Pre-65 Bikes

Anyone know where I can get a 428 59t sprocket, 148 id 170 pcd for my old rickman hub? The chap at rickman isn't in today and Talon want 2-4 weeks to machine one.... Thanks

hi, i have a bsa c15s that i am looking for info on. the bsa records have the frame number each side of mine but mine is a blank. i was told that this could be because it went to the compertition department. its not shown on vmc bsa records. any ideas were to go next??

does anyone know the amount in degrees advance I want to be using with a Sammy miller pvl???

Hi My new (to me) trials cub has a rear Pirelli MT13 fitted, What is the difference between that and a MT43 rear tyre. The carburation is not good(mk1 Concentric fitted ), at idle its ok, as I open the throttle it coughs and sometimes stalls as the slide lifts initially, ok at quarter throttle plus. I have 120 main jet and #4 slide fitted needle in centre groove. The plug is very black, my next plan is 110 main jet, #3 slide too richen it up off idle, and weaken it at high power thru the reduced main jet. Any help appreciated. triton

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

Hi. Does anyone have a detailed dimensioned diagram for the building of a silencer box for a Bantam B175 trials, using a standard large bore high level front pipe. I have seen a number of nice examples on classic trials websites, but would appreciate help, as I cant find much in the way of trials mods available for the humble Bantam. I would also appreciate a few pointers regarding gearing for the B175 box. Managed to find an 11t front final drive sprocket and a 58t rear but I have heard that it is a good idea to swap 2nd and 3rd gears round before re-assembly of the box takes place. Its all a tad confusing and I'd like to sort the engine next. Hope someone can assist wit…

Having seen the results from the wife's rock tumbler I thought I would try something similar to decoke the head and piston of the Cub. I took a standard 8 shot Eley clay cartridge and emptied the contents through the plughole, refitted the plug and started her up. As expected there were a couple of muffled explosions and then it ran fine and sounded like the rock tumbler. I set the idle up a bit and went off for a coffee. When I came back it had stopped. The head and piston are spotlessly clean although both have a "dimpled" finish a bit like a golf ball. Having put it all back together it still won't go, could it be the timing? Tony

Does anyone know the do's and don'ts re 35 mm yokes for use in the Scottish pre 65 trial. Trying to get my Bantam eligible, not too sure about the yokes. Whether I ride the trial remains to be seen but at least if the bike is eligible it's easier to sell if the time comes, But I will try to enter in the mean time when it's right.....

Hi all, i am hoping to return to riding a C15 or 2! one in modified WD frame and one in a Drayton if i can raise the pennies! anyway i am currently building the motors at present, my question is what size chain do people use. 428 or 520, i always used 520 when riding 10 to 15 years ago. one bike will have cub hubs, the other probably Bultaco. Both engines are C15G they will be running B40 WD gearboxes. i have no sprockets or chain bought yet, so it makes no difference £££ wise. just wondered what everyone uses and why if they have a preference. all suggestions gratefully received.

Anyone got the standard length of a cub s/arm (and where you measured it from)

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

Just about got the Bantam finished and was wondering what tyre pressures to run.My bike is a D7 running Pirelli tyres,I was giving a figure of 6psi front and 3/4psi rear,but is it ok to run them that low with tubes?? cheers the noo Brian

hi there anyone have the email address to terry weedy?? cant see it on his site? many thanks Mikey

What bits are needed to convert a standard engine into a short stroke ? Anybody have contact details for Mick Dickinson, makes heads and barrels ?

Well, I asked how much they weigh before I collected it............put it on the bike rack and I swear it was lighter than my 340 Sherpa. Anyway, I said previously , learning but still a bit green where Pre 65s are concerned. It is said, I term it that way as the Gentleman I purchased it from,purchased it from the Estate of a deceased friend, he knows nothing about it apart from a letter that was concealed in amongst a raft of receipts for work done. The letter said it had an engine rebuild in the mid 90s, fitted with a Serco Trials gearbox, Boyer Branden ignition, frame modifications, hydraulic clutch, and a specialist oil tank ( some purists will wince at…

Hi,I'm struggling to join the GRA using their PDF, am I stupid (don't answer that), or is their a problem with their site? Thanks.

Hi. I’m embarking in my first Villiers project. This is a Francis Barnett with an 8E engine and 4 speed box. I’m after some advice on gearing and primary ratios, so here goes - To begin with I’ll be using the standard clutch. I have though about lowering the primary ratio but figure that may introduce some clutch slip. Currently the ‘box of bits’ includes a clutch with 38t and a primary sprocket of 19t. Should I go lower than the 19t? - Final drive I can go 13t/50t by looking at the Villiers Services shop. Do anyone have problems with chain issues using a 13t? - Final one, given the answers above is there any benefit in going low 2nd? Is there some…

After 18 months, I finally fired up the Cub today. This is the 1st bike engine I have assembled and although pleased to hear it run, was slightly dissapointed at the amount of smoke and various oil leaks that need sorting. I have the following questions: How long does the engine need to run before it stops smoking? Mine has run for about 5 minutes which I thought would be enough to clear any assembly oil but it still smokes! The barrel had a good bore (hone marks still evident) and I fitted a new piston and rings during the rebuild. Is there meant to be a small quantity of oil seeping into the RH (Side point side) case? There is a vent hole near the bottom. My eng…

I have now removed the previous topic relating to this. There are certain parts of things that, from information received from multiple sources, do not stack up. As the two parties in question are now in contact and will, hopefully, resolve the matter amicably there is nothing to be gained from continuing the debate.

Just bought a BSA B25 and stripped it down for a service, on inspection I found quite a lot of sludge/carbon in the oil tank strainer, is this normal? Don't think its dirt as the bike's never been offroad When I collected the bike it ran fine, All the bikes I’ve previously owned have always been clean