Pre-65 Bikes

do people use in their unit BSA C15 B40 Cub engined mounts? Monograde or multigrade? Mineral or castor based? I'm thinking of running mine on Castrol R40 as recommended to me but I'm not sure if this is overkill or not for trials (as opposed to scrambles or grrasstrack). Also have people fitted external oil filters? If so, what and where did you mount it? Any help/pearls of wisdom appreciated. Cheers, Rob.

If you look at the topic 'New Twinshock Frame for BSA Unit singles' you will see from the second page on that a discussion about Pre-65 eligibility has developed - a little off track from the subject heading but very interesting. So if you want to join in or follow the discussion you need to go to that topic! P.S. Does anyone know how to contact Paul Jackson, Mick Mills or John Burgess? All of whom I am told make or modify frames.

if (hypothetically) I was looking for rigid rear pre-65, anyone got any suggestions of what to look at and who to talk to ? Thinking about some local events and potentially the Sammy Miller series next year....

On the way home from a trial this weekend, I saw this classic trials bike on trailer heading into Chicago. Very clean and shiny. Anyone know what year and make this is?

hi guys what ya think off my bantam trials project shocks are to big but just using them for an idea let me know i need feedback cheers mikey

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.

Hi, Could anyone tell me what steering head angle is generally regarded as the best. Most Trials frame builders seem to have arrived at the same conclusion, Miller Ariel's, Faber Otter frames etc... A friend is building a frame and has asked me if I can find out for him. I don't need to know about trail or any other factor - just the angle of the steering head please. Steve.

Getting this off my chest. I do not expect any support in my post. I just wanted to say it and share it. I am a returning rider after a long lay off. I rode extensively in the North and mostly Cumbria. I managed to get to Intermediate standard which was hard to do. You had to win a Novice trial. Very hard 'upt North'. Once up a level you could not ride at a lower level. ie, No more Novice events or results. I now live in Suffolk and ride twin shock and Pre 70 bikes. I am 67 years old and ride the white routes. Here is my first gripe, why do those with far greater ability ride white routes? In some trials you ride as Expert and 50/50 but when it suits you ride the wh…

Any thoughts on the ideal length, is there a magic number? Just in the process of building an Ariel short stroke and was just wondering if there was a figure to aim for. I seem to have a figure of 52 inches or is it 50?

Just noticed that the new wheel bearings I bought are C3, thought this was for engine internals only ! Does it matter ? Thanks Ross

Hi, Are there any wheel builders out there who could help me put my mind at rest? In the top photo is my newly spoked hub which I belived to be Tiger cub. In the bottom photo is a spare wheel from another Tiger Cub I have highlighted two spokes on each wheel, as you can see the spokes leave the hubs in a different pattern on my new hub. (the spokes are almost at 180 deg. to each other) No matter how I try and respoke the wheel I can't match the pattern of my spare wheel. First I spoke the Large (brake side) flange taking care to keep the spokes of equal length, which should align the rim and hub perfectly. When I try to spoke the small flange the only way they will…

What's the going price for a pair of wheels, alloy flanged rims, galvanised spokes with Cub hubs?

Not too far from finishing the build of my C15, never done a trial before, used to do modern enduro`s so ok (ish) on the mud. I`ve done the usual mods but funds don`t yet run to fiddle forks, so have some old Betors with the outboard triple clamp bolts. I`m in B`ham so looking to ride around Midlands, and I`m sure I won`t be gracing any podiums in the foreseeable.... Which clubs will turn a blind eye (if any?) and would I be eligable to go in Specials class in Sammy Miller series next year? ( P.S for Charlie; after seeking advice from you and others, I eventually widened the swingarm by an inch by simply cutting it in half then inserting extra metal to make up t…

Hello everyone, right then, a pre65 James with a villiers 8e in, now I want to stay within the spirit of pre65 so, can anyone advise on the best engine eg stick with what I have or go for a 32a? Also what sort of mods can be done for better performance to either of these engines? Any advice greatly received just don't start on "the spirit" issue - each to his/her own,

Is there anybody manufacturing replica hubs ? Any info would be appreaciated. Ross

Where can I get the best deal, and which are the best currently available at a sensible price in the UK. (Tube type)

As many of you know i an still persevering with the sows ear project. Mainly because i have no choice and no money now What i want to know is we are now in the 21st century so why is it that when i buy an item sometimes costing hundreds of pounds manufactured from billet on a CNC machine that cost more than my house NOTHING EVER FITS !!!!!! why do i always have to work on the item to make bearings fit or to make it fit the other parts supplied sometimes from the same supplier ????? Everything i have bought lately NOTHING fits ! i have to spend ages with wet and dry or machining the component on my lathe etc Surely it's not too much to expect when paying so …

I am so very drawn to the Pre 65 bikes class at the moment, the shapes and the nostalgia are just great. My question is why is there a specific demand for pre 65 ? what happened after 65 that people didnt like>?

As part of my refurb / upgrade project on my HT I want to sort out the gear ratios. It currently has a standard GB road box,which has been made low geared enough with a large rear sprocket and small engine one.But although first is fine,second is too big a jump - then third and top are all done by about 25mph ! So looking at what was originally supplied as a wide ratio box i now know what I need to change.Knowing that the 4 individual cogs,(Mainshaft sleeve,2nd gear mainshaft - then the two layshaft gears they mesh with) are like hens teeth,I wondered about the new ones that were around little while ago.(Why didnt I just buy them then ? ) Are they the same tooth count a…

Hi all, Having moved to the country and wanting to get back on 2 wheels, I've bought a BSA C15 and#39;trial' project see pic 1. it's not complete and in buying a job lot of parts I now also have a spare frame see pic 2. It's a 1960 c15 frame but has been modded to take what i think is a bantam tank pics 3 & 4 Has anyone seen a frame like this/ know anything about it?