jon v8

As you can see I did eventually build a complete bike out of the silver frame I converted with the jig. I've done a few since and there is one which I must get on with soon...

I think VW were the unlucky ones to get caught,I think its highly likely that other manufacturers will soon be in the same position...

So are we on ? Need to know if I need to scrape some dirt off the Ajay and oil the chain... Deryk, I think many of the sections like Weighbridge and Knapp will be as before, Mossy tends not to let too much on before the start...

I'd be interested to see some photo's of what they do.Is it going to be an exact replica or just shock mounts and raised motor ?

Andy, I'm interested in your project.How are you doing your conversion ? Are you using a frame to copy or a jig etc ? Any photo's ?

I'll instruct my minder to get ours in,that will make 29... If anyone is thinking about doing this trial - get on and enter, its a darn good trial,nothing stupid,excellent banter and beautiful scenery.

30 years in my case...

Were some of the differences between the R and S models ? I had an early R which I think was 1985, this one had the remote shock reservoir and small fuel tank.It had had its frame chromed,but would have been red originally. Good bike.

Do you mean the G2 250, the semi unit engine ? Not that it helps me cos I still dont know the answer ! but talk to Surrey Cycles, they are very helpful with Amal carbs.

Nigel, its quite simple - as I said my AJS is the bike I enjoy riding most. Several reasons for that,the way it grips,steers,sounds,looks,holds its value... One of the best bits is getting a lower score than riders on springers,twinshocks and pogo sticks on the same route. That bike will find grip with a knackered IRC with 8psi in it. It is only big rocks or steps that defeat it,luckily we have mostly mud and roots in the South West where I ride. Zippy, fitting disc brakes to a TY175 ? Yes,they would work better but then the suspension would not be good enough, or it would be too heavy or not enough power - just go buy a Gas Gas,be alot easier... My TY250 has a light clutch even with an old cable on it that has seen better days,any lighter and it would get pulled in brushing past branches etc,which wouldnt help.I'm a bit lardy and not very fit, but I manage to ride long trials without "arm pump". I also stated that I celebrate that we are all different,tis a good thing - I dont like rugby,football or cricket either...

I'm 50, the bike I enjoy riding most is 65 years old. With decent,well lubed cables it is a joy to ride. Why anyone would want to fit disc brakes and a hydraulic clutch to a TY175 is beyond me.The clutch is for engaging a gear,or changing gears,(Though I rarely bother for that - Burman and Yamaha boxes are so easy to use) Once into a section the clutch should not be needed. Modern trials on pogo sticks I guess is different.Maybe they need the use of a clutch, I celebrate that we are all different,modern trials leave me cold...

Fix the tap and ride it - thats what they were made for, very nice bike.

No idea, but give Paul a ring ; http://www.cottonvilliersspares.co.uk/

Cant say I have ever seen a different exhaust on an 80. One thing I would say is that a healthy TY80 makes more than enough power as standard,the one my kids had was very lively. Anything on Ebay ?

Was looking through these pics and recognised my own bike. Number 6 is my AJS as it was when Teflon Don owned it. Thanks for posting them up ! There are several other bikes I recognise in there too - good stuff.

Recently rode the Arbuthnot trial, its about an 80 mile loop,lovely day out - but a sore a*** for a few days,because most of it is on old unmade drovers roads.Not much on tarmac. Long day on a rigid AJS....

Nice Yams, whats the little tractor ?

Yep, have a word with Paul, he is really helpful,a true enthusiast.We often ride together at Golden Valley trials etc. The situation with Villiers Services was discussed last weekend at the GV British bike trial, it seems you are not alone in your observations.

Thats easy - give Paul a ring; http://www.cottonvilliersspares.co.uk/

There is a simple answer to this,a TLR engine does not need an octane booster,lead or anything else. As long as you dont mind paying for it Aspen fuel will make it run very nicely,not rot any fuel components,draw in moisture or do anything else nasty that pump unleaded will. It has a 5 year shelf life and allows my AJS to start first kick and run like it never has before. It comes in clean cans,so carb cleaning is a thing of the past,spark plugs actually last and best of all the fumes from it are considered harmful - not toxic. My chainsaws start and run like new ones despite being very old and done lots of work.They no longer give me headaches when there is no wind to carry the fumes away - which was a big problem for me. http://www.aspenfuel.co.uk/ No connection to the company,just a very satisfied user.

My suggestion is to talk to Steve Surbey of AMC Classic Spares. Firstly because he is top man in terms of model / technical knowledge, and secondly he will know who is the right person / company to restore the bike for you. Lovely bike - I could look after it for you...

Feetup fun is spot on, most shock springs are too wide for the original Yamaha design.My old rat 250 chain rubs the spring,but I just turn the spring around so it misses. Never caused any problems though. If you do want to do something different Talon Engineering will make whatever you want within reason,they are really helpful people to deal with and one off sprockets dont cost much more than stock ones from them.

Nice bike Spinner, in case you were wonering what OTF meant by "Looks a bit Kickstart to me" - Kickstart was a UK screened TV series of trials using mostly man made sections. Think there are some examples on You Tube.

Well my current main bike is mostly 65 years old and I dont seem to be very good at wearing it out even though its ridden most weekends and did an 80 mile road based trial a couple of weeks back. My backup rat TY250 is only 37 years old and has just had a massive £150 freshen up. Gas Gas would have gone bust a long time ago if they were counting on me to buy a new bike.

Nah, just poking sticks at the dark side...