westyfield7

Hi, my frame is number 157 so it could well be a later one. I must admit that when compared to the other Cheetahs I have seen it is lighter, has special fork yokes and has one or two minor differences. I also had new rims laced to Cub replica hubs which are lighter and also had brackets welded on to relocate sprung footrests as mentioned above.. when I bought it the original pegs were fixed and about two inches higher and further forward.. they still feel high compared to the DOT though. I have an interesting article from January 1968 where Don Smith tests the Cheetah for Motor Cycle News. Cheetah boss Bob Gollner and frame builder Mick Whitlock took Villiers and Cub engined bikes along and Gordon Adsett a Husqvarna engined one. Ken Heanes was also there so quite a gathering of talent!. Don Smith had just taken on the London area agency for them so he wasn't going to say anything bad about them was he! The Villiers Cheetah was available either in Chassis form for £85 or complete at £219. Another £30 got you an alloy barrel! I paid about £1100 for mine in 06 but what is it worth today when some are asking £3.5k for an uncompetitive old Greeves? How times have changed!

Hi James, you have the basics of a good competitive Cheetah there I think. The frame number on mine is on the left side of the headstock. The original tank was indeed a large fibreglass one as shown on the Don Morley pics. I found my Cheetah on eBay, 7yrs ago now up in East Yorkshire, and with the addition of an SWM tank, a Fantic 200 seat and repositioning the footrests it is now a lovely bike to ride. Careful changes to the exhaust have also made the engine smooth and controllable. It grips well in mud and turns nicely as standard without any frame mods as mentioned..maybe not as good as the modern James/FB replicas but not far behind..and ts original! I took it over to Stafford for the trials demo last weekend and really enjoyed riding it again after a couple of seasons on the John Bull DOT and not sure if it isn't as good! PM ne if you need more info. http://www.flickr.com/photos/106795187@N06/sets/72157638293435765/

,... could it be a "kneeling pad" from the garden centre?

found on facebook..

..does anyone have a contact for Chris Carter in Derby? Chris was a journalist and broadcaster on all things biking right back from the 60's.. I heard him this morning on a Radio Derby phone in show talking about people who save loads of old stuff.. It seems that like myself he has boxes of Motorcycle News going back to the 50's! If anyone could pm with me with his contact email or number I would be grateful..thanks in anticipation.

just a point I learn't recently is about setting the throttle stop correctly. I've always unscrewed it all the way out as I ride, like most, without a tickover. In this position, If you look down the carb and slowly open the throttle you will notice that the slide moves up about a 1/16"th or more before actually opening! I noticed an immediately better response when the stop screw was turned in so that the slide was right at the top of it's closed position. The setting is easily found by turning the throttle stop up and then slowly out until the tickover is completely absent..sorry if I'm stating the obvious.

I entered my first "Sammy Miller" round last weekend down in Devon, a 500mile round trip. It was a bit of a baptism of fire as have never encountered such slippery, claggy mud and much respect to the guys who went round for low scores as I really struggled to find grip. I understand the club couldn't use their usual "Vic Ashford" trial sections but I really was disappointed with the continuous muddy going. The trial ended with just one section in a clear rocky stream..heaven! Is this typical of a West Country trial or was I just unlucky with the timing and weather? The organisation, scenery and friendliness were first class and would love to return.. a highlight being a delicious cornish pasty and coffee at half distance..almost worth the trip alone!

...check that you have a 2-stroke needle fitted. 2-stroke needles have 1 or3 (odd numbers) of engraved rings around the top above the clip grooves and 4-stroke needles have 2 or4 (even numbers) If I had known this a couple of weeks ago it would have a few more hairs on my head now!

Hi Neil, for the pre-65 there are plenty of sections to view within a few mins walk of the main roads and Pipeline itself is only a 25 min walk from the main paddock car park in Kinlochleven. It is even possible to ride up to the Mamore Lodge car park on your road bike and walk the odd mile to the sections along the Mamore road, as many do. From personal experience though I can only suggest you look at the Mamore Lodge on "Trip Advisor.com" if you should consider staying there. If you offer to observe, as I have in the past, let them know you can only do the more accessible sections. Regarding accommodation, I suggest getting it booked asap (ie, now) as it fills up quickly but expect to pay a premium during trials week...I think I'm paying about £55pn for bed and breakfast in Onich. I have in the past taken my 400 Beta trail bike up in the van and enjoyed a few days touring with friends who observe or compete prior to the pre-65 so if you fancy joining us let me know. We tend to get up there the Monday before the trial and trek off for the odd day around the Moidart peninsular, Skye or Mull and one year got up as far as Applecross.. which is a b.. long way on a trail bike!

