charlie prescott

Hi Guys. I have decided to build an exact replica of Scott Ellis's last works BSA C15 F. I have several photos of the bike with Scott riding it, but only one picture of the bike from a side view, in Don Morley's book. Has any one out there got any side view shots of the bike, or does any one know where the bike BOK228C is. It is still registered at the DVLA as a BSA 250. ( this is the frame that the copy is now reffered to as an Otter). Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys. I feel what we have found with this topic is,that 786 GON has had a much more intresting past than it's sister GOV. The past of Sam's number one bike seems to be shrouded in a lot more mystery than the colourful past of GON. We still do not know who exactly owns GOV and where it's permaent home address is. Or where the back and front hubs she is wearing came from, if GON has the originals. PS> I have just found out today that Deryk Wilde overhauled GOV in about 1975. so he could have fitted replacment hubs then. So yes GOV 132 is still lost, or there seems to be facets of her past that still need explanation. I have maneged to get a copy of "The Classic Motorcycle" June 1988, NEW direct from the publishers. In fact all copies of this Magazine are available bar two. Anyone intrested type in www.classicmotorcycle.co.uk. look for back issues. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys Here are the relevant photos as promised. (courtesy of ORR) Mick Clarke I think this is the closest match to GOV132 by Joel Correy, what do you think? This ones pretty close though by Frenchman Phillippe Gosperin Is this GOV?????? Regards Charlie

Hi Guys. Yes Comerfords did build one or two B40s I think. and Jock Wilson built a Victor version, but none of them had that much grip, unlike the C15. They also built a few Tr25 trophy's but these are now rare. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys. The plastic bung caps on the Works, and Comerfords cub's , were from the Triumph Tina scooter. The Black sumsitute cap's used, come from an early Montesa, hence the "M". Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys. Hi Big "J". Have just been looking at the picture today in your book.(Scotland's Rich Mixture). Was saying to my son, a copy of this book would make someone happy this Christmas. and the Mag Man is still advertising them. Have more relevant Ariel, picture's to post as soon as I have scanned them from the photo's.etc. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys. The tank caps were plastic on the cub to save on cost, the ones on the C15 were Monza alloy flip caps as the C15 was thought to be superior. Big "J" they were Enots you were right , but they were taken over a long time ago by a multi national company UK based in Lichfield named Norgren, there is another company in the south named Newton-Equipment that make them as well. they are all expensive though Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys . I thought the same Mick, but there could still be strings attached to its ownership from another inheritance legacy. PS have just edited "GOV 132 Is Lost" at top. Regards Charlie

Hi Guys. Hi Mick, and Big"J". So does this person actualy own GOV132 then? Or is it owned by someone else? Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys. Hi Big "J". I have a feeling that the well known person could have been a previous rider of said bike, perhaps the first. For I know that he has a fair few Moth's in his walet. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys, Hi Scotty, Thanks for the info, this is just what I hope'd would happen, someone catching a thread with more history on one of these Ariel's. Good work. and thanks again, there is alway's someone who can add a bit more knowledge out there. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys. Nice bike hey. Triumph generator "cooking engines" were always good value. Good Pre 65 bikes just keep going up in value don't they. Hi Big "J" you were right about the Reg prefix it is for Berwickshire. another good bike to come out of Scotland then. PS< there's a cylinder head on E-bay at the moment if anyone is intrested, but it looks as if you will have to pay dear for it

Hi Guys. I am still alive (just). I have just been checking registration No's on a web site, and have now changed the Reg no I thought was on Sam's third bike, to 372 EOX. OX is a birmigham prefix so this makes more sence. I also have checked this Reg Number on the Dvla Site Against an Ariel but it is not listed , But we will continue. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys. Hi Bo. Glad you found it eventualy. I spose the Cider is strong in Hereford though. My first tr20 cub 1962/3 is not on the site. but most of the others are. Here's a good one though 776 BOP first registration, 29/03/1982. year of manufacture 1960 343 cc.colour Silver, Jim must have polished the tank. PS. Still looking for the Ariels. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys. Hi Mick. I thought you would help us out. I will try to delve into the web site stated. Cheers mate. PS Found the web site "this opens up a whole new ball game". For example .BOK 228C.First registration 21/01/1965. Year of manufacture.Not available? Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys. Hi Martin, Still trying to find out how to trace an historical reg , have been told you have to pay a fee to the dvla but will explore more. Dan Shorey had the first Bultaco factory trials bike, the one that Sam tried secretly before joining Bultaco. I will try to find the registration number of this bike for you in case it helps you with your quest. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys. Hi Jim, and Doug. (Huntmaster) Thanks for the pic , I have been following the progress of your bike. I hope she rides as good as she look's. It's a long old job to get a bike that's right (rite) isn't it. Do post some more info on the build of your bike, as it would be very intresting to me, and the rest of the guys over here i'm sure. Regard. Charlie.

Hi Guys. I thought there were more than two Sammy Miller Ariel's I found this in an old "Motor-Cycle" from the 7th May 1964 and I think the registration plate on this one is 372 EOX What do you think?? Its amazing what you can find if you try. Regards Charlie. Hi Guys Talking about the awesome suspension on Neil Gaunts Ariel, I thought I would post a pic i took over the summer. Regards Charlie

Hi Guys. I have just found this web site that should be of intrest, it is http://www.twnclub.ch/classic_trial.htm then click on Ariel. on the left hand side. Still looking for GOV info at the moment , will get back later. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys. Thank's for the pictures Roy. I've never seen a trials bike so clean, I could never have sold her,if she had have been mine. But needs must I expect. I'm not picking faults with a superb bike but just noticing the differences between her and GOV? The rear sub frame rails, position. Rear shock mounts. Snail-cam adjusters. Water exclusion rim, on rear hub. Chain case not Glass-Fibre.(I would have fitted an alloy one to get the finish you achieved). Rear chain guard different shape. How about some of you Guys posting pictures of your GOV look-alikes and giving there spec. Thanks again Guys for a superb forum. Regards Charlie.

Hi guys, Summing up then, we think GOV 132 is in Sammy's Museum. And it looks like 786 GON is also in the country,down south somewhere. There was never a 788 GON Ariel, although Don Morely quoted it five or six times in Classic British Trials Bikes. I'm still puzzled though on some of the quotes on Sammy's Ariel's. One from Peter Fraser in "Motor Cycle Magazine" 9th Feb 1967. While testing the Comerfords Victor trials bike with "Jock" Wilson, decribed it as, "On a ex-Sammy Miller Ariel". And not on the other. Was there more than Two? I think my opening phrase "GOV 132 Is Lost" still applies. Only Sammy can give us the answer. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys. Seems to me most of us enjoy tinkering with our bikes as much as riding them. We know that before 1965 every one was doing this then, the first thing I did with my "Greeves Scottish" was to shorten the silencer, and fit glassfibre gaurds, plastic Sackville twist grip, alloy levers ETC, The only way I see for dateing a machine is by the engine number, but most "Works" bikes did'nt have these. There will never be a level playing field for one bike or another,Its just a matter of if your face fit's I am afraid. One would think with depleating entrys in a lot of trials that every one would be welcome and sections would be set out for different age groups and not bikes. Rgards Charlie.

Hi Guys' Just had an e-mail from Bob Johns. He said, in February this year,Dario Vergano from Turin told him that 786 GON belonged to a friend of his but did'nt say his whereabouts. Is there a 788 GON about somewhere as well? Regards Charlie

Hi Guys. Thank's for the Pic Unclebuck, looks like "GOV" is still in the country then.I must check it out when I'am next down in Hampshire. Thank's for the info on "786 GON" Big"J". Seems to me there might have been another "GOV132" I qoute from Classic British Trials Bikes.page 68. "Miller ran two GOV132s,one of which was originally registered as 788 GON, and each machine was set up differently to suit different areas.Though outwardly the same and both carrying the GOV132 number". Could there have been more, only Sam would know? Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys, Thanks Martin , my old head Isn't too bad then. The last person I seem to remember owning it was Ralph Venables, to stop it going oversea's, but I may be wrong. I found an article on "The Net". that say's its brother 786 GON now lives in Italy in the sun. I hope GOV 132 as not gone to visit Regards Charlie.