pro sport

In the 70's we rode with Tony ( Barron ) Osmond of the Barron Knights in the South Midland Centre, I remember him riding Bultaco's and Fantic he always had new upto date bikes when they came out, probably from Julian Wigg as he lived Leighton Buzzard way.

Have a great Christmas, and if your riding tomorrow 'keep it clean'

Gaerne are the better version of identical Forma Boots, as they are waterproof. My Forma Boulder boots need drying out after a wet trial, water gets in through the mesh parts were as the Balance has the mesh replaced by solid covering!

Whatever happend to the Windsor Comp Shop ? Had a few parts, mail order from them in the 70's

The Dabbers Trials club event at Widdington nr Saffron Walden was very tricky due to the constant rain on Saturday and with no let up all day today there was a river running through the grounds, most riders completed 3 laps of twelve sections. Thanks to the club stalwarts for setting out and all the Observers who got soaked through along with the riders.

Axulsuv, that's a real nice Jaguar you've worked on there. Atomant, and a clever 3d programme to show off your inventions . As for me - learnt to ride age 9 on a Triumph Cub, First bike & trial Greeves Anglian in 1969. Been an electro mechanical engineer for forty years. Now back in Twinshock trials after thirty years, and loving it... Cheers Dave

There are some Fake NGK look-a-likey spark plugs in the market place that are crap, check it out on Google to see if you've got one! Always carry a spare plug and plug spanner taped to the bike, can save a long push home.....

A young Bou / Raga in the making ! Wish I had started that young.....

Good work Ally, looking tidy & is the paint metallic ? Kickstart is spot on. And not frightened to get it dirty

It Has to be as old as the hills that you are 'gunning' it up, and the rider has to be even older !

Greeves TES tricked

Similarly Plastikote do a Satin Black barbeque paint that i have used on cylinder and head also exhaust pipe & silencer with good effect.

Welcome to the Forum drteam.

I have never read Steve Saunders book published by John Hulme's organisation, so I am unable to make a comparison to my treasured copy of 'Ride it' by Don Smith, but if Joe is correct and from Mr Hulme's long distance phone call in an attempt to passify this situation would show there is some substance in it - The least that should happen is an apology to Dons daughter Amanda Lazenby. Having known Don he would have been chuffed that someone had paid such heed to his written word ! Imitation is the best form of flattery......

Ally , just a word of warning! With the kickstart in that position it is know to cause problems by breaking the alloy casing as the stop on the shaft hits a weak part of the moulding and can punch throught the inner engine casings where you found the rubber ! The kickstart lever should be parallel to the frame down tube at the one ' o' clock position.

When will Manufacturers learn that when they launch a new product to the masses that they are selling to We want to know the whole picture...... WHEN will it be available ? HOW much will both models cost? WHO apart from Dougie will be development riders for the team? If these questions were currently available (so far I have not seen them ) then I would have the answers to base the purchase of a new machine on - currently my money would be on the 2015 4rt so Vertigo where do you stand? Help me make an informed decision please........ I could be placing an order!

Hi Heather, from the look of the photos in your other post the section layout was on the hard side with a lot of loose shale surfaces , possibly well above the level of a beginner on her first trial. Try to find another easy route trial suitable for beginners or even a training session with a local club to give you more confidence. My first trial back in 1969 was a single route all experience layout ! I spent most of my time asking the observers for a five rather than attempt the section and only took on the easier ones, my score was in the hundreds and the trial winner was Don Smith ,a European (World) Champion the previous year, who only lost about 4 marks ! Keep at it , it does get easier and more enjoyable. You never know you could be another Emma Bristow...... Cheers Dave

Belgium and Dutch events are always such social events, have only done a few classic car night rallies in Holland and around Spa and we always start with a Chinese meal or a spaghetti meal at the midway break. Must try and get over for one of your events.

Not such a trick Triumph, Dave Bickers home bred trials/ trail twin.

And if this is not true then I will throw my rattle out of the pram !

Hi Ally If you have a flywheel puller, I would remove the flywheel just to check where the rubber pad has come from? I would suspect that it's been stuck inside the casing or cover to waterproof a hole or crack in one of the castings and has come loose and wedged itself causing the siezure! The yellow wire should come off the lighting coil, if there are no lights fitted just make sure it's insulated well. Good news that it's not motor damage though, you could have made Johns day by buying his newly rebuilt 247 off of him...

WOW! John that bike is looking sweet now, well done. Trouble is you've got to get it dirty ! Have fun on it. Dave

Back in the mid 70's I had my Montesa tank sprayed Metallic Blue, sure made it stand out from the crowd in the parked bikes whilst we were inspecting the sections. Couple of poor pictures posted below. Have seen some other colour tanks but Yamanx's black is pretty good.

Hi arfur Welcome, you will find there's a load of good advice on the Montesa 247 here, just ask ! I bought my Montesa from Cambridge and joined the Dabbers trials club who have a great Twinshock section , next trial on the 19th just north of Ely, come along and have a look . Cheers Dave

Kingscorpian That mk1 Cota is superb, it's a credit to John and You keeping it in such good condition. I remember the first Cota that I ever saw in 1968 was the Don Smith works development bike registered UMV10F the Montesa that he won his third European (world) championship on. The bike and the man is my avatar on the left, I'm privileged to have known him even though he never remembered everybody's name he always made an impressionable 16 year old feel special by nick naming you 'Ace'. It was Don that influenced my second bike choice when I traded in my Greeves Anglian for a Mk2 Cota. Guys Feel really jealous of the immenant arrival of your 2015 4rt. Cheers Dave