charlie prescott

Hi Guy's , Hi Will. I use YamahaTY 175-250 front hubs in all of the "Britshocks" I have built? Well they work. and they are at the right price. If you want to be picky use Honda Step through C50-90 front hubs they were about before that Deryk cut off point.And you can buy New for £60 For back Wheels I now use Jialing JH125L complete wheels New for £100 and £40 for New back plates complete with shoes. Sprockets are £17. I am not going to preach, because there is NO point, YOU know what you have in mind when building up your bike or converting it. But ask yourself, do I really need to spend that sort of, Cash? Do your home work. Regards Charlie. (Traditional) now.

Hi Guy's, Hi BSA For Life. Although the Quadrant looks the same , the shaft is shorter, So unless you follow my Guidelines on replacing that shaft NO. It is still quite a process, but if that is all you can get, and replacement shafts are now available , this could get you out of trouble. Let us know how you get on. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's, Hi Will, Do you know, I will try and throw a chair on one of the bikes don't know what until I think about it, And do the Sam Cooper Union Jack Trial, In May. I hope the Stratford Club Clerk of the coarse reads this though? And you can't tell me there is no sections that were used in the late fifties early sixties available in the Cotswolds. We can only hope Will and there may be a full sidecar entry, just what we need. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Hi Steve, See if you can put a picture of the bike on, Thats the only way we can see what you have. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. They will probably be run over by GOV132's Brother Pre @)!^ Ariel straight out of the factory. Hey Ben. Regards Charlie. Enjoy.

Hi Guy's. I have just been on the Bulto Page. And I am still in shock. Where is that Scottish trial going? And how can they still call it Pre 65? http://www.bsaotter.com/pre_65_sections_trials_clubs.html Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Can you believe this trial? I am just speechless for once. Deryk we are doing the right thing. Bring on "TRAD" trials. Still Shocked Charlie. "I don't Believe it" (pinched that phrase.)

Hi Guy's Deryk. I think that a Pre65 section trial should be that and not an add on to the current crop of "Multi Trials". I am sure that some clubs with perhaps older members that can remember 1965 and the trials held before that , Could set a current clerk of the course right on what the sections used to be like. I can't remember more the one route for solos in most National trials, and a lot of the sections were also tackled by us Barrow Boys. I am sure that there are clubs in the UK that could be persuaded to have a go at one of these proper section trials, just to judge the water. We won't know the response unless we try will we? There is always going to be those with commercial interest ready to put the boot in. But just look at the extra revenue that could be achived by getting the older bike and rider back out of the cobwebs. Boots, jackets, tyres, plugs, head ache tablets, Ibuprofen, bandages, Carburettors, Fuel. ETC. And what a Jolly time we would all have. Think about it Club members and committees for the one that tries first will get the greatest reward. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's More like this,I very much think. Ron nearly over-cooked it with the speed on the first part of the climb up "Camp" ,But with the power of the Long stroke Ariel motor, she kept pulling and soon found the revs again, But Ron has never lost his touch. A Very Happy Day. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Today I am seventy years of age. And I have seen to much of this faffing about around a tree and down and up and down again to last me. And have had a Mail from Deryk today to say that it is time to start a NEW campaign. He coined the phrase "PRE 65" for a very good cause back then, but it has been abused ever since . So the New campaign is to try and get clubs here in the UK and elsewhere in the trials universe. To use this Phrase "Pre 65 "to mean the sections and not the machine. Perhaps we can suss out the old sections used in the day,and see if they are still available for use today. Or if not find sections that are similar. I for one am now on a mission to see if any of the Banbury NOBAC old "Pre 65" sections are still available like "King Johns Lane". To bring the passion and Glory back into "Pre 65" Trials, this is what we need. Sod, the around the tree type section, What we need is long blasts, like from the past. To give the Meaning "Pre65 " back to where it came. Read the first listing in this page and then tell me that this is not what we want for Real Pre 65? Happy Birthday to Me. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys. As you probably know I use TY 175-250 front brakes on all of my bike Why? well they work. and all or most of my bikes are classed as "Britshocks". The rear wheel (hub) is very similar to a Pit bike hub you can get if stocks are in. these can also be used has a front hub. I tend to buy the New rear hubs (wheels) for a Jialing JH125L, they are the right price and seem to fit my bill very well. Mike will be commenting about the cycle parts later. OK. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys. Happy New Year . There will be a full page up shortly on the "Britannia" motorcycles. And a bit more history. And pictures. I have loads of pages working on at the moment. I may be able to get it on later tonight. If not the links are at the bottom of the 2015 News page,now moved down slightly. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Wise words from Norman. Dave you are a proud parent and want to do the best for you sons future. I have been there and got the Tee shirt, and we never stop trying. Look help but try not to make all of the decisions. My eldest was just like all children should be over ambitious at the time and we did all the stuff you are doing. Short story, after building a cycle frame from scratch. He went on to do a product design course at Coventry Uni. Got his degree , and was offered a job at Pashley Cycles from Stratford on Avon, where above all things he was part of designing the New Cycle trials bikes and running the team. He then went on to run his own company Hidden-Nation for BMX bikes, sold this and became a product designer for two major international companies. and is now quite near to the top of the heap in one. But he has not forgot his past and has set up a cycle company for his wife to run, to get back into bikes and motorcycles. So don't give up keep on pushing but from the background. The bike below was built for his sister-in law. the present company logo on the down tube, Happy New Year. Charlie.

