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Just had confirmation regarding the helmet legality issue.. Apparently helmets need to conform to ECE 22-05 , should be stamped or marked on the inside somewhere.. If this doesn t make sense or poses a question let me know. I have seen them get arsey and turn riders away in previous years so its best sorted out before anybody heads across the channel.. Lights on previous years have never had to work, so I don t see that changing now .

The entries will open for the VTC Classic from the 14 th July, Remember those wanting to ride, bikes must be road legal and you will have to provide doc's . Lights must be fitted... mountain bike / handle bar mounted will not be excepted. Helmets will be checked and from memory have to be less than three or five years old with a makers stamp etc, I will confirm the exact period in the coming days as I will check the exact regulation regarding this. Hope that helps Bon soiree..

There's a word for people who like doing that ......

Pre 65 bikes have always evolved, and from memory this evolution really took off in the early nineties around the time if memory again is correct, corresponded in the heady entries for classic trials including the Sammy miller rounds. Sadly even at this time there were condescending comments aimed at new builds that did not fit the criteria of what people at the time considered to be correct and more often than not modified Ariels took more flack than others. The S.M trials while very good, catered for the old school unmodified bikes and not for the new breed arriving and low scores meant that sometimes the trial was won or lost on a dab. This discouraged the more competitive rider and bike leaving it to the bikes that enjoyed this format. No problem horses for courses... if you know what I mean. Nowadays all the old boys I know with a beard and a shed at the end of the garden are building light weight bikes, where as twenty years ago they were trying to make a Royal Enfield competitive as well as juggling a job and family. More time, perhaps money and a better equipped shed , means they can have a bike now, that if they it drop, they can a least pickup without wearing truss. Twinshock remains cheap trialing, for the time being and in my view age related classes are the way to go . The Spanish have it right with the pre 75,pre 78 pre 80 and the rest... bikes are breathed on but remain in the spirit of the classes.. I have no idea how you rein in the current pre 65 scene if in fact it needs it.. My view is those old bikes of yesteryear will remain in the sheds or used purely to get the sunday papers.

Pre 65 bikes have always evolved, and from memory this evolution really took off in the early nineties around the time if memory again is correct, corresponded in the heady entries for classic trials including the Sammy miller rounds. Sadly even at this time there were condescending comments aimed at new builds that did not fit the criteria of what people at the time considered to be correct and more often than not modified Ariels took more flack than others. The S.M trials while very good, catered for the old school unmodified bikes and not for the new breed arriving and low scores meant that sometimes the trial was won or lost on a dab. This discouraged the more competitive rider and bike leaving it to the bikes that enjoyed this format. No problem horses for courses... if you know what I mean. Nowadays all the old boys I know with a beard and a shed at the end of the garden are building light weight bikes, where as twenty years ago they were trying to make a Royal Enfield competitive as well as juggling a job and family. More time, perhaps money and a better equipped shed , means they can have a bike now, that if they it drop, they can a least pickup without wearing truss. Twinshock remains cheap trialing, for the time being and in my view age related classes are the way to go . The Spanish have it right with the pre 75,pre 78 pre 80 and the rest... bikes are breathed on but remain in the spirit of the classes.. I have no idea how you rein in the current pre 65 scene if in fact it needs it.. My view is those old bikes of yesteryear will remain in the sheds or used purely to get the sunday papers.

Ty 175 to start with, no better bike to start trialing on... many on here did it many moons ago . Then when you have got the hang of it a little maybe the SWM.

I had the pleasure of chatting to Jaime at a trial in classic trial in Spain, , charming, interesting, a real pleasure to speak with, from the Golden era of trials.. Great interview.

Only just...

Thanks for the replies, when we get it started this week, currently void of sparks , we can make a judgement on its running. It has a working speedo and has covered a mere 3000kms in its lifetime if its to be believed, so hopefully not to worn.

