Pre-65 Bikes

Hi guys, I want to try and repair a small crack in the bottom skirt of a Tiger Cub cylinder. The bike will not be used on too much of a regular basis, so I hope that this repair can be successful. I am in two minds though as to how approach this repair. Do I braze it, Oxy/acetylene weld, CO2 or similar inert gas weld. Has anyone tried this? My head tells me to braze it from a joint aspect because it is flexible, but from a welding heat aspect, a quicker CO2 weld seems to be the way to go. Obvioualy the crack will be prepared accordingly prior to repair. Bruce

Will a factory supplied Triumph Tiger Cub swing arm fit into a BSA Bantam frame please, after a quick answer as can't find a Cub frame at right price but have found a Bantam one, thanks.

Hello All – Hoping to sort a rich running 1961 Triumph Tiger Cub Trials bike fitted with a large valve head (E4102) and Amal 622/300 MK1 concentric carb. The main jet is a 140. Does anyone run a similar setup? What jets are you using? Thanks in advance. Moray

I have a c15 which has standard road gearbox, I’ve lowered gearing including primary drive to make first ideal for sections but obviously it makes fourth rather slow and the rear sprocket is large, chain has jumped off couple of times. I’m not very up on gearbox internals so hoping someone can help. If I replace 1st and 2nd with these 29 tooth 40-3176, + layshaft 2nd gear 26 tooth 40-3132 and mainshaft or 2nd, 24 tooth 40-3130 will it make significant difference. Does it lower first gear internally so I could reduce size of rear sprocket. Thanks in advance for any help

Hi Folks, I've recently picked up one of the later Wassell frames (the oil in frame one with the twin front down tubes), and am considering pairing it with a Villiers 9e/32a engine that has been sitting on my bench. My hope would be to use it in some twin shock events, but before I get too carried away with the idea, I wanted to ask if anyone here has any experience of using these frames for trials, either with the original Sachs/Puch engine or converted to something different? While these don't appear to have been a particularly common bike in the early 70's, what is the general opinion on reviving it for twin shock trials? Or is there a good reason why these …

Could anyone tell me what advance I should be setting this to with an electric world ignition,should it be (35deg before tdc (6.3 mm before tdc)?

Couple of Bantam build questions please, Is it a good idea to swap around the existing 2nd and 3rd gears, I found a diagram of how to do this on the web but if that lowers second then what happens to third gear. Is it instead better to buy the aftermarket second gear set which is I believe 20/27 ? Which ignition system and crankshaft weight is the one to get All BSA Bantam engine build hints and tips welcomed

I've got a question about sprockets. Now i've always believed that ideally you should have an odd number and an even number i.e. 11 tooth gearbox and 42 back wheel to ensure wear was more even on both sprockets. However the std combination is 11 gearbox 41 rear wheel. Wouldn't this wear the sprocket unevenly. Alternatively have i had it wrong all these years or doesn't it matter any more ?

I am looking for a rear brake drum/sprocket for a matchless g3c it has a 5 bolt fixing and a 5.5" brake dia any ideas? i have tried the usual suppliers AMC classics,ajs owners club russell motors etc.The bike is 1961. thanks

Hi All - I’ve recently purchased a Triumph Tiger Cub. It rides great and starts first time. Ticks over and accelerates well but its running rich and appears to be burning oil. Please you recommend anyone that will check the bike for me? I’m keen to get it sorted. It’s a keeper. Based in NW England. Thanks in advance. Moray

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 …

Evenin` all and a merry Christmas to one and all. My Crusader is well on it`s way, by which I mean that I have reduced the base bike to its` component parts. My wheels are being prepared by Gerry Minshall as I write this but I have a query one of you types may be able to answer. Bearing in mind that I have a road box what rear wheel sprocket size would you recommend. I`ve no doubt the bike will climb but at the same time I don`t want it going beserk downhill and scaring the wotsit out of me. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Have fun, Hazel

I have matador model 4 . 200 cc 4 speed mf 63 to 66 ,do these models qualify , do any of you use these old Bultaco’s for pre 65

Has anyone seen this on a villiers iron barrel?

I have a genuine Comerfords Cub, but for the life of me, I cannot find a decent photo of the original petrol tank logo for the bike. It looks like a coat of arms. I have asked all the guru's, including Gordon Farley, the Mikes and Dave Thorpe. Does anyone have such a photo?

Hi all. I intend to build a pre 65 trials bike using a 1959 Francis Barnett frame I have the original wheels and was going to use the original hubs but they are iron (heavy) and a bit bit clapped generally. Does anyone know where I can some small diameter alloy full width hubs? I saw some on a Cotton ( I think ) on this forum and they were lovely. I have been Googling for hours now and just keep going round in circles with no result. Any help would be appreciated.

I have a cub engine with T20 97513, Any ideas what the year of manufacture was?

HELP PLEASE. Does anyone have a photo or photos of Peter Stirland on his 1962 works Royal Enfield 250 Crusader trials bike that they would be happy to share ? I have just acquired the engine from the bike and am looking for an image of the full machine with a view to building it up. The engine came from Mick Peeling who removed it from the bike decades ago and used the frame for another purpose. Interestingly it has a manual-advance/retard augmentation. All help appreciated.

A question to make Charlie P despair! In the lightweight class we have had the James, Triumph Cub and Bantam eras, all machines passed as being pre-65 in style and substance. What might be the next all victorious model in this class.

O.k. I fitted the earlier 'R' Cam to my late engine, no problem. Replaced the primary drive chain and it now runs smooth and quiet. Made some parts to allow me to run the bike without the right hand outer cover on. This would allow me to spot any oil leaks from the gear lever shaft and outer cam bush. I also replaced the push rod tube top and bottom gaskets with new items. All is well apart from oil spewing out of the top of the push rod tube around the gasket. (see photo). I tried the thicker one when I assembled engine (without the push rods fitted) but it seemed to be holding the head off the barrel. I put a smear of sealant around the push rod …