big john

Hi Bigfoot, I'll have a copy only if rider 225 is in it? Do I get a discount for buying one without sound? Big John

What you riding 2/4? I hear that Simon Cee Vee is coming too? Big John

Yes I remember that! We have Bultacos, but not Italjets and we don't want any either!! Big John

You have no chance then! Big John

Can you not change the date of her confirmationthingamyjig then? Big John

Indeed, I agree with that. And John Collins makes afair point above too. Big John

What Classic trial do you mean OTF, enlighten us, are you referring to a Pre65 or Classic trial down your way or what? Classic embodies both Pre65 and Twinshock classes in our case, different animal! Big John

Worthy point, not all ideas are about saving money, but actually making things easier with people who have access to computers. (Which by the way the reader of this message must either own one or have access to one!) Take for instance the road fund licence, I find it a whole lot easier to apply for my road tax on-line without having to drive to the local post office (or walk on a hissing wet day) fumble about with cash or cheque, find that I have forgotten my MOT certificate and Insurance certificate, oh dear another trip! On-line, put in the reminder ID number, follow the on screen instruction, pay by credit/debit card and Bob's your uncle the round bit of paper arrives by post in two or three days, job done at the click of a mouse! Same idea with on-line licence/registration card, sound slike a good idea in principle, bring it on! Big John

I see its on the up, according to latest e-bay price! Big John

Very nice! Big John

Dig deep for a replacement, they were crap when they were brand new, they were prone to crack after a bit of use. Repairing them is not an option, they just split somewhere else, believe me its not worth sorting them! Big John

There is no way the ACU would effectively issue a licence without some sort of club validation. I know the SACU are actively looking at a similar project for Scotland via their own policy and planning committee known as "Way Forward" committee. The clubs are the lifeblood of both the ACU and SACU, they should not be left out of any loop. Big John

It's not just interesting, that is the real McCoy! John Reynolds' Comerfords bike, definately! Big John

True! Big John

Have you have ridden the bike then? If your name was Mick Andrews, Nigel Birkett or Amos Bilbao and you have ridden the machine in question then I might sit up and take note! I haven't ridden the bike, so I reserve judgement on the project! Big John Edited to add: Should have mentioned, none of the above development riders read TC nor do they post on it.

Just by way of an update, I had 25 sets of the 1971 Dalesman decal made and have sold all but 5 sets. I hope that those who got them are 100% satisfied with the finished product and that it finishes off your restoration project. Best wishes, Big John

Well I haven't ridden the bike personally, but I would like to, so I certainly can't comment on the performance of the Greeves Ti280. It's nice to see so many comments on here by a vast array of ex-factory development riders and qualified engineers - NOT! It is very easy to mark down a machine purely on its looks. It would be interesting to feel how it handles, so again no comment from me. The bike that managed through the SSDT sounded crisp and was getting up sections as ably as any other machine at the event. OK, they failed to get all of their machines to the finish, but remember the SSDT is a fantastic proving ground for a new machine, it will either come out with plaudits or blow its' brains out trying! Also, I remember some years ago a certain Jordi Tarres riding the very same event with a water cooled Beta, it blew its' brains out ceremoniously early on in the week in full view of a a critical public and everyone said it would never catch on, hmmm... how wrong could they be? Overall, Richard Deal is trying very hard, but he is up against very formidable competition and to develop a trials machine is a daunting task at the best of times, which absorbs huge amounts of working capital. Big John

Cause for concern, yes most certainly, take it from someone who owns these fantastic machines, they do, like any other piece of machinery made from steel have problems. That is not a drain hole. It is the perforation of the centre expansion box of the exhaust system. What is happening is the centre box is rotting away from the inside due to the expulsion of water vapour created by the internal combustion. You could try a patch but this in time will delaminate from the rest of the section through time. My solution was to replace with a hand-made alloy replica component although these tend to run a bit hotter than the original steel item, which I have a brand new unused one to keep as a pattern. Big John

Yes come and see the greatest trial on the planet, but please do not bring an off-road bike to follow round, road bike yes, no problem, but take care as the roads the trial runs over can be quite narrow and two way traffic with passing places is common. No point following round on a trials bike as spectators are not permitted to follow the event off-road as the ground used in the event is private property. Anyone following on private property will seriously jeapordise future events. Big John

Please do not mis-interpret my comments earlier, the Bob MacGregor is a very good modern bike event for clubmen to ride and experienced riders too as there are multi-routes. I just don't think it is a very good Pre65 or twin-shock event because the emphasis is on the modern bike's capabilities. Big John

The original factory fitted rear engine mount on the Bultaco 198/199 - 198A/199A models were cast alloy. I have had these bikes straight from the crate! Big John

The Bob MacGregor isn't a very good Pre65 or Twinshock trial IMHO, it is much more suitable for modern bikes in reality. I don't know about Fintry Clubman 2 Day. Ride the Inverness & District Highland Classic 2 day if it's Pre65 or twinshock you want, this event isn't laid out for modern bikes! Big John

There is no Mull 2 day this year, but the LMCC are organising the Bob MacGregor 2 Day on June 4/5 and the Clubman 2 Day at Fintry on 3/4 September. Big John

Decal man Crawfy has come up trumps, see classified adeverts under parts for details. I'm keeping to Andy's no adverts on here rules, do it right, check out the classifieds for details! Big John

Approximately 50% of all SACU trials events are pay on the day, because they are closed to club events. The national & national restricted are the events where the clubs have to have an entry form and a closing date. This allows the organising clubs to plan the event, knowing how many riders they are getting. Big John