2020 News Page 10 years of BSA Otter.Com

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2020

Welcome,

Benvenuto,

Bienvenido,

Bienvenue.

To BSA "Otter".Com.

And into a New Decade...

This is the machine that instigated the BSA Otter site...

Yes the Mk 1 Faber framed BSA G engined Otter,is what got me started on this journey...

The photo is of the bike when I first saw it at my brothers,

Lee said "Rich has got you a trials bike being as you are not too good it will give you something to do"...

He was right It did...

And since I set up this web site, this guy has been with me on the journey all the way from the first day...

Ian Ballard aboard his Foster framed BSA B40...

More Later....

Tough year everyone....

"Lets Get Through This"

______________________

30/12/2020...

With a terrible year and one we must all want to forget...

There have been a few that have shone through the "Dark days", and here is two of them...When the spirit is high you can reach for the sky....

"A thing of beauty".....

24/12/2020...

OK the good news that I have just recieved is that the

Covid test was NEGATIVE, so just a cold on-top of my Fibromyalgia...

Pages updated are the Ariel Pages...

take a look at GOV132 is Gon-e... and the others...

More Later...

Merry Christmas...

********

23/12/2020...

The Covid Test...

Picture this, late 2020.. a scene from Star-Wars,

I arrive at this location looking for conformation of my future ,

The military type presence looks a daunting sight, but I must proceed.

On arrival I am met by this military type presence, and after showing my papers and identification card of recognition I was ushered into the building, and directed by these military type characters into a small cubical, after showing my entry pass several times , then I am told by the female sergeant major , "a very nice girl," my first instructions ,and told to listen to every word.

I follow this trembling for all I am worth, but I am doing this for my country, and for the remains of the World as we know it.

"OPEN the bag ,and remove what is inside" ,I was told, "Now listen to what I say and don’t get it wrong… Remove your mask for this procedure and firstly ,sanitise your hands," ( I had done this three times already).

"Right read the instructions on the board. And try to follow them…

Take firstly the contents of the bag out, and lay them on the bench, now open the bag with the swab in it, but Don’t touch the cotton bud end…"

By this time I had settled into the presence of greater beings.

And actually felt quite relaxed after the tension of getting to this meeting.

Right we have got to the test…

“ Take the swab and without touching your tongue move the swab over the back of your throat both sides of your tonsils for five seconds on either side". I found it like trying to get days off school as a child by sticking both fingers down your throat to make you sick, so you could get a day off school.

I did have to try several times, as it did try to make me throw up.

After this ordeal all I had to do is follow instructions for the nose swab.

"What ever you do don’t touch the bud" she said.

"Right. Firstly push the swab up your nose until you feel the bone and it comes to a stop," “got that " I said..

“Now I am going to count to fifteen and during that time you need to twist the bud around without removing it”.

This was not so difficult as the back of the throat test but still left me short of breath and wanting to sneeze.

When the lady was shure I had completed the test ,I now had to open the phile and place the swab into the same, then was directed to break off the stem of the swab at the right place and lower it into the receptacle and then seal it.

Now this needed placing into the first sterile bag,and closing the zip lock. Then this bag had to be placed into the second sterile bag, and the difficult silver sealing strip removed to seal this. “We find it is better to pull this from the bottom" she said. It took me a while, but I got there in the end …” Now sanitise your hands again and put the waste paper towel you have blown your nose with into the waste bin behind you”… OK sanitise your hands again and then follow me”..

Is that it I thought, then she disappeared into the last booth on the left, and put on a pair of blue rubber gloves, Oh no I thought is there more …

The bag with the test in had to be placed through a masked window into a bin, after I had placed it against another glass window so she could take a photo of the code on it.

"That’s it", she said you can now leave by the door on the left to the car park after sanitising your hand once more...… And your results should be with you tomorrow.

"Thank you" I said "for being so proficient ", and passed along the line ..

Test results Later...

Merry Christmas...

21/12/2020...

Mike Waller "BSA C15T copy bike" rebuild page updated...

New Page Later...Now On...

Sammy Miller Hi-Boy framed TL Honda...

20/12/2020...

Well the end of the year does not get a lot better does it...

I my self have been suffering health problems for the past month and am confined to barracks so to speak.. And not been anywhere near the workshop.. And to be honest have not showed a lot of interest with the bikes I have at home...

I have been updating pages on this site, one or two a day...

And just looking for something I can find new for you over Christmas... All one day of it now...

I will spend the rest of the day seeing what I can find on the computer...

I hope you have a project to work on, or something to keep your mind active.

I spend a lot of time chilling to You-tube Narrow boat adventures, as the beauty along most tow paths is something in this country UK, that we have probably never even looked at ... I am hoping I can get fit enough by the spring to cycle a few of these paths if we can't do anything else?

Anyway like I say I will see if I can find a new page for you...

Take Care and please do Stay Safe...

16/12/2020...

