sparks2

Hi I absolutely agree with Cleanorbust, it's not the Ilkley GN, (Mr Gordon Farley didn't come north very often). It is the 1973 Inter Centre Team Trial held that year on Rooley Moor near Rochdale. Barry was obviously there in his professional capacity. Regards Sparks

Deryk Eddie Flintoff, yes, Dobb Park Splash, yes, but surely this is an early 1960's Ilkley Reunion Trial. Look at the way the spectators are dressed. Regards Sparks

Hi Deryk It's the late John Metcalf, your memory is correct on all the other details. Regards Sparks

Hi The best looking Bultacos are red and silver, always were, always will be. Only my opinion of course.

Deryk I don't think it's the Northern Experts. The bib has CCMCC printed on it and it looks like the northern fells. Perhaps the Alan Trophy Trial again? Regards Sparks

I agree with the above. In average hands are they significantly better than the standard (when properly set up) product ?? Regards Sparks

Hi Late banana stanchion tubes :- 1 3/4'' OD , wall thickness:- 1.75mm. Late banana lower link :- 1 1/8'' OD (cannot measure wall thickness as all ends closed). Regards Sparks

Hi Deryk, the fact that Barry Robinson acted as Rob Fitton's mechanic, would add credence that the photo was of RF. Well done to 'Cleanorbust' for actually spotting that it could be Rob F. I would never have guessed that in a thousand years. The Dalesman shown with Peter Edmondson is actually of slightly later date (mid 1970 onwards) than the one shown with Rob Fitton, which is of the original (1968 - 1969) type. Regards Sparks

Hi Deryk, this photo (image #31) is more likely to be the 1973 Inter Centre Team Trial held that year on Rooley Moor near Rochdale. Regards Sparks PS. I have no idea on the Scott trial bib colours - I have not followed the trial that closely in the later years.

Thanks for your reply Deryk. But the barrel does look taller than normal - the tank has had to be sculpted on the bottom. Could RE experts tell by counting the fins??

Hi Is this (617 JGU) the experimental 350cc Crusader built by (or for) Peter Gaunt ?? Regards Sparks

Hi I don't know the rider. But the bike has a West Yorkshire registration number and Dalesmans were manufactured in Yorkshire and the photo was taken by Yorkshire (Ilkley) based Barry Robinson. From memory, it does look a bit like Rob Fitton and it would have been slightly unusual at the time for a regular trials rider to be wearing a pudding basin helmet and note the lack of any proper trials boots. Was Mr Fitton from Yorkshire or have Yorkshire connections?? So, an interesting photo on several levels. Regards Sparks Edit:- Just looked up Rob Fitton's Wikipedia entry and yes he was from Leeds but was sadly killed at the Nurburgring on the 2nd May 1970. The photo could have been taken in 1969 or very early 1970, Rob having bought or borrowed the bike to keep his hand in during the racing closed season. So Cleanorbust may well be right, it could well be Rob Fitton. I shall paste in the Wikipedia entry:- From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Robin Fitton Nationality British Born 1928 Died 2 May 1970 (aged 41–42)Nürburg, West Germany [hide]Motorcycle racing career statistics Grand Prix motorcycle racing Active years 1964 - 1965, 1967 - 1969 First race 1964 500cc Ulster Grand Prix Last race 1969 500cc Ulster Grand Prix Starts Wins Podiums Poles F. laps Points 9 0 1 0 0 37 Edwin Robin Fitton (Leeds, 1928 - Nürburg, 12 July 1970) was a Grand Prix motorcycle road racer from Leeds, West Yorkshire. His best season was in 1968 when he finished the year in fourth place in the 500cc world championship.[1] Fitton was killed at the Nürburgring during practice for the 1970 West German Grand Prix.[2]

Yes, the previous shots of Peplow and Farley are both great studies of man and machine

Yes, I agree with TwinShock, your frame has been modified and it has been done quite well.

Hi I knew a former trials rider by the name of Philip Shaw (sadly now no longer with us). Philip was active in the immediate post war years and into the 50's. He remembered an incident when a complete horizontal cylinder was smashed off a trials Douglas during a Yorkshire Centre trial. It makes Mick Andrews achievement in finishing the Scottish pre-65 on a Douglas in recent years all the more remarkable. Regards Sparks

Yes, illegal in more ways than one. That's impersonating an officer. That would be almost enough to lose my pension. Regards sparks (No problem actually Sparks - it wasn't a very good impersonation............), Deryk

Sorry Deryk, it's not Bill England. It's Bill Hill. (Oops, thanks again, Sparks, Cheers, Deryk)

Thanks Deryk Information, yes, but only useless information. Indeed, at the time I had heard of (or seen the name) Don Evans, but obviously did not know the extent of his illustrious riding career, cos I'm only a lad. I shall consider myself severely admonished, and hope that Don and everyone excepts my apology. Yours (none too seriously) Sparks

Hi Back in the 1980's (probably 83, 84, or 85) I was spectating at a trial somewhere in the East Midlands, can't remember where now, and got chatting to a rather portly chap who said he had ridden 'works this, works that etc, etc,'. I only half believed him at the time but I'm almost sure he said his name was Don Evans. Silly me. Regards Sparks

Thanks Rod

Hi Is Ken Haydon Ian Haydon's father ??

Hi Spectator Spotting again :- Can't see Ed Stott, have you cropped him out. But I can see Bob Snelling, extreme right, and Mick Dismore. Who's the guy taking the cine ??? anybody ??? I reckon the rider is again Ray Sayer. He would be riding the AJS 37AT that year.

Thanks for clearing that one up. Why was J.A.Hitchcock's son not riding a cub in 1966, still well within the cub's era??

As ever, well expressed Woody. Did you read Philosophy at Oxbridge?? You have my respect as a person and a trials rider.

Hi Nigel M Greenwood walking the section to the rear. Don't know the venue though.