woody

The DVLA inspection for registration, if they ask for one as they don't in every case, doesn't look for things like that, it's really to ensure you're actually registering what you say you are, chassis number check etc. and not to check RTA conformities. I don't know if the law from 1973 is still in force and I think it was to actually prevent new machines being sold with glass tanks, as there were still bikes being used on the road back then with glass tanks. There are plenty of bikes in use now with glass tanks

The thread on the spindle is a smaller diameter than the spindle shaft. If you remove the nut and washer and just eave the chain adjuster on, you will see that the spindle shaft extends past the adjuster. You need a washer that is the correct ID to slip over the shaft itself not just the threads and the washer also needs to be thick enough that none of the shaft is exposed. If it isn't set up like this the nut will reach the end of the thread and tightens against the spindle shaft itself, not the swingarm From your parts list it looks as though you have the thick washer on the wrong side

There isn't an actual paint code that Bultaco used. I've seen RAL 9006 recommended. Or the old Ford late 1960s colour of Silver Fox is a good match

ok, understand what you mean now, I wondered if you meant a different shape. I don't know for definite but I think the deeper, more pronounced lettering came with the A models on the Sherpas. Your first picture looks like a 198/199 case

What's different on your 198A case?

I've just had a part arrive from France which was under 135 euros and it all seems to have gone ok, no import duty charged and the price included tax (ie: VAT) so no demand for tax at delivery. Item was 47.70 plus 15.00 postage, total 62.70. 10.45 of that was the tax I'm now waiting for a part from Spain which was 135 euros exactly so not sure if this should fall into the items up to 135 band. which means no import duty and tax charged by retailer, as I don't know if ''up to'' is inclusive of 135, so it could be under or over. However the postage is 30 euros so the total cost is 165.00. What I also don't know is if the up to 135 scale applies to just the item cost or the total including postage. The item cost is 135, post is 30 and the total of 165 includes tax of 28.64 so I have paid the tax. I don't know if this is correct or not and I don't know if the retailer has just conducted the transaction adhering to the new rules or not... I just have to wait and see what happens when it arrives.... For the parcel you sent there should have been no import duty and I don't understand why the post office charged you either as it should be collected here upon receipt I think

We all pay VAT on purchases from within our own countries and buyers within the EU have always paid VAT when buying from other EU countries, it was collected by the retailer and paid to their government as it was their VAT. The price we've paid has always included tax. What's changed for the UK is that the VAT is now paid by the retailer to the UK to HMRC for purchases up to 135 euros. Anything over and the VAT is collected here, payable before you can collect your item (as it is with import duty on USA items for example) What's also happening now is that couriers are asking for the VAT when delivering and for the extra work they're adding their own fee, so the only additional cost is the handling fee, but the perception is we're paying more because we now pay VAT 'at the door' upon delivery. What we have to check is that we're not being double charged for VAT... Without doubt it's put additional burden on EU sellers and I can see that some won't send items to the UK until it's sorted out - if it is...

The VAT is not new, we've always paid VAT on items bought from the EU. The way it's collected has changed and as you've said is now creating more work for the retailer. Import fees shouldn't apply to a purchase under 135.00 euros UK couriers can also add their own handling fees

What I forgot to say is that some Spanish dealers still have this chain available. If you google Bultaco simplex primary chain you should find them, Classicdiaz, ,Motos Luis, Motos del Abuelo etc

You won't get turned away from any trial for having a fibreglass tank. There are new fibreglass tanks still being made and being used on plenty of bikes The law was introduced in 1973 following a road accident when a fibreglass tank spit and caused a fire. Hence all UK trials bikes had an alloy tank from then on to replace the original factory glass tank. It's never been clear as to whether the law was for all bikes or just those registered for the road, but as most trials were road based back then I think they all had their tanks swapped for alloy versions at import. It only applied to fibreglass tanks, doubtful there were any plastic tanks at that time. 1980s bikes were used on the road with their original plastic tanks

He doesn't have the thread for Bultaco spokes, I've spoken to him about it, he's done a few Bultaco wheels for me

I think it was a one off size made for Bultaco by Joresa. Where I live there are many chain suppliers/manufacturers. Due to the non-availability in the UK at the moment I went to a local manufacturer (who are big) and showed them the chain. His first reaction was no chance but he was very helpful and consulted his charts but the outcome was the same. Not a standard size, no-one will stock it. The problem is the inner width which is very big for a 3/8 chain. It doesn't exist on any chain size chart you can find. An old chain off one of my bikes is from Regina but I tried them and it is no longer produced Joresa still exist and have this size chain on their website so they must still make it