Here is a good challenge for you fit young, and not so young people, and it will help with your fitness and mental well-being...

~~~~~~~~~

10/12/2020...

Amal Mk1 Concentric, Page updated ,

with a look at the Mikuni VM22 carbs and the copies...

08/12/2020...

"Back Of The Shed Ariel" Page updated... and another couple...

07/12/2020...

More Pages updated including the Ariel Factory Build page...

Enjoy your Birthday Brian and Alan Bedford.. Hope all is well with you, and Stay Safe..

Brian and grandson Arthur...

04/12/2020...

I have been updating pages all week, to many to list, but there is the "Mike Mills Legend Frame" page and the "Cotswold BSAs" page today... More tomorrow.

30/11/2020...

The most followed "Adventure Motorcyclist in the World" Takes a trials Lesson...

Noraly Schoenmaker, AKA "Itchy-Boots"...

28/11/2020...

Just Trials Riding...

Lee: I first Met Chris when we travelled around Saudi together, along with Ed Tongue, doing trials shows for Pepsi. He really hasn't let of the gas since then, as this latest video proves.

21/11/2020...

"The British Rival" Page Updated...

We have found another little bike a long way from home...

20/11/2020...

"BSA New Trials Engine Build" Page updated...

With New Long-Stroke" engine project...

19/11/2020...

Take a look at the Richy Vida page..

Richy caught the Covid from a cup of tea...

And this fit young man has suffered for weeks...

Please People do Take Care and Stay Safe...

This is not over by a "Long-Chalk"

17/11/2020...

NEW Page up. "Two BSA's"...

Weekly pages updated...

15/11/2020...

If you have looked at Lee's video below...?

You probably said to your self, just another build up (but well) of a carbon bike frame made in the Far East, and then re branded by a big named cycle company.

Well in this instance you would be wrong...

Allied cycles were a new company (2017) set up to build carbon-fibre frames properly in the USA, and with the power of the the Walton boys from Walmart who love mountain biking behind them... So these frames deserve the build skills of a professional to build them...But he builds all bikes up to that standard...

Loads of pages updated today list later...

New Page coming up "Two BSA's"...

14/11/2020...

Off to a lucky guy Bill Clark in the USA is this

Faber Mk3 Otter BSA frame in Nickel plate..

Faber Frame's Pages updated with more News from Howard...

Friday 13/11/2020...

One branch from the tree is showing his skills...

Well made Video I think, too...

12/11/2020...

The Dave Wood Drayton long stroke BSA C15 is for sale,

It is one of the bikes on the "Scottish Two Day Paddock" page.

So I have put the details on there...

08/11/2020...

Remember This...

07/11/2020...

Loads more photos on the "Scottish Two Day Paddock" page and more every day for a while...

05/11/2020...

Triumph-BSA Fourstud Forks page updated...

04/11/2020...

NEW Page "Scottish Two Day Paddock"..... Enjoy...

03/11/2020...

Keep the Faith... Keep the Sport....

Stay Safe People...

"Tigress in your tank", page updated...

02/11/2020...

I do open my big mouth!

On the 22nd of last month, I said I was glad to be back building frames...

Then last Monday after feeling ill that weekend I went to the workshop to make an alloy carb-manifold for the BSA Bantam that has just now had another engine fitted (the one down the page) (and it looks like it wont be going to France for a while now).

Anyway how I drove home I don't know. I have spent the rest of the week feeling really poorly, and this is me that lives with fibromyalgia. Then yesterday I spoke to son Ross and told him I had been "Rough".. I gave him the run-down and he said, you sure you ent got the Covid?

Later I double checked All of the symptoms, and every one ticked the box,

but most are the same as I get normally "but a bit worse"...

So I am now trying to get a test kit! That seems not simple as-well...

Anyway looks like me planing for another lock-down has been worthwhile , because we now have another...

I have Mini-Otter five frame back from powder-coat, and also all the parts to build the bike... I also have several BSA engines in build, and hope to get a special part this week for one of them, this will be a page on its own...

I have had updates for several other pages and just need to get to them..

So all I can say anywhere,is to stay safe and get on with that winter project while you can...

More Later "I Hope"

23/10/2020...

This is your last chance to buy the Stretton Honor rebuilt Foster BSA B40, before it gets advertised on that channel...

POA from me or Andy Foster.... Shame to loose it to someone that wont love the bike with its history...Otters for sale page updated...

22/10/2020...

It is so nice to be back fabricating frames, first of the year because of Covid,

I just love building frames...

20/10/2020...

Just finished watching part one of the BIGlittle Adventure on the Richy Vida page,

Again you have just got to watch this, And how many small bikes are going to get sold after watching... Got to get the Lexmoto Assault back out for another adventure now...

19/10/2020...

Mike aboard his B25 BSA...

I had a long chat with Mike Waller last night, about the current BSA C15T project he is working on (updated on that page) and about the next project which will have a load of interest for you...

But we were saying perhaps now more than ever we should take a new look at his M&M trials scoring system that he devised, as you can use that and send your scores direct from your phone text or email to the secretary or person who is collating the scores. Beauty is, NO paperwork and a result on the day...

The only down side is the honesty of the competitor...

Take a look trials secretaries British M&M trials system, down the page listing....

18/10/2020...

So you are missing TMX mag are you?

Well don't despair,because Deryk has set up an on-line trials results and report page on Facebook, named "Trials Express", (And there is a website. www.trialsexpress.co.uk (if you don't have facebook) on both you can not only get weekly trials coverage reports, and the results when they come out of quarantine.

But also there are the PDF files from all the ORRe magazines he published...

If you are running a trial in the current situation just jot down a few words about the event and some photos if possible and send them to Deryk for publication...

I will keep you informed about the page on here too...

Stickers £3.00 for your van and car... on that Facebook page...

We all need to do a bit for the trials sport right now....

And continue building those bikes...

Howard from Faber explains that current sales of the Faber Otter Mk Three has nearly topped up the sales of them to the Two-hundred mark...

Nice work... we will get to ride these bikes again you know... determination...

14/10/2020...

Well it looks like the Bantam down the page is trying its best to not be sent to France...

After a new coil condenser and eventually a magneto flywheel, she still did not want to run properly, even with towing it to start...

So the engine got taken out and stripped, "Must be the seals" was the quote.

Seals and new bearings were hauled in from Redditch and C&D from Henley in Arden, but when I got to the yard,I picked up the flywheel piston assembly and said "the con-rod is bent, and has been rubbing on the flywheels"...

"No it ran", and I must say that I had revved it like a race engine at one time when I got a clear run on the carb...Took another look today and there is far to much side play on the gudgeon pin to piston sides, don't know what piston it is either but it says +80 on the top and is brand new.... Brother does not give up, so has bought another engine.... But I too do not like being defeated and will try and sort the other engine.... Go-on they said, say it? "I hate two-strokes" there you go...

12/10/2020...

Mike Wallers Episode Six of the BSA C15T Copy bike now on...

Ian Ballard Foster Otter Triumph build page updated.

And More..

06/10/2020...

Speaks for its-self British Sport, British Craftsmen...

