charlie prescott

Hi Guy's, Unfortunately, I also was there just after Deryk, And I also was only confirming what we did at the time, I did not have a growing family at the time, but also no cash, we all did our trials riding on a very tight shoestring, made do and mend, and enjoyed every bloody minute we could riding our basically road bike based trials machines. Yes we know the world has changed, that is why some manufacturers are still building trials bikes to a formula that they think is right, but surely if you are in the game you try and build something that people really want, then make a fortune? You can keep spending your hard earned to update a so called basic trials machine from the sixties, but we know that is not the case, the outline of the machine in some circumstance, may look like a machine from that era. but we all know that that is false. So why spend all that cash to build something that is not what it is pretending to be?? I love all aspects of the game ?Well Classic scene, And just can't get it into my head why people can't look for a cheaper way to get into the Classic sport ,for fun, without the headache of spending all of this cash. I will keep doing what I am, just to please myself, and I know others are doing the same, but then we get ridiculed for what we are trying to do for the sport, Why? We will stand up to be proved wrong, OK. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Hi Deryk, Here Here. Changed full stop. All "Pre65" is about now is "Bling" and who can get away with what? Big and Small. You can count the number of trials that actualy cater for proper British Bikes, built before 1965 on one hand??? If you want to have fun riding without the one-upmanship, just buy, or make cheaper alternative. Regards Charlie.

Hi Deryk. Looks like you fixed it good then!!. Don't forget Pete, sorry Arthur, was the one that eventually bought the ex BSA works Goldie XJO277, the one above with Frank and Bill riding. Frank had a pair of Reynolds forks built for the bike before his own built trailing link ones that just did not steer. Anyway when the Reynolds were on the bike he rang Ken Sprayson up one Monday morning after a trial at the week end, complaining that the forks had bent badly, it was not until later when Ken took a look at a picture taken at the trial, with XJO277 rapped firmly around a large tree that the truth was out why they had distorted. So Deryk this just proves the power of a good Photo shot, and you have most of that time. Most people just did not carry cameras about then did they. Keep up the good work with ORR-e. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Hi Deryk. I don't think Simon's frame is the "Mick Mills" "Legend" frame as I term it, as there is a oil tank fitted. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's Don't give up on the Beeza, Dave. Get it back out when the Sun shines,It will look like a whole New ball game then. Still think you should ride it in the "Manx Classic two day"?? Just say Hello to the Fairies as you cross that bridge, and you never know you may get that Win that has been eluding you. The two bikes are and were a credit to the owner!! but I would say that!!! Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Come on you mean Bronze Welded not Brazed!! Hearth brazing is still done on traditional cycle frames using cast lugs, and not that far up the road from me, and the eldest used to design and build Trials bikes there. Deryk a good bronze welding job is far better than "Glue" and there are several sides to the story. I have been a fan of Ken Sprayson all of my life, and many famous riders put there faith in his work. It was only a few top sidecar racers that thought they could bronze weld but then paid the ultimate price that proved they could not. A Trials bike is an all different game as is Reynold tube nowadays if anything is going to break (My Opinion) it would not be the "Bronze-Welded" joint it would be the tube. Rant Over. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Ken. I still don't believe you have bought one!! I will want a picture for the site,OK, and good luck with picking it up, look out for the heavies there may be around there. I tell you what, I have found if you let the clutch out to soon and not keep your eyes on the forward speed, you can get into real trouble knurling up the section working on and if not careful you will bin it, and have to do it again. Good luck with the little "Bantam" though. PS.another good tip playing with your Bantam is to wear goggles cos they tend to throw stuff up into your face, and chuck diluted (or should that be polluted?)oil into your eyes. Don't listen to what people say, they are good and will last a lifetime,if looked after. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Hi Will, I hear that a Triumph engined "Otter" nearly won the sidecar class this year, but had a top line solo rider at the helm, and the passenger and owner was not feeling to good? Is there a lot of pubs by the Talmag site? Regards Charlie

