westyfield

Hi OTF, .... another interesting trial well reported. Having twisted my hand a few days earlier I don't think I'm sorry to have missed this one though! For the course to take 24 off PC on the experts route and 35 off CS on the 50/50 route I suspect, as you hint, it may have proven a bit difficult for lesser mortals. What do you think? How did the scoring go further down the lists? Being a fairly usefully acomplished rider yourself and an experienced judge , how did you get on? AC

.. just been informed by by my "Team Manager" that this Sundays Pre 65 Inter Centre Team Trial at Mow Cop near Stoke has fallen to the foot and mouth outbreak. Apparently, several farmers whose land was to be used could not take the risk of the virus being spread by riders coming up from where the new outbreak has occurred.

...couldn't agree more, I run them in my trials, trail and road bikes and they make a noticeable difference. In My F650 they stopped the classic surging associated with the fuel injection and in my 404 CCM it cleared up an irritating stutter at low revs.. and as for the Fantic and my Villiers thingy its first kick starting. I get them from the local "motor factors", not the high street motor spares shop but the type that supply garages with their fleet of vans. My local is PCS in Clay Cross. 01246 250999

These Links may be of help in UK.. would it be worth the postage? http://www.lortim.demon.co.uk/links.htm http://www.nortonvilliers.com/villiers_spares.htm http://www.villiersservices.co.uk/

Aye, that was me! ... third five of the day! I caught the sprocket on that big step just infront of where you were but nothing broken. The front forks had lost some damping and were bouncing me off line here and there so ended up off the chosen route and thats where the "rock" that did the damage was! I'm full of excuses.. Should all be sorted for Sunday at the Midland Classics trial near Worksop though.

Having got back into Pre-65 only a year ago I never thought I would ever again be precariously poised halfway up "Hawks Nest" on a trials bike 35 years after the first confrontation but there I was yestertday! What a trial, incredible scenery, trails, classic sections and the weather! It all makes up for the bits of bent bike ,the bruised body bits and the extra bit of touring I did owing to some ramblers (I supect!) moving markers. The organisation on such a large scale must be epic but from a riders view, superb. Congrats to NG, who I believe went round for a single dab and to my mate PC who lost just five all day (The same as I lost on Hawks Nest alone!) and a big thanks to all the observers and helping onlookers. AC

I believe the early 200's (FM350) evolved from the 125 rearward kick, Minarelli engine (TX250), bored out and with a heavier flywheel. The other main difference being conical hubs in place of full width. The later "Professional" version of the 200 did have the forward kick "Fantic" engine but these are few and far between. They had slightly different frames with extra bracing on the swing arm. If you come across one BUY IT.

Hi Huntmaster ...that rocky step looks like a nice little practice area, shame so cover it with all those flowery things...

"Probably see you at Youlgrave next weekend. Assuming i can get up the access road. Took me three goes last time." ____________________________________________________________________________ Yes, Youlgreave is looking good, I've been up there today setting sections with Mick, Ged and Derek. It is surprisingly dry under the trees and the access track seams to have had the mud washed off it recently. One or two new sections with plenty of moss covered loose rocks though! If there are any complaints then it was DEREK who kept making it tighter and steeper!! If it was up to me, we would all be doing the easy route! But Mick's experience has given a good balance for everyone I think. If you know any observers then encourage them along as with a couple of other trials on in the area we could be struggling... ps, Pete Elvidge tells me he is moving up to the "expert" route!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ .....Glad to hear you are OK, OTF, I don't know the Ariel rider but lucky for you he was on the scene quickly. I was at Edensfield today too, for the first time since 1972 I think, and what a boggy maze it is, I got lost looking for 9 and 10 every lap. Do you know what happened to the young lad observing on section 3? On my 3rd lap he told me I had finished then last time around he and all the markers had gone! This evening I was told that the section might have been scrapped but not sure. I think we should give a big thanks to all the observers and organisers today for sticking it out in truly 'orrid conditions. Well done Middland Classics..