No I can't lace wheels, I send them to a wheel builder who makes his own spokes Tubeless has pros and cons. Pros - More choice, less chance of puncture as no tube to pinch, quicker to fix if you do puncture (I'm told as I've never punctured one at a trial) I have fixed a slow leak I found with superglue... Can run at 2 - 3 psi if needed (ie; here in UK in winter slop) without the fear of ripping a valve out or compression punctures. In the last Pre65 Scottish trial I had 5 compression punctures with a tubed IRC and that was with around 7psi in it and the time lost put me out of the trial Cons - you need a good compressor to fit one, a bead breaker to remove one (there are cruder alternatives...) They can be a pain to seal both at the spokes and on the bead. I gave up with the rubber sealing band that seals the spokes and use silicon sealer that is used on aluminium window frames, that stops leaking through the spokes but air can still seep through at the bead over days or weeks, Most of my bikes fitted with tubeless are sitting with flat tyres at the moment You can run tubeless on a tubed rim with a tube and security bolts. The inside lip of the bead is slightly longer on a tubleless and if this is trimmed back to match a tube type it will sit on the rim better. I've run tubeless on some Ossas and Bultaco Akront rims without trimming the bead and not had any problems, they've stayed on the rim ok. But with Jap rims I've never been able to get one to stay on the rim, tried on a KT and TY and as soon as the pressure went below about 10psi after fitting and deflating it dropped into the rim on one side. I never tried it with a trimmed bead though

I've had both new and used Morad rims fitted to various bikes, full width and conical hubs including Gripper, not sure why there should be a problem with a new one

Yes, on earlier models the first two and later models the first three engine and frame numbers identify the respective model https://cemoto.tripod.com/bultaco.htm

Look at what's fitted before you order as engine components changed a few times in the early 70s so you need to know which is in there. Not only the size but quantity as well, some have 1 some have 2 per side

Yamaha won't issue a certificate of newness as the bike is 15 years old so you can't have a current registration number, certificate of newness only applies to new bikes or a year or so old. What you need is a certificate that gives the year of manufacture - a dating certificate, then DVLA will issue an age related 2005 plate. If it is a bike imported by Yamaha UK then they will issue one for you but I think they charge for the service now, they used to do it for nothing. If it wasn't imported by Yamaha then they probably won't do it However, if you're using the Yamaha aircooled owners club they will issue the dating certificate for you or do the complete service so you don't need Yamaha. You may need to provide them with the chassis chart which shows the year of the bike

It's been a couple of years since I bought from them but there was a girl there called Gemma Bayo who was sending me emails in English and they weren't google translate English, might be worth trying a call if she is still there. I only had the info@ivancirre email address

What year is it, looks about 2005/6 ? Why not contact Yamaha for a letter showing proof of age and then you can get it registered on a proper age related number instead of Q plate. Easier to insure and sell on a proper reg than Q

Can't help with the engine number as I'm not familiar with YZ numbering but I'd have thought it matched the frame number in part. The engine number isn't as important to the V5 as the chassis number. To register it you don't need insurance unless you're in Northern Ireland but you have to tax it which you can then surrender and SORN it if you need to. Check the DVLA website for registering a new vehicle for what you need

The bike hasn't been registered so yes it does have to be recorded on NOVA to register it. It was MOT'd on the chassis number for registration or insurance purposes. There is no V5 to change ownership on

NOVA is nothing to do with the MOT and the MOT won't display any NOVA reference. NOVA is purely a HMRC process concerning duty payable on imported vehicles. DVLA will check all V55/5 applications to see if the vehicle is recorded on NOVA, if it isn't they won't issue a registration number. NOVA records the VIN number

You have to complete the NOVA form. It's really designed for new imports but a NOVA completion is required to register anything. It's to ensure that any VAT and import duty have been aid on a vehicle. NOVA is a declaration to HMRC and seperate from the registration process. DVLA won't register anything until it is on NOVA system If you search this specific topic for NOVA there is plenty of info on what you have to do.

I looked but couldn't find spare plates, the only ones I could find are from the spare engine I have in pieces, I thought there were more, if I come across them I'll let you know but I guess that tool will do the job just as well