've found the larger crank pin, bush and roller, but not the small. I've contacted Greystone and looked on Feked, but they do not show these parts as being available. Any help would be greatly appreciated... I've got mine all torn apart and want to get it back together with new parts. Thank you.

Can anyone help????? I purchased a cub frame which was supposedly fitted with a wide swinging arm..... However I'm begining to wonder if it is.... Does anyone know the actual width of a standard cub S/A or a standard cub wide S/A so I can check which I have.... I dont want to modify it if it is a wide one as I'm building a stock looking trial's cub with correct steel tank's fork's etc rather than a trick one...... Pete

I want to widen and lengthen the rear swing arm on my trials cub. I intend to do the cut and shut myself then take it to a local fabricators for welding. Can anyone tell me where to cut and what to make. I have a pretty good workshop with a lathe and small milling machine. I have 2 standard trials swing arms to play with. I was thinking of removing the LH (brazed in?, cranked) arm from one unit and sticking it on the RHS of the other but this seems wasteful. I have seen a sketch on another post but it doesn't give any sizes. What do you do with the rear shocks when the swing arm is widened as the bottoms won't line up with the tops! Are both sides widened by…

Mine´s on a ROA Super Foxter 200 (1960) that’s not run for about 40 years. Its a Spanish bike fitted with a Villers 197 7E. As far as I know, there´s nothing wrong with the box, apart from 28,000 Km of wear and tear and 40 years of rusting in a barn…Unfortunately, when it comes to the gearbox, I´ve fallen at the first hurdle. From what I´ve read in Motor Cycle & Cycle Trader´s Servicing Data Sheet No. 4 and referring to the exploded diagram (Parts System | EXG074 (villiers.info) the “Bush operating shaft outer” (9) should just slide off the operator shaft (20). But its stuck solid. No amount of pulling, heating or WD-40 has shifted it a mm. Any suggestions on whe…

Hello everyone,Im a new member, I recently bought a Ariel trials bike and don't really know what I have.I used to do pre65 trials on a T100 Triumph trials bike and have always wanted a big 500 Ariel, so I took the plunge.Can anyone shed some light on to my bike? Would love to know who built the frame etc.Thanks everyoneAlex

What is the easiest electronic ignition to fit to my T20 cub. Its the older one not the one with the points on the side.

Has anyone used Aspen fuel in Villiers engines and did you use Aspen 4 and use your own twostroke oil or the ready mixed Aspen 2 ? Was it better than pump fuel and was there a noticeable improvement ? I know its alot more expensive but is it worth it as I only use my bike a few time a year .

I am going to need a new rear sprocket for my Pre-65 Trials bike soon. It's a BSA B40 with Triumph Cub wheels, using 428 chain. I am currently running a 76 tooth sprocket, and had once purchased a replacement rear from PMP sprockets in Wylie TX. I was very pleased with. Sadly, they are no longer in business, and from all I can tell, the business was bought & operated under Superior Sprockets name. When I follow down that rabbit hole, their website is "Temporarily Closed". Does anyone have any experienc with other custom sprocket makers who might still be in business? I'm going to be in need very soon! Thanks