italjetfan

1980, Oswestry, a bit out of place amongst the 'new stuff'! Tank is the 'Scottish 2 gallon', ordered when new. Started out half blue/polished alloy, then stripped. Now it's all black, as it has been since about 1979. Did you notice the 'road pressure' Dunlop 19" rear tyre? My dad used it to ride to work on him!!! I remember helping him hacksaw that tyre off...

How's this? 1969, my Nan and Grandad's back yard. My dad and his twin brother Les. A guy called Pete Threadgold bought the bike new in 1962, I think then Les bought it off him in 1963, my dad got it off Les about 1965. He still has it.

Just scanned another one of Pa!!! Taken near the Delph brickworks, Acrefair, possibly 1966/1967, on a very early radial finned Bultaco. Not his bike, he was still riding his 350 AJS. He carried on with the heavyweight AJ until he bought the Model 49 Bultaco i'm sitting on at the top of this post!!!!!!! He looks like he's going for a clean as well...

Is Keith one of two Gush brothers that were members of th Denbigh and Mold club in the late 70,s? If so I have some good memories of my time in North Wales. Yes, Keith and Bob Gush! Photo taken on Mow Cop, Congleton 1973, bike bought new from ER Williams of Mold by Keith. keith must have been doing well, as he bought a brand new Ford Cortina 2000GT that year!!! Bob and Keith's parents were also heavily involved in trials. Keith I think competed in some ISDT's. I have some great photo's of Keith and my Uncle Les riding in the Welsh Two Day in the sixties, Keith on Cub, Les on AJS, Could go on for hours!!!!

Here's another one from the early 70's, 1973 to be accurate!! Keith Gush, Dad, and the 3-year old Italjet fan. Hope this works, as i've just set up a photobucket thingy. If it does work, i'd urge anyone to do it, beacuse it only took about 2 minutes from start to finish. Then we can carry on sharing our memories and piccies!!!!!!!! Cheers,

Of course, it's Martin Lampkin. That would be a young Dougie then? Shame I didn't go on to a succesful riding career. It all looked so promising back in 1970. He does look more focused than me, it must be said. Does anyone else have photos of parents sealing our fates at early ages?

Is that a "youth trials bib" you have on there?

Been raiding the photo albums, and thought this may be appreciated!! The young Italjetfan is about 6 months old. I actually tried to recreate the shot on a different Bulty when my daughter was the right age. only to find my Mum had thrown Dad's trials overalls away about a month earlier!!! Shame... Did the Bulty survive? All the best,

My workshop used to look just like that once... Note whicker, toys, newspapers, and old stool to support bike for essential maintenance... Does anyone have a worse workshop? It's all in the preparation!! Amazing looking shop though. Something to aim at in the spring. Thanks,

Nice article Loydee! Like you say, plenty of Green. There does seem o be a lack of info/enthusiasm on Italjets; I know they never have been the most loved of all the twinshocks, but variety makes any hobby/sport more interesting! I get a lot more people stopping me to ask either "What is it?", or "Why bother?" etc., than riding a Bulty or a pre-65! Obviously that doesn't make it a better bike, but as i'm never going to win a world round on it, it gives a perverse sort of pleasure to beat other more "well supported" bikes!!! There have been plenty of times when i've thought of selling up and changing to something with better spares availability, but i've kept going, and i'm very glad I have!!! All the best, Italjetfan!

Hi Sherpatensing! Is the article something you could scan? Any photos/specs would help in trying to trace the history of the things. The one i'm riding in the picture is a very early one, possibly a prototype, so i'm keen to try and make sure I rebuild it correctly! Cheers,

That depends on what the local sheep have been eating!!!!!!!!! Does anyone have any more action shots of the green monsters? Cheers,

Hello folks, For the millions of Italjet fans... Just managed to get a photo of my 1980 350T Italjet in action a couple of weekends ago posted! Hope it works out, and looks about the right size! PS It was a clean!!!!

Italjet overlooked again!!! Very cheap, strong frame, good brakes, bulty suspension, low seat height, very green! Only downside is lack of spares, but i've kept ours running for years. I've finished every round of our club championship this year with no problems (apart from falling off it a lot!). Give them a look, you could be surprised! They also make a change from the countless TLR's appearing everywhere! Where are they all coming from? Cheers Tommo

Come on guys, Italjets rock!!! Mine has the best tyres, chain, fork oil etc. of any twinshock ever made!!!!!! Think Green!

Hello All! i had this problem a few weeks ago on my Italjet T350, and I was about to buy a new carb, but I remade every gasket, renewed every oil seal, and lapped all gasket faces in on a surface plate with wet and dry. I also changed the carb rubber, fitted new jubilee clips, and fortunately the high revs have vanished. It only seemed to do it when it got warm. I couldn't say which part of the above cured it, but it is now like riding a diferent bike! It starts first kick, and I can leave it ticking over all trial, saving my plastic kickstart shaft! Sounds like daft advice, but make sure there can be no possible air leaks before shelling out on hardware! Hope this helps, Tommo

Hello all! After yet another stripdown, I had the chance to have a superb practice after work on Friday on my Italjet. Although it didn't break down, and always started well, I found that if I came down a hill with the throttle shut off, when I came to apply power, there was no response for a few seconds, then it picked up. I tried small throttle openings coming down the hill, but with the less than perfect brakes, that seemed a bit too scary!!! I wonder if anyone has experienced this sort of thing before? I have had awful trouble with air leaks, but this time I made new gaskets all round, and have fitted new crank oil seals etc. My money is on the carb (Dellorto PHBH28), but I don't want to throw money at until I'm sure that's the culprit. Many thanks, Tommo

Wow. Thanks for that. I'll leave well alone then!!! Thanks guys!!

Thanks for that! What are the Schraeder valves for then? Cheers,

Hello all!! Been doing some work on my "spare" Italjet 350 (don't all throw oranges at me at once!!), and I was pleased to see it has a pair of brand new Betor shocks, with the air valve. The air valve is at the top (by the seat), but the Betor stickers are upside down. Does this mean they are on upside down, or does it not matter? Are there any other Italjet riders on the forum? Help appreciated. Mnay thanks, Tommo

Hello all, Does anyone have any old copies of Kickstart, with Peter Purves? From what I remember from the TV, it was brilliant viewing, and should be a great watch for us saddo's. I always remember Eddy Lejeune was the man to beat on Honda. I've scanned google, but not turned up anything. Has anyone re-issued it yet? N.B. Adult version, of course!!!