charlie prescott

Hi Guy's, Well the newest Mick Mills frame to be nearly put into service is the one that the Dawson boys have just put together, from I might add, a Faber "Otter" Mk 2 framed bike. Poor old Dave as had a problem with the engine though,so it is still not up and running but I'm sure it will be soon. Dave will then give us a report of how it handles I bet. Don't start me on the "Otter" frame and Scotland. The bike that Faber are now supplying to one of the organising committee, Is a sham, and I might add that OTF converted his B40 "Otter" to nearly this spec three or four years ago. and had no chance of that bike being OK for "The Trial". I just hope Faber are not calling the current bike a "Otter replica" cause it's not. The "Otter" came from a copy of Pat Slinn's and Scott Ellis'es bikes that were both built in the BSA Comp shop although neither were works backed projects. And I might add that Pat built his bike in 1964. which is a lot earlier than say an effort made by the late Mick Mills who did work at BSA, but at the retirement home in the country as they called it. Incidentally the "Otter" name was given to the frame by the first replica builder Harry Foster. and not out of Sammy's catalogue. For all you boys with BSA "Otter" framed bikes out there and not knowing if there is a class for you to ride them in, there could be light at the end of the tunnel soon, if I have my way!!!! Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Hi Paul, That's brilliant then, Just what we thought. I have just checked my liner for the 76mm and it is possible just but it would make the liner thin again. I would be in two minds to touch it again for a while If it is running so well, It may make the engine too over square, and upset the balance. I will keep the spacers in mind thanks. Keep posting a progress report wont you? I will let you know how I get on with mine. Regards Charlie.

I used to Own a Commer, is that the same? full stop. Charlie.Full Stop.

Hi Guy's Hi Paul. Yes that is what we thought 3-4 thou max to the same method, I am glad the job as gone well for you, and what you have said about the engine is exactly what we predicted, Hope it goes well this week end, I predict you will get more grip and a much more pleasant ride even if you do need adjustment. Good luck. Let us know won't you? Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's Hi Wayne. Thanks for that little gem of information, that is indeed a help I have had the same problem with some of the MDF plugs I have made for taking glass fibre moulds from I then used good old shellac, but epoxy would be better. If I cant use the CNC mill I am going to mill the parts manually with the Bridgeport. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's Hi Ross. Should have some shots of the Barrel pattern in a couple of weeks. Have changed tack, as they say, and am now making the pattern from sections of MDF and then could be copying these out of resin before bonding the sections together. I was planning on using a CNC desk top router to make these sections but may now use my mates desk top mill. I think I have decided to machine up a separate push rod tube, as the built in one may be frowned upon by some clubs. More progress on other parts of the bike, now got the BSA fork yokes I needed,and a Victor type tank is in the pipeline. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's Hi Dave, That bike of yours just keeps getting better and better by the day, but then you have got a first class engineer, in your dad haven't you. Nice job that Steve has done as well hey? Hope to see you at the trial later in the year. I have noted that you were the second person to show intrest. keep up the good work. Regards Charlie.

Its called gravity OTF Regards Charlie

Hi Guy's Forgot the most important should read, and a BAR. should have more details this week end for you. Already got more than a dozen potential entries, and some from offshore. Keep the interest coming. I need to know. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. The following has been sent to an events company intrested in promoting a two day show/trial to celabrate the famous ARIEL and BSA trials bikes of the past. The event will incoperate a showing class on the Saturday along with trade stands, etc, and in the evening a pig roast, films, and a live band. On the Sunday morning a Auto jumble will try to be organised and hopfully a few Pre65 trials Stars will be asked to attend the two days. Whether I can get the ACU or the AMCA to sanction the event I don't know until I ask. The rest is up to you boys/girls. The number of bikes are out there proping up shed walls, dust them off and give them a go. Let me know what you think as soon as possible so that I can force the Events teams hand into going ahead with the project. If I get a good response I will let you know the date and the venue. I can tell you it will be in the Midlands. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ok This is my idea of how the format for the two day four stroke trial should be, and what we should aim for. 1, We should try to encourage by advertising and word of mouth to get an entry of 50 Ariel trials bikes and the same number of BSA's. If the numbers do not materialize, we can always invite other four stroke bikes, built before 1965. A sidecar entry can be open to any fourstroke outfit built before 1972. Now for the ideas for the classes. On the Saturday. all riders will be aloud to compeat in either the "Rigid- and Original build class" (easy route) or the Replica Modified class, (hard route), to gain entry into Sundays two trials finals, each made up of the top twenty riders from the day before. The sidecar class can be run over the two day period to decide the winner of that class. this can be run in between the solo classes. If the two solo classes are run seperately a compeitor bringing a bike for each class can run in both trials. But can only compete in one final. The trial should be made up of ten sections of two laps on the Saturday,and three laps for the finals. If possible we should try to arrange a comentator for each section with some sort of amplification,Notes on each competitor can be compiled from information taken from the entry form.We can award trophys for class wins etc best "FaberOtter" for example. It will have to be decided how much prize money can be paid to the three class winners and say the next three places down in each class, It would be a good idea to award medals to say the top ten or so in each class, Bikes put into a showing class judged early on Saturday morning could compeat in a class of the trial and then be placed back on show.(no need to clean). Presentation of awards can be made on a rostrom as per speedway and could be followed with a small fire work display the same. Regards Charlie. Hope I have posed it in the right place Andy?