~~~~~~~

More activity on the Sales and Wanted page... now that the winter projects have started...

If you have stuff for sale or need a specific item for a build just mail me and has I have always said I will put it onto that page...

~~~~~~~

I also need information and photos of your current, or finished, Classic Trials Bike builds for the readers inspiration..

I can't keep putting my Mini-Otter builds on, and the Foster framed bikes,or I will never finish any, although I have started another frame for a M-O but that is for my entertainment...

I have three bike builds sent in by you, and these pages are in production...

But it is the old saying, If I have more, I can edit them all at the same time... So it is up to you...

Stay Safe and get on with that project OK...

05/10/2020...

One of those frustrating weeks again, very wet, that did not help...

But got "Project Zom" built in two afternoons (Top End Field bike for a customer)...

And riding the bike around the fields with a New 125 Lifan engine in and with the superb engine torque... Set me off on Mini-Otter build number seven, yes with one of these engines fitted.

"Project Zom"...

Also been playing with the Bantam that is off to France, well when it decides to behave and run properly... Now had all new Wipac ignition (copy), but still laughing at us, would you want to live in France at the moment? but we are catching up...

01/10/2020...

Kinlockleven Results...

Full list on the clubs website...

BRITSHOCK AWARD WINNERS
1st Eric McMeekin
2nd Calum Murphy
3rd Tyler Murphy

TWINSHOCK AWARD WINNERS
1st Alan Crayk
2nd Andy Hipwell
3rd Gavin Johnston

PS... All these clean..

29/09/2020...

More action from the weekend ...

The BMCA trial with Covid rules...

28/09/2020...

Good to see the Kinlockleven Classic trial at Glencoe on Saturday happened , and a big hand to the people that stuck with it and organised it.

Although there were a few absentees because of the Covid thing , the ones that rode really enjoyed it all the girls and boys... The papers are in quarantine until Wednesday, so no results until then....

Well done again team.... for helping to get back to the new normal...

Two day hopefully again next year...

27/09/2020...

Another week gone out of the "Year" and I have been scooting about trying to get things in the right place in case we get grounded again next week?

I have also been helping Lee with the bike frame builds by spending hours sandblasting the frames ready for custom paint...

One thing I have learnt is how hard modern day twin pack paint systems are ,as tough as powder-coat that's for sure... this surprised me as the paint I removed on a part that had only been painted a week before...

Armchair Adventure Festival tonight and you dont want to miss this one...

great film and a link to the NEW Long Way Up series...

More Later...

20/09/2020...

It is looking like we may have to get back out on our bikes for exercise again shortly.

So I thought I would let Lee and Paul tell you about my favourite bike at the moment.

The "Meteor Works" AEsir...

19/09/2020...

Take a look at the "Big-Fish-In-A-Small-Pond page...

The totally rebuilt Foster B40 Otter with History is now for sale...

Details at the top of that page...

17/09/2020...

So busy week again...

And brother has decided that it is time to thin out the collection with the Covid getting worse...

So this little Bantam the second bike we bought in 2001, is now getting despatched off to France for a New home... A second bike is also earmarked...

Changing time Hey... Thought it would never happen...

The little bike built by a BSA /Triumph test rider has been hanging about to long...

16/09/2020..

Now this is trial riding....

Well done Sandy and "Chug"....

14/09/2020...

A Must Watch New Video on the Richy Vida Page....

Please watch it.....

13/09/2020...

Another busy week... trying to get stuff done before another imminent "Lockdown"?

Brother has picked up a superb built Mk3 Faber Otter, from Nick...

We will have a page on that later... (photos on the Faber 2020 Page.)

Also have another F type BSA C15 engine in build, and now enough to build another B25 now I have managed to get a set of crankcases...

So if I am Isolating again I have things to do.

But I now need to get another Foster frame built.

I have loads of material for NEW pages but need time to get them done...

Mikes New page for the C15T copy bike is down the list with his other builds.

