jon v8

Well done that man - you know it makes sense !

Whilst I have to agree the HT5 is a fine looking motorcycle.(Looking forward to my "new" one) I think the rigid AMC's are in a class of their own,in looks and performance. My mate Steve O'Connor on his Matchy,which is now nearly fully sorted,just over 400cc's and is running in nicely...

Good stuff Deryk, Steve Saunders really was a master of the RTL Honda, they were not an easy bike to ride. But are you sure these pics are 1986 ? I seem to remember that the Rothmans colour scheme didn't come in until 87 or 88.Not a criticism,just that 86 was the year I bought a new TLR250 in the same red/white/blue setup as Steve was riding. I always thought they were a work of art in that colour scheme, the later Rothmans and pinky ones never looked so good. I always thought they would have been what Triumph Cubs might have been like had things not gone wrong,the Cub with the Red/silver tank are another beautiful looking bike,along with the rigid Trophy - either round or square barrel types. But of course nothing beats a rigid AMC for looks - they are the best.

The two red lines through the front number plate are just like the two red lines on the number I took out of the front of my AJS before I washed it yesterday. Mine came from the Arbuthnot,would I be right in assuming that was the last trial that outfit did ?

I think some bikes are instant classics,in the trials world I remember seeing Steve Saunders riding his works RTL 250 Honda in the Bath Knut trial back in 1986.The look and sound of that bike and the way that Steve found grip where there was NONE, will stay in my memory forever.It also made me feel like giving up ! How could I ever get within light years of his talent ? At the same time,or just before the Yamaha TY mono was making a change in trials all over the world,there was no going back.It was never a bike to look at like the RTL, but it was so effective riders bought them in droves,and enjoyed their ability and reliabilty. So the TY in years to come will become a classic,having earned its reputation via hard work.(Chasing dairy cows after their life in trials for many of them) The RTL still has that respect from enthusiasts,the sight of one being ridden demands an instant audience. Thats how I see it anyway,just two bikes from back when I started competing in the mid 80's. I have owned both bikes, the Ty was the one to ride,the Honda looked good in the workshop.I'd happily have both back along with the Mike Hailwood Ducati I had - again an instant classic in my opinion.With bikes as a hobby we are very lucky in that there is something for all of us,even if we don't all agree about them.

As Deryk said it may not be a correct trials model, but you have the main elements of a load of fun there. Despite what the moaners would say about expensive "Pre65" bikes,there are plenty of trials to ride where you could have a days fun with a load of like minded folk. What you do need is the will,effort,knowledge and cash to get that bike up to scratch. It is a VERY satisfying thing to do,especially if you do the bike yourself,you don't need to spend thousands or have the very latest this or that,just make it reliable and have all the controls working smoothly.Four of us rode rigids around the South Birmingham Greensmith Memorial trial yesterday, two BSA's and two AMC's, none of them are trick,just well sorted.We had a day out I will remember for a long time,brilliant fun.

My team mate, one of the Steve's forwarded them to me by Email. They make interesting reading, I wonder,when they ask about boosting entries if maybe the lap could be made shorter. I'm sure several of the older riders find the length of the trial just too much. I was absolutely cream crackered after - I'm only 51...

Sorry Kev, that was why I mention Gerry - he rolls his own springs.

Try Gerry Minshall who runs the Kia Twinshock series.

Saw Tim today, riding his new Wasp. He is very pleased with it,he went down to Wasp to sort out all the specs. He said they were easy to deal with and he is very pleased with the bike,it all fitted together very well and I have to say it looks a real cracker.

A mate of mine has recently finished a Villiers/Wasp if I see him on Sunday at the Golden Valley trial I'll ask him about it.

Anyone seen the results ?

Yep same kit,all lubed with WD40 - don't believe in non lube.

WD40, may not be everyone's choice, but I buy in 5ltr cans to use in my business... Works well for me.

Yes Guy, I do. I also use the throttle cable kits,they work well for decompressor cables too. The kits have plenty of fittings in them,but I turn up brass ones on the lathe if there isn't quite the right type. I like to have cables well lubed and tidily fitted so they work well,these kits make that easy.

