big john

I take back all I said in earlier posts then, there is a list after all! Big John

Woody, I think you will find that is a story! With the event being 100% oversubscribed, the organisers don't need to do that nor do they have the time! Big John

Did you make a fuel tank and side panel mould for the mod.49? Big John

Ross, You are riding, the e-mails are for observers you daft bugger! Big John

Good to hear you are back doing a job at the Pre65 Scottish Slapper! I heard my lad has got a job at the Pre65 this year (he's not riding) he's apparently been detailed to sweep the road this year, someone has got to do it! Funny how folks usually decline that one in favour of a blast over the hills on a bike!!! Big John

I am not the Trials Central Pre65 Scottish Public Relations Officer! I am however, at the time of writing this, the official spokesman/public relations officer for the Inverness & District MCC (am I right idmcc sec?) Hope that clarifies matters Gentlemen. Big John

Sorry Frenchie, you are incorrect there! I merely express my personal opinion on here, read the bottom of my avatar! I was, however, defending a couple of my personal friends who managed to get a ride at this years Pre65 Scottish, Vic and Robbie Allan who jointly and separately have done a hell of a lot to promote the sport of motorcycling throughout the world, not just the UK or Scotland for that matter! Both have inspired youngsters for many decades not only to compete in moto-cross but trials as well! Vic Allan: (Double Scottish Champion; Double British Champion); ISDT Gold Medalist & road racer! Robbie Allan: Trials Rider; Motocross rider; Grass tracker; Manx GP & TT rider; SSDT rider Motorcycle Show promoter; current vice president SACU & at aged 65 the oldest competitor in the Dakar! Top class Scots! Big John

Well deserved, but it should have been a knighthood, that would have been good for the sport of trials! Big John

Vic has a Dot now and Robbie has various Greeves trials bikes, including one that was used by Dave Bickers over the winter months when he rode for Thundersley. Robbie has been riding trials since 1955! (Robbie has ridden the SSDT twice I think) and Vic usually had a Sherpa courtesy of Comerfords in the 70's when he was contracted to ride Pursangs in MX. I have ridden trials with them both (in fact all three of the Allans including Jim the eldest brother) over the years up here in Scotland. Vic's first Scottish Scrambles Championship (the double in fact 1965) was won on a Dot hence his choice of pre-65 machine now. Both Vic and Robbie have ridden the Pre-65 Scottish previously, they are not first timers! Last time Vic entered he rode Bob Pearson's Triumph/Greeves twin. Big John

Strewth Ross, you've put on a bit of weight lad! Big John

There is no such entry list, either public or private, only the trial organisers hold a current entry list. Then there is a list of reservists so that if someone can't ride for whatever reason then the reserve list is brought into being. I understand that those who have been accepted have now received a letter of entry confirmation, the competitor has until Friday 27th February to accept and provide full details of their licence and pay the full entry fee. Those that are on the reserve list have a different letter and if someone drops out, then they may get a reserve ride. Then you have those who have a letter and are not on the reserve list and they have no chance! That's how I understand it. No list is ever released except to the motorcycle press, just prior to the event taking place. The full list appears in the official programme for sale at the start. Oh and before the rumour mongers get started, I do not have nor am I privy to such a list. Individuals choose to tell me if they got a ride or not! So far, I personally know of 3 Scots riders that were unsuccessful! Big John

Just heard today from Vic Allan, he's riding number 3 and his brother Robbie (Bon Accord) is no. 1 this year! Big John

See, I told you Clive had all the inside lines covered! Big John

What a cheeky chappie you are Slapshot, right enough! Happy New Year to all. Big John (Today's Birthday Boy!)

I'm actually surprised there hasn't been more folk on complaining that they didn't get a entry accepted, maybe the Pre65 scene is mellowing after all! ....or have I spoke too soon? Big John (New Years resolution, I must not try to be a Troll!)

Don't listen to that Slapshot chap, he's out to make mischief! My pal Chris Haigh is riding number 68, so you will be pretty close to him, he's on a Velocette. Of course, John Wright, Motorite Comp Shop once upon a time business partner with Vic Allan (well known Scotsman) Hook Road, Surbiton, Surrey. The very place where I bought a pair of 'Big John' Fenman boots, made by Maurice Arden if my memory serves me correctly! As it's a rigid, then you should speak to Clive Dobson, he's the rigid specialist and rides a 500T, a man's machine! Big John

Wait to you guys see my totally eligible 325cc BSA Bantam that I am riding! I've even slipped one of those gardner flat slide carbs inside a genuine Amal Concentric outer casing just to get past the more stringent scruitineers tests in May. I heard they may even be asking the winner to strip his motor down and have it measured on the finish line after the event! Oh yes and I can safely boast that all my bikes are bought and paid for, I only ever touch my credit card when it's Wee Jean's birthday!!! Smug or what? Mind you with the amount of companies going down the tubes nowadays, I don't think I'll pay for anything unless it's on the card, that way you have half a chance of getting your dosh back! Happy New Year everyone! Big John Oh and if anyone wants one, I'm taking orders for replicas now at the very competitive price of

Well it's actually around 325cc to be honest. The barrel is taken from a Bultaco Sherpa but I've had the fins machined down to resemble the Bantam profile and painted black to make it look like iron, head is the same a mate has re-profiled the fins to look like a Bantam. Bottom end is rejigged and I have retained a four speed gearbox. Third gear is quite high for the tracks. It will have the tongues wagging, but there again, maybe no-one will notice! They will all be too busy criticising the bright red colour to notice the hydraulic clutch, fiddle forks and the switch for the digital ignition re-map! Plus I'm using rubber balls in the rear tyre this time instead of a tube! Apparently the top riders experimented with that set up back in 1952/53 according to a guy I spoke to in the pub, so it must all contribute to the genuine Pre-65 spirit! Big John PS: as announced on a separate thread on this website, replicas being made, orders taken now at

Strewth! I bet it would be more than his 'Nikon' that would be active if he saw that riding gear in action! Big John

Curses, foiled again! It's actually a 350cc BSA Bantam, Post Office Telegram bike I've got and entry with in the Pre-65! Apparently Jeff Smith and Bill Nicholson secretly tested a 350cc Bantam in January 1959 with the view to making it into a big bore two-stroke trials machine. I have had one specially built using a disguised Husqvarna motor tuned down with programmable ignition and had the frame and cycle parts painted Pillar Box Red especially for this event, should raise quite a few eyebrows methinks! Big John

Yes I got in, but David isn't riding next year. And before anyone asks, the answer is no, they cannot borrow his Cub! And the answer is no, I'm not riding a 350cc Matchless, I'm riding something different...still a 350 but a totally different make of machine! Big John (Number 132)

My 1959 350cc Matchless has such a facility already fitted as standard! It's called an advance/retard cable! Run directly to the Lucas Competition magneto...ingenious! Big John

Are you riding the 500T that was ridden by someone in the Scottish way back in the late forties? Good luck to you, you will need it! Mind you if Munch is back marking, he's a solid guy! Big John

Well, I didn't get a tax demand on Christmas Eve, but I'm sure my good friend Alistair Darling is working on it! Big John

No Vinnie, that was for May 2008 not 2009! Big John