Pre-65 Bikes

Just a thought, how does Sam's original Ariel compare to modern versions? Have the machines moved on so much that even GOV132 would now struggle.

Hi folks, Does anyone know if there a source for new crankshafts for Villiers 9e or 32a engines? I'm looking to convert an 11e engine, which has the extra bearing on the right hand side and the longer crankshaft. The plan is to remove the additional bearing (and casing) and to fit the narrower crank. I had seen full circle crankshafts for sale on-line, but they now appear to be out of stock. I'm happy to consider fitting a hammer head crank, but the trend (and the maths) would suggest moving to the full circle version if it were available. Alternatively, is there a modern 2-stroke crank that can be modified to fit the Villiers cases? Before anyone …

Just got my grubby mitts on two issues of the 'Offroad Review'(Nos 70 and 71 to be precise) published 1999 by Ariel Publishing. These are excellent, offering a wealth of interesting articles and superb quality photographs of classic off road action from ancient to more modern times. I've never come across these before and I'm just wondering if anyone can tell me if they are still published. I can't find any reference to them on Google so I suspect they may not be but does anyone know for sure? TIA for any info, and happy new year to all...

Hi: I own this Greeves bike, but the sprockets obviously are not correct as the bike is too fast in 1st gear. Somebody knows the correct sprockets? and maybe where to find them in the internet? It is really a pre-65 bike or not??????? Thank you

Does anyone know when John Catchpole built his Scott-based trials outfit as shown in this photo? http://www.eurospares.com/graphics/sidecar...eSpecial001.jpg Via Google I found an image of JC in action on his first special in 1952 but the one in the photo above appears to be a later version. It seems like every time I go thumbing through my collection of Off Road Review I spot some interesting bike that I'd not noticed before. cheers, Michael

I've started riding a Tiger cub, and I'm wondering what differance's there is in the Tiger Cub motors. What is the time frame of the "round" barrel and "square" barrel engines? Is there a differance in the cylinder heads? Other differances in the motors? Thanks Fred

I am considering one of these for my Triumph Cub, http://www.armac-design.com/Armac_Design/Clutch_Lightener.html Has anyone tried one, what was it like to fit, has it brought about an improvement to the clutch operation.

I spent a very enjoyable afternoon in the workshop today doing a dry build of my HT5 gearbox with the new gears as supplied by Mick Ash.All fitted together beautifully,and was a joy to put together - till I got carried away and mounted the new Jawa speedway clutch to the end of the mainshaft..... Its too long by around 10-12mm,so the outer cover of the clutch fouls the end of the mainshaft. So my question is,from memory Sammy Miller used a shorter mainshaft to narrow his bike down.What were the standard lengths of shaft ? Mine is 1 and 1/16" of an inch from the end of the clutch splines to the very end of the thread.There is room to cut the end off the shaft and put a bit…

Hi Guys I am new to Pre-65 world. Just thinking what street bikes are good candidate for converting from street bikes to Pre-65. Good candidate in sense of below: Expense wise ? Time wise ? Person skills required ? My personal experience so far with BSA C15 , it requires lot of patience and bit expense . need to change forks/hubs/wheels/tyres/ignition/sprockets/ and offcourse engine mods etc , there are lot of good products in market but expensive . Is there any Poor's man guide to Pre-65 Cheers JH

Did the usual google searches - nothing. So, has anybody put an ali barreled cub engine on the scales?

When reading about the BSA Sunbeam (good luck in the P65 Stu) and following the story on these engines elsewhere I noticed a link to Villiers engined trials bikes. Two are of particular interest to me. Firstly the Firefly I have seen one of these ridden in local trials and thought it to be a good bike, the other is the Kyffin Saphire trials which I have heard of but never seen though I have seen a number of th Triumph engined scrambles bikes as wll as a BSA A65 powered version. The frame on the Red Rose trials appears to be a virtual copy? of the Bultaco of the same period but were any sold, has anyone seen one/got one or remember them being ridden.

Hi, I'm looking to replace my old pvl ignition (which I need for another project) with a digital system,not sure what to replace it with , electrex or pvl, I have crank case posts so fitting is not an issue.

Hi all, Can anyone tell me what frame this is? I know the forks are Greeves and the back wheel looks Greeves aswell. The frame is advertised as Sprite but looks nothing like any Sprite pictures I have found. I need to make a decision tonight if I want to buy it ! 20_1_b.jpe

Would anyone know of another suitable kick start that would fit on a Stormer/Starmaker, the shaft is splined and looks to be 3/4" diameter.

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

has anyone tried a flywheel weight on the pvl rotor on the big bore four speed motor if so how did they find it and how much weight did you use. regards john.

Hi I've been trying for some time now to get some details on enlarging the capacity of my B25. It's had several mods already done, including changing the cam, and it now plonks and pulls pretty well. I would like to know the easiest way to get it out to say 280 ish ideally without having to bore the crankcases. I did hear a 650 triumph piston would do it? But which model and compression, is there enough on the standard liner to go out that big, if not what liner will I need? thanks Paul B

My old man is finally going to ditch the horrible standard ignition system on his C15S. What options do we have on a electronic version? I think we would like to go down the crankshaft mounted route to avoid the backlash in the distributor system. Do any of them have lighting coils fitted as standard/option. Thanks

Before I take my bike apart, anyone know the size of the small end in the rod ie the outer size of a new small end bush?

HI All, Does anyone know where I can buy a cushdrive for my rear BHC wheel? The cush is 5 1/2" diameter. Cheers.