big john

Schweizmeister and I had a long talk about "fiddle" Cubs at the weekend in fact! His brother was on a non-trick Cub at Kinlochleven on Sunday as well! We were discussing the heat eminating from the zener diode, proof that like my son's Cub there isn't even a PVL ignition fitted! Big John

No disrespect, but that about sums up "modern" Pre65 trialling...MONEY! Big John

I've made my way down to the Batcave and unearthed the 2006 Pre-65 Programme and number 95 shows Stephen Maxwell on a 249 Tiger Cub. Big John

Something like that. Lower Mamore is the sections at the foot of the hill, I always thought the top one was Upper Mamore, it's definately the second section as there is the tree that encroaches into the burn and that is just beyond the starts cards of the second sub. Big John

My sincere apologies, that's better I can see better now... It's Steven Maxwell from Newcastle (sorry I said Scott before) and I reckon it's 2006 because 2005 was p***ing rain! Definately Upper Mamore. Was the photo of that lovely man Mr. Rapley not supposed to be in the photo or what? Big John

The section is "Upper Mamore", just across the road from "Am Bodach", on the Mamore road high above Kinlochleven, it's some bloke on a Cub but I can't make him out because of the "Speaking" word overlay. ...the legs of some of the spectators look a bit iffy to me! Is it Scott Maxwell? It could be 2005, definately the Pre-65 Scottish Two-Day trial. Big John

To be honest I haven't checked the head angle! Once I find my tape measure, I'll let you know! It could be an Ex-Jonny Andersson bike, but unless I could check out the engine and frame number with him, I can't be 100% sure. As far as I'm concerned I would not be too bothered if it was not an Andersson bike, I always fancied a disc braked RTL, in fact I bought a complete rolling chassis less motor, just for "spares". However I still have a mind to put an RTL motor in it as it would be a shame to break the rolling bike up, wouldn't it? Big John

The late model disc braked RTL I bought from Conny may have originated in the USA, maybe one from the Spen Bly stable, but I'm not 100% certain of that. Conny bought it in Sweden. It certainly wasn't a UK supplied bike when new. I checked it out when I bought it and I registered the bike here in Scotland. Big John

Timp is correct there is an increasing number of bikes (Scorpa, Sherco etc) that use the AJP hub set up with a spacer that fits inside the inner race in fact overlapping both bearing inner races. I have discovered that RYP in the States do a special tool and I am currently awaiting full details of this item to come from Ryan Young. Anyone obtained and used the "Splatter Tool kit" yet? Big John

That's him! Big John

That has put me in the mood to unearth one of my RTL250's! It's in here somewhere... Big John

I knew it! There is still a source of Docherty style handlebar grips you know! I was hoping you had an old air-bottle with genuine pre-65 air inside. I suppose 1946 forearms are a viable alternative and therefore render the machine 100% authentic - PASSED! By the way can you grind down some thistles for me sometime Tony? Big John

I agree, this happens quite a lot with two-strokes that are not given a good hot run, the build up of lubricating oil gathers in the exhaust and then even a modest run on a track or trail gets the exhaust gasses very hot when the motor is pulling well and the lub simply gets hot enough to ignite, sometimes with spectacular results. I've seen bikes after a long climb sit for ages with blue smoke pouring from the end pipe long after the motor has been stalled! Big John

Here's a photo of my short stroke '64 AJS 16C before it was parted down. The frame has been done and a good friend is working on the motor, so I may have it back together sometime this year. Don't worry the yellow number plate is coming off, I'll use that on a 340 Bulto and the rims have been replaced already. Not sure wheteher to use a brand new (NOS) Jackson tank and do it in ivory white with the gold lining like the last model factory bikes as a tribute or leave it original black and gold, what do you think? Big John

Yes, but all those mods were achieveable without a great deal of money being spent and they were all done before 1965! Big John

Now this is what I call a real special! Ultra short stroke motor with various little touches to improve the bike, alloy engine plates, central oil tank, Greeves rubber rear number plate; cut & shut rear subframe etc etc. My old friend from Comerfords, Jock Wilson displays his 1962 16C, suitably reworked in Comerfords comp shop, nice one Jock! Big John

Think we have made some progress on the 250 DMW, supplied by Comerfords in 1962 and it was definately ridden by George Forbes of Aberdeen in the 1963 SSDT. As George Haley cannot post a picture, I will do the honours for him and show off his very smart and original DMW. It will no doubt bring back some memories for someone out in TC land! Big John

Correct! Big John

Oh yes Tony, forgot to ask, what air did you put in the tyres, did you use a Pre65 airbottle? If not, you may be banned! Big John

Indeed! The "stop and restart test" which tested brakes and clutch were working, at Blackford Hill Edinburgh on the Saturday. The very last thing before final scrutineering to check to see that the marking seals were intact! Big John

Roy Peplow 1961 SSDT He won in 1959 on the same bike! Big John

I wonder if Jimmy Aird of Scott Leathers could knock up a suit like that for my sheep? Big John

Now that's what I call a Pre65 Cub! Big John

Yes indeed, I went back to the first posting and you did say it smoked on start up. My B40 does exactly the same! If the piston rings were upside down fitted, the motor would continuously smoke, lifting the oil from the bottom end. Big John

Sounds good to me Munch! Make mine a shandy... Big John