Hi Guy's Mick meant ,"Wurth, "Time-sert" only a small spelling mistake but if you don't get them right it take a devil of a time to find things on the net don't it. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Hi Paul. Let us know how much better the power is, or any faults,etc. Was it easy to press in, what interference did you use? hot or cold? At least you have got on with the job, well done mate. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's Hi OTF, PVL for Villiers now from Villiers Service?!!!!!! Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's I knew Old Charlie very well from the past in the sixties right up until recently, and was sad to here of his passing, He was one of those characters that seem no longer to exist in trials , and was always known for the vast difference in machinery that he rode, and his hat that was older than the one Scott Ellis wore His last Cub was an example of his bikes, he would only run a 350 back tyre,for he said there was quite enough grip with that, this bike was also fitted with a magneto that was stuck out of the distributor drive. He told me that the dirt on it was from twenty five years ago when he finished his last trial and put it in the shed. His crowning glory was the works ride on the 80 Suzuki. And a picture of him on this little bike took pride of place on his mantelpiece. It will be sad to not see his face at Red Marley again. Looking through the catalogue I can assure you that there is no where near his collection of bikes for sale, and none of the best. He also had a field full of vintage Tractors in his collection. Regards Charlie

Hi Guy's. Thanks HL for sorting the list for us. Just skipped through the entry list, 20 Ariels, 32 Cubs, 16 Triumph twins,22 James-FB's, 32 BSA's from 175-350, 5 AJS-Matchless, 2 Velocetts, 7 Royal Enfield's 6 D.O.T.'s and a few others. Glad to see the Manx two day winner ++, as got an entry,Good luck John, the dark horse could be Steve Saunders? But I'm once again going for Chris Gascoigne , But with the amount of Cubs It is likely to be one of them? Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's Hi OTF. Well you know what they say a 520 lasts a lot longer, but is heavier, 428 seems like a compromise, But then look what the Norton's ran. so it is a job to choose I would stick with what you are running at present. Just ring Amanda for a good deal. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Hi Paul, and Bob, The liner I was looking at was WCL13DFL. But then Bob said about using B40 barrel, which got me thinking. Well just read an article in a magazine and I quote the following.[basis of the 350s engine is B25 crankcases BSA one piece crank and Triumph Daytona alloy con rod ETC, and a standard B40 piston]. So I looked up more information in the Rupert book, and thought well then you could use a B44 VE barrel ,push rods ETC, and I think you could mod the head(Stud holes ETC) from the B25 which would be better for a trials bike. So perhaps that is the way to go. Don't forget I am working on the Scott Ellis replica bike at the moment, so have the C15F engine as a basis. that is why I have decided to cast my own barrel. But I have a new Faber fitted with a TR25 engine, so may try this exercise on that later. (So Many things to do I hope I have the time)! Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's, Hi Paul, Yes faced with the same problem , I have a triumph part Number E6884/10 piston at 69 mm and have checked the barrel and found there is not enough meat left on the liner if it is bored to this size. Yes you can get a liner from Westwood trading that would do the job,Can't find the liner number at the moment will post it later. But it is not an easy job and you will need use of a well equipped workshop.Hope this helps. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Brilliant "A", Has taken me a while to type this ,as I still can't see through the tears, made my day ! Brilliant again. Trouble is I will now be up all night with indigestion and Ive run out of Gaviscon,Just have to dial 999 and ask for the fire man I spose. Regards Charlie

Hi Guy's Was That Full Stop? Or Dot Com-plaint. Regards Charlie

Hi Guy's. Hi Kev. Here to help if I can, Many have helped me with information, here on TC, And I thank them all for it. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's Hi Kev, Yes as long as the weld is good there should be no problem, you could always go over the top and stress relieve it, by reheating, then polish the plates up and temper them to the correct colour, cool in oil. I should use it for a while,and make sure it is OK before powder coating, but that is the way to go. PS I should leave the welds as they are and not grind them down. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Hi HL. Thanks for that, Hope to see the list up when you get it. Also the building of the web site is handy,as my eldest lad Lee is building a couple of bike related sites at the moment. Thanks again. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's . Hi HL. Is there a chance that the 2010 Pre 65. entry list will published on the site , as it has been in the past few years? Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's, Just been doing a bit more research on BSA and came up with this GEM http://www.babelgum.com/3002075/champions-jeff-smith.html. Now sit back and enjoy a piece of history,filled with information.Brilliant. Bruce Cox ! Is it the Bruce Cox I used to know way back,from Banbury? Regards Charlie.