big john

Absolutely correct and I have only run it for 5 hours! I still have it wrapped up and put to one side. I didn't wish to "name and shame" the brand having owned 8 2T Shercos in succession before the 4T, but seeing you have "outed me" publicly I can't and won't deny it, (see previous post elsewhere). I will never, ever buy a first edition of anything ever again, we live and learn! Big John (older and wiser!)

Now you are talking! Big John

Well, sort of! But it's silver, shiney, made in Germany got nice alloys and a 2.5l turbo diesel motor and a fair bit more trim than that Patmobile in the photo. Big John

I wasn't talking about my car, true it is a four-stroke and fuel injected! But it's winter up here now and I don't drive my car around at this time of year, I use ...something else! Big John

I did actually caveat my post and certainly didn't give the impression that it was completely factual and from a factory source! I'm not that easily rattled anyway! Big John

Don't be daft, I won't be buying any new Ossa trials bike thanks very much especially something that is as yet untested and unproven! When they have made a few and tested them to bits, then and only then, would I even consider buying one and certainly not well above the prices asked for the current level of models available to the punters! I might have a few motorcycles in the batcave, but I'm not totally wasteful with my cash! (Besides I know what I like and its four-stroke and well proven and suits me at my time of life!) Big John

Hmmm, are you having a go at me personally, I hope not! I was merely stating what I had heard "on the grapevine" from several people about the Montesa situation, notice I did state "I believe" I did not say I had a source in the factory or trade, although I do happen to know Miguel Cirrera quite well, but I have not spoken to him since May and I certainly did not discuss any of these matters with him. I was only replying on TC to an earlier post on what I had heard personally from several independent sources... and I think "Ham2" was having a laugh to be fair! Never mind, it will all be out in the wash one day no doubt. Big John (PS I'm 6 foot tall, but I am not a Rabbit!)

Now that's a good idea! Never thought of that! Big John

Well I know where to get new ones! Seriously interested, PM me for details. Big John

I look nothing like either of those guys, the other one I get taken for is the minister on Emmerdale! Hah! Big John (I want Ken Stott to play my life story!)

I have had this pointed out before! Big John

Congratulations to the Edinburgh & District Pre-65 committee in securing support from "Wines from Spain" for next year's Pre-65 Scottish Trial. It is getting more and more difficult to gain a financial committment these days from companies to support motorcycle sport. Without sponsorship would mean a higher cost for the competitors and restricted development of the event, so a big thank you to the sponsors! Big John

You could be right, I'm not sure, but last time I saw it on a blue Subaru, a pal of mine, (a serving police officer in a different force, was with me) and said if he had been on duty he would have pulled the vehicle over and booked it on the spot! Most of my private registrations are on motorcycles that were first registered as such and were not bought for the number but for what they were, motorcycles. I turned down a very good offer on a 350 AJS my Dad bought new in 1951, from a guy whose initials co-incided with the number. He actually offered me

If I get the chance of buying a brand new 2009 bike at the right price... I'll buy two of them! Big John

Absolutely right Andy, the spacing is the problem, also the Police are coming down harder and harder on incorrect spacing, it's not just the hassle factor, its becoming a fineable factor too, ouch! on vehicle registration number plates. Not for me, all my plates are legally spaced on my road vehicles! I don't have any need to do otherwise! Big John

It's actually E3 ETA, made to look like BETA, I have seen it on a Subaru car recently up my neck of the woods. The unfortunate thing is that if you "incorrectly space" a vehicle registration number it is an offense of course and you could be charged by the Police. 6 DAY need not be incorrectly spaced to have the effect desired! I cannot remember who owned that particular number and yes it appeared in the Fort William area every May at SSDT time, but I haven't seen it for many years now. I own a variety of historic and "personalised or Cherished" registrations, none of which are illegally spaced! But I don't own 6 DAY...admittedly I'd like to, but I wouldn't pay a lot of money for the priviledge! Big John PS. having read Andy's link, I actually know the seller of that number and would say that the price is probably right, not seriously over priced in fact!

Well have you been on the dark side of the moon recently? I'll bring you up to speed then shall I? All that follows comes under the caveat "So, I am led to believe!"... At present there is no official Montesa importer in the UK. Sandifords still carry a stock of parts for the 4RT but are now concentrating on Gas Gas and Husqvarna, have a look at their website for more information. There has been no announcement about the 4RT as a continuing model and if reports are to be believed, there is a stock of some many hundreds of 4RT Montesa at the Spanish factory unsold at this moment in time. According to many Spanish websites, it would appear that the future of the Montesa factory is in doubt and there have been demonstrations by Montesa employees in Spain in the last week or so. Hope this answers your question? Big John

Certainly not in "modern" times, I think perhaps Hugh Viney (AJS) won it post second world war at his first attempt. Big John

Well that is good news if there is an entry by Cabestany for the Scottish, but it will also prove that the WTC is just not selling as many bikes for the manufacturers as it once did... possibly a return to yesteryear when riders bought the bike that won the SSDT... and that went for Montesa, Ossa and Bultaco in the 1970's for starters! Maybe not a daft idea then, this return to Scotland? Big John

You can certainly ride with your ACU licence, we might surcharge you! We wont chase you away! Club trials once a month, maybe every three weeks, SACU dates are available if you PM me with your e-mail address I have all the dates here for you. Sounds like you should be a non-expert, whatever route you want to ride, be our guest. Speak to Dave MacKay and join the club! regards, Big John

UPDATE: I have received communication from ACU this morning (26.11.09) to say that the Lochaber round on 3rd October 2010 has been cancelled, the club have withdrawn their application and there will now be 6 rounds only in the ACU A/B championship. Big John

sent to "Turbo" by PM today! Big John

The tank has gone yellow due to the fuel effectively vapourising through the plastic! That is why yamaha genuine decals have a foil backing to stop the decals bubbling and peeling off. Not many Italjets around in one piece nowadays, most have been parted out as you call it states-side! The SWM looks neat! Big John

David Pye rode this year on a Fantic twinshock with disc brakes fitted front and rear, A reg, oldest bike in the event Big John

Unfortunately this would not be feasible..., for starters the rider having made a bona fide entry and makes up the final entry list, once the trial starts on the Monday morning at 07.30 hours, there can be no further rider substitutions, this would invalidate the event insurance and could render the organising club laible to any unfortunate mishaps involving the substituted competitor as it is in direct contravention of the ACU Trial Standing Regulation's and the National Sporting Code. Sorry, but it simply wouldn't be allowed within the SSDT event. The only option would be to have a totally separate event under a separate permit and it is not normal for there to be an issue of any trial permits in Scotland during the SSDT week. It is usually kept clear for the SSDT alone! Big John Edited: I do remember a year when about three guest riders were allowed to do the Monday run, but they had "entered" the event at the commencement, not part way through the event, just in case anybody says, "well what about the time they......"