big john

Hi Fulmine, Are you referring to the OKO brand carb by any chance? I have ridden a model 199A Bultaco in Spain (courtesy of Mr Greeves) which was fitted with an OKO carb, it performed very well indeed, much cleaner carburettion than the standard BING set up. Big John

It all depends what weight you are and how coil bound are the springs (assuming they are originals). You could try increasing the quantity of oil by say 20cc each leg, as the fork oil weight, if it is SAE 10, is about right. Big John

Many thanks for the link Sting32, very interesting! Big John

You sure did! I wanted those.. Big John

32 YG would fit the story nicely as Tom Ellis had a shop in Ripon, Yorks; he had factory connections and "YG" was a Yorkshire number, being West Riding of Yorkshire, latterly Leeds. Big John

I know where there is one of those green framed Ossas with all the lights and stuff still on it! No..... I don't have one and it's in original used condition, not bad nick I would say. Big John

Bless him, just look at that smile he's got on. I've never seen him so happy.... well not since I bought his Bulto off him anyway! He looks like a kid on Christmas morning doesn't he? Big John

Hi Not Ron, In answer to your question, I don't know. I could try to find out of course. Is that similar to a mousse in any way? I personally have not seen these fitted, interesting one! The Pre65 tyre problem has arisen purely from the tyre manufacturers making a commercial decision to cease tube type cover production and to have old bikes fitted with Cota type rear wheels I guess the organisers are trying to avoid. Big John

"Tubeless tyres fitted with a tube on a tubeless rim MUST BE DECLARED and maybe checked. Inner tubes must be fitted - NO 'O' RINGS to be fitted. Hubs to be Pre-65 design only. No Bultaco, Fantic, Ossa Yamha, etc. No twin-leading shoe brakes" The rationale is simple, Dunlop and Michelin have ceased production of tube-type trials tyres, there will be no more, that effectively leaves Mitas and IRC as the sole manufacturer. The bikes used before 1965 did not have tubeless tyres or tubeless rims, so the Scottish does not allow a tubeless arrangement. On another front, there will be spot checks on machines during the event - penalty will be harsh, EXCLUSION, I would take that as a very serious warning guys, the organisers are obviously getting fed up with cheating!!! Don't think about switching on to your spare trick wheels during the event, you never know where cameras are picking you off!!! Big John

Stig Karlson is a great rider and a good inventor. Well I remember him riding his Matchless special against the bikes of the day... & that Honda has me weak at the knees Mark! Big John

You know you want it!...Life is short Big John

That's a good point Brian, the compression plate did look a bit on the thick side of things. Having read a bit more of the comments in Sandham's book it does elude to a lengthened stroke! Big John

That depends firstly on what model you have as Sherpas came with different diameter spindles. Give Bultaco UK a call on 01784 440033. Dave renham is the man to ask. (I am assuming that you are based in the UK?) Big John

I had a look and I must admit the bikes looked similar down to the Gonelli front mudguard! There is some minor details of the Fraser Honda in Tommy Sandham's book: Four Stroke Finale? - The Honda Trials Story, jointly written with John Dickinson of Trials & Motocross News, on page 67 with a photo of a 305cc version. Hubs and front forks are standard TL250 as is the tank obviously resprayed. Produced by David Fraser Products of Reddich (ties in with what Trickymicky said above) for sale at

I don't possess a Fraser Honda, but I do have a 305cc Honda TL motor in a special frame. That looks like a "compression plate" at the base of the cylinder to soften down the motor i.e. reduce the compression ratio. I would imagine there are still a few Fraser Hondas out there also see Brian Robison's website as there are a few photos on there http://metalmarkers.tripod.com/hondatrials/ Big John

I knew there was a fourth issue eminating from the North East! I received a couple of discs through the post the other day, fortunately it was from my friend R2WTrials and they didn't have any addresses or bank details on them either! big John

Why is everything eminating from the North East at the moment? The Canoeist drama; The Labour Party cash from Mr Abrahams; a run on a North East based bank that I'm not allowed to mention by name! Big John

It's...different, I suppose! Big John

You haven't changed a bit Mark! Big John

No, I had to get new brackets welded on to accommodate a set of Hebos. Big John

Gizza 5, I don't mind you saying the Fantic 200 was better than a Bultaco, good little bike, never had one myself but had a go on one or two! Great story, heard some of it from you before of course, but more than happy to hear some again! It's a matter of choice and I think calling it a day is the time honored thing to do, a very good innings 24 or so, very well done indeed. As for going up there, I would suggest a man of your experience would be much better utilised as an Observer, one of those indespensible souls who keep the event running (without them there would be no SSDT!) Think about it, the trial is good to watch, but as a competitor I think you might get fed up standing at the side-lines, I'm sure there would be a berth on the observers bench for you! Big John (see you up there anyway mate!)

Interesting topic! I actually have an ex-Dabster 340 with an extended clutch lever (right Dabster?). It is fairly silky smooth... however... In the days when guys rode 325 Sherpas every weekend, they didn't use the clutch much, just to put her into bottom gear to take off or change gear on the move! If you get it down to "easy with two fingers" lightness, that should be enough, you shouldn't really need the clutch at all. "Clutching" a bike is a modern technique it all came about when the Mono bikes came on the scene around 1984/85. When I rode the Carlos Bosch "370 Sherpa" at Robregordo, I rarely touched the clutch lever all the two days, honest! See that left hand?...just grip the left hand side of the handlebars with it! Big John

I think you might be correct there Baldilocks I thought it was Burgat's sister he married. I am sure he will be riding at the Madrid Sotobike Club's Robregordo Classic Trial 24/25 May 2008. Hopefully on a nice Bultaco Sherpa! Big John