big john

OK Guys, nice story, myth as they say, pity there were no old Jaguars languishing in the "barn". True story now... Anyone who goes to the SSDT will have heard of a place called Achallader, near Bridge of Orchy... The tenant farmer there for many years was a chap called Duncan Smith, a trials rider who had a particular love of Triumph twin trials bikes. He also liked Jaguars..in 1978 when I was riding the Scottish Experts & National trial (yes I was an expert in Scotland for a couple of seasons in my youth!) the trial took us up the back of the steading of the farm and I counted at least ten old Jaguars ranging from Mark 9 to 3.4 Mk2 variants lying in the field behing the steading! Just rotting away. I never found out what happened to them. Duncan was killed when a motorbike (road machine) ploughed into his car (a Rover 3.5 SD1) near Perth in about 1983/84. Duncan was killed instantly as was the rider of the bike. His name lives on at the Pre65 Scottish Trial (Duncan Smith Trophy). Second true story... The bike in the photo was left behind the Kings House Hotel for a couple of years, nobody wanted it...except perhaps my Old Man who had bought it from the works in 1957 and stupidly let it go in 1963! It was in a bit of a sorry state in 1973 when he bought it back from a chap in Ballachulish called Skiggs... the rest as they say is history... Big John (I'm the fetching character in the orange boiler suit - the other guy with the suit is Bill Lomas, former World Road Race Champion!)

Big John

That's some barn find! No Jaguars though! Big John

In fact there was a whole 5 man team from Scotland, managed by Robbie Allan entered, including the Buchan brothers (sons of Jimmy Buchan the Manx GP winner from the fifties). I think Patsy Quick was also involved in the effort. I know Iain Shankie would have been very active in the promotion of the Scottish team and was last seen pushing his bike to the scrutineers area wearing a kilt, looking extremely happy! However, due to the cancellation he, like his fellow Scots will be very disappointed at this. The risks leveled at the event must have been significant to call the event off. There was no doubt that there was "evil" afoot! The Dakar is a very expensive event to compete in, you are talking thousands of

Let us know if you trace him? Big John

1973 SSDT: Rider Number: 49 Rider: R J Moor Entrant: Suzuki GB Ltd Club: Sutton Falcons Machine: Suzuki 118cc ...Other than that it's over to club members of the Sutton Falcons... Big John

My son has used Jitsie filters in his 2006 Scorpa with no problems. However the overall waterproofing/sealing of the airbox on the Scorpa is not the best in my opinion! Big John

Your avitar looks familiar GJbiker! Is that a section at Bon Accord's Lumsden venue by any chance? Big John

Hi aitchie, Let me explain a little... "Bonaigua" is a trials enthusiast from Spain, the posting of those photos from Mr. Greeves was merely for the enjoyment of trials fans reading the classic section here on Trials Central. I have had a look at your website mentioned above and there is some very interesting old photos there predominately of North Eastern riders in a variety of motorcycle sports, many of whom I know personally. Definately worth a look Ron I agree. I even see a photo of Baldilocks' father in there too... http://www.classicmotorcyclesport.co.uk My Spanish friends meant no harm by their posting and I am sure they would have given credit to your website, which is now known thanks to the original posting. best wishes, Big John

Big John

What good would that do? There are Scots trials riders who do not get through the ballot! Being a Scotsman does not guarantee a ride at the Pre65 Scottish. Sure I admit I am a Scotsman born and bred, I'm 50 years of age now (born 1957 when Johnny Brittain won the Scottish) and I admit that I certainly did not ride a 350 Matchless in the SSDT in the 1960's, I was still at primary school then! Also, just a point... it's the bike that should be genuinely Pre-65 not the rider.... And finally, point to make on the great idea "to observe at the trial to ensure a ride in 2009", now let me see... the event is usually 100% over subscribed which means 180 unfortunate declined entries...30 sections per day need say 1 observer per section that's 30 observers per day... 180 declines willing to observe, that oversubscribes the observers by 600% ... Question: do the organisers have an "observers ballot" this year as well then? Just a thought! Big John

My real name is actually John and I suppose I am big at 6 foot tall and 217 pounds(?? I need to go on a diet!), not the biggest John in the world I guess!!! Some folks called me Big John after I left school.... I do get asked now and then at some trials "are you Big John?" by folks I don't know. Big John

Bultaco Sherpa 325/340 bikes: Model 199 has silver frame, red tank, mudguards and side panels, semi-matt black engine, fronk fork sliders; polished alu triple clamps and wheel hubs with brake area in matt black; chromed front mudguard stays. Model 199-A has blue frame, tank, side panels, mudguards, semi-matt engine; wheel hubs and front fork sliders; polished alu triple clamps, chromed front mudguard stays. Model 199-B has white frame and swing arm; Blue tank and side panels, semi matt black engine and wheel hubs, blue painted triple clamps and fork sliders and front mudguard stays. Hope this helps. Big John

So by deduction, you must indeed be Roger Holden, one time importer of Ossa (hence: Ossa Moto UK!) after Alan Kimber and Peter Fletcher who at one time did import Ossa to this country. Big John

That couldn't have been me, surely? Big John

Hi Roger, According to the information in my possession, it was probably the 1930 TT winning model of the Rudge ridden by Graham Walker, father of Murray Walker. 17 inch model trophy. Did your father win the trophy as a best first timer at the SSDT in 1939 and what was his surname? Winner of the trial in 1939 was Allan Jefferies. Big John

There you go! Big John

It could be the problem, sounds like it is burning some oil. Is that bike the ex-Conny Gustavsson RTL which was modified by Nigel Birkett with Gas Gas brakes? The head & cylider base gaskets are still available, try Lewisport USA website for starters. If no success PM me a message and I'll see what I can find out. Big John

Fantastic! Big John

Merry Christmas to all in TC land! From: Big John

Thanks for the feedback guys, if you take as an example John Hulmes' excellent books on Twinshock trials bikes (volumes 1 & 2) they sell for around the

Affiliated to whom, may I ask? Big John

Four Stroke Finale - The Honda Trials Story is a very sought after book now that it is no longer available (out of print for many years) It's the old saying of willing seller and willing buyer. However, I have been in contact with the author Tommy Sandham this week who has indeed been watching this item on e-bay himself. Tommy can supply an e-book version and is now wondering if the time is ripe to reprint the book perhaps with a few updates maybe taking the story on to the Honda RTLF or Montesa Cota 4RT as most of us know it? Would this be a sellable book? Obviously it would be priced more reasonably than

Fantastic Tim, some really neat photos there. Great riders too! Big John

Fork springs, like any component of a motorcycle, suffer from wear and tear over time. The spring starts to slowly compress and not return to normal length after prolonged use. This in effect shortens the overall length and serviceability of the spring and it stops doing its job efficiently.... In other words knackered! You can sometimes pull the spring back to length by getting a friend to grab the opposite end from you and pull against each other, however it is a matter of a short time until it "sags" again. Regards Big John