~~~~~~~

I spent time writing this report a couple of weeks ago only to find that the race meeting had to be cancelled because of inclement weather and the road sweeper breaking down...

But this took a good half hour out of my life so here it is anyway...

Fun on the Island …

This last Sunday saw an upsurge in motorcycle sport activity in the little “dream Island” that is the Isle Of Man.

At the top end of the island, local to the island road racers were matching their skills and hoping they would soon be allowed time on the open road circuit that the IOM is famous for. But a dash around Jurby is the second best at the moment, and I am sure they all enjoyed the racing.

Darn South has we say a gathering of twenty five to thirty stalwart IOM trials riders gathered at Billown Glen, for a pleasant little motorcycle observed trial.

Our Brian aboard the number one Mini-Otter had probably his best day ever riding the little machine, that has been stowed away since the dreaded “lockdown’ began…Brian has kept himself fit with a daily round of delivering IOM best meat to the local residents of the Island, and some of those paths to the houses there are a long way from the road.

It must have worked though, because it is the first time Brian has managed to do all four laps on the Mini-Otter… If you have ridden a trial in the IOM you may know Billown Glen? Basically a dipped valley with tree lined banks on both sides at the entrance end, and running down to what, can only be described as a bog at the lower end.

I had a blow by blow account by Brian has to how he went, second up out of the bottom for a three, and the same for section four around the tree. Missed sections five and six, so had to go back and ride them three times. Cleaned Bimm’s section. Following the track down to the bottom got through the muddy rut for a three. And--- I said it don’t matter Brian you had a good trial riding the little bike, and it is about time other people know that there is a future for such a machine. I have several people that are using the same engine as we use putting them into trials bikes at the moment…

Best thing is though it is good to know that at least the Isle-Of Man are now able to once again get back together to ride their motorcycles…

They made the right decision to close the Island off. And control the dreaded virus.

If only we had done the same…

03/09/2020...

Just an update to let you know I am still on this planet... just...

I have had a bad week with the fibromyalgia, from head to toe literally..

The low air pressure effects me a lot, just hope we get some more sunshine and a high.

Anyway pages have been updated.

Fraser one of them, but there are more.

I have started welding up the Wassel type tank that I have had the pressings for years... It is going onto the Bantam frame. yes I am doing a bit to that too.

I have bought another BSA C15F type set of crankcases and a timing cover already converted... This is for a winter project a home. The other engines being built are coming together, I have made a camshaft bush for the G type engine, this means I can complete the bottom end build. If things go to plan I intend fitting four barrels and pistons next week...

You know what I have said about doing jobs in batches if you can...Well all the tools needed are at hand...

There will be a NEW page for the Mike Waller C15T at the week end too...

So stick with me, darker nights mean more work on the website...

But we may even be "Locked-down" again looking at the current situation...

26/08/2020...

Sorry NO emails answered today I have been reading a book?

got to page 48....

Just couldn't put it down, and I only usually read the pictures in a book.. And squint with one eye shut...

This book has opened both of my eyes...

Fecking brilliant-I-can-tell-ya.... this book has everything, and it is not that I don't know the story is it....

Just get it ordered, you will like me not be able to put it down...

Matt has written a stunning book...

And the bonus is the first part of the film documentary is premièred on MONDAY too on the "Sidecar Guy's" Adventure channel on YouTube.

Get your order in it won't disappoint...

Matt, Me, and Reece...

~~~~~~~

23/08/2020...

Mike Waller builds a 1959 BSA C15T replica?

Nice One Mike...

New page for built up this week...

Episode One.. C15T Build.

19/08/2020...

There you go. "Ridiculous, crazy or stupid" we said, but went along with the idea...There was no changing their mind they were into it too far to pull out of the idea...And I had an inkling they might well pull it off. Should have put money on it thinking back...

18/08/2020...

At the end of this month 2020....

There is a book launch that most of you that have followed BSA Otter over the past years,will be very interested in.

Our family can't wait, because we in some small way helped to put the whole story together...

So if you are at all interested get your pre order for the book in now on the SidecarGuys web site and there is a link on this video...

Can't wait for the film now that is in the making...

Enjoy...

~~~~~~~

17/08/2020...

Happy "Tenth" Birthday George W Prescott.....

Sorry a bit late...