Hi Guy's. Don't Believe it Ken!!!!!!!! OTF, there is the Dark Side, And there is the even "Darker Side" but with a gold lining??? Watch this Space. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's Glad you enjoyed your day. Jon, We say that every year, and there is NO answer I can find, It has all got to be in the head? We only do the TALMAG!!! Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's Dusty. Top don't know. Second BSA B50 1972, probably. Third Special, Probably started life has a BSA Bantam. Bottom BSA C15T "Loaf" tank. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys, Longer shocks also makes the steering head angle steeper. Fact. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Hi Roger, I am glad the fellow's are looking after you, from over here, but forgetting this is where you grew up, and visit quite a lot. I am glad you are building the family bike back up too. You know when things come together, without thinking ? a bit magical at times. Well after a long deliberation I have now done a page on our late friend Chris Leighfield, and the Three Vibsa Bikes he built at the end of his life. And knowing that you bought Vibsa Number One, the bike that Chris built to back up the Cub, but was unable to ride it because of his illness getting worse. It is just poignant that I should now do the page just when you have posts on TC. Anyway I will be building on the page for a while, but you know how many tasks Chris set himself at the twilight of his life. May need your help Roger. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. The word BSA Bantam sends shivers down my back after the overload of troubles with them over this Christmas Holiday. Have you tried juggling with the four speed gears to get them in correctly, or fitting a oversize piston into the barrel on your own, ETC. You know where to read the story by now. Keep chickens less trouble and you get rewarded with breakfast most days. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Hi Rich. Alan Whitton you mean!!!. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Which one Ben? Regards Charlie.

Hi AJS M 18. I am glad Deryk is doing a feature on Sprite too. I am sure we will cooperate. Just type in what's on my bike line, on the left, on Google. to find my site. Regards Charlie Prescott.

Hi Guy's I said I would keep the Name Sprite alive, so I am doing a Page on my web site about the Trials Bikes and the guys that where supported by Sprite on these Machines. This fits in with the story about the late Chris Leighfield too. So if any of you have any information I could use I would be grateful. Thanks. I am sure Deryk would be too. Regards Charlie

Hi Guy's. Look on "BSA Bantam hub made wider". On the BSA "Otter" site. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Was that really 2008? Thought some of you might want another read Now. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Hi Ken, You know it is a NO mate. Because of the hypocrisy that is the Scottish Two Day Trial. Most Machines in that One trial should be in a "Specials" class. But they have there rules, that still dictates what a SO Called Pre65 Trials machine should be like. And these rules have created the unaffordable Specials that dominate the scene today. Why do you think that we have only a smattering of Big bikes that are still competing in trials, Because the sections are designed for the 10K machine. And not the one out of the shed. But you know you have rattled my perch. or I would not be writing this. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. The Tigress engined "Works" BSA could still be lurking in a old shed somewhere, or in a posh Garage? Just love to know if the bike is still about. Does anyone know where the Porche or Number Plate is? Perhaps we could trace the bike back this way? Deryk and I along with a few other "Old" guy's are very interested about the bikes history. "The One That Got Away". Regards Charlie.

OK. I have to break the spell for this ONE. I must say that I have met a lot off people in my life. But NO One Person Steps up to the plate Like this Guy. A Star as a rider, A Star has a Person , But most of all a STAR in His Own right. What a Gentle Man. Len, You know all of my Family will be With you All of the Way, Just Keep fighting. What a Star. I can Not Say enough for this Guy. Regards Charlie. I will put more on my web site OK

Hi Guy's. Hi Ken. Just a thought. I looked at the reg's for the trial earlier in the week. and it looked like you had to have a ACU licence for this event??? I thought this series was run independently , and not connected to the ACU or AMCA ??? This must have put off a few prospective entrants don't you think. especially ,first timers, or guy's that have not got an unto date licence to present. Is it the fact that you cannot get insurance without this? Perhaps entrants could get a one day licence if this is the case. Can you let us know. it might help with a few more "Twinshocks" or "Britshocks" come to that. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Deryk. The only reference I have for the Cornish Harry Foster Otters are Tony Harris who owned , the first one built ,that was a Triumph engined bike. The other was owned by Tom Seward, this had a BSA B40 engine, Toms son is still building trials bikes and Collin Dommett owns one. What comes around Hey. Don't know how else to jog your memory , but maybe someone else does???? There is also one in the States I would like to find, and even suggestions that there may be one in Australia.??? Come on Guy's ,help me!!! Regards Charlie. .www.bsaotter.com