Everyone I know locally uses the Venhill universal cable kits and makes up their own. By doing it this way you can make EXACTLY what you want,for instance if you want to reroute a cable for a better run it might need to be longer or shorter than original. The kits have barrel adjuster in them so you can fit them wherever you like in the cable. On my AJS I have the adjuster up under the petrol tank out of sight and easy to keep rain/water splashes away. The cables are easy to make up,some people use a solder pot,I still use a tiny blowtorch - works very for me.

I did see you on your Panther Kev,(Several times) think I called out to you at one stage... As you know its often difficult to stop on some of those paths,especially if your eyesight is struggling through scratched goggles like mine.Must get some new ones. Deryk, it would be great if you could get some pictures for a report in ORRE, there were people who I saw taking pics in more than one place,so were clearly following the trial around. Don't really know who to suggest,other than contacting the club ? Roadster, I was one of the three clowns on AMC's who stopped and leant you a pump when you were by that big barn,well done for keeping going,that must have been hard work at times, in those overgrown lanes where you had no choice but to keep going in whatever rut you were in.

90 riders were entered in the programme for this years Arbuthnot, a great day out in the sunshine. Considering the rain beforehand it wasn't too slippery in the sections,but the tracks in between were a real challenge at times and would have made great sections in their own right.I did feel for those hardy types riding the Colonial route on road tyres ! It really is a great day out,more an adventure than a trial at times,you see some amazing bikes and ride through some very beautiful countryside. Legs and shoulders were more than stiff this morning, over 80 miles,mostly off road on a rigid take their toll. Anyone got any links to photo's, there were plenty of people taking pics and videos ?

I think its desparately unfair that Dougie Lampkin is a way better rider than I could ever dream of being,so what do I do - DEAL with it,get on and ride,pitch myself against other riders I know of similar or slightly better ability.I rode for years with very little success,but I still rode,and for the most part really enjoyed it.Still do it now,as do most other riders I know,there are more battles going on than any score sheet can show.Rider ability is what wins,not the bike. If I went to a trial and was turned away because my AJS is currently running an electronic mag and Rickman hubs, I can tell you what would happen - I just wouldn't go back,I'd ride elsewhere. The WHOLE key to this ,and always has been is in the marking of the sections,nothing more,nothing less. Using the classes I outlined anyone with a British bike of any standard can turn up,ride and enjoy themselves. Go to the Somerton Classic British 2 Day at Priddy if you want to see a shining example of how it is still being done. They get riders from all over and its more popular each year. No arguments,just an excellent weekend of trials with bikes from 1929 to the latest trick 2016 Bantam. All the Miller rounds in the last few years I have ridden,apart from one were marked out largely in an appropriate way.So the clubs clearly know what is needed, its just a simple set of easy to organise classes that are needed to sort it out.

OK, here is my proposal, its simple and easy for clubs to administer and riders to enter the right class. 1 Pre70 Sidecar. 2 Rigid. 3 Pre unit springer. 4 Pre70 unit,(including Villiers engines for those who argue they are pre-unit) 2 or 4 stroke. 5 Twinshock. Classes 1,2 and 3 ride the B or clubman route, classes 4 and 5 can choose either Expert or Clubman route. The club, at its own discretion can exclude classes 1 or 2 from individual sections or use deviations for classes 1 or 2, or both if a particular section cannot be made appropriate. I can't see any point in arguing over machine eligibility,people have spent their time and money - just want to ride,and even the best bike in the world won't make you a winner - you still have to ride the bloody thing. Plus there is often very little time before the trial to check bikes over when people have driven long distances. Lastly, its difficult enough to get help to run a club now, who is going to volunteer to take on a task of chucking out bikes and having rows with owners - its meant to be a fun pastime...

