jon v8

There are a few pics and some info in Don Morley's "Spanish Trials Bikes" book,if you can find or borrow a copy. Someone in our club has an Ossa like this,I remember it being on show at Bristol Classic bike show a few years back,it was like new.Trouble is I cant remember who it belongs to...

I had similar problems back in 1990 when I had one,mine was cured very simply by using a larger main jet.Ran very well after that...

Glad you have found Terry, I think most of us use his kickstarts,good kit.I've recently bought some footrests off him for another project at the Bonanza scramble,again not 50p,but what he sells is small volume stuff and not made in China - worth the difference in my opinion.

Anyone know if the results are out ?

Well I'm sad to say the Miller tank unit on my Yam has given way to Ethanol.... A real shame beacause I liked the shape of it and the narrow/thin seat. The most disappointing thing is that it was signed by Mick himself after he rode it.I had it lacquered over to protect it - looks really good,shame I cant use it anymore.

Everyone has their own favourites with shocks,any of them will do the job,the only ones I'd avoid are Betor. NJB shocks are here; http://www.njbshocks.co.uk/ I have Falcons on my HT5 Ariel which I really like,easy people to deal with and will rebuild any of their shocks from parts in stock - all the time.They will also supply different length ends to modify overall length,which may help you. http://www.falconshockabsorbers.co.uk/ The other good choice would be John Bull's Rockshocks ; http://www.rockshocks.co.uk/ Far more important than the decision of the make of shocks is sorting a decent carb, Surrey cycles will do a Mk1 Concentric which will help no end,and they have good advice on jetting etc.I ran standard slides in my AJS until I was happy with the cutaway,then they supplied a brass replacement which will last a lot longer;http://surreycycles.com/

"You cant buy ability" - Truest statement ever made in reference to trials ! I would go for the shorter rear shocks,never mind about ground clearance,lift the front wheel if necessary.I've ridden a few jacked up pre 65 bikes that are horrible,they are massively top heavy and just want to fall over as soon as they get a couple of degrees off vertical.Then you are fighting the weight and not concentrating on steering/where you are going.Plus when it starts to get out of control in a sticky situation you have much less chance of getting it back. You simply cant get past the fact that all the pre unit engines are very tall and very heavy - with little chance to reduce either.I'd rather keep the weight down low and spend time,effort and if necessary money on getting the engine to run sweetly and reliably.Then attend to gearing,clutch action and making the brakes work. With practice its suprising where you can get heavy old bikes to go,and its VERY satisfying to get lower scores than riders of lightweights - its a good challenge.Whatever you do with it,dont give up,it will be another old bike out being used .

Good to finally meet up ! Yes,it was an excellent day out,weather was spot on and because the sky was so clear we stopped loads of times to just take in the view.Shame you had gearbox problems,I can understand your difficulty,a couple of those sections were quite tasty and you needed to be 100% commited in the right gear to have any chance.Those sections would have been a different story had it been wet. I just wish that all those lovely bikes were out being used more.I just don't understand it,I know some don't like closed to club four lap trials and some must assume that most classic trials are too hard,being aimed at twinshock stuff.But here in the south west it simply isn't the case.I suppose I can only keep on encouraging riders to come along and join in if they can. I didn't ache as much as I thought - even managed some work today !

Ok,I phoned today,I'm #73 and my start time is 9.59. I usually like to be around the start good and early,so I'll catch up with you then.My Ajay seems to be in fine fettle, and all I need to do is unload the trailer of firewood so I can actually get the bike in it for sunday.Very much looking forward to it.

I'll keep a look out for you,no idea of my number - or indeed if I have an entry.Bike is nearly ready to go,even if I'm not

Exactly, mine pulls like a train at low revs,nobody who has ever ridden it has come back and said it was gutless.The last person who tried it at a practice day liked it so much he bought one of his own.

Tig is by far the best way for your airbox,esp if you have made it from clean,new sheet. Its a time consuming and expensive process,so dont expect it to be done nicely for a fiver - unless someone owes you a huge favour.I cringe every time I have to swop out my Argon bottle.... Old oily castings can be welded very well,but take more preparation and sometimes welds dont look quite so good,but are strong enough for use - esp if they are rare parts.

This might help; http://www.smproducts.co.uk/products/frames/seats?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.pbv.v9.tpl&product_id=887&category_id=28

Yep, you are right Deryk... its a modern 4.00x18 IRC tyre,very soft - they even grip when the sharp edge has worn off.In fact the knobbles are starting to rip off where the torque of the motor makes the tyre fight for grip.

I just measured my AJS,its only 9 1/2" of clearance unladen... With my lardy frame on it I guess it squashes down a bit on the soft IRC tyres and the forks give a bit too.Being a rigid I have to bear in mind how cruel I'm being to the rear tyre which limits speed of attack over obstacles during hillclimbs on muddy banks - but its not often a problem.

I've had a few conversations about this recently.Alot depends on the type of bike,with a lightweight 2 stroke engine plenty of clearance is good - 12-13" is fine. But with a pre unit 4 stroke motor it can be better to have a lot less.Because the engine is so heavy and tall having plenty of clearance can make the bike top heavy and want to fall over making them handle badly.My AJS has little clearance,(I'll measure it if I remember) but handles and steers incredibly well.Wheras my alleged mate has jacked up and tweaked his 500T Norton to make it more competitive - with the result that it steers quicker.The downside is that it feels very top heavy and needs lots more energy/fight to keep it upright. Our conclusion is that its probably better to have less clearance and lift the front wheel over an obstacle,rather than fight a top heavy monster. We are most likely wrong,but my AJS seems to work...

Well done,I've just looked up the blokes number I was going to ask - wont need to now ! See you at the Arbuthnot.

So do you think its any better on my AJS or Ariel ! On my Ajay it reads 3 mph however close to the 25mph max,(My guess at speed,its where my eyes blur with the vibration...) I get. A Lucas racing mag and copper plug lead were not designed with wimpy wi-fi in mind. It does work OK with no engine if I spin the front wheel or roll it down the yard.My feeling is that in the eyes of the law I have made a reasonable effort.(Plus there aren't many speed limits I could break even if I tried !

Yep,just buy a pair of Gaerne Balance oiled boots - water proof on their own and also the only truly comfy trials boots I've ever had...

Yep,def catch up this time. I'll drive there on the day,its not far for me.Biggest worry is staying awake on the way home - as with the Talmag... At least I'm riding a decent bike this time,not my camel of an HT5 replica.

Yep,I'm part of the works AMC team - I'll be on my 1950 AJS...

There is nothing wrong with inserts,been using Cross and Recoil inserts for years,they are a good permanent fix.With your fuel tap as said you must make sure the insert is dead straight into the hole.If you have not used them before, just find someone experienced to do it for you.

I don't think you are going to find much help on here.most folk using Trumpy twins in P65 trials try to lose as much weight as possible,so either don't use a speedo for closed to club events or would use a mountain bike wireless one for road based events like the Sammy Miller series. Jumbles like Kempton park are probably your best bet.

2014 Gas Gas ones fit perfectly,and are completely in the spirit of Pre65.

Blimey,you must be the last person in the world trying to get a Cub to run on points ! Electronic ignition must have saved loads of owners working a sledgehammer into them....