Pre-65 Bikes

Retired to France a few years back. Kept my old TES Greeves in the belief that I might one day ride again. Maybe the Talmag. Maybe the Scottish Pre-65. Maybe some classic French trial. Didn't happen though. Sold the bike and reluctantly accepted that my trials-riding days were over. Since then, as one does, I've been trawling the sales ads for interesting pre-65 and twinshock bikes, just out of curiosity. Seems that there are less and less good 'uns available, so more and more must be mothballed in old blokes' (and lassies') garages. And, crikey, how the prices have steadily risen over the last decade or two! Eight grand for a Cub. Ten grand for a 350 CCM. Fifteen grand f…

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

Does anyone know if a C15 engine will fit into a bantam frame? I’ve built a rolling chassis for my bantam, no engine but I do have 3/4 of a c15 engine!

Am thinking of adding a return line oil filter to my Triumph Cub trials bike, any recommendations of a kit or supplier anyone?

I have had a disaster with an experimental bearing I had intended for use on a C15. I wanted to replace the timing bush with something more robust and opted to machine the inner and outer bearing components to fit a needle roller. It was with the assistance of this forum that I managed to get the bearing over from the US. Everything was fine until the machinist took about 8thou too much off of the outer bearing case (and for some reason shortened it to the same width as the bearing) making it unuseable. All the other components, inner sleeve, bearing and thrust washers are perfect. I can only find complete items with the sleeve bush in place at

Probably not the right forum for this but i like the clientelle here I was observing on Sunday at a Pre 65 classic trial as the bike isnt finished yet got nothing to ride so thought i would help out by observing. You know Classic Trials the ones with the relatively easy sections. I was amazed, probably shouldnt be, by the number of riders who seemed to think it ok to blatantly kick, uproot and generally remove rocks from the section. When i jokingly asked one of them "Do you work for Tarmac Roadstone" as i admired his roadbuilding technique all i got was "no but that rocks loose". Ya dont say!! I pointed out that if him and his mate teamed together they could…

Several years ago I bought this Cagiva but never could get it running right. The previous owner mentioned he wouldn't mind getting it back from me. So at the recent vintage bike show I see he has this AJS so I offer to swap the bikes. He gets the Cagiva and I end up with ANOTHER project. Fortunately for both of us he agrees. This last box is fully of freshly chromed parts. Unfortunately this includes the oil tank, which I think should be black. I haven't had a chance to fully inventory the parts. Then again I barely know what it should look like when it's complete! I went out today and looked at the parts more carefully, here are some more pics: I b…

Std brake shoes are 138mm o/d x 25 width Does anyone do a set of 140mmo/d x 25 mm shoes The i/d of the hub is slightly below 140mm(139.8) The brake is very vague and spongy so i thought a larger dia set would be better Any advice?? Marty D

Hi Guy's, I own a beautiful 1961 Matchless G3C that isn't running at it's best. I think it's the carb but before I go out and buy a new carb I wondered if anybody could recommend somebody in the midlands that would be able to tune my bike? It ias a AMAL MK1 Concentric carb, after about 5 mins of running it appears to run out of fuel and you have to tickle the carb again to be able to start it as if it is getting air into the carb from somewhere. I have a Domino fast action throttle on it and wonder if that contributes to the problem as when you open it up quickly it appears to jump straight to the main jet. Desperately want to get her running nice as at the moment she i…

Hi all you pre65 boffins, what do you think is the best 2 stroke bike on which to ride the pre65 Scottish 2 day, for a clubman rider? Please give your reasons.

Hi I have just modified my Cub to run with PVL ignition, I set it up to Serco's initial figure of 3mm BTDC, it starts and ticks over much better now, though it seems lumpy and backfires abit at higher revs, I haven't tried it out in anger yet, just in the garage for short bursts to keep the neighbours sweet. Has anyone any info on timing set up, my cub is standard 199cc with standard cam and compression ratio. I will ride next sunday in a club trial and see how it goes. Any info appreciated. Triton

thinking of putting tubeless rims on a new bantam build and would be pleased to hear any comments or suggestions good or bad thanks.

Hi guys, I have noticed that more and more twinshock and pre 65 bikes now have hollow ali spindles. where would you find theese or are they home made? Cheers

Hi Guys i'm after some info on Ariel short stroke motors I've got the start of a project ie a bottom end crank cases steel flywheels later rod also a 350 head which I've been told can be modified to fit a 500 short stroke barrel there are a number of people selling these are any more preferable for this mod as I think i'll have move the head bolt hole centers ?

Hi All, Hope you are all keeping well, I am struggling to attain a few bits for my DMW MK15 trials bike which i am currently restoring. Would someone be able to guide me where I could post on the forum. As I am in need of a set of steering head bearings. No originals were found as the bike was in bits when I received it and was not then able to get measurements or part number. And I am looking for a complete exhaust for the bike. The frame bore for the bearing is 46mm outer and then chamfered to a depth of 12mm, Then inner bore of the bearing needs to be 32mm. I have been struggling for a few months now but after a show i have been to have been advised to pop…

Not familiar with this one, any ideas. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1959-RARE-BANTAM-TRI...%3A1|240%3A1318

As above, for my C15... I've budgeted about £150, not bothered if the Alloy ones are lighter, just wondered what current opinions are.. I've looked back through the archives and there's fans of either, but a lot of the opinions are a few years old so things may be different now? I see a lot of Betors about, but is that because they look a bit sexier or what ? Cheers

Thinking of trying a triumph twin trialer,What motor should i start with???? Everone i have spoken to with a 350 says the 500 is too powerfull and the boys with 500 say 350's wont grip??? I know it is a matter of taste but whats your opinion??

Now firstly sorry to post this in this section but i respect the advice and opinions of the contributors. I have just bought a new NZI carbon fibre helmet from Sammy Millers to use when riding the B40 in local Pre 65 trials as i understand helmets are now compulsary. On opening the box i noticed the helmet didnt have an ACU gold sticker. Didnt have any ACU sticker to be precise. Rang Sammy Miller and they said that was right that the helmets are not ACU approved but that this shouldnt be a problem. Now in your opinion and experience is this so? I would have assumed that Sammy Millers being a major trials specialist should not be selling items that are not suitable for…

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