big john

Indeed, sorry I did mean Milton Buzzards! Big John

Just been speaking to Julian Wigg (aka Big Wigg) on the phone, who was telling me that Ian Anderson was actually a customer of Julian's and he bought an Ossa MAR from him, but it had to be repainted and coloured all in black. So everything was coloured black, even Preston Petty plastic mudguards were fitted...in black! He remembers Ian Anderson as a "very knowledgeable bloke" who had been to the Ossa factory and knew eveything about Ossas before buying one off Julian. Julian had a number of "high profile" customers when he had his trials shop back in the 1970's/1980's including Barron Anthony (real name Anthony Osmond) one of the Barron Knights pop group, who had a Bultaco Sherpa with just about everything chrome plated. The tank even had been signwritten with "Get down Shep" the title of one of their send-up songs about Blue Peter presenter John Noakes! Barron Anthony was a member of the Leighton Buzzards MC. Big John

Yip, I know Craig! Big John

No, I think he liked off-road bikes and mention of it is made on teh Jethro Tull Official website. It states he had a small collection of them when he had an estate up in the Highlands. He also owned Strathaird Fish Farms and Fish Processing in Inverness at the time he owned an estate. Strathaird was sold off some time ago. Big John

I got front and rear sets from Birkett Motorsport. Big John

Ordered a Pocket Fast Tach today, Richard Dunn very helpful. Big John

I've met Brian and his daughter Kirsty at the SSDT and at Killin, Bob MacGregor Two Day Trial they observe. Big John

Broony, so that you know. SACU trials licences taken out from September cost £20 as they run until 31st January, when they need to be renewed. Most SACU clubs cover all classes from expert down to Novice and all youth classes. Obviously the severity is down to the clerk of course of the organising club. Closed to Club events are usually the easiest to ride in, with championships being the hardest, but at championship trials there are up to four colour coded routes. Hope this clarifies matters. I presume you have looked at the SACU website already? I think it's the guy called Brian Hogg from Haddington has something to do with the Gifford trial. Big John

I was replying to Broony's question as to whether or not he needed an SACU licence to ride a trial at Gifford, nothing wrong with that, my posting was relevant. Big John

199A Bultaco models were brought in to the UK through Comerfords, Thames Ditton under the importer style "Bultaco UK" a trading name of Comerfords International. Nowadays that trading name is operated by In-Motion at Egham. The model you refer had an alloy tank to UK spec bikes, fitted because of UK road traffic laws which precluded the use of non-metal fuel tanks at one time, daft really as Porsche cars had a plastic fuel tank fitted as standard! The poly tank was used on home market (Spain) and for other european countries and I think also the USA, but were made available by Bultaco UK in Britain as an aftermarket option for those who didn't use their bikes on the road. Both the 199 (red) and 199A (blue) tanks were available. Nowadays new poly tanks are available from Bultaco UK at Egham, Surrey. Hope this answers your question? Big John (footnote: If you intend changing from an alloy to poly tank, you need a different seat otherwise there is a gap due to the alloy tank being longer than the poly version!)

That's decided it then, I ain't taking my Jag to the Scott if Wiggy is riding! Big John

Unfortunately, I am unable to give any give any details or even hint at future plans or discussions, either on an open website like TC or indeed privately, as matters are being discussed within the Scottish ACU. Any opinions I post on an open website are my own and not necessarily that of any of my colleagues in any club or organisatuion that I am a member of. It would be inappropriate to do so at this point in time until matters are fully discussed, tested and subsequently implemented. Such matters are handled at the SACU and ACU by appointed members of committees. If changes do take place to not only the licencing system but other matters, then they will be communicated to club officials by an official information release. There is a lot of items under review in motorcycle sport at the moment, not just trials and not just in Scotland. Big John

At the moment, SACU licences don't apply to AMCA events (or vice versa). The trial at Gifford is not an SACU event, it's run under the AMCA. I believe the SACU are currently reviewing the licencing system, but if there are any changes it will be notified to affiliated clubs before the end of the year. SACU licences run until 31st January each year. Big John

There used to be a club called Hawick and Border, but that has been inactive in recent years. However Tweed Valley still exist! Big John

Woah there, that very "OBSERVER" you mention t-shock, is a regular "OBSERVER" at the SSDT for years, he puts a lot into trials, believe it or not. I was also there at the section in Glen Nevis and it was Ahvala's minder/brother that was acting aggressively to the observer by goading him! The "OBSERVER" actually tried to subdue said Ahvala but trying to get him pinned down on the ground. As a further point, considering that my friend the "OBSERVER" is usually as tame as a pussy cat, but he certainly isn't the sort of bloke one would consider goading at all...he's a big and heavy guy! My advice..never take him on, you WILL come off worst! Big John (OBSERVER's name withheld for obvious reasons!)

Well it's not the ACU's problem then, but I'm sure the AMCA will have similar disciplinary proceedures as it is bad for the sport, whoever is the governing body! Big John

Yes Girvans was Jimmy's restaurant Big John

Careful people, if you name and shame on here and subsequently the Clerk of the Course decides to take action it would been deemed subjudice and the ACU (or equivalent) may be unable to take action as the case would have been in the public domain prior to any disciplinary hearing by the ACU (or equivalent). It's all very well being judge & jury on an open website such as TC, but if the plaintiff was aware of all this discussion on here and he/she was to be named on here, then he/she would have printed it all out by now as part of his defense! I'm not of course condoning any such actions as it definately brings our sport into disrepute! Big John

Thanks to this blasted new fangled website, I couldn't even find my messages, found them and its clear now! Try again! Big John

ATF is OK for primary drive 300cc. I'll try to reply to your PM as soon as possible, been a bit busy recently! Big John

The other one was a four-stroke BSA motor, probably C15 I think. Definately have a photo of BAB 6H. Big John

Yes I have every copy since 1946, PM me with your requirements, I will be able to check it out for you! Big John

I have one here! Try Dave Renham at Bultaco UK, I'm sure he does copies at a reasonable price! Big John

I wouldn't say the Model 91 or 92 (325) was a particularly rare model! I have one of them and spares are not really a problem, except for maybe a genuine useable tank seat unit nowadays. Big John

BAB 6H was (from memory) the Bantam engined bike ridden in the 1970 SSDT? I certainly have a photo of it in an album somewhere, taken at the Gorgie Cattle Market on the Sunday late afternoon after it had being weighed in. It is being given the "once Over" by Puch rider, Walther Luft from Austria. It doesn't show the whole bike, but it does show the top of the motor upwards and the reg number clearly. PM me if you want to see the photo? Big John