Elliot1954

Re the JASO MA2 - thanks for that, I see the both the semi synth and fully snyth 10/40 I'm looking at has that rating.

I can see from the manual the manufacturers recommend SAE10-40, but which type? Nowadays the manufacturers (I've always stuck to Smith & Allen) seem to have semi synthetic and fully synthetic, other makes say there have a Mineral oil. It is all getting a bit confusing - especially when the same oil reservoir serves the engine, clutch and gearbox, a little guidance is needed.....

Yes, I get their theory behind the high lightweight front end, it is easier to manoeuvre, better clearance, the handlebars don't need to be so high...... but as you point out nobody else went down the same road.

Jon - Yes I was starting to go down that train of thought route too.

Bridgestone UK came back and said they no longer make the tyre and any for sale around the world are old stock which will not be replaced. Vintage tyres - tried them a week or so back and they said they are out of stock. Have sent Classic Red in France an email to see what they say about availability.

Thanks for the information re Bridgestone. I've e-mailed Bridgestone UK to see if they stock or even know of this TW9 tyre.

Thanks for the lead - and sorry to hear some dick stole your bike. CST - haven't even heard of them. Yes 23" is a massive wheel - especially compared with the 18" rear Cheers

I'm having difficulty sourcing a 23" front trials tyre for my 1978 XL250 S, everyone seems to stock numerous 21" - can anyone help with a UK supplier of this large tyre? Thanks

Yes, got the chance of a buying Honda XL250 Motorsport that I've known for a good while and couldn't resist - the KT250 had to go.

Managed to find this beauty, must be a U.S. import and it is literally spotless, including the rims and fork/engine alloy surfaces. Great fun to ride and the long legged 5th gives you a decent pace between sections or events. Gave it a decent service and all is good, tight and clean, including the 2 stroke oil pump. Have put ATF in gearbox and using fully synthetic 2-stroke oil. Found some water in the o/s front fork leg - must have been in a few deep ones!!! Flushed thoroughly and re-filled with 10 wt fork oil. Tried to get a spare ignition key - $25 + postage from the U.S. Local pet shop selling KAW4 key blanks for £3.20, with £2 charge for cutting. Thinking of buying 25 and selling then them on U.S. E-bay !! Any others out there (locally Northumberland)

Mark, I'm in the UK and have been looking for various KT250 parts. The U.S. E-Bay is full of KT250 stuff, extortionate postal charges to the UK, but as your already there, good luck with the search.

Magic - thanks again for the input. The top of the seal looked a mess, it actually cleaned up and has stayed 'dry' there was a lot of mud and crap - plus the retaining clip was a bent piece of rusty wire, have replaced with a piston ring. Will get 2 x ordered and replace it in the near future. Cheers

Hi - Thanks for the various comments and suggestions. Here with a couple more photos that may help. I assume with the leg removed from the yoke, it is a case of carefully removing the duff seal and then (with a clean leg and lots of lube) sliding the new seal into place and replacing the securing slip. Thanks

Hi, thanks for the advice. Doing a quick measurement, with the forks still in place, the diameters seem to be 35 and 47/48, which seems to be on the oil seals they sell - cheers.. Any idea on the make of forks, the seller said 'Tricky' I think - but can't find anything on the web about them.

Hi, I've got a Bantam with replacement front forks/yokes - one of the top oil seals is knackered and I'm trying to identify the make of forks, does anyone know the make or where I can source a replacement seal. See attached photos. Thanks Elliot

Thanks, that is good news. The bike has a 13 tooth final drive sprocket already fitted, so hopefully the mod you mention has already been done. Any ideas who supplies that oil seal for the access plate - or is it a standard Triumph T20 part? I've usually reduced the drive chain case volume of ATF - but thanks for the good advice.

Thanks for that, I was sure there would be a seal, just not sure where they'd hidden it! One quick question, I have used ATF in the primary chain case on the bigger Triumph engines with good success, little chain wear and clutch not slipping and easy to identify should it escape. Have you used it on a Tiger Cub and if so have you stayed with it? Thanks Elliot

Am needing some help/advice. Have bought a 1961 T20 and recently topped up the primary chain case with oil, on the next run found it had leaked out onto the drive sprocket. I'd put in red ATF, so the leak was definitely from the primary chain case. I've not had a T20 engine apart, but I know that on the Triumph 500 and 650's there is an oil seal set into the back plate behind the clutch assembly. I can see that this engine doesn't have a removeable back plate, can someone point me in the right direction, is there an oil seal on the inboard side of the primary chain case and is it accessible once the clutch has been removed, the Haynes manual is pretty vague. Thanks.

Hi Greevesrob, Does yours have any identification numbers on the front face of the headstock - that's where my 606 is stamped. Real shame if the records have gone, the more I read about this frame and the firm - it sounded a good one, much sought after by the enthusiasts will to build their own kit. The lad I bought this from was from Kinlochleven - has to be the one you saw. Will try and post a couple of photos on this thread Do you have any idea of the total numbers of frames made between 1965 and the early 70's, before the firm went under? I'm asking because the frame number on this bikes log book says 606, but on the headstock the stamped numbers are extremely faint, I'm wondering if it could be 60, or 90. The log book says 1967 for first registration - I'm thinking 606 seems a lot of frames in two years, maybe not. This could be the bike you saw as the frame has just recently been shot blasted and painted blue and the petrol tank is brand new - I have the invoice from the firm that did the work, showing the the paint job and tank, dated October 2021

Hi Greesrob, Does yours have any identification numbers on the front face of the headstock - that's where my 606 is stamped. Real shame if the records have gone, the more I read about this frame and the firm - it sounded a good one, much sought after by the enthusiasts will to build their own kit. The lad I bought this from was from Kinlochleven - has to be the one you saw. Will try and post a couple of photos on this thread

Hi, have recently found a Sprite trials bike with a Triumph 500 twin. The log book has the bike as first registered November 1967 - the frame number is 606 (I think as it is pretty faint). The Triumph engine was manufactured in May 1961. From what I've read they were produced 1965 to early seventies. Does anyone have a list of the frames made, their serial numbers and year of manufacture? The bike is very well put together - looking at the last owner details, the bike has spent quite a bit a time over on the west coast of Scotland. If I can find the best section within the forum I'll post some photos, I've seen a few Sprites in the pre 1965 section, which this is not. I haven't done any serious trailing - but enjoy the back lanes and tracks, of which we loads North Northumberland.