But been building you and your brother Eddie a few more BSA's...

Photo 18/08/2011...

How time flies, grandson George is now ten years old,and it will not be long before he can reach the ground on the John Draper BSA B 40 of his...

~~~~~~~

Mikes "Back of The Shed" Scrambles bike if finished...

And sounds very well too... take a look...

12/08/2020...

BSA Engine Week....

After spending the past month working on the Ariel's.

I am back working on the BSA engines at home this week as I can't get to the workshop...

So good progress on the C15 G engine the one named "The Ultimate Trials Engine" a few years back, and probably keeps that tag for a while. For the past few months before "Lockdown" I had had the big-end out of the lightened B40G flywheels, and fitted a new bearing. On trying to fit the assembly into the new crankcases I realised that I would have to dress the oil skims in the cases for it to fit.

So it got left up until now.

It took me five hours to get the assembly in and running freely. And then I had to start finding the other parts to build up the engine.

What I could not find I had to search the net for those parts.

One part that I wont have to look for is the clutch belt drive assembly as I have already spoken to Pete Kirby about one of his units.

Pete is waiting for plates that should be here any day... So if you want one of his clutches get your order in ...

Petes number is 07886745942

Beside the G engine I have also nearly assembled the other converted to "F" type engine. More on the that will be on those pages, and the "G" build will be on the Best trials engine page...

08/08/2020...

Look what came to the top of Deryk's pile....

Dan Shorey aboard the Pink Tanked Triumph Tiger Cub...

I reckon 1959, Saintbury Quarry? Can you remember your mothers zip fronted winter boots? and all the girls were wearing the trendy ear-muffs...I had my old push-bike with the statutory cow horn handle bars, and remember meeting Dan for the first time at Shutford Five Turns where me and a friend were biking over to a trial that started from Edge Hill quarry... Good times hey...

PS Deryk sent me this Photo....

07/08/2020...

Big Fish In A Small Pond . bike finished and page updated...

More pages updated and NEW ones on the way...

05/08/2020...

From the Meteor Works Facebook page.

Blame this man! He is the reason I put tubes together to form bikes and fiddle with wheels and stuff. AW Prescott. (Charlie)
If you have time to kill check out his website BSAOtter.com

03/08/2020...

Just need a change for a couple of days, so over the next week or two, I will try and find time to do this>>>

To This...

And the timing is appropriate as Raleigh are just introducing a replica at the end of the month.

Team TI Raleigh...

30/07/2020...

BOTS Ariel page update.

Jim Susans Page Update...

25/07/2020...

Spent an afternoon away from BSA Otter yesterday,

First event of the year is about to happen. So spent the time painting what seems to be the favourite poles at the moment...

21/07/2020...

BOTS Ariel page updated again...and every day for a while.

18/07/2020...

"Back of the Shed Ariel" Page updated...

What Have I done...

14/07/2020...

Well that got the "drive in" finished...

I can now get back from the workshop and know I have somewhere to park the car...

And even a ramp for the bikes... or my mobility scooter later If I need one...

We welcome a New member to the "BSA Otter club" today...

Mark Noddings has bought a Faber BSA B40, and can't wait for this "locking down" to finish so that he, and all of us can get back onto a "Otter" machine.

I am amazed at the number of New Otter owners that have appeared during the period and welcome all of you..

It looks like a "Otter" Classic Trials bike will be the machine to be seen on, after this crisis..

10/07/2020...

Richy Vida page update with a superb video...

09/07/2020...

"Big Fish in Small Pond" Page updated...

And more...

Had a busy week with Ariel's BSA's, and doing my front garden car hard-standing, that was started before "Lockdown" and then left.

Wet weather then and Wet now... But it is getting done...

Even a bike ramp...

27/06/2020...

DIY Otter frame build page updated for you...

25/06/2020...

Jim Susans Page updated...

23/06/2020...

"Back Of The Shed" page updated with Ariel build...

Along with weekly updates...

06/2020...

Craig's Horror Story ....

Please don't buy any of these forks....

Not everything out of India is good quality...

Please has Craig says share this Video Please, for Safety Sake...

18/06/2020...

An Explanation...

Some off you have asked am I ill?

Well on and off, but that is constant with the "fibro"...

No after this twelve +weeks of "Lockdown" I have been inundated with your emails, that is only to be expected. I now have to flag the ones that need answers and try and go back to answer them, And I do as you all know.

And then I update the pages that the answer was about...

All this as been really intense but has kept me going during this time, and I thank you all for it...

My brother and I have had long discussions on what to do, as the changing World is now against us all.

We have decided to put our house in order so to speak before it is to late.

So all the bikes and builds that have been adding up over the past fifteen + years need building and finishing as soon as possible.

So we have decided to start from the top so to speak, and put the builds in alphabetic order.

So we are starting with the Ariels and AJS's.

BSA next, but M for "Mini-Otter" and N for "Noriel" are right down the list.

So I have now cast off my shackles and I am running the gauntlet along the thirty mile imaginary tunnel between home and the workshop several days a week....

So in the words of Deryk please "bear with"... There is a lot of interesting stuff coming up.. and I am talking a lot of builds over the next months has long as people stay sensible and do not encourage a second wave of this terrible virus...

Just check out the "A" pages for a start...

Thanks for staying with me and Stay Safe...

02/06/2020...

Fraser Honda Page updated.

And a New Honda Test page later in the week.

01/06/2020...

Jensen's finished "Uni" projects... Well done ...

And just a coincidence.....! electric bikes...

Triumph TR25T ...

