westyfield7

I recently spotted this "hand-made" Saracen on ebay and at £4500 it didn't attract a bid..there's a surprise! The frame may originally have been Saracen but little else is period 1970 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Historic-Saracen-Highlander-off-road-motorbike-Honda-engine-trials-scrambler-/323929875143?nma=true&si=z1xH0WvUkucAixtoPain0iCw94g%3D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

It is with sadness I convey news of the passing of DOT club stalwart, BMCA trials organiser and Trials Central contributor, Al Usher. Known to many for his "Hammertight" musings in the DOT Club Journal he will be greatly missed by many and our thoughts are with his family.

..thanks for all the advice, I've tried a few things but ended up back at the dealers. They tell me it needs a new "motor", which is odd as I can hear it moving. Anyway, it's booked in under warranty thankfully so should be sorted when the parts arrive.

Has anyone had trouble with the rear door central locking? The rear door locks ok but then won't unlock on the button.. it's then necessary to release it from the inside. Not easy if bikes in the way. Is it a common problem? Is there a fix?

Hi Christyboy, are you sorted with the engine yet? I'm not too far from you either and may be able to help you out as I have "a few" DOT's with various Villiers motors. I've sent a pm with my number.

http://www.dansmc.com/explodedfork.htm May be of interest to some here with exploded views of Marzocchi's, Ceriani and Triumph forks amongst others..

..absolutely have the same problem, plus mine are also Reactolite so struggle riding in and out of shade too. I've found one particular old pair are best for riding in so maybe try a new prescription and ask the optician for advice on lenses??

Refurbished late 2015

Refurbished October 2016

..it does look remarkably Saracen like

Hi ikb, are you still riding the 242? What gearing did you settle on? My own has the standard 10/38 but feel it's too high for modern twinshock trials.

..just refurbing a 205 and seem to have a couple of bits left over from reassembling the forks A copy of the exploded view of the right way up Marzocchi's would be helpful.. thanks in anticipation gasserguy jbrook53@gmx.co.uk

OTF has been looking in my garage I think! Saracens with 125 and 200 Sachs motors, another 125 Sachs in a 1970 Sprite and an unwealdly looking Minarelli DOT. The 125 Saracen is very low and lacking power for todays classic trials whereas the 125 Sprite with it's iron barrel seems to have a bit more low down go in it but the wheelbase is very short. Although the DOT steers very nicely I can't get the Minarelli geared low enough and it has a strange power band but I guess thats how they were in their day. I'm thinking that my 200 Saracen Invader may have to be given a run out in this new series

..another picture I took of Mick on the Douglas in 2009, on Pipeline of course with a bemused Sammy MIller looking down..

Last year I had a pair of Montesa forks re-plated for £150 here, near Mansfield, Notts.. http://www.hardchromeplating.co.uk/

I enjoyed my second ever ride in this amazing trial last weekend, the scenery, off road trails and organization are second to none. The start was at a very civilized Cotswold farm shop and cafe with plenty of level hard standing, toilets and complimentary bacon bun and coffee. With a well signed route of around 35 miles(?), experienced and friendly observers and perfect weather all the ingredients of a good trial were there. I'm not experienced of riding "big" bikes but would have considered that all but a couple of nadgery sections were ideal for them so I think the section plotters got it spot on. Indeed it was the big bike sections and those nadgery bits that that took my marks. The "interesting" bog section that Wallo mentions proved a bit more of a challenge for later runners after the sidecar drivers had enjoyed their somewhat more than gentle plod through The Stratford Club deserve well earned praise.

I have a '74 invader with the 200cc Sachs engine fitted. It seems to have a lot more useable bottom end than the 125 I also have, almost "Fantic 200 like" power. Obviously the suspension is comparatively dated but it would be interesting to ride it in a twin-shock or classic trial on the clubman route. Does anyone know which piston was used and where a + size might be sourced?