By Monday, hmm - thats not going to happen,as already said a large number will be riding in Devon over the weekend,they won't see any of this. Thinking about it I wonder if Colin Hedges got a copy of the questionnaire,Steve Allen only got one because I got a copy to him.Both Pre unit riders back from the start. An internet forum is the place for Joe Public to express their opinions - they,including mine are just opinions. The ACU ought to be listening to the club organisers,those who care enough to run and organise events.They are the ones who know what their riders want and can give an accurate and fair view. Air cooled mono's if allowed will take the problems even further for the course setters, if as I said the ACU are serious about the Miller rounds being a Pre65 or "Classic " series. Remember how the trials world changed forever when bikes like the Yam mono appeared ? I have nothing against them at all, but they need way tougher sections to test them compared to an HT5. Not all land can easily accommodate sections to be marked out to suit the range of severity this would need. A basic change of class to separate Pre units from Cubs etc, would make such a difference and its just that - BASIC. Makes me wonder what the ACU really do,very little by the look of it.For the amount of work it now is to set up a road based trial I can't see many clubs bothering much longer,the ACU should be helping with this.If they want the Pre 65 element to stay away,why don't they just say they are not interested anymore and want to concentrate on the popular twinshock classes ?

I see the main basic problem as already stated is that Pre unit bikes have to compete against Cubs/Bantams etc - Apart from Steve on his Enfield and Merv on his HT, nobody else is bothering to enter - Why would they ? Not going down the route of cost,but why would anyone start out competing in this class ? And if you look at the bikes in that class,most of them are better than the twinshocks that were built much later.Thinking of Drayton Bantams etc here, they are lighter,have better suspension,brakes,clutch and probably power too.I have nothing against them,its just natural progression,whether its home built or a kit from a supplier like Drayton or Armac I filled out the ACU questionnaire, made a separate note at the bottom,indicating that I was happy to discuss at length my feelings and thoughts about the Miller series.No reply. The Kia Twinshock series has hit its nail square on the head,you only have to look at the entries,long may it continue. The Miller series needs to sort itself out properly,I only ride the rounds I can get to sensibly,family and work are in front.But for those who want to take part and win its a mess,what does it want to be ? If its a real "Classic" or "Pre65" Championship then the classes and equally the sections need to be right. For instance the rigid class which I ride in, needs to have sections which will take marks off rigids but not have large rock steps or stupidly tight turns. So this brings the Clubman route down to a level where the Bantams may breeze through with loads of cleans.The A route has to be tough to tax better riders on Twinshocks or Draytons etc. So this puts more pressure on the course setters and makes life hard for observers having multiple routes.Giving rigids the choice of the clubman or sidecar route only complicates things further in terms of points scoring. There is no easy answer, but the ACU have not listened it seems,or made basic steps towards sorting it out.Maybe the series needs to fail, then those who want to start a series for a spread of older British bikes will come together,(As the Kia series did) probably away from the ACU to do something more inviting ?

I'll put in a vote for the Ty250 motor, for overall ease of use,maintenance,etc,etc, they are hard to beat. Especially if you want to learn to all your own spannering.In standard form they will cope with just about any situation and a massive amount of abuse, farmers and kids,(Mine included) have tried and failed in most cases to wreck them. The current one I'm riding tomorrow night at a local trial is an old Ebay purchase from a breaker,covered in cow poo when I bought it... The engine was a bit of a mess,but has gone back together as a cheapy, I just used bits out of boxes to nail it together,s/h piston from one engine,barrel from another etc. Its all well worn and rattles well.But apart from the noise its a real treat,pulls like a train,screams like a banshee as well,more poke than any one of these I've ridden before.Perfect spread of gears and easy to tune, you have to remember Mick Andrews knew a thing or two when he went to Japan all those years ago. Ok, its not a modern Gas Gas, but ridden it trials it was designed for there isn't much to beat it.

He knew what he was doing,I still can't believe he did it.He even took several hundreds off Golden Valley Classic in the last week for that years prize vouchers. Very low thing to do. Time is going on,but maybe there is some hope for people to get their money back. I bought and sold several bikes off him over the years since about 1983, never particularly liked him himself,but he always had very knowledgeable staff and provided a postal spares second to none. As Andy says the "New" BVM is nothing to do with Mark Kemp. Richard and Laurence have however carried on the excellent service and stock levels, I wish them every success.

I still think your problem is the mag getting weak,especially the way it was behaving yesterday. The plug being sooty could be as much that its burning oil as a rich mixture,either way a contaminated plug will need a stronger spark to fire.It was blue smoking quite a bit when I saw it. Stevo who was riding with me rarely changes the plug in his 500T,(Can't remember what plug it was -NGK B5es or BP5es ? ) but the motor and mag are in good shape,never misses a beat and is a treat to use.