I have just bought a very original 1974/75 434 Ty and whilst it has a few little jobs to be done, the carb is one issue. Is it worth trying to resurrect the original TK carb or is it as people in the day seemed to agree , just get the correct Mikuni. What was wrong with the original, Yamaha even then, didn t seem to get it wrong. Thanks

I think take the bikes by all means , but riding a trial as fifteen year olds may prove difficult. Its all to do with a licence, insurance all of which I think will prove to tedious if not impossible to arrange. Next year come down to the Dordogne where the sun shines a little more than Calais and the sections will give you something to really think about. Bon chance

Just had a phone call from this company stating they now cannot do the job for the price they quoted and want even more.... lots of work involved ... only a kickstart and a set of painted mudguard stays to strip . Sadly the SWM wont get the blinged up , but the money saved can go on a set of mudguards and electronic ignition for the TY that recently , crept unseen into the barn one dark night..

Anybody looking to do a very good classic trial should consider the Joel Correy organised trial at Arbercy 22--23 August. Two day trial, 60 sections and around 25 miles of interzone. Meals and rock band organised for the Saturday night. There will be four routes ( Three usually for pre 65 ) and having done this trial before its excellent. Contact Joel at Trail 70 Vesoul for further details and entries ..

Thanks for the replies, I have today sent a polite email explaining the fact its a little pricey and I am awaiting a reply. I have rather,, and this is a French word, bolloxed myself as they have already got the bits in their hands, having lived up to a rather apt nickname of Haisty... and not had a verbal quote before they left this side of the channel, after thinking it wont the that expensive.....

Would any restorers give me a little guidance on a quote I have received for some chroming works from a company based in the UK. I wanted a set of swm mudguard stays and kickstart shaft chromed and have received a quote of stg 345 plus vat.. Owing to the fact I had some fork legs chromed last year for around 175 I thought this a tad excessive... or does this seem the going rate.. Thanks

This subject reminds me of a saying that always tickles me...Just because a dog is born in a stable, doesn t make it an horse....

Great, I will try and get organized as well, although its a round trip of around 2400 kms for me....I have to convince my wife to spend 12 hours in the van apposed to a cheap flight with an SWM as hand luggage... Seriously will have a look at the dates and do my best, even if I turn up and watch..

Thanks for the reply, thats exactly the plan will just have to see what wins electronic ignition or brakes...

I have been toying with the idea of buying a bike around the 1974/75 age to fill a gap in my mini collection, and the Ossa Mar and the Ty 250, 434 are on the hit list. Although its going to be bought to trundle down to the Patisserie/ Boulanger on a Sunny morning here in the Dordogne, it might get some use in the sections. I agree the ossa is a sometimes forgotten gem , but then so is the Yam... thoughts.

The looping out of the sections and or not adhereing to the imaginary line between markers is my pet hate... that is something the Frenchies love doing and see little wrong in it...

I wasn t going to put my two euro's worth in ,but would like to correct the last but one post on Europe. Pre 65 bikes are very few and far between in all but a few trials, both here and in France and Spain. The one's I have seen riding are pretty well within the spirit of the class with only one or two being more Fantic than triumph, but in these cases the riders if I recall correctly, ride them in twinshock classes. Twinshock again are usually only lightly modded although word is spreading via the internet and modifications more akin to you would find in the Uk are being fabricated / copied this side of the channel. Only in the Uk would someone have the brass neck to call it a pre 65 and I hope someone else has the broad shoulders to say its not welcome unless on a no award basis.. two euros worth..

Great, Sleen is closer to Gronigan so that might do the trick... I will make some enquires and see if we can sort it out. Thanks for your help

Just had another look and found the kalendar, seems there are two that might work.. Apeldorn and or sleen anybody on here point my into which might be the better choice. Thanks

Great thanks for that, could really understand much as my Dutch is about as good as my spannering skills... anyway is there any trials on in April of note that I could perhaps take in on either my Ariel or Swm as we are planning on visiting my son in Gronigan sometime then.. Thanks

Hi While we are talking about this neck of the woods... Are there any trials in the Netherlands of note, bearing in mind the landscape.