Hi Guy's. HC, You could be right about the H&S issue. I have spent a Merry two days investigating the Concentric carburettor. for a page on my web site.( Now On). The more I delve the more problems I find with the ones made of Cheese, (Zinc Based). I don't know if the new ones made of alloy are better but they should be. Mikuni and Keihen don't use cheese for the body of there carbs do they. Or the same material for the slide ,very bad practice. Regards Charlie. PS Pass the cheese board please.

Hi Guy's. Hi TS. I seem to remember one of the Cubs that won the Scottish two day trial was sporting a Villiers, Carburettor. I can't remember what the Paul Heys bike used though. Regards Charlie.

HI Guy's, So why are Burlen "not" fitting these springs in the first place? This industry of ours just continues to amaze me. Seems to me No one is the slightest bit dedicated to the sport any more and all the want to do is here the tills ring. Amazing. I hope it will be a Happy New year? Charlie.

Hi Guy's, Hi Deryk, Been doing homework all-day on the concentric carb and its problems. And the more I delve the more I find that this carburettor is not as simple as it seems. It has a lot more problems than you would think. And I can now see why they have started to manufacture it in aluminium, So if you are thinking of buying one of these carburettors, buy the aluminium version even if it is more expensive. The pilot jet with todays fuels is the main problem, but I think Burlen have now sorted this with a new system, or at least revised. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. OK Dave, Just what I can see from the photos,makes me think the motor was probably in need of an overhaul, and you need a gear change shaft and probably kickstart and it looks like there could be other problems in that department. Taking the motor apart you may be lucky and get away with piston rings ,if the bore is OK? The valves will need to be lapped in at the least. Then we get to the crank and bearings, Don't forget this motor has the timing side bush and not bearing so this could be well worn,along with the camshaft bushes. Hopefully the Big-end will be OK, but if you have got this far you really need to change all of the gearbox and drive side engine bearing, along with new oil seals. The sludge trap in the crank needs cleaning out too. And the oil pump checked and the sump filter cleaned. You will need a engine bolt set by looking at the photos,then a complete gasket set. You need to decide what ignition you want to run,and if you are thinking of turning the bike into a trials machine? While you have the motor stripped, you need to reduce the engine oilseal flange to be able to fit a 18 tooth sprocket and also fit as smaller gearbox sprocket, So there is your budget gone ,sorry it may be more. to what you find on strip down. I am not pouring oil on the water Dave just being realistic. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Dave 1965-66, If you look inside the engine it is going to take your budget on the engine bits, but still a cheap find. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Firstly Merry Christmas. Dave It looks like a C15 F to me . (oil pump cover gives it away.) The engine number is just under the Barrel on the chaincase side. on the alloy crankcases. I just can't get the photo big enough before it distorts to read it, It should start with C15 F ***** I would think. If you don't need to start the bike for the project I would not touch the engine , just place the parts back (kickstart ,gear lever points cover etc. Because looking at the motor she will need stripping and rebuilding with a lot of new parts. Good luck however good find. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Now Gav, I think you live in one of the best parts of the country, as Jon has said for clubs that are Classic trials bike friendly. I don't know what bike you are considering getting, But although I class the bike a "Britshock Classic" trials bike and a lot more Pre65 than most bikes in this class, A well put together BSA "Otter" could be a good first bike. They perform well if put together sensibly, and without all the bling fitted on a lot more bikes in the same class, cost a lot less than others that come onto the market. Like Jon said you will have to pay a lot more for a Matchless and it will not be trial ready, and if it is, you will again be in the mega bucks arena. And it will cost a lot more to maintain. OK it may be worth more money but, you must decide what you want from the sport. Merry Christmas Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Deryk don't be sceptical with your views some roads may lead to a silver lining, and every opportunity that gets outside coverage of Classic trial sport to a bigger and new group of people the better. To get cycling companies like Hope involved can only be a good thing, with new blood and new thinking we may be able to push the clock back. you never know. Building this up way back in the early eighties, got me back into two-wheel sport after a long absence, so you can see that the cycling connection works? or may be not? Season Greetings. Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Hi TRF. OK quick run through. First you need a NH 350 bottom end. with everything in New or good order. You need to drill and tap a fifth stud hole for the Mick Dickinson short alloy barrel. You now need to try and find a HT VH cylinder head ,near impossible now, so you will have to buy a newly cast one. You then need to find a Yamaha XT 350 piston or one with the same measurements. A month of meticulous machining and assembly and you may have a Scottish winning motor. PS and a BT-H electronic magneto. and Villiers S22 carb. Regards Charlie. Sorry Jon you got there before me. edit because I was to late , always am.

Hi Guy's. Hi Arie, Glad you like the little "Mini Otter". I need to get the second one finished to be able to price a frame up, I have someone, interested in making some for me if we can finalise the design. I still have a vast interest in the project, but I am now, just taking it slowly, to see what pans out with new rules etc over here. It seems that the rest of the world just except the project for what it is, a way of building a cheaper "Classic Styled" little machine for every one to enjoy. Thanks again for the interest, in the project, I like what you are doing too. Merry Christmas Charlie.

Hi Guy's. I should get along to Burycliffe if you can for OTF's last trial of the year. You never know who may turn up after the disclosures on this site this week. I know that Guy in the photos was at Burycliffe with Mick Andrews and a certain Hub manufacture'r. And I am told that he is very keen to ride in the New trials classes at the Peak Classic next year. Anyway a Merry Christmas Guy's and OTF. Charlie.