..I can see there being a nice 247 on eBay soon if Matt doesn't get to the bottom of this. Where would you start.. is it ignition or fuel? maybe both but I would start with the cheapest option of renewing the crankcase oil seals, they may have been damaged when replaced earlier as the previous owner said. Fuel is obviously flowing freely so the next thing I'd try is the coil.. maybe breaking down under pressure when hot?

Doesn't always ring true.. I've observed for four years on both the Friday and Saturday in the past five years and hey ho.. am on the reserve list at no.8. Do I register to observe again and then let the observers team down if I get to ride?

Hi Sooty, pleased to hear from you and recall names from that time. Andy and Steve Blair were very good riders at the time and it was very sad that Steve was lost so young. I also have one of those Pennine Eagles chrome and enamel radiator badges, still in it's box, but must admit it is hidden away in the attic somewhere! It would be good to see the photo's you have though. A few of us are having a practice ride up at Youlgreave on Sunday.. we'll set a few sections, ride, drink coffee, natter and ride again so if you are free, come up and say hello.. we'll be there from 11 ish for a few hours.

The Northern British Bike Championship circus moved in to the Derbyshire Dales last Sunday for the penultimate championship round organised by the Dales Classic Motorcycle Club. With a 20 mile lap of eight groups of subs, the sections proved less challenging than anticipated with the forecast rain holding off until the last man was home. Apart from being a two-stroke, the BSA Bantam ridden by former racer Mick Grant is far removed from the 200 mph GP bikes of his hey-day. Mick used his latest mount to take his first overall win in this years Championship. Riding a clear round, Mick headed the rigid Bantam of Pete Carson and the Ariel of Chris Gascoigne by a single mark with the James of Alan Whitton following up on three. The Clubman class was equally close with DOT rider Andrew Cooke edging the win with a clear run, one mark ahead of Michael Clay, Sprite, and another DOT rider, Ian Livingston on three. The opening group at Tearsal Farm lulled riders before confronting them with the muddy, boulder strewn ravine at "Ible". Early casualties here were Neil Walker and Vintage two-stroke class leader, Colin Frey, both fiving as they slid off their chosen lines in the second sub. The same section also robbing Mark Francis of a top "Pre-Unit" placing with a "five" and with Welsh round winner Bob baker, taking a solitary dab. The Expert route at Ible didn't trouble the premiere riders too much but notably, Barry Burton took a five on the third sub here to start an unusually high scoring ride for the local Derbyshire rider. The next group at Longliffe Tops were bone dry. Few casualties here but "Derbyshire Trial" Clubman winner Pete Elvidge scuppered his chances of a top placing with a five as he took a tight line through the third sub which lined him up awkwardly for the tricky exit. The aptly named "Rockhurst Farm" followed without too much drama although Colin Frey took his second five of the day on the third sub, dropping the leading link Dot rider from the class lead. A short run to "Carson's Farm" followed where locals know this venue to be very tricky after a shower but today the sections made up for the abundance of grip with tight turns in the undulating woodland with what proved to be decisive scores in the overall results. On the Clubman route, notable cleans of the fifth sub by Andrew Cooke, Michael Clay and Ian Livingston paved their way to a 1-2-3 in the Clubman class. Precise cleans here also by Steve and Brent Corden, turning their big 4-strokes up and over the exposed routes with delicacy gave them a 1-2 in class but Bob Baker lost his chance of top spot with an out of character five. The Expert Class was also decided at Carson's where Alan Whitton lost his clean sheet, dabbing on the third and fifth subs. Mick Grant, Chris Gascoigne, Pete Carson and Dave Dench being the only premiere riders to escape Carson's unpenalised. A lengthy run to the exposed hillside at Smerrill Grange and the shaded confines of Cooke's wood gave riders a challenge on the twisting sections before the final group on the homeward run at Sacheveril Farm. The old out-crop workings here were in forgiving mood with few errors by the forerunners although Dave Glover added a further five and a three to his score to drop him well down the overall order. Congratulations to all the winners and to the observers for tackling not one but in some cases, two separate sections. The road marking was first class, the starting area and the Miners Standard pub were excellent and the overall organisation amongst the best in the NBBC. The final round of the Championship moves to Lancashire on the first weekend in October with all to play for in the nine classes.. Check out the full results on the Dales Classics web site. http://dalesclassic.wordpress.com/ and the Championship standings here.. http://www.poacherspre65trials.co.uk/northern-current-standings