Hi all. I'm currently rebuilding a 1955 DOT TDH I'm hoping to use for some pre 65 trials.
It has the Earls type front forks. Not sure what to go with for shock absorbers. I got hold of some TLR 200 rears, and they are about the right length at 390mm, but one of them is dead, so they are not much use other than for keeping the front end together.
Anyone got something laying around that might fit, or any suggestions? I don't want to spend too much on shocks initially, as it may take some experimenting to see exactly what is right for the bike.
There was a chance I had a photo of Chris from 1986, but as one of my lockdown jobs had been to sort out my trials photos, including those from the SSDT, it was not a long job to confirm I did not. In 1986 I was a few numbers behind Chris so it was possible one of the family had also taken a photo of Chris. Chris and I started schoolboy trials together and in the early days travelled together with one or other, or both of our fathers. We were taken to Scotland for the SSDT twice to spectate before either of us was old enough to ride.
There is a photo of Chris on this bike on page 92 of Tommy Sandham's and John Dickinson's book, "The Scottish 1963-1989", this is taken on the Sunday in the queue for the weigh-in.
The interesting point about SSDT numbers is when the rider had to supply them they had to be metallic and there had to be three of them, when they were supplied by the club with a sponsors name, there was only one and it was plastic, I think the club started supplying numbers in 1987 or 1988.
There are several possible explanations for the number 77, it could be from a different event like the Manx or the Scott, I think the most likely is the number plate had previously been used by Chris in the 1981 SSDT, when he was number 77.
The last time I saw Chris was in the late 1990's when I called in at one of the shops that was run by his family business, Chris subsequently moved to Spain where other riders who have travelled to Spain to compete have said they have met him.
Not a photo but it might be of interest
I don't suppose you could take a picture of the picture for me? I can't find that book available anywhere.
There was a chance I had a photo of Chris from 1986, but as one of my lockdown jobs had been to sort out my trials photos, including those from the SSDT, it was not a long job to confirm I did not. In 1986 I was a few numbers behind Chris so it was possible one of the family had also taken a photo of Chris. Chris and I started schoolboy trials together and in the early days travelled together with one or other, or both of our fathers. We were taken to Scotland for the SSDT twice to spectate before either of us was old enough to ride.
There is a photo of Chris on this bike on page 92 of Tommy Sandham's and John Dickinson's book, "The Scottish 1963-1989", this is taken on the Sunday in the queue for the weigh-in.
The interesting point about SSDT numbers is when the rider had to supply them they had to be metallic and there had to be three of them, when they were supplied by the club with a sponsors name, there was only one and it was plastic, I think the club started supplying numbers in 1987 or 1988.
There are several possible explanations for the number 77, it could be from a different event like the Manx or the Scott, I think the most likely is the number plate had previously been used by Chris in the 1981 SSDT, when he was number 77.
The last time I saw Chris was in the late 1990's when I called in at one of the shops that was run by his family business, Chris subsequently moved to Spain where other riders who have travelled to Spain to compete have said they have met him.
I could also see residue of a 77 on top. I did wonder if he did the following year too, but I can't see No 77 in the results. It could be a later event my dad did, but stick on numbers would be unusual.
I have some damage to my engine casing as pictured, that could do with repair. I know the outer covers are magnesium, but not sure about the engine casings themselves?
Thanks chaps. I emailed Falcon and they were very helpful with correct oil volume and air pressure. I have pressurised as best I can with an airline regulated to the correct pressure, so I kept the trigger pulled as I released the inflator, hopefully not loosing too much air. The other side still has some pressure in, so I won't risk topping that up for now in case I make it worse! If they hold together for a trial on Wednesday, I'll get hold of a proper pump and set the pressure better.
Ah ok then, that explains it. There is no gas left in the non broken one either, so I guess I just run them as oil shocks for now. They seem to be working ok.
I thought that initially, but I thought usually the gas sits the other side of a floating piston, separate to the oil. That hole is direct to the oil chamber. I have filled it with oil and blanked the hole, seems to work as the other one. But then I'm a bit lost as to why there would then be an air valve?
Evening all. Went out for a play on the Montesa yesterday and one of the rear shocks cried enough. My dad got these with it in 1986. Presumably swapped to the ones on it because the valve parted company on one and the oil escaped. I haven't seen shocks like these before. Are the valves just for oil, or do you pressurise with air as well?
Wheels, engine and front forks were all Puch M125 items. Though yours looks to have had uprated forks.
I have an Amal carb on mine, as apposed to the standard Bing, but apart from that and the forks they look very similar. I've never seen 2 with the same exhaust either! Mine also has a Beamish front wheel, but I wouldn't call that an upgrade, the front brake is terrible!
I'm running 30:1. The oil is oil that was good back in the day. Now used up, so will mix with less with the new oil. However, that mix runs fine in the other bike, not oily at all, so it's irrelevant.
Good old Bel ray oil I had lying around. Drained the fuel from the Dalesman and put it in the 330 so I could rule that out. Thats not soot, that's splatters of oil. Carb is 1.5 turns out. Going leaner makes no difference.
Definitely oil unfortunately. Attempted a trial on it at the weekend, as the clutch cable snapped on the dalesman, but the plug oiled up, so wouldn't start every time I stopped. Gave up after a couple of sections. Engine strip time I think.
Yeah, 25:1. Its hard to say really, it doesn't smell out of the ordinary. Gear oil level looks reasonably normal, but as it's fill to quantity it's difficult to tell. Clutch oil seemed a bit low though, guess that's a prime candidate, and years 10w30 as apposed the ep90, so probably wouldn't smell too odd.
So the 330 has always been smokey as long as I remember, but in the past I've just put it down to my dad using old oil
This time I've had the carb apart, given it all a bit of a birthday and this is it running on the same fuel that's in the Dalesman. Was hoping to use it in a trial tomorrow but I don't think it's too happy
Can't get video to upload, so have done a screenshot of it.
If you don't fancy drilling the frame, some strips of self adhesive Velcro on the tubes and the inner surface of a side panel should be up to the job.
Regarding unusual fitments, that kick start looks like no other that I've seen, but is no doubt quite serviceable.
Frame number on headstock?
I will make something up and see how it looks.
Yes, the kick start is non original, from the standard Puch M125. Original seems to have disappeared some point in the 40 years it spent in the barn! Its right in the way, so a proper folding one is on the to do list.
Not seen a number there. Should have paid more attention when I was painting it.
Yes, It's been in the family a long time, and I must say nobody had much complementary to say about it! However, I am never going to be a good enough rider to worry about the bikes capabilities, it's certainly still better than I am!
I know it's never going to be super competitive, I am just looking to do a few subtle modifications to improve things a little.
You don't happen to know where I can find the frame number do you?
Original V5 is long since lost, so before I make any changes from original, I probably need to go down the age related plate route, but I need to find the frame number first!
DOT shock absorbers.
in Classic Trials
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Hi all. I'm currently rebuilding a 1955 DOT TDH I'm hoping to use for some pre 65 trials.
It has the Earls type front forks. Not sure what to go with for shock absorbers. I got hold of some TLR 200 rears, and they are about the right length at 390mm, but one of them is dead, so they are not much use other than for keeping the front end together.
Anyone got something laying around that might fit, or any suggestions? I don't want to spend too much on shocks initially, as it may take some experimenting to see exactly what is right for the bike.