monoped

As has already been said the original hubs had chrome plated breaking surfaces, these wear out. You will need to have the hub machined out, and a steel insert fitted. Again as previously mentioned Dave Renham @ Bultaco UK is the recommended man. The difference this modification makes is tremendous. However this is no cheap fix. The exchange hub service from Bulktaco UK, is to my mind good value at

As OTF says the Cheney frames were bright nickel plate, the Cheney frame was made from Reynolds 531 tubing and did not have a side stand. None of Eric Cheneys frames were numbered. Woody is also right that Roger Holden the then UK importer had 30 bikes converted to monoshock using the standard Ossa frames, which were not plated. Keith Horseman also made a monoshock frame for the Ossa and again this was electro plated. As has been said what would you do with it? I had one (which was certified as an original by Cheney) for many years, it was a garage queen. See VMX issue #29, 2007. Personally I doubt that this bike is the work of Eric Cheney or Keith Horseman, as it is not plated, if it is then all of the welding will be outstanding quality and very distinctive around the headstock. If anyone is interested in it I would advise them to call Simon Cheney first.

Great photo, I hope that the Ariel did not "kiss" too many of those rocks when it came to rest!

Try 1997 Kawasaki KX250, you may need to grind the pegs a bit to enlarge "female" part of the mounting, you should be able to get them of e-bay for about

Well spotted Ishy and 100% correct 1987 twin disc model - front & rear

I think there's a clue in the class title - Pre 65

Echo Steve Fracy - forwarding best wishes for a speedy and full recovery.

Yes there was, I had one on my Cheney Ossa, fitted on the outer edge of the dished sprocket. By the way dished sprockets have been availble for some years www.ossacels.es Senior Joan Cells Grau in Spain a nice guy to deal with and a good selection of parts.

Martin - you should have bought it, they are extremely rare. Only a hand full were produced each year from about 1973 to 1978, the last bike had alloy swing arms. Walterluft was one of the factory riders, he rode the Scottish on a KTM more than once. I have some photos of these bikes and there are some in Mick Andrews trials book.

Hi Ducman, It may well work, there was a rider at this years Don Smith memorial trial with a Majesty 200 that had a clutch cover with no area for an oil pump. It looked very smart and trick! Unfortunately I did not have a chance to talk to the owner. See if you can check the clutch cover gasket and clutch drum part numbers of both bikes. If they match your in. I know that this case trick works on the Kawasaki KT, using the early KX400 clutch cover. Regards

Hi Kenton - if you can compromise this man does newly cast 410cc alloy barrels

The gear selector shafts on Bultaco and Ossa engines passes all the way through the crankcases exiting on both the left & right hand sides. The earlier models had left hand rear brakes as standard and the later ones were fitted with right hand rear brakes, so the rider had a choice. John R....

Hi - Williamd is right Jim is your man, send him an e-mail and he will sort you out.

"Baldilocks" - I am guessing your surname is Holden then, but you are not as comunitive as your father.

As I have not seen any write up or the results of this trial posted here or in TMX, I thought I would post this: Many thanks to Tongham Tigers MCC, the organiser and observers for putting on the first (but hopefully not the last) Don Smith Memorial trial on 19/09/2009. This was a well organised, well supported, first class event, with a social barbeque after the trial. Among the attendees were: Karen & Amanda Smith (Don's daughters), Gordon Farley, Colin Dommett, Charlie Harris, Gordon Adsett, Bill Wilkinson & Mike Jackson. There wer 91 entrants on the day of which approximately 75% were pre 67 and the remainder twinshocks. The course was 1 route, 3 laps of 12 sections and whilst not too challenging for the experts, they were for some of the lesser talented riders. The results were:- Pre 1967 Premier award - #40 David Shale, 250 James, 0 ML Twinshock Premier Award - #84 Mark Stokes 250 Majesty Yamaha, 0 ML Best Greeves Rider - #68 Paul Casling, 250 Greeves, 2 ML I for one thoroughly enjoyed the days trial and the socialising afterwards and I am looking forward to the 2nd Don Smith Memorial trial next year.

Hi Brian H, Steve's e-mail is steve@marlimar-uk.wanadoo.co.uk mobile 07800 778048 he is a great man to do business with, highly recommended. Cheers

Hi Kyfu, Try www.todotrial.com and www.motclubsotobike.com

Hello Eddie, Try sitting the leg in some penetrating oil overnight, then pour a kettle of boiling water over the area around the securing bolt. I would not recommend using direct heat from a blow lamp etc on the alloy. However the relatively low heat of boiling water being poured over the alloy should allow the alloy to expand slightly, without damage. Likewise when re-fitting new seals heat the top of the lower leg with boiling water then drift the new seal in using a close fitting socket (one with approximately the same external diameter as the internal daimeter on the recess that the seal fits into) and rubber mallet.

Hello everyone, It was great to see Javier, Manolo & Cheke again, and hats off to them and everyone else from Sotobike involved in organising such a terrific event. It was also a pleasure to meet an spend a great time with Edwardo De Salavar, Carlos Bosch, John Moffat, David Moffat Allan Crayk (AKA Chips), Dave Wood (AKA Woody), Chris Denny, & ex-pats Steve & Derrick (sorry forgotten your surname). Allan deserves special recognition for taking a class win - well done. Many thanks to you all JR

Hello all, Have a look at this old film. Blink and you may miss Geoff Chandler on the Cheney cantilever framed Ossa, also has Nigel Birkett on the works Suzuki RL325 and Mick Andrews on the TY360.

Hi millerme, you should ask Jim at www.beamishownersclub.com I am sure he has some that he could measure up for you.

If anyone wants a TR77 Series 1 350, I have a recently restored example, the bike has a genuine, rare, Vitale Maquinas reed valve engine from Spain, this is not a Phantom conversion, or Harpower, Romat version.

Woody I have had the 720*** prefix for the series 2 TR77 confirmed by Gabriel & the lovely Miss Eva.

Hello, The Ossa that you refer to is the model TR77, this bike was produced between 1977 ~1979 in 250 & 350 cc versions the series 1 bikes were made between 1977~78 the series 2 were made between 1978~1979. 1977~78 Series 1 -250 cc engine & frame nos started 630**** and 750 bikes were produced, frames were black, tank & panels green, mudguards opaque/white, wheel rims alloy. 1978~79 Series 250 cc engine & frame nos started 720**** and 600 bikes were produced, frames were green, tank & panels green, mudguards green, wheel rims anodised gold. Series 2 TR77 is a are bike. This information can be confirmed by Senior Gabriel Beltran, Ossa Museum, Utebo, Zaragoza, SA