daved444

Mike - check out my Blog at http://classicrider444.blogspot.com/ we have just recently finished a BSA in an Otter frame and there are some pictures on there of the bike during the build - hope it helps. Dave

Bob - I will dig out the contact numbers for the 2 frame makers and drop you a message in the next few days. My frame is a mk2 Faber frame with a Mk3 swinging arm (no tubes under the engine) Dave

Hi Bob We recently finished a C15, initially in a modified B40 frame with a central oil tank and in its second guise we built it into a Faber frame - see the pics below. The Faber frame works well - mine is an earlier one without the lower frame rails but has the modified shorter swinging arm. I found the guys at Faber pretty poor to deal with to be honest - it seemed like they really dont want to be in business the way that they handle their potential customers. In the end I found a guy that had an earlier frame and hadn't got round to using it so a deal was done. It handles pretty well (only rode it for the 1st time on Sunday) - not that different from the original with a few frame mods to be honest but quite a bit lighter. I will be selling the original frame with oil tank, bash plate and some other bits and bobs but there are a number of people making good frames out there. I certainly know of Nigel Randal in the Midlands and Roger heap up near Preston who both make competitive frames for the BSA engine if you cant sort out anything through Faber - PM me and I will let you have contact numbers for either of them if you want. Good luck with it - I am really happy with how mine has turned out and I have done a trick Cub, Sprite and Ariel in the last few years - this is certainly up there with them. Dave By the way Bob - I think the the 250 engine will rev more like you want???

Graham Du Feu will not be far away - I think he's due a win (if he's riding)

Ross - give Sammy Miller's a try too - they supply a complete cable that comes with all the fixings

Woody - I was considering a Faber frame for my BSA and spoke to Howard this week, he tells me that he's just about to start a batch of the new frames and they will be ready in about 6 weeks (not soon enough for Red Marley for me either so going with a fairly unmodified B40 frame) should be ready in time though. As for Faber they don't seem to want to answer any emails, I tried them a number of times before calling but still haven't had a response to any of the messages (even the one placing an order and asking them to contact me so I could make payment! Wish my business could afford to handle its customers in that way....)

This might help you - Alan Witton did this front end for my cub for me and it worked superbly (in fact I kept the same set up on my Sprite and Ariel bikes that followed) Dave

Like this then?

Thanks for the replies; Woody - yes, I couldnt handle not having a bike in the shed so these looked like a bit of reasonably priced fun that allow you to have a laugh without feeling the need to ride the hard route.... Dad has got himself a 125 too.... I have a flat bash plate on the way to help with a bit of ground clearance and a new wilburs shock is next from John Gaskell built for by slender frame(it sorted the rear end of the Beta out so I want this the same) The Mitani stuff looks great though if the performance is not going to change too much it seems like a big cost for a bit of bling - might be worth having the rust prone front pipe chromed and a carbon cover for the silencer to tidy it up. Other than that I am quite please with how it performs - the little engine goes well. The clutch is a bit grabby but it is so low geared I might just have to learn to ride Woody style...... Rayer200 - your bike looks lovely - interested to hear how it goes when you have run it in..... have you done any clutch mods to yours? Dave

Has anyone got one? What difference do they make? Are they worth the price? Answers on a postcard......... Dave

Andy - I am sure I will regret it but for now I am riding the Beta without too much pain so its all good! At least you can see what your bike could/should have looked like if you had kept hold of it!!! Any results from the Wye Valley trial floating around? Havent seen anything yet.

I agree with you both and fortunately I sold it straight back to the guy that I bought it from. As he rides regularly it wont sit in someones collection and never turn a wheel in the mud! I did get to ride it in 2 trials and it performed very well indeed - actually it was more fun and not that much more difficult to ride than my trick Sprite (twinshock lookalike) bike. The only compromise is that you have to work harder when you get it off line. By the way, it was a short stroke 350 bored to about 410cc and certainly not short of power! Cheers Dave

Vinnie Check out the Arielposts on my blog at http://classicrider444.blogspot.com/ there are pics of each stage of the build and also a couple of pics of it in action before I sold it as I have just retired from riding pre 65 due to knee problems that are just not getting any better.... Dave

Charlie, here you go - Hope you like it Dave

Steve I have a BTH mag on the Ariel that I recently finished and it works brilliantly - well worth the money! Dave

Sorry Pitters its already stripped and will never resemble your old baby again - we are aiming for rolling it out finished by June so watch this space and I will post some pics when she's done. I will give you a call when we have decided what isnt going to be used in the build - I am sure you can build her back to original glory with the stuff that we are not using (frame, tank, seat, yokes, oil tank, clutch and primary cases, silencer and exhaust, mudguards) - good grief, an engine and you will have her back as she was!!!

Perhaps not all of on the engine.... Actually, the engine is pretty sorted, I think mine will only need the cosmetic build done as it's pretty nice to ride already in it's relatively standard trim. Will try to have it out for one of the trials in your area before too long - Dave

Chain alignment looks OK and the front sprocket is on thin side first as you say Lee Will check the spacers and alignment again

I am having some trouble keeping the circlip in place on the final drive sprocket on my 240. The shaft doesnt appear to be too worn and the sprocket is brand new. The sprocket is a little loose on the shaft. I tried the correct Fantic circlip but it came off after a few minutes and as it appeared to be quite loose I went for a smaller one that seemed to hold it but as soon as I get on the road it throws that one off too. I have attempted to wire it on but that also will not hold. Has anyone else suffered the same problem? How did you sort the problem. I have been thinking about making a coller with a grub screw to hold it in place or even welding a threaded sud to the end of the shaft that will hold a collar on but I wondered if anyone had come up with something that works? Lee - over to you!!!!

Honestly, you would be looking at significantly more than that to buy a rough donor bike before starting to build a decent HT5 trials bike. I reckon 3 grand ish for a fairly good standard bike then the limit is only goverened by your wallet or where you want to stop. Fortunately wallo my wife is pretty understanding!

I am planning to do all the rounds from now on

If you are registering it as an original James and have a log book, all you need is a horn (no requirement for reflector, speedo or lights) as a special, I dont know what the requirements are Dave

Sorry, results tucked away at the back, almost in the classifieds so I missed it thanks

Did the 1st round go ahead last weekend? Nothing in the TMX? Anyone got any results?

Possibly something to do with the fact that you can get a competitive Fantic 240 thats certainly as good as a Majesty for the price of a new Majesty frame alone???