old trials fanatic

You'll be forever known for that piccy John ...man at c&a I'll get my T shirt eventually, just cos you got one first. Wednesday sounds good be nice to put a few more faces to names A rare photo of a Scotsman with his hand in his pocket ;-) I'll see you lads in the west end Wed 7.30pm Hand in pocket to prevent money escaping...a trick handed down through the years, I believe its also a hereditary trait in Yorkshire So is webbed feet. Allegedly

Yes please check first. Please

Thanks Greeves i will take you up on that. Think i had better not bring too many cloathes as i have a feeling my luggage will be full of Bultaco bits.

Hi Steve Thanks for the kind words. No i havent sold the B40 yet. to be honest i'm not in that much of a hurry as i do have a soft spot for the old girl but eventually probably will have to go just so i can get in the garage. Personally i wouldnt go the MP route as they are about

Now i know there has been a bit of talk on here about different carbs etc. Well my 199b has a Mk2 amal fitted instead of the std Bing and as i am trying to get it sorted with a view to using it in twinshock trials then i was wondering about the carb. Rang Bultaco UK today and asked about the bing they show on their website but they havent got any in and have to order from Germany plus were not sure of the price but said it would be more than on the website. So what do i do ? Anybody had any experience of using alternative carbs on 340 Bultacos? Dont mind spending money but havent got a lot left after the James build so need to spend it wisely. To my mind the options are:- 1. Stick with the Amal Mk2 = easily available not too expensive etc. 2. Bite the bullet and get a new Bing. 3. Keep an eye on e bay and buy a second hand Bing and refurbish it. But what model Bing do i look for? 4. Fit a Dellorto, Mikuni, TK etc etc but what jets to use?? I would sort of like to stay original as the Bultaco will never be as competitive as the Majestys Fantics et al but i just love riding it So i am tempted to go the Bing route but i am open to suggestions. Cant afford to spend money needlessly though and not sure what second hand Bings are like for wear plus IKBA about Bings so not sure of the model or choke size, slide, jets etc etc. Runs ok on the Amal very soft power delivery but cant help thinking it might be better with a Bing or other carb fitted. What does the panel think?

Give Alan Whitton a call on 01246 419805. He has been in touch with the new owner. Should be able to sort you out.

As most of you know this winters "project" was an upgrade for the bike i am using in Pre 65 and Classic Trials to replace the old B40. Well it's "finished" in as much as a competition bike is ever finished. Anyway now the real work starts. Fine tuning carburation, playing about with flywheel weights, ignition timing, port timing, suspension rates etc etc etc. And yes i know the frames the wrong colour but i couldnt find any maroon and i had loads of black plus i like black frames

Couldnt agree more. The two opposite ends of the spectrum. Always get my parts next day and at a good price often cheaper than Millers. No connection other than a satisfied customer

I'd love to win a trophy If only i was good enough Perhaps i have got a small todger but i'd prefer a trophy

Sorry to hear you wont be posting so much BJ as i enjoyed your contributions. At least let me buy you a beer and have a chat in May?

Hmmm interesting reading. I've never been to the Scottish before so this year will be my first time. Before i get lynched i wont be taking any of my bikes OK. Now perhaps because i have never been before i find it hard to understand the foracity of some of the remarks above. I'm beginning to wonder if i ought to pack a baseball bat as the "locals" sound rather aggressive towards "strangers". OK i am not party to the history, i assume there must have been some nastyness in the past, but i always thought the Scottish and especially the Pre65 was going to be a holiday and a chance to see the best bikes and riders in a fantastic atmospheric setting. It's starting to sound more like a weekend in Baghdad. Seriously after reading the above i'm beginning to wonder if it's worth spending the money on going. Is it really that unfriendly with Trials rider turning against fellow Trials rider?

Nope not even me as a Trials and road racer Sams records speak for themselves and will probably never be surpassed.

I once asked him if he worked for Tarmac and when were they going to paint the white lines. Oh that wry Yorkshire sense of humor. As for queue jumping he's a British Master at that too.

He'll learn. Theres time yet

I find J K Hirst very helpful

Sammy Miller, Surrey Cycles supply new ones. Some of the guys around here also use Ossa tanks. All depends how much you want to spend and your taste in looks. did see somebody recently doing Glass Fibre tanks think it was Classic Pre65 an twinshock. They are in Scotland so might be near you?

I think this could be a really important Trial that may hopefully influence the way that Twinshock events go in this country so heres my two pennorth. Firstly two routes. Obviously No Stop rules. No disc brakes. Classes. Spanish Twinshock. Other Twinshocks. (Armstrong, CCM, Cotswolds, Fantic, SWM, Majestys etc) Specials. (highly modified bikes and any converted monos) British Twinshock pre 70 (includes pre65) British Twinshock Specials pre 70 (includes all tricked up pre65) British bikes to use a carb of British manufacture otherwise to be classified in the specials class. I agree with Woodie when he said keep it as simple as possible which is why for the first event i would not include cut off years. Less hassle for you and chance to see how it goes. One thing that i would mention is remember to keep the sections as open as possible giving a choice of lines and remember you dont have to take marks off the best riders at every section just one or two will do or even as has been suggested before a special test? Graded hill climb? Longest Wheelie? Timed hill stop and restart? Well it's an idea. Good luck Pitley if it goes well as i hope it does then it could set the tone for Twinshock events to come. Good on yer

Agreed Mr Greeves. Much as i love Spanish trials bikes of the 70's they are a world apart from the Yamaha Majestys, Honda Tlr, Fantic , SWM etc. I keep trying to get one of my clubs to have a class for Spanish twinshocks for just that reason. Still at the end of the day it's about the fun factor and my 199B still gives me the biggest smile

Thanks mate i know it's only 1 tooth but i knew it felt a touch on the high side. Making a list of bits so will be giving you a call.

Yeah thats the gearing thats on it but it just feels a bit on the high side. Might try a 41 on the rear as it wont be used on the road and the sections locally are getting tighter and tighter. Anybody else tried lowering the gearing a touch? Big John. Shes not For Sale. Felt really nice to get back on the old girl today even if it was only up and down and round and round and figure eights etc etc in the drive Need to get some practice in. Anybody any ideas on the shock length? Where's Legs when you need him?

Shame my bikes arent road registered. That sounds a great set of classes even the "British Unit Twinshock" eliminates a lot of the "issues" with Pre65. Good on ya sounds the way to go to me

All this talk of Twinshocks has got me thinking about using the old Bultaco again so as i cant do much with the James till next week thought i would drag the old girl out and get her up and running again. After a bit of faffing about draining fuel and cleaning the carb got her running. Now to get her Trial ready. So some advice required please. Its a model 199B 340 81 Sherpa What is the std gearing? It's just that it feels a bit high geared. It's got knackered rear shocks so they need replacing. Will probably go for Betors but the ones on it are 360mm center to center. Is this right? Looks a bit high at the back. Steers ok but seem to remember 340mm was the length for Bultaco? So any of you guys using Bultacos especially the 199B can you help?