big john

My sentiments entirely, yes I am, like most others on here, wowed by the technical innovation of the prototype TR280i Ossa. However, it takes a brave person to be first in the queue to pay for the first model/edition of any production competition machine, believe me I have been there and paid the price! Those who know me, know exactly which particular model of motorcycle I mean! and that particular bike wasn't that radical in design either! Big John (PS, just thought of a new name for the TR280i, just for fun... why not (in true Ossa style) name it the "Kicker"? - Well they had the "M.A.R." and the "Plonker" and the "Pioneer" and the "Pennine" and the "Phantom" and the "Gripper")

Let's see it perform first before getting the money out of the pocket! Big John

That's it, sorry Slapshot3 I thought it was one of Gizzas' photos, but I stand corrected! Big John Edited to say: not RTL250S but 270RTL, note single downtube frame!

C80 ?LF was one of his pink RTLs that he rode in the SSDT, I have a photo of it courtesy of Gizza5, but cannot post it on here. Big John

But it had the large rubber original air box cover which most riders threw away! I like the black plastic or fibreglass sump guard, very useful to protect the casings and were those original type fibreglass mudguards, Lampkin used them for a while over here, but they shattered in competition use. Big John

I would say that sounds about right, mag goes off when hot, needs rewinding. It is expensive but done properly bike wil run and run! It was definately a Lucas Racing or Competition Magneto OEM fit on Royal Enfields. Stuart Towner at Chessington, I can highly recommend as I have used his reconditioning services for Lucas Racing Magnetos without problems on three different machines of mine. Stuart can be contacted on 0208 397 6599. He's normally quite busy and there is a queue! Big John

Thanks, didn't know that! Big John

Terry Weedy does all the kickstarts for AMC; Villiers etc. Ally tanks etc etc His website is: http://terryweedy.com Tel: 02380 613690 I have no commercial interest with Terry, he was recommended to me by Jim Evans and he is a pleasant chap to deal with, I'm just placing details for those who wish to look at his products for Pre-65 type machines. Big John

I'm not sure what a spam bot is? Not good news then! Big John

Hugh Weaver's website is http://bultaco.com, but try Dave Renham at Bultaco uk first because he was going to get some in, if he has them in stock it would be cheaper than getting them shipped from the States to UK. Dave Renham has quite a lot of parts similar to Hugh Weavers stock nowadays. Big John

That depends where you live, if its in the UK try In-Motion (Dave Renham's Twinshock part of Bultaco UK) they have quite a few 348 parts in stock now and may have the chain tube bracketry you need. Big John

Dave Renham may have the rubbers you need for the 340 airbox, I know where to get them in Spain if he hasn't got them. warning: the rubbers are not cheap! Big John

T&MX was printed before the Ossa launch! Big John

Sandifords support for the Scottish Six Days is certainly not at question, they supported the event itself by sponsoring a day of the trial for several years including the year when I was secretary of the event (2002). They also provided a service facility not only for their sponsored and supported riders but the clubman both with spares and hospitality. Furthermore they were instrumental in obtaining machines for the Edinburgh Club to route-mark and back-mark the trial. It would indeed be a pity if someone did not carry on at the SSDT and thus offer support to Montesa owner/riders where Sandifords have left off. Big John

I did hear that someone was investigating the possibility of providing support at the SSDT 2010. Big John

Looks very good, tecnically interesting bits. I wonder with the barrel on reversed to normal with a trailing exhaust instead of leading, if you whack open the throttle will the front end tend to rise or fall? Just a thought! We will only find out when someone tries it. Much better than the Greeves effort earlier this year, this one looks much better put together as far as prototypes are concerned. Big John

I saw one of Saunders SXS Beta 4T pipe guards for sale on Saturday at Highland Leisure Sport's open day Tel: 01349 854620 (closed Tuesdays) Big John

You are saying it cost next to nothing to buy, in that case you have bought a bargain, from what I can see its' all there... get the tank seat unit back to original red with silver band and black lining, frame to silver and a set of either original Bultaco mudguards or even a set of modern plastic grey ones (if you are going to compete) and you will have one of the finest Bultaco Sherpas built. It was a good strong motor in the Model 80! Big John

Nope... I didn't bid on the Jefferies Honda, it's different, but I don't want one! ...besides I have been busy working on my very nice short stroke 401cc AJS today, just doing the finishing touches to work carried out by my friend Mel Hume. Nice bike and certainly one worth having. I might just put this one in the garage section when it's finished off. Big John

I believe he was well known to the Comerfords boys at Thames Ditton, best to speak to a chap called Jock Wilson, he knew him well. I do know that he rode a Velocette in trials in the late 50's and early 60's. PM me and I'll see what I can do, I do have Jock's number but I won't put it on an open website. Big John

Well... it is November 5th... isn't it? Big John <lights blue touch paper and retires!>

May I suggest a 1964 Bultaco Sherpa that pre-dates the Model 10 Sammy Miller Sherpa. Forks should be as fiddled as possible with lots of welding showing that 2008 Paiolis have been inserted. Also a reed valve should be used and a six speed Sachs gearbox grafted inside the Bultaco casings. next a carefully disguised Yamaha TY250R mono-shock back end with fake rear dampers showing to the outside with no internals whatsoever! The frame should be made of Titanium tubing that's what they rode in 1964 didn't they? Carburation by a Dellorto PHBL22, fitted inside a MK1 Amal Concentric. Yokes - standard 2010 billet alloy. Home made alloy tank that looks like a coffin to top the whole plot off. You may of course confuse the organisers by putting on a set of OK Supreme tank decals for good measure and that little piece of originality. And then complain like buggery when your entry is refused on originality grounds and list all the major Pre-65 trials you have won over the last 10 years asking why you have been turned down for Scotland yet again!!!! Oh, by the way, I'm having "a larf"! Big John (Fun loving motorcyclist, who can still see the funny side of life, because it's too short)

I still believe there should be no events on Remembrance Sunday, there is always the Saturday prior to ride bikes if clubs want to organise an event. As some folk on here have already said, it's not just the two World conflicts we remember, there are soldiers losing their lives across in Afganistan right now! As for charity trial suggestions, sure, good idea, but run it on the Saturday instead, as far as I know the ACU would be happy to allow this, the facility is always there in Scotland with the SACU! Big John

Well at my age, you like to have a nap in the afternoon and as Xispas are a bit of a non-starter up here, I thought I would give it some zeds! You never know one might come along...one day! The nearest one to me is in Northumberland ain't that right Joe Eric? Big John

Apart form one that did a special demo for a magazine for one day at the SSDT, I'm still waiting to see any in ownership up here in Scotland! <pulls up foot stool for a snooze> Wake me up someone when one arrives please? Big John Oh before I go and do something useful, Ringodog did you not post earlier as the Canadian importer guy or did I dream it? zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz