charlie prescott

Hi Guy's. I just can not believe, what I have just read above???? Why Ho Why has this situation come to this?? This is probably one of the Best BRITISH Bike trials in the calendar , and in my mind the best, but I would say that. All of my nonsense with the "Super Cub Trials" is, and was, only because I thought that there was a need. You know at heart I am a "Big Brit Bike" Guy, and want to promote the need to get these bikes back out competing more than most. If this Major Trial has got to this situation, where do we go from here??? You tell me. Pete you were at the "Colmore revisitation", did we not all enjoy that day? so where has the passion for this type of event gone, and we know the Sam Cooper is very much linked to that event. Perhaps the "Sam Trials" should now only cater for "Twinshocks"? and the "Union Jack" "Sam Cooper" trial should again only be run for "Big Four Strokes"? I would be in! Put your hands up who would agree. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Hi Simon. Look my first trials bike I built was a James with Plunger suspension?? Why ? well I found the bike for £5.00 for sale on the side of the road at the edge of the village I lived in, and I only had five pounds saved up from my pocket money in my jam jar. It was a good decision !! because that got me into the trials riding game. I had to fit a 350 x18 rear tyre (Tire) . there was not enough clearance for a full 400. But this little bike started me off with a life time of building trials bikes the way I wanted them, and there is nothing wrong with that. A BSA Bantam plunger frame is an easy convert to a Ridged Competition D1 Bantam, You just need to remove the plunger castings and replace them with two laser cut plates welded in to the right position to hold the rear wheel. Job done. Forks are another thing you can have fun with to keep them period. Good luck with the project. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's, Why???? Why???? Why???? OH. Why????????? Is the world now gone mad???? Forks are forks and do the job on the front end. So do all the modern rear shocks have to look like "Girlings"???????????? Charlie. Not amused. "Britshocks" for ever!!!!

Hi Guys; OTF Read the Bantam Build Page on My Site. Piston seems fine to me But a job to fit Barrel with no taper when bored. Cant believe you would use Chinese parts though,because they are better than anything else. But Not Classic. Regards Charlie,_________LOL.

Hi Guy's. Jon that is a "Pit Bike" "rear" hub, and they do work very well indeed, and all for £30, then to drill holes in it like that, proves how good most Chinese stuff really is now-a-days. I stick with TY's personally, but I have got some of these for later. Regards Charlie. PS skim the linings. like the sensible answer.

Hi Guy's. Hi Deryk. The fork yokes look like modified, TY 250 Yamaha to me? the complete forks may be fitted inside the Norton? sliders. Did you know that 38mm fork stansions will fit directly into Norton sliders without the need for the expense of say £500 to have 35 mm fitted? But that would not be right would it? But I do know of one that had 38mm under the gaiters. and it makes a lot more sense now that every thing else is covered up? Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy’s. John, I do so hope that at the end of the season and a review of the ruling are considered. You will keep in mind the plight of the Super Cub Trials engined machines. I built my machine as an entry-level way into the sport for a novice, or junior rider. And again for a more mature person that loved their trial riding but through health related problems would still like to compete on a machine more suitable to their condition and age. They were also designed to compete on the more gentle Classic type of section, and not be lumped into a Modern type trial with the severity of sections that are not considered the machines were designed for. Perhaps a separate Class is the way forward for these machines in a Classic trials situation. This then may satisfy the discontent that seems to be aimed at these little machines at present. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. I was told that Paul Wright wanted to get back into the Classic Trials game, and this was his New Scorpion on test (The one on the right) by the way you have spelled Rockshock wrong. I have the right sized nipples Deryk but they are now sagging a bit. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's, Hi Wallo, Now we do need these guy's onboard , And I have been sharpening up on my acoustic tonight. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's, This same sort of thing that Dave says, Happened at the Manx Classic, last year, and the loop at the start of the section just got wider with every rider, then a Top name took the wee with his interpretation, by going wider still. The observer had lost his cool by this time, so said rider who should have known better and the riders that followed with his route got five, Dave should remember this as he again was telling riders not to follow that line. Regards Charlie.

Hi. Going back to the wheel situation. You may find that a lot of people with original Pre 65 pre unit bikes do not want to replace the original 19" rear wheel with a 18"? or the bike would then not be Original would it. I for one would like to get out on one of our Ariel HT5's but I would be on an instant disadvantage with bikes fitted with 18" wheels would I not ? And there is no way we are going to change them. There is just so many things to consider with rules, and most people think they are just there to be broken, or find an excuse why they should not exist. Good Luck, but I have been there before. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guys, Ensign 400x19 trials tyres are available along with tubes etc!!! Perhaps this should be a stipulation to any class ? That these tyres should be used?? Look you know where I stand on this subject!! And have done my best , and spent a considerable ,amount of time and money. Trying to revive a Class of trial for this type of Four Stroke Trials bike. ? And there is no need for it to be extreamly l competitive . But every time I have asked for a show of hands for a return of this event, I get Nothing. I know we are only a few on this web site , so can only expect a few to confirm. But I spent four months phoning competitors personally, trying to get an entry for the event.then having to compromise at the last minute ,to get an entry big enough ,to put on a show. So what is the point in trying to even think about setting up even one trial ,let alone a series, when you get this reaction?? What makes it much more annoying is the fact that we know riders and machines are out there for what could be a brilliant event, with the side shows ETC . If every one that was at the TALMAG this last week end for instance entered . Then you would have a unbelievable event in the summer months. But has I say No response !! Ah well. Regards Charlie "Proper Bikes". Quote MultiQuote Delete Edit

Hi Guy's. Just for you Deryk what do you think. Express Trial Format. We devised these rules to make a more watchable “Classic” trial. And to give a non-trials following public something to get them interested in the sport. Ok this is roughly has I remember it until I get confirmation from Lee. Ten sections on closed land, with two routes. Four laps. In an allotted time scale. At some sections there is third more difficult route through the section than the other two. This is for gaining bonus points, if you feel you are able to clean the section, if you do, five, points will be deducted from your standard score card at the end of the trial. If you don’t five will be added. This goes for every section with the third route. All competing will walk the course before the start, with an expert to explain the route and sections, Each rider will then start the event at one or two minuet intervals; there leisurely time will be started. There will be no walking sections after the start. This should keep a constant stream of competing bikes without hold up and breaks in the flow. (This did work very well indeed). Just makes a more entertaining trial, and was liked by every one that rode it. So what do you think Deryk? (Bit like the old time trial format with a twist?) Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy’s. Firstly, I am not moaning. Stating fact. I live “Classic” trials every day from dawn until past dusk. Building bikes, writing about them, and dreaming. For a start about the “Super Cub” Mini “Otter”. It was only coincidence that Jon started to build his bikes the same time has I had my idea of mine in my head. I have two grand sons, very young at the moment, But wondered how I could perhaps one day If I live long enough I may be able to get them into Motorcycle trials, to enjoy along with other two wheel related sport for, the same has I have. Building and collecting BSA “Otter’s” for the past ten years, I wondered how I could build a small version of a bike related to these. I started to build a ‘Mini Majesty” with Chinese engine, but when it was assembled it turned out to be a full size machine. Then I had purchased some parts needed from a Pit Bike site and started to look at the motors, and could not believe how cheap they were along with the spares. So it was a no brainer one of these units would be the basis of my “Mini” Otter. I at the time was also rebuilding the ex Nick Draper Hubbo Cotswold BSA C15, and when the motor arrived for the Mini I placed it into the frame, and it looked good. So we built a frame using these dimensions for this little bike. I used like I always do when I can get them or build them; the Deryk hated Triumph/BSA four stud forks. And cheap Jialing back wheel, and my now standard fitment Yamaha TY front wheel and hub. It took a while to build but I always have six on the go at the same time. We fired it up last May and I could not believe how good a little bike it had turned out. And just thought it was a shame for it to sit in the shadows until the boys had grown up, and I would love to have seen it ridden in the Sam Cooper trial, that is near us. Then the ACU changed their Sam rules because Jon had won a Championship on his Super Cub engined machine last year. But changed them to the current situation later. I then thought that perhaps there would be a chance that perhaps the problem with these little machines had been considered to be resolved and accepted, but I was wrong Jon had been allowed to ride in last Sunday’s trial, but taken from the results on the Monday. This can’t be right. When new ground up builds that have nothing to do with BSA or triumph for that matter kept their results standing. Along with one of Jon’s earlier builds. Any way I will keep my little Mini “Otter” for the boys to ride when they are old enough, and by this time it will be a “Classic”. Unfortunately no one will now want to buy one of these frames, that I was considering having made if I could find somewhere cheap enough to make them. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's, Here is a question for you then, do you think whether or not having rules related to Classic trial-ling in the UK and the resultant acceptance of using ground up new bikes in the P65 class, has been a good thing for the sport as a whole ? Or would we be happier riding anything we choose, and deem in our own view is a Classic machine , like they seem to on the continent of Europe and beyond. They seem so much happier than we do? Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Hi Deryk. Back to the subject!!! So what you are really telling me is that If there is not a trials series for the "Super Cub" engined machines to ride in, we or I should try to organise trials for this type of machine? Well if I did it would be named the Classic "Specials" trial, this should just about cover 88 percent of the current machines competing in the Classic Trials Scene. There would be a class for the "Otter's" as number one. "Super Cubs" number two. Ground up imitation "Britshocks" and "Trickshocks" number three. And "Tweaked Twinshocks" Number four, this would be any with the head angle altered, lenghened swinging arms, and footrest position changed all would have two drum brakes. Who would do the scrutineering?? I would. Interested anyone? Run to Express Trial Format. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Thanks Andy. Guy's the cost of the Parts for the "Mini Otter" Super Cub Trials, I have just added up, less all my time and Frustration, adds up to £1000 pounds plus a carb that I swopped, this is with the T45 and Reynolds tube for the frame. It is a super little bike to have fun with ask Ben about his. There is nothing sinister about building these bikes, just an exercise to see how cheap you can put a competative little machine together. It is Not claimed to be a Pre 65 machine although the engine had its routes before this time. It is not claimed to be a period Twin-Shock, although the frame is based on, and has the same dimensions has a Mike Mills , Hubbo, BSA frame. I just can't see the problem with these especially when Ground up NEW build bikes that have nothing to do with the era they are supposed to portray get to be classed has OK for an event when bikes like Jon's and mine get banned?? Have you looked at a Honda SL 70? Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. I am fuming. Another blow to the Super Cub Trials Projects. Behind the scenes some of us in this country UK. Have come up with the idea to build a cheaper to produce home build Classic styled trials Machine. But there seems to be total dislike in what we set out to achieve by the whole of the trials organising committees across the land, and even the motorcycling authorities. Why? Is there a commercial interest somewhere that I don’t know about? That is backing a campaign against what we were setting out to do? Look the exercise was simple; buy a little motor unit for around the £300 mark, and put a rolling chassis around it for has little as possible. Making a lightweight little machine that the elderly and young could enjoy riding (And the ones in between) Without breaking the bank. Jon and I and others, have worked hard to achieve this, but we seem to have hit a raw note with all of the trials organising world in this country? Now if Sam or Mick Andrews turned up on one of these machines would they be allowed to ride in the event and then get slung out of the results on a Monday morning? I for one will keep on doing what I am, to try and find a cheaper way into classic trials, rather than spending vast fortunes building or restoring machines. Not that this is wrong, but it seems a shame that there is a cheaper way to build a Trials bike to ride, and we get only opposition. What do you think?? Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Has we know not many Cubs get fitted with forks made before Jan 1 1965 unless they are Sports Cub forks which were handed down from the 350-500 twins with different cast steel yokes. how many of these do we see fitted now-a-days? Fit any forks that work better than the poor damping in these original forks, or use as suggested above Triumph-BSA four stud forks. you know I use these a lot. and they are British, but are getting harder to find now.1971. But the point I am making is don't class the machine as Pre65, with anything else but original speck forks fitted, if other makes of fork are fitted made after 1964, the machine should then be classed has a "Special"? Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Hi Deryk. That photo would fit well on my "Draper Family Page"?? This Is the type of section we would dearly like to see more of > Might even get more of the Truly Pre 65 bikes back out for a try on these sections, Just imagining the ride gives me goose-bums. and the sound ! whow. Camp, King Johns Lane, are another couple that spring to mind, round here. We Can but Dream. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Hi Andy. Are you sure those Yokes are still compliant with the STD Pre 65?? I thought this year "Billet" had been banned , or was it something that sounded nearly the same. Bul, I don't know. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's, Hi SS, Or should this be SOS, STOP, Pull the motor apart and do the job properly ! If It is tight it is never going to be any good! Have you got a puller to pull the crank firmly into the drive side bearing for a start? And if you have made up a bearing for the timing side what is it made of? and is it line bored? You should when the crank is in the cases before the build, be able to spin the crank over freely with thumb and finger using the conrod, if you can't do this there is something wrong. If you fit a Alpha needle bearing conversion, this needs great care in fitting too, and the same applies. Please please don't treat this motor like a lump of steel and alloy, get it right, these are getting short in supply now, and need treating with respect. You know who I am? so just take a look at the web site. Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. M, You have checked to see if there is the right air gap on the PVL rotor- stator have you not? If the rotor is hard up against the stator at some point in its travel this, could feel like the engine getting tight, and for it running out of spark. Worth a look, the lot may have come loose or a post snapped?? Regards Charlie.

Hi Guy's. Dave three of mine still have the rests! rims and the bars ,and pre ethanol fuel. Regards Charlie.