pat slinn

Sorry, forget to mention,...............that is before 1965 !

Please see my reply 10th January. A Sprite was being used by Jonah in Midland centre trials in 1964.

But what are you right about ?.

I met up yesterday at Wrightys show with a guy I knew in the 60's who used to ride a Sprite in Midland centre trials. he told me that he bought it second hand from Vale Onslows in Birmingham during the Easter of 1965, and was first registered in 1964.

Hi Guys, My friend in the states is trying to get hold of a couple chain oilers that were used on the wassel trials bikes that wassel marketed in the 70's. This machine was also sold in the States as the Penton Mudlark. Can anybody help please ?.

Hi Guys, Dennis Jones (Jonna) was riding a Sprite in 1964. He was working in the BSA/Ariel development department, and was, if my memory serves me correctly Frank Hipkins development rider.

Why have you got such a huge sprocket on the rear ?

Hi Bob, Keep your eye on ebay, there was a wide ratio C15 gear box cluster on there recently.

Nigel, Where can I read these "other" comments,?.

I have returned from the Classic trials bike show at Stonleigh full of respect and admiration for the organizers, Charlie and Richard Prescot and their family. The prescott family went out on a limb and organized this "first" in the trials world. I hate to think what their own financial commitment was. They even took along six of their own pre 65 four stroke trials bikes, and as Charlie said to me they are there to be used, and indeed people did use them. There idea for the express trial was taken up by some of the finest pre 65 riders in the country, the new format encouraged inspirational riding, on seriously good muddy sections, thanks should also go to Mick Andrews, Allan Whitton, and other's, (sorry lad's I dont know your names, but thank you). for choosing and marking out the sections. The exhibition of Trials bikes pre 65, and even earlier!, was I believe the first time that such a collection has ever been put together. Put all that together with a good social atmosphere, and a good time was had by all. I am sure that Charlie & Richard have learnt a lot from this year, and we look forward to a even better show and trial in 2011. Thanks you. Pat Slinn.

Gerry, please send to me your email address. Pat.

I have just returned from the 1st ever classic trials bike exhibition at Stonleigh. It was possibly one( if not the greatest) collection of "real" pre 65 trials bikes ever put together under one roof. The "express" trial was excellent with some real ( non acrobatic) traditional muddy sections. The scoring system was I believe unique, fare and challenging. I spoke to one leading (and winning) rider who told me that it was the most enjoyable trial that he had ever taken part in.. All credit should be given to the organizers, the Prescott family, Charlie, Richard, and Lee for their foresight, organization ability, generosity, and their very considerable financial input into the event. I really do hope that the classic trials bike show, and the express trial will become an annual event. Pat Slinn.

Hi, Can I encourage everybody to go along to the classic trials bike exhibition at Stonleigh at the weekend. I know that Charlie Prescott and Mick Andrews and many others have worked their "thingies" of to make this happen. Our sport during the 60's and 70's was a source of inspiration to many people, standard bikes and parts were modified into successful trials bikes, and many of these bikes will be there at Stonleigh. Look forward to seeing you there. pat.

There is a C15/B40 wide ratio gearbox on Ebay now. Look under BSA C15 trials. Pat.

Support your local charity shops. Last week I came across a copy of Don Morleys Classic British 4 stroke trial bikes in a local charity shop. It was in as new condition, and they wanted the pricely sum of

Hi Gerry, Looking forward to meeting you at Stonleigh. Pat.

I see that there is a ex "factory" BSA C15 on e bay at the moment ! However it does not have the original engine,. I s'pose when it left the factory, it was EX WORKS. See you at Stonleigh ?.

Hi OTF, and Charlie, After 4 orthopaedic operations in the past 5 years, and waiting for another, I have been warned by my surgeon that if I damage on of my prosthesis's the result could be very serious, so as Charlie has said I now "tinker" with bikes and love it. I totally agree bikes should be ridden, and not hidden in museums etc.The C15 that I built in 1964 and restoring at the moment will be prepared as if I am going to ride it in the SSDT, I am trying to keep it as original as possible that is why I would like to fit the original type of tyres, eg Dunlop Trials Universal. However I have retired from trials riding, and the bike has to. when I have finished it, and Elaine is not looking! I will find somebody to start it for me and I will be riding it around the bloc. Pat.

If the tyre was as bad as you say, it just shows how good the lads were back in the "universal" days. People won SSDT on them, British experts, Gold medals in the ISDT. You must have seen, or heard of some of the brilliant rides that people like Sammy, Scott, Billy W, and loads of stars had on them. However a 60's rebuild aint the same qithout the original "universals". Hope to meet you at the classic trials show, please come and introduce yourself. Pat.

Hi Guy's, Who makes a front and rear trials tyre that (4.00x18 & 2.75x21) that most resembles a Dunlop "universal" trials tyre of yonks ago ?. OR is there still a supply of Dunlop trials universals ? regards to all, Pat.

Hi Guys, Do we have any people in our ranks that remove dents from alloy fuel tanks, and/or spray tanks, or both ?. Or can anybody tell me of anybody they know who can do this. Pat.

Hi, Has anybody got a copy of the MCN SSDT event report edition,( the week after the trial)? Pat.

Yes, the Old Trials Fanatic may have something here. Remember in the good old days before the advent of closed circuit trials, and acrobatic sections there used to be some good long flat out in 2nd muddy climbs ? I am thinking of some of the Cotswold sections, Camp, Warren, Dovedale etc. AND, not to mention some of the fairly long road sections, between sections where you had to get a move on or you suffered a time penalty. You really did have to "work" the motors then.