charlie prescott

Hi Guy's. Just got back from the "Magic Manx" trial. What a super week I have had, With the sun out ,that little island is the best place on earth! and everyone there is into the sport . And all the local sidecar boy's, ride solo's even better. this perhaps should be a lesson to us ? Get a chair onto a bike, and this makes your solo riding better? Just ask Juan! wonderfull ride mate, and without realy trying! The Drayton ridged Bantams are hot off of the press this week? I would contact Jim very quickly or you will have a long wait? Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy’s. All I really need is an explanation why the “Otter” frame is not acceptable in the Premier class or any other come to that. If you can modify frames to the degree you have stated, what is wrong with a frame design for a BSA trials bike that came from the Sixties? The “Otter” frame is simple and does several jobs, that’s why it was designed. And using one of this type of frame can only reduce the cost in your build of a Classic Trials Bike! Whether you buy a frame, or build one yourself, you will save many hours compared with modifying any other frame to suit the so called rules. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's I just cant still understand why the BSA "Otter" frame is treated the way it is? It is a direct copy Of the Scott Ellis 1965 British Experts winning bike. And also a copy of Pat Slinn's BSA frame built in 1964-5. So what is the problem??? Just take a look at more of the history of the bike on my web site www.bsaotter.com and then tell me why this bike should not be used in any Classic class?? Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Hi Brian, Take a look at www.bsaotter.com I think this is the way you need to go? If you mail me I am sure that we could help with further development of your bike. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. I have had the story from Ally Clift about the Original BSA "Otters" built down in the west country by the late Harry Foster. The story is now on the BSA Otter web site if you care yo look. www.bsaotter.com Ok. After reading the stories, I now think I should try and find an Harry Foster BSA "Otter" frame in any condition, so that I can build one of these bikes up for the web site, and for my collection. Do any of you know where there is a frame? There were 36 built, so there still could be a discarded one in someones garage? Let me know on my web site, if you have or find one, thanks. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's, Just put a tribute video onto youtube for you guys that rode there that week end. We did have some fun didnt we! I now need your support big time, if I am going to run another next year. Hope the video may help you decide. Just type in the heading and you should get the video Let me know if you are intrested on www.bsaotter.com. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Just put a very small clipet of Barry singing at the Classic Trials Show 2010 on You tube, just Google Barry Classic trials show should find it. Alan you realy need to do more work so you can afford to buy a set of drums. Guy's if you are realy intrested in me doing another show next year you need to let me know. At least you guy's are genuine? Take a look at www.bsaotter.com 2012 news, and Nelson Column bike lift to see what I mean. There should be a you tube for you sidecar boys on there tomorrow to. Classic Trials Show 2010 sidecars, should find it. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Hi Trev, There is a theory that a longer pipe helps bottom end power, but you need a megaphone type extraction at the end to compleat the system. To be quite honest, I think expansion type chambers help some motors but not others. Trials riders tend to use short pipes and boxes just to took them out of the way more easaly??? some realy short, double tube, boxes do no good at all, only to anoy the other competitors. That is why I think the Weedy type, although slaged by others?? actualy has been proven over the many years now in production to do the job. Well. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Hi Bashplate, You are thinking of the Terry Weedy/ Miller. box , still available from Terry ,at Avery Products. You have the entry and exit pipes that are perferated with a small return on the perforations, this helps to redirect the gasses.The box itself acts as a small expansion chamber, slightly like a reverse megaphone, and seems to help with the gas flow. Although these tend to protrude slightly when fitted I still thing they are good boxes, and at the right price. Hope this helps. Sorry for not answering sooner, but have had problems logging into the new format site. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's, Hi Pete, I have been looking for the entry list for a couple of days on the Stratford MCC web site, But it looks like there is a glitch, because you can only get the Colmore entry list. Never mind, I am sure the entry will be has good as always, I know everyone loves this trial, and may it continue!! Would still love to have another Colmore re-visitment, type event from you guy's, I am sure Wright'y would too??? Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's , Great win Davy, Worth more than a mention was the real good ride by one of my good mate's son's Andy Paxton , I bet father Dave Is very proud too. Good show by all of the Stratford boy's, and we dont ride on rocks. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's I have been told Eddie Aitkin, Is garanteed to win, so Look's like you guy's have a New Tyre each. Is Wrighty's bike looking the same as the picture he sent in??? or is it like the one he won on before, hope he has ditched the four stud forks this time! Because they were made in Britian. Regards Charlie.