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Hewson, IMHO the 200 is probably the easier bike to ride, especially if you could ever come across one of the rare forward kick 200's but the 240 is the later model and as such probably the more capable overall. I'm sure Lee will be along shortly to extol it's virtues too! Regarding prices, the two are about on a par with the 240 just edging it. Even non runners will fetch four to five hundred with decent runners anything up to a thousand. There was a stunning 240 at Malvern last year with a tag of

________________________________________________________________________________ ________ Agreed, a top day out and some amazing bikes, could have walked around all day but after 6 hours the legs were gving up and needed them for today at Burrycliffe. If any of the "Peak" organizers are reading.. well done, a great trial and the 50/50 route took the sting out of things for us old beggars.. Here are a few photo's from Malvern, sorry no Bulto's but a nice "green" Fantic...! http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/westyfield7/...m?.dir=/fe0cre2

Back in 1978 my old mate Walt Keeling and I layed the shocks down on our TY175's as discussed and then John Shirt did his bit to the motors with 200 cc conversions and the bikes were transformed fom being just "OK" into "quite competitive".. untill the Fantic came along anyway!! (This was pre MAJESTY don't forget) The motor was amazing with the big bore conversion but the ride over rocks and the grip in mud were much better too, so I would say "go for it"

.........,on the upside there were some lovely tarts in lycra !!! made the day worthwhile. ...thats what was needed to help you keep your feet up all day at Clifton eh?!!

A few of us are heading up to the wood at Youlgreave tomorrow morning, Sunday 12th. (Where Peak Classics have their next event.. about 1/4 mile north of the village opposite the junction for Middleton) for an hour or two of practice so if anyone fancies coming along we'll be there from about 11.30 Andyrew

Hi Blocky... you have a pm

... the new importers are exhibiting at the bike NEC show this week. They had an enduro type "50" on display which looked capable of taking a "proper" engine at some stage and talked of an imminent new trialler using the 125 Yamaha engine as fitted to the current Scorpa trials bikes...

What's the general opinion on the "201" Fantic? Do you think it would be competitive in todays "Classic Air-Cooled Mono" class or is it a bit "long in the tooth" now being one of the first mono's? I had a new 200 in 1980 and later retired when the mono's came in but have recently taken up riding the 200 again in classic and twin-shock trials but wonder if a 201 might make lighter work of it for this 50+ old bxxxxr? Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.. but quickly as there's one on eBay!

Hi Loydee If you need an engine for the chassis there is a Puch engine on eBay at the moment which looks a lot like the one Dalesman used to fit.. Item No 160017501365 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/puch-125-engine_W0QQ...1QQcmdZViewItem

I have got the bike stripped down now and started working through it, cleaning, painting, repairing as I go. I think it must have had a good restoration before this last owner got his grotty paws on it as underneath all the grot it is quite good and original... but it has been riden and totally neglected time and again, when anything fell off it was welded back on! The worst expense, apart from renewing bearings, oil-seals, chain and sprockets will be the rear hub. The "twerp" of an owner had been riding it with the bearing carrier flange broken, allowing the back wheel to slew about!. Unfortunately the hub is not repairable so will be on the look out for another rear wheel... I already have in the garage several good part worn tyres to go on and an old pair of Falcon dampers and a couple of pairs of Renthals so "I'm getting there" Amazingly, the levers are genuine Fantic "Domino" types but I've already pinched them for my regular bike after allowing it to "fall over", sans rider last week at Clifton and snapping the break lever. The restoration isn't going to be concours but just a good rideable practice bike.

OR, your slide is just very worn and letting air around it?

.. I know what you all mean about walking away, and I should have but I was thinking of the

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1 I bid on this "200" yesterday, I didn't really need it but thought it looked like a bargain and would do as spares for my other TWO.. or to practice on, if I won it Thought I would let you know you all had a lucky escape.. picked it up today.. an absolute mess! covered in mud and old grease, they had not even washed it. Gear lever welded to shaft, splines worn away on kickstart, only one side panel, wheel bearings literally hanging out, chain and sprockets knackered, dampers absolutely knackered, carcass pushing out of tyre side wall, rear mudguard split and a mess, silencer knackered, bars bent.. shall I go on? The engine starts though, but it won't stop as the slide is so worn it lets air past continually.. either that or the crank case oil seals have gone! It leaks oil from the gear box sprocket seal too... Oh' and the rubber connector to the air box is missing! At least the gearbox does have oil in it, the forks don't! Thats all I've found so far since washing the grot off. Oh well, I know what I'll be doing for the next few weeks.... Andrew

Hi Lee, How many have you had made? (I only need one!) What@s the "bottom Line" worked out at?