john b

Cheap and cheerful - umbro football shinpads pushed up to just below the knee. Great for the top of the boot to the knee - saved my shins lots of times, unfortunately no good for knees tho ! Cheers John

Hi there Simple question - what's the easiest was to wire a kill button my my Sprite 250 (Villiers 32A engine ) ? - currently nothing at all fitted cheers John

Thanks Guys !

Hi there As the question says ! I've got a sprite with 37a engine and my son has a James with 8e engine Is modern 2 stroke ok ? If so what ratio Cheers John

Hi there I would have been just in front or behind him during the trial - doing worse than him ! Lots of people stop and talk to him He did have a really good ride on it - first time out and he loves it! Cheers John

First out first win for the little Honda....against adults, and yes he beat me !....and 10th overall in the whole trial!

Father and Son Team Hondas ready to go for the trial tomorrow - first trial for the little TLM 50 ! cheers John

Rang villiers services this morning and it appears that it is only the need to adjust the clutch push rod to take up the float (albeit there appears to be a lot of float .... but it is 60 years old...) Apparently there is an internal adjuster if you take the dust cover off on the kickstart side of the engine. Ill keep you posted.... Cheers John

In sure they are The shaft that the gearbox mounts on is fine, its the inner shaft (that runs through that one) which has the lateral (in-out) movement cheers John

The play is on the inner clutch centre (indicated yellow ) - around 3mm movement cheers John

Hi there Following on from my previous topic on gearbox sprocket.... I got a 13T sprocket off Villiers services to replace my 17T with and at the same time decided to change the cork clutch plates for ferrodo. Sent my plates away for exchange, everything arrived - all good..... Disassembly, went OK, everything removed etc fitted 13T gearbox sprocket Reassembly ..... problem.... There is now about 3-4mm lateral play on the splined shaft that the clutch fits on, therefore when the clutch is re- assembled the clutch actuator simply pushes the entire clutch assembly out rather that pushing the pressure plate out against the springs ??? Any idea what could have gone wrong ? cheers John

Hi Deryk Took your advice and subscribed - an excellent magazine ! Many thanks John

Thanks Much appreciated Cheers John

Hi there Anyone have any idea of where I can get a set of fork seals for my late 60's sprite 250 i'm rebuilding ? The only number I can find on the seal is NC0866 but google doesn't help Many thanks John

Thanks for the photo! Definitely looks very similar to mine, and any other photos appreciated Cheers John

Thanks Trev I spoke to villiers services who were very helpful. In the first instance im going to try a 14t front sprocket (on the bike is a 17t) While im doing this i'll check the clutch out. Thanks for the advice, and im sure you will see me and my son out and about on classic and twinshock trials this year Cheers John

Thanks for the reply I'm a pre 65 newcomer so may well be (anything post 1980 I'm ok on !) It was sold as a converted captain - it has v5 but was first registered a couple of years ago. Any advice on it welcome ! (Another photo below) Cheers John

Many thanks for the reply I think that's how I was riding (and my son riding) after a while today. I said leave the clutch completely alone - it will pull on tick over, and even if you wind the throttle on hard, its not like a modern bike and wont leap out of your hands. It seems a nice little bike to ride (1955 James Captain) - its very small and light, and like I said the power delivery surprised me (almost 4 stroke - will pull from nothing). I may get a new bigger tooth back sprocket for it, or just let Chris get used to riding it as it. thanks again John

Many thanks for the replies I think bigger rear wheel sprocket may be the way to go based upon the replies I was surprised at how well it pulls from tickover with no clutch anyway (almost 4 stroke like!) so may just be a case of getting used to it. My son (nearly 13) will be riding it in VMCC trials this year (as well as his TLM50 in twinshock trials - see below) .....looking forward to 2015 ! Ill be getting beaten by him on my TLR200 and Sprite ! cheers and Happy new year to everyone John

Hi there Apologies for what might seem like an obvious question, but I'm new to Villiers engines ! I want to change the gearbox sprocket on my 8E engine to lower first gear - first glance doesn't look as easy as it is on all the other bikes I have - just thought I would ask advice before I start cheers John

Depending upon numbers then some clubs will put conducted route on (separate from main trial). I know Consett/Stanley used to (I used to help run them) but depends upon numbers. Invariably what happens is after a year the kids progress to main route, and if there is no one behind then the conducted trials stop. It is a great introduction tho. I guess if you could muster up some numbers and then ask ? Richmond definitely do conducted which are very good. Ted has ran them for years and continues, and again they are an excellent introduction. Hope this helps cheers John

Thanks for the prompt replies guys ! thanks John

Quick Question... Rebuilding a TX250 (125cc) two bolts on the underside of engine - is the centre one the sump plug and the other to hold kick-start spring ? cheers John

Good luck, and a great looking bike, no doubt the upper end of the trials market will flock to buy.....but flock to by a very very niche market. Completely agree that every step forward is indeed a step forward, and occasionally a game-changer will come (discs/monoshock ......ECU mapping ....maybe not..... ???) All of the developments in some way filter down to the layman is great - and to have a new trials model, British influence is fantastic ! (please find a UK rider ...........) Bring on Vertigo to the masses of trials.... BUT ........ I would say 99% of trials riders would like a brand new clubman bike ...............<£4K, reliable, easy maintenance (ride/wash/lube/2 hr maintenance/put away/spend time with family/ride..........repeat from step 2.....) Not to hijack thread tho.........so good luck, great bike, and great development (which needs a WTC British rider !) cheers John

And the finished result is.........