Grease or even oil is fine as both let the gasket let go if you have to pull it off again. Installing it dry means you have to buy a new gasket every time. Graham.
Thank you very much for your help, Graham. I really appreciate having such experts to call on!
Take care and stay safe. We'll soon be out riding again.
I'm still working on fitting my new Mikuni carb and now a really, stupid question! I'm going to use copper grease on the stainless M8 allen screws to fit the manifold but what is the best sealant for the manifold gasket? I was just going to smear the paper gasket with grease on both sides as I done that with old brit bikes so assume the same. Or should the paper gasket be installed dry? I'm never really sure!
Fantastic, thank you for the replies, chaps! I think I'll give the allen bolt idea a go first as I should have some M8 bolts around somewhere! They may be stainless...
The adaptor plate also sounds a good idea but I think the allen bolts will be an easier fix.
I've decided to replace the original Amal on my M116, 325 Alpina with a Mikuni and have bought one from In-Motion, along with the manifold. I have just tried to fit it and there isn't room for the retaining nuts at the two studs are practically touching the rubber manifold.
I thought I'd ask in case anyone else has found the same problem and how they resolved it. I suppose I could cut the rubber away but don't really want to do this in case I damage it too much!
Also, should I keep the original rubber carburettor spacer or remove it as the new manifold is rubber? If that is the case, I assume I will need a paper gasket between the new manifold and the existing manifold bolted to the cylinder?
I hope I've explained the problem and will give In-Motion a call after the holiday but wanted to ask if anyone else had hit this problem and how they dealt with it.
Very sad news, indeed. Vic was my all-time moto-cross hero, from watching him on tv on Saturday afternoons in the '60s though to him riding the works CCM at Farleigh Castle in the 500 MX GP during the late '70s.
Hi Mark . Just an update on DVLA . On with registering a Suzuki PE 175 project and what has come to light is that you will need a nova and you will have to get an application form from HMRI by phoning 03002003700 and stating to the automaton that you need a NOVA application . It doesn't work online due to being set up for imported vehicles so the program won't advance if your answer to it's questions don't fit in . When you speak to a human , ask for the form to be posted to your address .Fill it in with letter explain what exactly your needing .
Hi Lee,
Thanks for that advice and I'm sorry I haven't replied sooner - I've only just found your reply! Anyway, I'll do as you suggest and get in touch with HMRI.
How is your search going? There were two projects, an Alpina and a Matador on ebay last week. I'm not sure if they are still there but, from a quick look at the pictures, there looked to be a lot of parts. A bit expensive, I thought, at three and a half grand, though.
Do you think there will be a problem registering with DVLA given that it is an import but the seller has no paperwork but told me it was on the NOVA system ?
Lee
Hi Lee,
I've got a 1974 Model 116 which I will get running properly one day! I'm in the process of getting it registered now and have the paperwork, just need to fill the forms in and send them off. Mine was imported when new, according to the previous owner, who also told me that Sammy Miller, or it may have been Dave Renham, told him only four were imported to the UK that year. Therefore, it isn't in the NOVA system which may cause me a problem but we'll see. I wanted one when I was a Greeves-mounted teenager in the '70s and, now I have one, am looking forward to some gentle trailriding on Salisbury Plain!
I'll let you know how I get on with the DVLA.
Have fun
Mark
PS I've attached a couple of pictures of mine, taken a few years ago...
Just to allay any fears that trying to register an old trials bike is difficult it is not provided you follow the procedures. I have just registered a Honda TL125 which I have built up from a frame which was about to be skipped and bits and pieces which I had already or found at auto jumbles. First make sure that your frame has a legible frame number. Mine did plus the vin plate. A letter to Honda with £30 quickly produced a dating letter showing the vehicle to be a 1976. I then built the bike up and when completed I waited until 20th May to register it. Fill out the V55/5 form, attach photos of the completed bike from both sides plus the frame number plus documentary proof of who you are where you live and send off a cheque for £55. I sent off my application so that it landed on the desk of someone at the DVLA on the 20th May so no MOT needed. It also does not need to be insured unless you live in N.I. On the 24th May I received a letter of acknowledgement from the DVLA and informed that the vehicle had to be examined. They gave me a leaflet to contact a local firm firm SGS. SGS were very professional and examined my Honda within 10 days and found everything OK. There is no cost to this service. Today 15th June I received my vehicle registration document. All pretty painless. The vehicle is classed as a historic vehicle. I have checked the vehicle on the DVLA webside and it shows it as "taxed" until 1 June 2019. When I have to renew this free tax I will have to fill out a V112 to claim MOT exemption.
Can I ask, did you get an 'age-related' number e.g. 'P' reg for 1976, I think? I have a 1974 Bultaco Alpina and need to go through the same procedure but it is nowhere near ready for an MoT yet but it sounds as if I can get the number without an MoT which is great news!
You're welcome, geurn. My friend had a Puch-engined Dalesman when I had mine. Unfortunately, the chain jumped off the gearbox sprocket and wrapped itself around it, forcing the gear lever shaft away and cracking the crankcase!
I imagine spares aren't very plentiful for either Puch or Sachs engined bikes but I thought there was a dealer in the states somewhere.
I took this picture of a Daleman Lynx with Sachs 125 engine at a Ringwood Schoolboy Scrambles Club meeting at Matchams Park in the mid-70s, probably 1976 or 1977. I've never been much good at photography! I did have a Dalesman Sachs of my own at the time but don't have any pictures. It was a separate tank and seat in contract to this one.
Good luck with your rebuild. It would be nice to see some pictures sometime.
I don't know Ben Butterworth, nor had ever heard of him before Sunday, but had a brief chat with him at section 9, I think, because I was surprised to see a Villiers carb on his Ariel. A very friendly, approachable chap! As a casual attendee of the Talmag, I'm not up-to-date with all the latest modifications but I'd have to say his performance was very impressive, although so was number 30 on a rigid Matchless and many others.
Anyway, a great day out for my son and myself, despite the inclement weather. The cows were a bit of a surprise, though!
I said I would keep the Name Sprite alive, so I am doing a Page on my web site about the Trials Bikes and the guys that where supported by Sprite on these Machines.
Hi Charlie,
I don't have any information to add but would like to see your site, if it is available now. Could you post a link, if that's allowed, or is it publicised elsewhere?
That's lovely! I hope to get my 1974 M116 on the road soon but it won't look as good as that! At least it is now running after a couple of years when I couldn't get it started.
Fitting Mikuni - help required, please
in Bultaco
Posted
Thank you very much for your help, Graham. I really appreciate having such experts to call on!
Take care and stay safe. We'll soon be out riding again.
Mark