Pre-65 Bikes

I would like to convert a Triumph Tiger Cub for trials. I have two Triumph Tiger Cubs basket cases. I would like to know what should be done. What forks to use? What motor mods should I do? What aftermarket trials parts are there for a cub? One of them somebody had started to convert already it is a roller.

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…

Hi, I am carrying out the final assembly of my Tiger Cub and can't find which oil pipe is 'supply' and which oil pipe is 'return' on the bottom of the engine. I am fitting a top tube type oil tank and have put a feed from the return pipe for the rockers. Also what is the general view on fitting an external oil filter to Tiger Cubs? I have one but will get the bike running before I consider fitting it. I intend to change the oil regularly any way, so the only advantage I can see is that it would add another 1/4 litre of oil to the system. The disadvantage being that there are more possible leaking points! Any help would be appreciated, Bruce.

Hi there As the question says ! I've got a sprite with 37a engine and my son has a James with 8e engine Is modern 2 stroke ok ? If so what ratio Cheers John

I have come across a BSA motorcycle that the current owner believes is a mid 60' BSA MX motorcycle. It is almost all there (in boxes of course) how do I tell which model it was? I believe the engine is a 441 from my limited BSA knowledge. The tank is alloy with a Blue stripe, seat looks like a trials seat. No lights or indication it ever had lights. Did BSA make a trials bike in that era? I am looking for a 60's vintage BSA/ Triumph/ AJS for vintage competition. Has any done a BSA MX to trials conversion? Does it make sense? Thank you in advance Doug yeogene@yahoo.com

Hi everyone, I've just bought my first AMC bike which is an AJS 16 that's been built as a trials (style) bike. A fair bit has been done to it but there is also a lot I need to sort out and improve upon. The plan is to use it for some road trials like the Arbuthnot, some rides out with my local VMCC sections and a bit of playing around at my trials club's local practice ground. I'm not looking to use it for serious pre-65 competition use. From what I can tell so far, it's quite a bit of a bitsa. I believe the frame is a 1959 but the engine may be earlier as it has a pressed steel primary chaincase and magneto with manual retard control. I was also told that the crankca…

Hi, I've inherited my late Dad's '60 C15T and, despite not riding Trials (but a motorcyclist for over 50 years), I intend to restore it. I'm not clear yet quite how to go about it, what my priorities are or should be, and... I am NOT a mechanic! But I know my limitations and I don't intend to sod the 'bike up through ignorance. I'm going to convert it to 12v and fit Boyer Bransden electronic ignition (it was a bugger for my poor old Dad to start!) as I'm OK on electrics - I fitted a Boyer Bransden to a Sammy Miller Trials Cub I once owned. Then I need someone good to completely rebuild the engine (with the desirable mods) - someone good and not someone who just th…

Hi , I hope some of you Tiger Cub Guru`s can help here. From running on idle,when asking for that initial burst of power, my friends Cub just hesitates, & has a serious flat spot. He stripped the carb to find out what jets were in there ; the carb is a amal 622 needle jet 106 main jet 100 slide cutaway 3 needle has no numbers but has two small rings round the top if that means anything Has anyone any idea`s or experience of this problem?

I've just acquired a Bantam trialler, with a view to replacing the SY250 heap of engineering sh*te that I got the other week. The new steed is a 1969 D14/4, I understand, a bit heavier, like me, but at least the plug can be changed without removing the tank and radiator, and the float bowl removed without the prior removal of tank, rear mudguard, air filter/box, muffler, aluminium spreader plate, and gas shock. The frogs must be taking the pus. Back to the plot - I don't know what petroil mix to feed the Rooster on. I was using Morris' "Sport Action 2" synthetic oil in the sulking frog, but that is a lot different to the "Gloopy" stuff that we used to have 40 years a…

I see that Villiers services are offering a yamaha clutch conversion for the villiers engine, anyone used it and can give an opinion and also which model it is off?

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

Just come in out of the garage after wrestling with the rob Homer frame i bought thinking i would save myself a bit of money. OK its CDS not T45 like those Alan Whitton ones but with my level of inexpertise it wont make much difference. Well after spending hours and hours over the last week or two trying to get things to fit i am beginning to wonder if the saving was really worth it. I have had a DRR frame supplied through Alan before and everything just fitted together as it should. No re drilling, no reaming out, no filing etc etc. Plus the welding / brazing is to die for and it seems a shame to paint over it. Is it just me ? Do i just happen to have a Friday frame ? OK…

Hi people , anybody had any experience with this clutch conversion , i have one fitted to my bike , and it as no feel , either on/off , reminds me of a Montesa 315r i had a few year back , mod was fit motorcross plates and play around with different oil , any tips -mods please ...Cheers

Hi, I have a 1961 BSA C15 with an Amal MK1 carb. The bike runs ok but you have to be very gentle when you open the throttle from tickover or it will stall and it is a bit lumpy on 1/4 throttle. The carb is a 622. 3 1/2 slide. needle on middle groove. 110 main jet. 105 needle jet. Pilot air screw about 3/4 turns out. Pilot bush fitted, I believe this is a 25. The plug is black, not wet and never fouls (touch wood) Will be grateful for any advice or opinions. Cheers.

entered a national event in 4 weeks time but last time out my bike was pinking a bit.Reading up on the internet it seems like one of the causes could be build up of carbon. I also read about a tuner in the states that gas flows heads using a sandblaster. So i thought i could kill two birds with one stone (epecially as it is so tricky to get the push rods back in). This afternoon I took the air filter out and the silencer off, fired the bike up, held it at about 3000 rpm and throw hand fulls of sand into the airbox. most of the sand seems to have come out so I put it all back together again. Problem is now that it runs really rough. I reckon it so well gas flowed I need…

I'm seeking opinion on the best options for a Matchless engine. Is there any benefit in using the older 350 bottom half of the engine? It is smaller, lighter, and the smaller flywheels may suit modern sections better. Has anyone tried this with the later shorter con rod, which should give better torque? Or is there a better option?

Further to my post regarding the Cub oil return mod, I have now started stripping the engine to find a cause for the smoking. The engine was built from bits and pieces and put in my spare frame for my Son to ride. It starts and runs ok. He entered its first trial and almost completed the first lap with no issues. It then started smoking badly on tickover so we retired the bike. I carried out a number of the usual mods when I built it including adding a blind camshaft bush and putting a large breather in the unused distributor hole, Alpha big end, etc etc. I also fitted a new (later type) oil pump. I measured the clutch and gearbox oil when I removed it …

Hi all Anybody know a good starting point with jetting on a Mk 1 Amal carb , its to fit a Villiers 250cc 32A motor Cheers

I

I’m looking for a nice exhaust silencer for my Villiers project, I’ve had a look around and all I can find are 4 stroke silencers?