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Would any restorers give me a little guidance on a quote I have received for some chroming works from a company based in the UK. I wanted a set of swm mudguard stays and kickstart shaft chromed and have received a quote of stg 345 plus vat.. Owing to the fact I had some fork legs chromed last year for around 175 I thought this a tad excessive... or does this seem the going rate.. Thanks

This subject reminds me of a saying that always tickles me...Just because a dog is born in a stable, doesn t make it an horse....

Great, I will try and get organized as well, although its a round trip of around 2400 kms for me....I have to convince my wife to spend 12 hours in the van apposed to a cheap flight with an SWM as hand luggage... Seriously will have a look at the dates and do my best, even if I turn up and watch..

Thanks for the reply, thats exactly the plan will just have to see what wins electronic ignition or brakes...

I have been toying with the idea of buying a bike around the 1974/75 age to fill a gap in my mini collection, and the Ossa Mar and the Ty 250, 434 are on the hit list. Although its going to be bought to trundle down to the Patisserie/ Boulanger on a Sunny morning here in the Dordogne, it might get some use in the sections. I agree the ossa is a sometimes forgotten gem , but then so is the Yam... thoughts.

The looping out of the sections and or not adhereing to the imaginary line between markers is my pet hate... that is something the Frenchies love doing and see little wrong in it...

I wasn t going to put my two euro's worth in ,but would like to correct the last but one post on Europe. Pre 65 bikes are very few and far between in all but a few trials, both here and in France and Spain. The one's I have seen riding are pretty well within the spirit of the class with only one or two being more Fantic than triumph, but in these cases the riders if I recall correctly, ride them in twinshock classes. Twinshock again are usually only lightly modded although word is spreading via the internet and modifications more akin to you would find in the Uk are being fabricated / copied this side of the channel. Only in the Uk would someone have the brass neck to call it a pre 65 and I hope someone else has the broad shoulders to say its not welcome unless on a no award basis.. two euros worth..

Great, Sleen is closer to Gronigan so that might do the trick... I will make some enquires and see if we can sort it out. Thanks for your help

Just had another look and found the kalendar, seems there are two that might work.. Apeldorn and or sleen anybody on here point my into which might be the better choice. Thanks

Great thanks for that, could really understand much as my Dutch is about as good as my spannering skills... anyway is there any trials on in April of note that I could perhaps take in on either my Ariel or Swm as we are planning on visiting my son in Gronigan sometime then.. Thanks

Hi While we are talking about this neck of the woods... Are there any trials in the Netherlands of note, bearing in mind the landscape.

The website is still up for last years event, This years event entries will not open till at least August. The trial is based in Malaucene Nr MT Ventoux so regarding airports you need to check I do not know ...... I will keep this thread posted on the whens and wheres nearer the time, but dont worry too much at the moment, Concentrate on getting three committed team mates, lights on the bikes, insurance etc the rest is easy.......

Have a look at the thread marked Ventoux/ Robregordo on European trials.. It was discussed there. I will forward the internet site/ contact details later in the month as I am riding with the organiser in a couple of weeks and will be able to get further details of this years event etc.

Will do, although give me a couple of weeks, mind you, Oor Wullie would have more idea on how to post photo's on here than me...

Hi Ross, I don't know about acquired the taste, I have as you know bought into SWM ownership. Funny lot these Swm boys, my French chum cum Swn ' know it all ' nut hasn t spoken to me for a week, since I moved the footrests down and back a knats... Dont know how he is going to react when I show him my spare pair of mazocchi yokes bored to take the jumbo forks being secretly flown and parachuted into France next week. I do like it, is it the best bike around that 78/80 era don t know, dont care. It looks good and goes well, just need to get used to riding it, first time out I did find it a little of a handful, its a big section bike and the trend of making everything a little Micky Mouse and tight suits my Fantic better... Time will tell, but I think she's a keeper, certainly now with the shinny new tank.

Mine is of French origin and had a metal tank. I think they all did as well as the early yellow models. Out of interest mine is marked TLM , it was the long ride model, it came with a slightly larger tank and the shocks were with out gas. The footrests were in the same postion although moved now.. These appear to be the only difference. Bon Chance

Thanks for the replies, will chase it up Monday.

Cheers Clive, If you could that would be great.

Could anyone please point me in the direction on where to obtain some Castrol arrows for route marking, if in fact they do still exist. Thanks

Yep, this was on the list of things I have driven Martin mad with, amoungst others. I thought I would just throw it out to a wider audiance. Cheers Ross would be interested, I have come across one or two, but they are beyond saving...

I have been searching for a while for a good quality steel SWM/ Gori tank for a red and white Gunaco. It appears they are almost unobtainable in good condition so... There seems to be a few of the later yellow acerbis plastic tanks around so could someone tell me if its at all possible to repaint these to a good durable standard or am I going to have to keep looking. On this note I have come across a firm that will make new tanks to order if they have enough to make it worthwhile around 8/10 at a price of around 300 stg anybody fancy making up an order. Thanks

Its true foreign vehicles getting flashed generally get away with it, however moves are afoot to liaise with the UK for an agreement to collect the fine in the UK. At the moment there is a lot of talk about this, whether its in place I don' t know. There is a chance if you are speeding on the RN roads or through a village they will chase/ follow you and you will be handed a on the spot fine. They are very hot on speeding now without doubt for the cash it generates, hence my last sentence, sadly the days of enjoying the French roads at speed are over. However, you choose your right foot, your wallet.

When ever i ridden in Spain certainly on the classic scene no one has taken notice whether the bike is road legal or not. However in France to do a lot of the classic trials your bike will need to be at least insured, and usually have lights fitted. There are some exceptions , but each year its getting stricter. Another note.. whilst trivial and I have never heard of anyone actually being effected by this is.... It you have a bike or such in the van and you are stopped by the Gendames, you maybe asked for proof of ownership. My trials riding chum of many years has mentioned this several times , and when we head off, always reminds me to have the docs at hand. They are also going through a spate of stopping small vans at the moment, the pretence being overweight issues as well as being nosey. I repeat its trivial , but might just catch someone out if you have a nasty barsteward poking around Lastly watch the speed, its so easy now to get caugh,t they are everywhere, and there is zero leeway... Bon chance

I read the question posed, as riders that compete. There are Ty days Honda days ride outs and people who use a scorpa to collect mushrooms when in season and ride the endless chemins that litter the countryside. As for trials they are few and far between. You ask the question how I know and its because I live here and struggle to find a trial to ride without doing hundreds and hundreds of km,s. I live in an area larger than Wales and it has 5 trials a year. To answer the last question regarding BMZ, I understand they have ceased trading for whatever reason.

Nice sentiments about France, sadly in my opinion not true. Never have I seen so much potential and so little interest. You are correct re the forums and the adulation, however it just doesn t filter into trials and entries... very disappointing. I would have to say the Uk in answer to the question, usually doing their best with limited land in comparison to countries rich with ... like France. Further to the last post a French FFM licence here to ride trials will cost in excess of 200 euros similar in Spain I believe, whereas an ACU licence is a tenner...