Prototype Posted May 2, 2016 Report Share Posted May 2, 2016 (edited) @blic Quite true . We need plenty and afordable british bikes unfortunately which are not available anymore .. i wish we can re-manu facture complete engines again .. or may be get parts made cheap from india/china on same pattern.. Sorry this my view only. Just want to see them for next century i passionate about them since childhood regards Edited May 2, 2016 by bsa4life Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spen Posted May 2, 2016 Report Share Posted May 2, 2016 My take on it, for what it's worth, is that people want to ride the bikes they had or wanted but couldn't afford when they were younger. It's what I've found with my classic racing. In thirty years time there'll be 55 year olds buying what is now a new bike and riding in a classic trial. Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.......... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie prescott Posted May 2, 2016 Report Share Posted May 2, 2016 Hi Guy's. The age thing is not a problem. If you look most of the riders in the trial were Forty somethings. which is good because it means that most of them grew up when there fathers were still owners of the bikes we love. "Made In Britain". But they only ride in this one trial and for the rest of the year ride modern machines or do something else like perhaps a professional stunt man for instance, and only borrow a British bike for this one event. If we did not have clubs like the BMCA and a few more in Yorkshire ETC. the sport would be forgotten about until this time next year. Most of the best British bikes are just left in storage for there owners that have earn't a bob or two to look at them now and again . but they will never see the light of day again unless we have a simple class to encourage them back out into the playing field. History is a bore to most younger folk's, but most of then don't know what they are missing, until it is to late. Get out an Ariel HT and a Bultaco Sherpa and a Gas Gas. blast them up an hill and see which gets the most interest. Regards ~Oo> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 @blic Quite true . We need plenty and afordable british bikes unfortunately which are not available anymore .. i wish we can re-manu facture complete engines again .. or may be get parts made cheap from india/china on same pattern.. Sorry this my view only. Just want to see them for next century i passionate about them since childhood regards I know of several people who have used a Madras-built Enfield Bullet as an economical starting point......... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon v8 Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 I know of several people who have used a Madras-built Enfield Bullet as an economical starting point......... Quite, it would be far cheaper route than building an Ariel. The other big thing that is missing is the workshop skills to build and modify bikes. Without a decent workshop,lathe,welding kit and skills you are reliant on favours or paying someone who is already too busy to help... Even youngsters who work in the garage trade can be at a disadvantage, my son is doing an apprenticeship at a JLR main dealership.He complains bitterly that there is no "proper" kit there to repair or make anything.A single bench vise and one angle grinder, (For emergency use only) is all they have. So he couldn't do any "homers" there if he wanted to. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy m Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 Exactly Jon, trouble is as you know they are fitters now not really mechanics any more, more so with a main dealer ship. Fair play to your lad for pursuing the trade and seeing through it for what it is. He is best to get relevant paper work and move on . Car and bike trade is full of people who can plug in a gizmo and fault find. The argument goes on and on, no real metal work classes or lathes in schools etc etc . 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trialsrfun Posted May 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 In most cases no concept of a 7/16" or 3/4" spanner or any form of imperial measure. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 In most cases no concept of a 7/16" or 3/4" spanner or any form of imperial measure. Do you mean AF or Whitworth? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon v8 Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 Do you mean AF or Whitworth? Could be worse than that Deryk, one of the drawings we used where I did my apprenticeship had been modified many times over the years... There were imperial,metric,letter and number sizes to drill - all on a single casting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old trials fanatic Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 In most cases no concept of a 7/16" or 3/4" spanner or any form of imperial measure. we are getting quite a way off topic now but i was brought up on the myriad of thread forms used on British bikes. To be honest i always metricate all my bikes nowadays because all those British threads drive me mad as do the spanner sizes etc. Metric is much easier to work on plus stainless fasteners etc are "cheap as chips" compared to the exorbitant prices charged for those bloody awful British thread fasteners and as for bearings its a night mare. Agree if you havent got access to maching and welding facilities you havent got a cat in hells chance of building a Pre 65. Relying on specialists means the build could and probably will take years which is why the Draytons are so popular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie prescott Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 Hi Guy's. Hi OTF. Back in the eighties this was known as the "Kit Car syndrome". Mind you every other garage had one in, but not many were ever finished. Perhaps a Drayton is an easier option, and to be honest, Jim's grim look has turned into a smile. Regards ~Oo> 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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