Dougie Cooper. It was sad news to me when informed by my brother that sadly Doug had past away a few weeks ago. Doug was a part of the “super hero” partnership of sidecar trial in the sixties. Ron Langston and Doug Cooper did more to inspire budding crews to take up the sport of sidecar trials during this time than anyone else. If this pairing could ride a combination to the standard they did, with ease, this was the sport to be in. Every crew just set there sights at knocking this duo from there pinnacle, but that pinnacle was high, and not many got anywhere near close to it, and when they did, Ron and Doug would just turn on the magic, and that would set the bar higher again. They would find and try lines through sections that no one else would even think of attempting, and nine times out of ten, for a clean. If the duo had past through the section unseen by following crews, the first question would be, “which line did Ron and Doug take” to the observer, the second comment would be “Your joking, and for a clean”. Anyway I could keep on for hours about my “Super Hero’s”, but I will just say condolences to the family and friends of Dougie, and leave you with this tale I wrote about them in 2007. Regards Charlie. Members 804 posts Location:banbury oxon Bike:bsa Otter's Etc, Posted 23 December 2007 - 06:51 PM {C}Hi Guy’s. I was recalling a few days ago when asked by a friend, the most memorable moment whilst riding in trials in the early sixties. Well the one that sprung to mind was when we had one of the first rides on the Ex Frank Darrieulat’s BSA Goldie outfit XJO 277.driven by my work mate and mentor “Nobby” Clements. The trial was one of the Midland centre group trials, (I can’t remember which one or the year) but it must have been 1963-64. And started from Edge Hill quarry Warwickshire. We had experienced a strength sapping day as we were new to this sidecar game, and the old bike was heavy. Well we had managed to keep going and were up with the rest of the chairs as we reached what I recall as being the last section of the day. The long climb from the bottom of the hill at Radway up the old coach road to the top road opposite the Edge Hill quarry (King John's Lane) We were parked at the tail end of the queue of outfits so had time to watch and study the line taken by the front running crews. Well that old lane was muddy and deep. And there was only one line straight up the middle. You could not see the bikes start the section standing halfway up the hill, but could hear the crescendo of revs building from the mainly Ariel and BSA singles as they set off. By the time they had come into view most of them were footing like mad or the passenger was off pushing. The galleried packed banks were passing comments on the action but not many were prepared to help the crews get their plots to the top. Well stood watching the mêlée and virtually unnoticed, were Ron Langston and Doug Cooper. A few words were exchanged between the pair a few hand signals and a few kicks of the soil slipping banks, they wondered back down the lane. In the mean time more red faced struggling crews tried to reach the end’s card. The recognisable sound of Ron’s Ariel sprang into life, the crowd was hushed with all necks craned to the corner down the lane, You could hear the power coming from the motors note and tell he was in a high gear, they sprang into view weaving from one side bank to the other the note of the motor hardly changing until they disappeared out of view around the top corner. The motor was cut and the observer blew a blast on his whistle, followed by the tiny voice of Doug “alright”. I think so. The remaining crew’s including us, rushed down the lane to try the same manover but no one did. Can any of you remember this?

Hi Guy's. Hi Bully. Brilliant Story, I have just been waiting for it to come out ,knew it would one day ? If I kept on asking. Might add that I had worked out , along with a mate from down country that the bike probably was built and lived in Licolnshire, so got that wrong! A man with my own heart, just likes to push the barriers if possible, And we know it is not Pre 65, but has you say, who gives a stuff, now a day's. It is just a superb engineering project. Brilliant again. Thanks mate for the time to explain. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. I was hoping that my young nephew from the IOM would get a ride on the NEW Cub I am building him for the event. But he too did not get an entry. There is a list of at least 20 reserves ,and ten of these are from the IOM so I am told. Anyway we will be there with the Cub and a couple of other bikes, just for a ride around with the other guy's. and to take in some of this brilliant little islands sight's Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's . Hi Pete, DON'T buy a cheap one, The spars will bend after the first putting up, and you wont close it again without more damage. Buy the best (industrial type) but beware it is still better to have has many hands as you can, at least one at each corner ,to put the thing up, and watch our for any gusts of wind, also try to find the flatest peice of land you can. just common sence realy? Regards Charlie

