charlie prescott

Hi Guy,s Hi Dhs. I think you need to get in touch with John Bartram , or Paul Jackson . Devon and Yorkshire respectively . They will give you guidance into what frame you. Want, both first class Ariel frame builders. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Coincidence again!!!!! I have just this afternoon started to strip down for a rebuild the BSA C15T that Brian built that was featured, on the front cover of a late ORR magazine, The blue framed bike, story on my web site. The boys in the IOM have had it for a couple of years and have now swapped it for the Mk2 BSA C15 Otter of mine for a while. I was watching the James May Meccano Bike story from the IOM,and if you look there were two BSA Otters in the clock workshop ,I am told that the Blue tanked bike is ridden by the owner of the workshop, and the other looks in mid build. Story on BSA Otter web site. later. Funny old thing life. Regards Charlie. www.bsaotter.com

Hi Guys. Question???? Has anyone got a sense of humour in Scotland ?????? And do they take any notice of anyone else's rules.????? Bantam forks on a Pre 1965 motorcycle , running in a motorcycle observation trial that is for Pre 1965 motorcycles should be at the best forks from a C15 BSA or a Triumph Mountain Cub, and should only have a three speed gearbox. And still look like a BSA Bantam from a side wards looking view, am I right????? Did the bard take liberties with the Scottish play????? Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys, That's my bike Deryk, Less the forks has I said, but with the same dents in the exhaust, Yesssssssss? Regards Charlie. Www.bsaotter.com.

Hi Guys., Forks,Yea, So for Scotland you have to cast a spell onto moden day 35 mm forks and make them look like they were on a Norton or Matchless, before fitting them to your Scottish Rules built trials bike at a cost of about £500. It is this word Legal that gets me, like you are breaking the law if you don't build a bike to ,the trial that shall not be named rules. I build my bikes how I want, But still can't see why the cost of building a Classic British Trials bike is made more expensive by the rules of one club. And then worshiped has the norm????????????? Have Fun, Regards Charlie .

Hi Guys So Willie what you are saying is that any one building up a Classic British trials bike,should build it to your rules?? To use for two or if last year one day of trials riding in three hundred and sixty five?? THis is why the trial that shall not be named, puts a curse on anyone not building to there rules??? Just been watching a film tonight ,and hog warts .springs to mind!!! Or is it Hogwash? This stupidity is killing the Classic British Trials bike sport!! Regards Charlie. Wizard .

Hi Guys. Thanks Mick? Did not know they now did the 20mm size, And was about to buy a new carb from Berlems. Dave your information is even more revalent for jetting , I should have asked you in the first place. Thanks guys nice one, and a Happy New Year to both of you. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys, Hi Deryk, I know what you mean about people that don't know who you are, and what you have done for the sport!! It Realy makes my blood boil at times, but we are the old timers and long forgotten in most cases. I feel I have been bashing my head against a wall for years, but still keep on the fight for what I ,think is the way to encourage all classes to once again compete. And I will continue with passion as long has I can, for the cause of Classic British Trials Bikes.. yes Arthur had XJO the proper one. But by the time of the picture you published in ORR, above. Alas there was probably not that much left of the original bike I owned, except the plate. The proper bike was probably sat in the corner of one of his workshops. This bike has the Bulto forks hub etc, and a Kendall chair fitted, Looks like a small finned engine aswell. But The plot was Classed. Has British and know one took a second glance at the Spanish bits, at that time. So why oh why do we. Need the fiddle forks now. Another thing ,if you had have heard this bike on full chat up a steep climb, you would known the outfit was BRITISH and nothing else. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys, Totally agree Alan. I even may be able to ride for one day. And I would struggle but love it!!! But there is No way that I could do two days. I have the consolation of trying to encourage some of my younger relatives to get good enough to compete in the trial, and would even abide with the unpredictable and unfair bike construction rules at a pinch. One thing has you say it would encourage more into competing in the trial!!!! And keep the old Classic Stars riding in the event??? Well this is what draws the general public to the event surely???? But it will never happen will it??? Regards Charlie www.bsaotter.com

Hi Guys. No prob OTF, Happy new year Mate. Broony I bet you love that bike to bits. If we did not have this Pre 65 Scottish thing, It would be interesting to see what frames etc would get conjured up around a period British Unit bike engine BSA etc, but then at the end of the day it would probably look like a Mick Mills frame with a slightly lower seat , and could be different back suspension???? But you probably would not get a better ride than the original MM frame? And that bike had a large seat has standard. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys. OTF, what would you attack with a four inch grinder????? The front part of the frame was not a metals itches masterpiece ! But it worked ,we know the steering angle was long, but with BSA forks and the nature of the sections then, again it worked! Then look at GOV. The sub frame was. Triumph Cub nothing more nothing less! Probably in Scott's shed at the time so he used it, along with the sports Cub swinging arm. Hubs! Bsa /Triumph works standard issue. The engine unit was Peppy ,and lasted about six months, and we know experimental barrels ,cam wheels etc were shipped in from the USA . Nothing else that you could not buy at the time. We know modern bikes grip better etc, with specifically made frames and engine units has I witnessed today at Ufton. But the BSA and Enfield brigade, bikes sounded better, by far, and got the most interest from the general public there. But you have heard it all before from me. And you know I am not afraid to experiment with different bike projects. Regards Charlie. Www.bsaotter.com

Hi Guys. Moved on where???? This was a Classic trials bike. Without the Fiddle bits. You are winding me up Yea???? Best Regards Guys Charlie.