My 200 tank was also porous and in a rough condition. I left it in the open air for a week to allow any residue to evaporate and then gave it a thorough shaking with a handful of gravel and detergent inside to loosen any muck in there. I then sealed it internally with one of the proprietary epoxy tank liners and let it cure for a week. Can't recall the exact make but a google search will bring up several suppliers. Not cheap but essential with modern fuel I think and worth following the instructions to the letter. You don't say what area you are in but B&S in Kirkby in Ashfield can put you on to a superb tank painter who will make a great job, including graphics for around £100+

...trail bikes are all a compromise.. you either get to go fast on the road with a big bike and then struggle on the trail or sit high in the saddle and fall over when the going gets tough. I've had a beta 200.. too slow but brill on the trail, a Beta 400.. fast enough on road, a low seat but heavy going off road, a CCM404.. fast, agile and fun but again too tall for when the going gets tricky. I've now got a Fantic 300 kitted out for the road and trail with dual seat, lights and high gearing which is for me, just the job. Fast enough, light, low seat, and agile. And you can "wheelie" at will!lol

Dremel.. and then find another MOT tester like mine who isn't so keen.. maybe

IGNITION TIMING I have found the settings for the Cota 200 on the web but can anyone tell me if they are the same for the MH200? i.e: Spark advance 20deg or 2mm/.079" BTDC Points gap O.4mm/16thou" Plug gap 0.5mm

I'm just finishing an MH200 restoration but got away without reboring... but if you are anywhere near Derby I have the contact of a very good specialist in Borrowash where you can wait and watch the process being carried out. In box me for the number. Inmotion don't list a 200 piston but if you call them I'm sure they could point you in the right direction. http://www.inmotiontrials.com/product-category/engine-parts-montesa/ These are the before and after pics of the bike to date..http://www.flickr.com/photos/106795187@N06/sets/72157640687453394/

Hi Lee, on my 200 I simply bought a standard pair of pegs with the "U" type brackets and bolted them through and directly behind the existing brackets with a few tack welds to hold them in place. Result is about 1" lower and 1"further back.. job done

Hi, my frame is number 157 so it could well be a later one. I must admit that when compared to the other Cheetahs I have seen it is lighter, has special fork yokes and has one or two minor differences. I also had new rims laced to Cub replica hubs which are lighter and also had brackets welded on to relocate sprung footrests as mentioned above.. when I bought it the original pegs were fixed and about two inches higher and further forward.. they still feel high compared to the DOT though. I have an interesting article from January 1968 where Don Smith tests the Cheetah for Motor Cycle News. Cheetah boss Bob Gollner and frame builder Mick Whitlock took Villiers and Cub engined bikes along and Gordon Adsett a Husqvarna engined one. Ken Heanes was also there so quite a gathering of talent!. Don Smith had just taken on the London area agency for them so he wasn't going to say anything bad about them was he! The Villiers Cheetah was available either in Chassis form for £85 or complete at £219. Another £30 got you an alloy barrel! I paid about £1100 for mine in 06 but what is it worth today when some are asking £3.5k for an uncompetitive old Greeves? How times have changed!

Hi James, you have the basics of a good competitive Cheetah there I think. The frame number on mine is on the left side of the headstock. The original tank was indeed a large fibreglass one as shown on the Don Morley pics. I found my Cheetah on eBay, 7yrs ago now up in East Yorkshire, and with the addition of an SWM tank, a Fantic 200 seat and repositioning the footrests it is now a lovely bike to ride. Careful changes to the exhaust have also made the engine smooth and controllable. It grips well in mud and turns nicely as standard without any frame mods as mentioned..maybe not as good as the modern James/FB replicas but not far behind..and ts original! I took it over to Stafford for the trials demo last weekend and really enjoyed riding it again after a couple of seasons on the John Bull DOT and not sure if it isn't as good! PM ne if you need more info. http://www.flickr.com/photos/106795187@N06/sets/72157638293435765/