Pre-65 Bikes

Having recently fitted a new 22mm Amal concentric carb to my cub, to try to cure low rev stalling in sections I am still having problems curing a flat spot which happens if i snap open the throttle from idle. i called Surrey Cycles for advice they suggested fitting a brass slide with a bigger cutaway which i fitted today. i took the Cub for a run on road to warm it up and then tried to trickle along at idle occasionally bliping the trottle to lighten the front flat spot is still there - again only if the throttle is snapped open, if the throttle is opened slower it revs cleanly all the way through the range. Do you think this may be an ignition problem, I am using a Boye…

At the last trial I rode someone was riding a Firefly with a Villiers engine it was a very tidy machine. I have not seen one before are there many about in or out of use.

Got the Sprite and had a first ride on it yesterday. Feels surprisingly modern. The frame has obviously been quite well modified to alter the steering angle, it does steer very well. The engine feels lively and it seems to find grip pretty well. I'm surprised how light it is.I'm quite chuffed.

Has anyone done this, any issues with fitting it in terms of chain alignment and rubbing the tyre?

Fitting a PVL to my C15 but it doesn't have any instructions. Could anyone please confirm the position of the 4 spacers provided with the kit? 3 are obviously for the stator and one for the rotor. However, if the rotor spacer is fitted to the crankshaft behind the rotor there is hardly any thread protruding. Similarly should the stator spacers be behind or front side of the stator? Thanks.

Have recently replaced the Amal pancake air filter on my Cub with a new foam cylindrical type which I sprayed with Castrol filter spray. Now having ridden the bike I think it is running rich and very badly at lower rpm. I removed the filter which seemed to improve things but need more riding time before I will know properly. Do all foam filters need spraying or have I made a problem by doing so, anyone else had running issues after spraying a foam filter?

I am unable to source a folding kickstart lever for my Bantam B175 engine (large splined shaft) and would like to know if anyone has found a lever from another machine that fits. The smaller splined D14 lever is available as a folding item, but it is rather bulky and costs

Hi I am sure this has been covered before but do any of you have any ideas where i can get some footrests c/w mounting plates for welding on or bolt on to an Otter frame kit for a B40 i will (hopefully) be receiving soon?? I seem to remember some chat recently about using some off a current trials bike but i cant remember which one or where they are obtainable from. How much would be nice too. I've looked at the Miller ones and Surrey Cycles and to be honest No too narrow. Would like a bigger area underfoot. If not i may just get some old Bultaco ones and make mountings up but would prefer to buy and fit soem already made up so that should they get damaged spares are ava…

Hi everyone, I am confused by the process of adapting modern internals into a pre-65 type fork leg. I am an engineer by trade, but find it hard to visualise the process. Is anyone out there able to explain the concept? Do you bore out the classic fork bottom? That would weaken it. Do you make special bushes? That would be difficult, as modern fork stanchions tend to be of larger diameter than classic. Do you machine the outside of the modern leg, and somehow fit the entire modern fork within the classic fork bottom? I can only imagine that classic fork legs must be chosen carefully, with larger diameter ones preferable, or modern forks chosen that are close to the d…

Hi, Im searching for fork dust covers 35mm/50mm for Ceriani or similar. Im thankful for any advice. Regards, Pat

Hi, just had Alan Whitton work his magic on some old Long Roadholders and some not so old 'zocchis.. I'd like to use gaiters to keep the stanchions in good nick and I want them to look pleasing to my eye too. Anyone know offhand which ones will fit nicely to the 35mm and also the top of the Roadholders? I want them to be a relatively fine 'pitch', ones in pics I've seen have about 15 'teeth' if you know what I mean, I'm really not keen on the coarse ones with about 8 'teeth' Ta very much

Hello Does anyone know where I can purchace a pair of fork gaiters for my Francis Barnett trials. This one has original barnett forks and not the norton type. Top is approx 31mm bottom is 42mm and needs length of about 140-150 fully out. Black if Possible Thanks Ken

Any one know a supplier for gaitors for standard B40 WD forks ? Top opening 57mm bottom 50mm approx by 250mm long approx. Also are there any trials springs available, probably not as fewer and fewer are using standard forks. Thanks Ross

Can anyone help with sorting out my Cub front end geometry. The question is how much Trail do you need for a trials bike? Currently the standard frame with heavy weight Triumph forks (no trick stuff here) has @5" of trail. The bike does not like tight turns in sections, pushes on and wants to fall in to the turn - could be a bit of a rider problem as well! Looking at some websites on fork geometries it seems the less trail you have the easier it is to steer at slow speeds - sounds good. But how much is less? Any ideas on what is a good figure to aim for and how best to achieve it i.e. steepen the frame head tube, different yoke offset, raise the rear end (already done …

I've taken the plunge into the world of pre65 and I've got myself a tiger cub. It runs fine but has been sitting unused for a long time. It seems like a pretty honest, non trick, trials machine. But a few bits need recommissioning. The front forks are quite stiff with limited travel, so need looking at. I was wondering if anyone could help me identify what they are from, that would help me massively with spares and servicing. Many thanks Sam

Hi all, a friend has these on a Bantam but what are they exactly? He needs some parts and wants to be sure Thanks in advance, Dave

working on a cub to replace the seals ( i think the forks are actually bsa perhaps from a c15) i put 150ml of 15wt oil in and they 'sag' for fun (maybe an inch and a half under the weight of the bike and another inch when lardy boy climbs on board..) to stiffen them up do i put more oil in put thicker oil in put a longer preload spacer in put 'fresher' longer springs in ..

Hi All, I have a cub which has been set up for trials, but has been sitting for 30 years unused. I am slowly recommisioning it. It has a pair of metal profile forks, the forks have 5 inches of travel, but when you ride it they are so stiff and heavy it feels like about an inch or two. I have stripped, cleaned and given the fresh oil, but they still feel woody. The only thing left to try is to replace the springs, but I can't find any. Are there any companies out there who make springs to order. I need some 500m x 24mm. Thanks Sam

Hello all...I'm looking to get my B40 stanchions repaired as they have some pitting right where the seal does its work...anyone recommend a repairer? I've emailed Fitforx today asking for a quote but no reply yet. Cheers, Mark.

Hi there , ive just bought these forks for my Cub , they are 30mm diameter sliders the yokes have a big offset and have the tapered top Does any one know what they were off and how old are they suitable for the pre 65 scottish ?