Hi Guys, Firstly, Happy Christmas 2013. OK. You know how I feel about this frame concept!!! And I still think , if you want to build a Classic sounding and looking British bike this is the route to take! You can still buy the Faber Otter copies of this machine, Or you can build your own frame ? Has many have done around the world. Just check out the BSA Otter web site for information , this is what I started it for. Go on make 2014 an Otter building year. Any way a happy New year as well, Keep on Classic Trialing on a BSA Otter. Regards Charlie, www.bsaotter.com.

Hi Guys, Hi Deryk. What I remember most from the sixties chair scene, Is the amount of outfits about then. DK Mansell, ETC ,always 100 plus chairs, and all crews the best of mates. Some stood out more than others, but only because they were loud characters. Roy Cope was one ,the guy would always have a go at every section ,usually flat out ,Passenger Aub Smith did not say a lot unless arguing with Roy about there last section attempt ,but just hung on. Some of the Northern boys were vocal, but I could not understand a word most of them said then. Well I did grow up in an isolated village ,and only spoke North Oxfordshire, I did understand the Cotswold boys though and for some reason the boys from Devon and Cornwall Much the same dialect I have been told. Such such fun , I can't believe we have let it slip away. One little isolated pocket is the IOM though. Regards Charlie

Hi Guy's Hi Pro Sport. I think this is the bike that Sam rode up until he gave up trials riding > he once won the Pre 65 Scottish on this bike? and used to ride it in the Sammy Miller Championship rounds a few years back He had the bits to build a bike like this in his catalog at one time, before he sold the spares business . Regards Charlie www.bsaotter.com

Hi Guys, Thanks Deryk, I would love a copy of that photo, and any more you have, just let me. Know how much I owe you . But I do already!!! You have started something again ? I bet other guys will want other stuff from the Off Road Review era? Best tail I have written on here is named " Ron and Doug" heroes . Type it in, A tail for Christmas maybe?? Just searched out an old photo of Ted Freeman riding my Triumph Cub in 1963 ? First one out of the factory with the side points!!!!! But that's another tail. Just thought of someone I need to contact again from the sidecar forum? Used to ride a works BSA passenger that is!! Laters . Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. For you Deryk. I will add one note. that I remember. When we first got the bike off of the Pickup. Nobby said it should have the funny forks on. These had been removed and replaced with a brand new pair of BSA forks. And a single sided Gold Star front brake. I found the forks OK , they did twist on occasions , but were good for the job, the fork yokes were from a different model. I think for use with a sidecar fitted. As i said I eventually removed the Alloy bolt on body and made one from glass fiber even moulding the nose. Issue number 19 ORR. if I remember , is a picture of Dan and me on the Ariel that I am replicating, on the inside front cover or just after, I will have to look it out. Regards Charlie www.bsaotter.com

Hi Guy's You know how history comes around ! Well I have had contact from Deryk, and have had to read this thread right through again. I now find out I own the camshaft from GOV132, Well have now had it confirmed, It will be going into my GOV lookalike next year. Hope it does what it says on the tin? Thanks Deryk. Regards Charlie www.bsaotter.com

Hi Guys, Hi shock. E mail me from the Otter site. @www.bsaotter.com. OK Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys. Hi Deryk. Thanks so much for your offer, I will keep it in mind, I may well take you up on that, any articles-pictures of Harry Foster, for instance. You know where to find me now don't you? Regards Charlie. www.bsaotter.com

Hi Guy's Hi Deryk. I think firstly you are right about the B40s back then, But now that fortunes have been spent on bikes of a similar capacity as a BSA B40, but nothing the same in the engine ?hardly any way. some do find more grip, most C15's are up near the same capacity too. I bet when you coined the phrase "Pre65" you had know idea where it would go to in the future and what controversy it would cause did you? Nearly full circle I feel!! we now need to try and build ourselves a cheaper version, of a Classic looking trials bike(one with a seat) even if we do have to use a motor from the far east.that was in existance before 1964-5. I am like most people,so it seems building a BSA Bantam, just to see how much one can be built for, biggest cost now seems to be the wheels. I was just coinsidently skipping through ORR. number70 and on page 33 it has Michael Martin, at Redmarley in 1968 with the development alloy barrelled 175 Bantam, we now in 2013 seem to be doing this same thing again???? What goes around comes around??? Regards Charlie. www.bsaotter.com

Hi Guy's. Hi Bikestat, I think you now need to contact Alan Whitton, for these frames, has I think he now has the jig??? Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys, TS, I have been told that 360 mm and 40 lb springs are best on the Rob Homer - Alan Whitton, type frames, I don't know if the Drayton ones are the same??? looks to me as most people use the Betor Alloy shocks ! The £150 ones with chrome steel units. I will now be using these on the "BSA Otter " BSA.Bantam. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys. Thanks for the quick response, Taking another look yesterday I think you are both about right, 8 mm, it seems to be? Thanks, don't forget to follow my build on www.bsaotter.com Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys, Me Again. Just one question? How far over to the left do you mount your engines? 8 or 10 mm.? Regards Charlie.