[Sprite Trials Bikes]

Hi Steve,

I am very sorry to hear of your sad loss and my thoughts are with you and your family.

“British Trials Bikes” would have never have grown like it did in the late sixties without your fathers input, supplying a trials bike that anyone could afford.

I am glad we did the catch up on Sprite Trials bikes when we did, has I know your dad enjoyed it.

Condolences to you all in the family.

And I for one will make sure “Mr Sprite’s” name lives on while I am still able too!

Charlie Prescott.

Thanks charlie the funeral takes place at stourbridge crem on thurs 13th at 2.10 then on to hadcroft inn at new farm rd lye casual clothes plz (dad hated suits )donations are to be divided between stroke association and the A M C A benevolent fund many Thanks the HIPKINS xx

[Sprite Trials Bikes]

Hi Guy's

Hi OTF.

I Promised I would put this Photo on for you well the scan never arrived so I have photographed it for you and,this is as good has it gets, Pretty little bike though don't you think???

Is there anyone riding a Sachs powered Sprite in the twinshock classes???

.

Regards Charlie.

just thought you might be interested dad has put a video on youtube it`s under spritemotorcycles (all one word) hope you enjoy all the best steve

[Sprite Trials Bikes]

Hi Guy's

Hi OTF,

The Hipkins have been in touch with me, and what they have said confirms the fact!!

I then find a Picture of Arthur Dovey, on a Sprite fitted with Norton forks and a James front,wheel. Then find out that he bought the frame from Frank, the Villiers Scrambles engine from the Rickmans, (this was fitted with trials gears), along with a G/F clamp on front mudguard.

Then I Quote> Arthur was very successful locally and won several premier awards on that bike.

By 1965 Arthur was a top rider in the Southern center, and he started that year still on the Sprite.< end of Quote.

There was also a hint that Arthur was a supported rider on this bike but there is no confirmation of this fact.

Going back to Jonah, Frank said that he had full run of the sweet factory and that he would somtimes be there for 24 hours at a time, and use as many parts that he wanted, engine bits tyres etc, He then would go off for a days practice at Tipton, armed with a small axe, as a hammer, an old flat headed screwdriver, a pair of Molegrips, and a piston.Frank also said that Dennis had rolled up at the shop and asked him to build a bike around him, he was riding a Greeves at the time. So Frank had the Cotton and they started with that.

Regards Charlie.

Hi charlie yes sprite did support Arthur Dovey and many more .

[Sprite Trials Bikes]

What is the difference between a 1964 Sprite and a 1965 and what year did sprite produce the twin down tube model.

hi jack the lad dad (frank hipkin) sed theres no difference on the 64/65 models. All early viller engined sprites from 64 on had the twin down tube. the official sachs and zundapp engined sprites the down tubes were wider then the later 250/405 sprites own engines were a singel down tube i hope this as helped you all the best steve

[Sprite Trials Bikes]

Thanks charlie dad said hello.Concerning the 405 trials it won the french championship and steve fox of the midland centre loved his so i think its personal prefrence .

[Sprite Trials Bikes]

in the early days dad (frank hipkin)used AMC forks, then when those ran out he designed, made and sold the leading link. then they tried the mp forks which were no good then ron humphry came down and asked dad to test the r.e.h fork which sprite used, then further down the line sprite made and produced their own forks wheel hubs at their foundry.