Hi Guy's . The biggest mistake to my mind is ,that the class is very often very poorly atended. And any new rules will also add to many organizers pulling the plug on the series. So it would be a lot more sence, to also include a class for any other machine? just to make the numbers up and make the event viable. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Hi Rob, I hope you have maneged to tame the beast, by now?as there is not much time left for the Scottish event. Have you made any mods to the bike, ready fro the event, Footrests, Carb,wheel rims, tyres, etc??? Send a picture of the bike to Hitchcocks Motorcycles , at Chadwick End, Solihull. I bet they will know somthing about that bike!!! Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Hi Dave. The magneto you are talking about is from the USA it is a Joe Hunt Magneto. We have one on a B50 engined Cheaney BSA. I have looked on there web site, has I did a long time ago, and looks like they no longer make the mag. The only one that is listed compleat with side cover is for a BSA A10 twin It is a shame they no longer make them for a single, as I thought it was a good idea and didn't protrude much from the case. Hope this helps! Regards Charlie.

Hi John. Glad you got around to joining the club. Perhaps we can now get "Ariels" back to where they belong, to the fore front of the Classic Trials Bike scene. I have two of your frames, one with oil in, and one without. One is being built in the North, and one is sat on my workbench awaiting time for me to work on it. I am sure a lot of guy's on here will me more than pleased that you are now part of the comunity. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy’s. Hi Dave, To be quite honest I have better things to be thinking about this year, well until after the Olympics’ anyway. But this crazy situation needs a solution, you may think there is no problem at the moment and I agree, but the more time goes on the more this so called Pre65 gets to be a travesty. Every one knows that there is not a single bike in any class across the country competing in classic trials, which can truly be called a pre 65 bike. We know the culprit is the Scottish club for allowing bikes into there trial with every contrived part that there is in existence. And you know with out repeating myself that this then gets passed down as the norm. This class of bike should Not be labelled with a Pre65 tab, and to be quite honest this is my only gripe, and at the end of the day I feel that this Pre65 tab is stopping new blood getting into the sport because of the cost of building this type of bike. Now on a more appropriate note, Dave I have said before if you want to compete on an original Ariel out of the factory in this Scottish trial ,you get an entry and I will lend you a bike to ride OK. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy’s I have just had this idea passed onto me and I think it could work.} It’s very very easy to sort a very simple base line spec for bikes running in a rather more authentic P65 class. This being bikes in this class, must not be any lighter than 30% less than the base machine (original weight verified by owners clubs), and must have a wheelbase no less than 3 inches shorter than the original. Add to those very simple rules the requirement to use major component parts such as frame and motor, from within the P65 era, and allow anything that doesn’t strictly comply with these specs to run in the Brit twin-shock class. Bikes which fall outside of the outline specs above are clearly not P65 machines as such, and I cant see how anyone can argue that a modern day Villiers, Cub or Bantam is a P65{. I think this idea could be simply achieved by setting it up like a special test mid way in the trial, Bikes could be rolled over a portable weigh bridge( Pocket sized now) and the wheel base length checked, any bike not meeting the criteria, to the class entered would be docked marks for not entering in the appropriate class. What do you think? Regards Charlie.

I agree with OTF's list, bar for "3" the frame, you know and I know there were a lot of modified frames about in the sixties, and the second bike we bought a C15T from Commerfords came with the frame modified only two years from new. Has for the gooseneck frames, we all know that there are Super lightweight copies of these being used and totally undetectable without real knowledge. There were also oil-in the-frame, frames being used at that time as well. So this is really my strongest point that the Pre 65 tab be dropped in favour of say Britshocks for bikes with shocks fitted. I agree riders could police them selves, but the word would soon be out who the snitch was, and this would only spoil the atmosphere of these types of events, where has a person with some authority to do this simple task and whose word was final would not create upset. I do think it is a good idea though to have this person on one of the first few sections, and seem to remember this from the past. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. I still agree with my last statment, Honda ,and others could still build a NEW Twinshock, from there China based factories at the right price, New TLR's No problem. And they could be a lot cheaper than a NEW mono bike. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Hi Mikey. Here is a good shot of one of Terrys kickstarts. Regards Charlie.