~~~~~~~

MeteorWork...Para-e" bike........Zouum..

29/05/2020...

Good afternoon people...

Hope you are still Staying Safe...

I have updated a fair few pages this week..

Including the regulars that get updated every week with New Episodes and footage...

One page I have done a bit of work on is the Parts for Sale & Wanted..

It is time we upped the game with this page now there are more of you building and rebuilding bikes through this "(nearly) "Lockdown"..

If we have bits and parts why bother putting them onto that e auction site when all you would have to do is look on this one... And there is a big update to this in the pipeline later this next month. So why not get in early while it is FREE...

Taking a look at this months Classic Bike Magazine.

We got a mention in the fact that Scorpion designer's son Pip Wright would like to find any Scorpion bikes out there, in the hope that one of the owners may sell one to him. The plea for help was placed into the mag by Pip's business partner Ben Jackson..

He said the only information on the Scorpion brand on the internet was on the BSA Otter site!....... So Ben why did you not get in touch with us first?.

Anyway we will put that Plea on the Parts Wanted page for you..

You know I know where three bikes are... But I have first refusal on one...So if I ever get out of here I can build a replica...

~~~~~~~

26/05/2020...

I seem to have confused people with my lack of maths knowledge...

Or me doing my own thing.. has I always have done...

Well we have four stroke five of you having a go and building your own Otter frame, and good luck to all of you...

I have done some drawings individually for you and posted them off and then you understood, but not knowing my "Acute from my Obtuse" has confused you, and me...

So lets put it right... I will update the Otter build page... with details. but here is the correct frame knee joint angle taken from the Foster Otter frame...

24/05/2020...

Been busy working on-line to help several viewers with their bike rebuilds..

and we are now getting there and sorting the problems. these will all be placed onto the site on the appropriate pages...

Did you see the New Page for the Foster Frame Register?

Mike's out on his superb Royal Enfield build.. Look like a Works bike..

Good job there "Old Boy"...

18/05/2020...

Just found this good little video of Herberts Austrian build Otter...

I will place it onto his page later...

~~~~~~~

16/05/2020...

Look at this ,I was just putting the new page onto the site when Three-four Bikers "Rock-Up" in the car park (a cul-de-sac)..

One promptly drops his bike and can't pick it up on his own, so the others have to dismount and help him lift it off the ground...

I thought we were only supposed to go for a ride on our bikes on our own? and not ride in the middle of a town...

Most residents living here in these houses are elderly so not a good move...

Then people wonder why motorcycling gets a bad name ..

And I am sat here still locked down and thinking, this sort of behaviour will keep me here longer......

New Page "For Beta-Or-Worse"...

All top pages updated...

13/05/2020...

Page Updated ...

Phil Ives "Tale of the Otter"

New Story of Philip getting involved in the motorcycle industry in 1946...

More pages updated..

I am also going to start a "Foster Otter Register"...

So can anyone with a Foster Otter please try and find a frame number (Headstock) usaly.. and send it to me with a photo of the bike...

Then we can see how many of the 43 out there we can find...

10/05/2020...

"Talking Sense Buddy"

Stay Safe...

I have been hooked on Sandy's Channel for quite some time....

I just wondered if any of you had been following?

Another Great British character..

09/05/2020...

The Youtube Channel for this site is now named...

BSA Otter.

~~~~~~

Updated pages

DIY Frame build page.

And more...

We have three Foster Otters come to light this week ,and a couple more... Looks like the Otters are coming out of the back of sheds... and there is a couple of New builds on the way too. When I can loose these shackles. I am building another Otter frame for a different engine...

There is also a Matchless frame on the drawing board...

Mind you there could be leaves on the ground and snow? when I get to the workshop again...

08/05/2020....

VE DAY -75...

We will remember this day, and TODAY 2020...

For the rest of our Lives....

Please Stay Safe People...

Photo Courtesy Lee Prescott.

Lee restored this photo of his Gramp P (driving) from a tattered snap shot...

And driving the Staff car...

Norton Field despatch bike....

And Scones for tea...

We also miss these concerts very much....

05/05/2020...

OK I know, two in the same day...

But it will move to Richy's page in a couple of days...

But This was May 8th 2014...

this week end coming...

How did we get into the situation we are in now?

Will this video ever repeat its self ???

Stay Safe Everyone...

~~~~~~~

Take a look at what Bruv found me...

I then got a rollocking for stripping the one we have down.

I told him well I was fitting a new big-end but you did not order it!

(9 years ago)

And we were going to re frame it like this...

04/05/ 2020...

New Page Up "Big Fish In A Small Pond"...

Mike and Richy pages updated~~~~~~~~

01/05/2020...

New Page up "Swinging arm design is it important"

May 1st and we have uncovered another Foster Otter that has been sitting under a sheet in a shed for the past thirty years... It is now been pulled out and is in the process of being rebuilt...

I think there will be a page on it later...

LockDown does some strange things !

We have now got a top cycle frame designer, builder, and bike-fitting and fitter amongst other things, talking on question and answer sessions, on social media.

I think the chap knows what he is talking about because I have followed his career from day one...

Have a look and see what you think...

MeteorWorks ©

I might add that the young fella has now started to take an interest in motorcycle frame design and manufacture too.

29/04/2020...

Check out the "Lockdown Food" Page and Richys Lockdown song page..

And just for Me and the two boys Lee and Ross...

I am putting this on as it was part of our life throughout, and still is today...

Hope you enjoy it...

~~~~~~~

27/04/2020...

Mike's "Back Of The Shed Build" Episode Fifteen.. up and this week Mike is building tension in more ways than one...

~~~~~~~

Another brilliant night and the last until later in the year?

for the Armchair Adventure Festival last night ... Have you taken a look yet?

And the boys raised over £7000 for the NHS together fund...

26/04/2020...

Well I still cant believe what I spent the day (11hours) watching yesterday...

This has to be one of the best things put onto Youtube ever...

The Armchair Adventure Festival I am talking about...

If you don't watch the rest you need to take a look at the

Cluadio Von Planta interview, (Long Way Round fame) but you wont believe the story this guy told... Got to be the best interview that has ever been on Youtube, and then they were joined by Charley Boorman,,, please do take a look because you don't want to miss it...

The interview starts at 9hours 35 seconds in...

Use the link below or just go to youtube and type in Armchair Adventure Festival.

Going back to the Friday night footage you must take a look at Billy Ward from 5hrs 14 mins in... you will be hooked on this guy, this man is a front line adventurer and also a top story teller and comic rolled into one...

25/04/2020...

So you Watching the Adventure Show?

You have already missed some amazing stuff..

Take a look at 1-30 pm and after...

24/04/2020...

"Rummage Through Your Draws" New Page up...

It has been a disaster of a day on this website. firstly I could not find the photos that I wanted to list, and I still cant get at some.. It is a very complicated way to get photos onto this site for some reason, I am still trying to get some that Dave Wood sent me, but the site keeps rejecting them...

Anyway then I had the page "RTYD" to where it is now, and put on the sidecar photo.. And all bar the first two photos and wording was wiped, although it said it was saved. So I had to do the lot again... Not even had a cup of tea yet, and I now think it nearly time to open a bottle of red...

So at Seven O'clock tonight, I will open that bottle of red, and take myself off to the start of "The Armchair Adventure Days" now on three days, and ending with

Charly Boorman.. on Sunday..

Have you signed up yet? Link below...

You could say that its been the Long Way Round today...

23/04/2020...

OK first New page up...

"Ian Ballards Foster Triumph Build"

22/04/2020...

OK, sorry Guy's but I have the New pages ready to publish, But I have spent the day making a new video for the "Sidecar Guy's"... Ready for the Armchair Adventure Days"event at the weekend...

Take a look see what you think... I am amazed at how little wear there is on this engine considering where it as been... You will have to wait for the Movie if you don't know what the two chaps achieved using this little Honda motor...

Enjoy let me know what you think...

New pages tomorrow promise...

21/04/2020...

Check out the last two days of Richy's numbers.. Todays is top of the list... our "top ten" perhaps...

Lockdown Food Page.. Well you can have your cake ...and eat it.....

More pages updated.. Two new today ...

18/04/2020...

Matt and Reece the lads that went around the World on the Honda 300i scooter, and the sidecar we built...

Have organised an "Armchair Adventure Days" on the 24-25th and 26th April...

You wont believe the list already of the seasoned adventurers they have lined up... The link is below. but you will have to sign up for this FREE event, as your email address is the only place your link to the event will be sent too...

I am going are you?...

https://www.facebook.com/TheSidecarGuys/?__tn__=%2CdHH-R-R&eid=ARDK5uYddZXmmKoUlABzMHmpM66pi0Qc1XBW8nrDtkYyf_0PM9KfR18tAVKFL0LFzAKfUjnQnP3Eq0Pe&fref=tag

16/04/2020...

More pages updated and more emails to get through and answer , keep them coming because NEW stories are appearing daily, one such on the "Last Works BSA" page ...(Round Brothers)

It is NHS support day today in the UK... lets not forget who is working on the front line , of the crisis all over the World to help us get to the other side of this Pandemic....

Three Cheers for all of them...

Check out Richy's New Songs too..

That young man is also doing a great job to lift Spirits...

14/04/2020...

Later today I will get the Rummage Through Your Draws (RTYD) page up and running...Firstly I have about thirty emails to reply to...

And there will be updates on all of Dave Woods Pages... Thanks Dave Keep Safe.

Photo 9th August circa 2010...

But brother sent me this photo above last night...

And I just have to put it on here for the moment...RTYD later

The story goes like this.

In early 2010 if I can remember, a young man from Lincolnshire needed money to compete in the Isle Of Man that year.

So he advertised the trials bike he had built up on that auction site.

Brother took a liking to the bike, and bought it... and went to pick it up later that week one evening...

The young man said could he have one last ride on the bike. So cracked it up..

and wheelied it up and down the street....

The young man went on to win two IOM TT's...

But then came a disaster to his racing career in 2018... in the IOM..

And only last week did he manage a one mile jog very slowly and still is recovering... But the long story is If you want a chance at a sparkling career,like this young man..

You need to abide by the current rules, and Stay Safe and Stay at home

Who is it? Well I will reveal later, who do you think. Stuart one for you I think...

First one that mails me gets a mention...and a page for their bike...

13/04/2020...

Loads of pages updated today, for people...

Richy and Mike new updates. And getting ready for the "Rummage through Your Draws" page tomorrow...

Picasso Contemplating...Nov 2012... RTYD...

"Let the Good Times Roll" 19th April 2011...RTYD...

And finally for today my brother T,T,P**s...13/04/2020...

He is at the workshop!!!... His Idea of an exercise bike from a scrap London street bike...( And It will always be named Stanley).

12/04/2020...

So Are we going to do this "Rummage through your draws" thing or not?

Ian Ballard BSA C15 T circa 1979...RTYD...

~~~~~~~

Here is one from Ian Ballard today ... nice photo Ian..

And has always you stand by me...

thanks... Stay Safe Mate...

Richy is joined by the band for today's Lockdown number...

with a song title ... that I hope does not become true in the future...

Stay Safe Stay Indoors...

11/04/2020...

New Richy Vida songs on his page...

~~~~~~

Here is a bit of reader participation for you...

I was looking for a Ethernet cable for my computer yesterday and found some old photos and a dating certificate from BSA Owners Club, that I had lost. Then this morning I had this photo sent to me by Jim...

So I thought I would start another New page if more of you sent me photos of Classic trials photos or of Classic bikes..

The page will be named "Rummage through Your Draws"...

So have a look and see what you have got and send me a few of them ...

Here is Jim's, photo...

HF Stevens Sprite 250, circa 1968, Manx Two Day Trial...

10/04/2020...

I was determined to have a day on the bikes today, well this afternoon.. .But just realised how difficult things can be when you can't give a mate a shout to give you a lift, with a half built bike. (But this is the short version)...

But I got where I wanted today so that I can continue to work on Mini-Otter number 004... and then move onto number five as I have most of this at home too...

Anyway Keep Safe and work on your bike out of harms way...

More Later...

Mini-Otter 004...

09/04/2020...

Two Buses syndrome...

You know the old two buses tale... Well I have just had one very similar ...

I had this really good mail last week and tried to explain the number to Malk.

Then Ian Ballard mailed me this afternoon with progress photos of the Foster Otter Triumph that because of this crisis he has managed to start after all these years.(His page will be updated with this later) Anyway he has just found the frame number on his frame, and it is T50088038

~~~~~~~

From Malk... Hi,

I stumbled across your site by accident whilst looking for Cotton frame No.'s on the big old wide web!

Congratulations and thank you for putting together so much information and interesting reading.

My dear old dad Mike Coombes

passed over 4 yrs ago and left me a load of bikes, parts etc to add to my own! I've sold just about all I had no interest in, and am currently trying to build up a Greeves TES and Anglian from what I have left.

The reason I'm writing to you is because I also have a Otter frame Harry made for dad years ago, which I always had intentions of it hanging on the wall in my mancave in memory of Harry!

I never realised there was such a following for the OtterBSA.

I do recall Harry coming into our workshop on his way home, and asking dad if he could buy it back so to convert to fit a 500 Triumph unit as he didn't really want to start from scratch again! (Building another Otter frame)

Harry was a star, helped me lots over the years from my school boy trials days and I'm guessing I must have been in my early 30's when he passed. I consider myself a very lucky man to have known him and even luckier to have kept the 3rd wheel down in his BMW outfit up Wiscombe hill climb! Carol was clark of the course for the 500 single seaters so I had an opportunity of a lifetime never to be forgotten...!

The frame kit I have unbuilt, complete with modified Bantam hub is frame No. B5088039 These No.'s mean nothing to me and I was hoping you could tell me more about it, it's year it was built? Is it the earlier or later frame you talked about?

Any information would be greatly received and I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind Regards

Malcolm Coombes...

08/04/2020...

Bob Ryckaert is building a B25 engined trials bike and has asked how to make the engine more suitable for trials use. And also mentioned a big bore kit.

So I suggested that he watches these four videos of Mike Wallers.. you know they are on one of his pages. And I also suggested that he takes a look at the Richard Clarke Martin DeVries page, as this also has some tips on the B25 that Martin built...

So to even save you looking down the page. Here is the first episode of Mike's BIG Bore conversion... the others will follow on...

07/04/2020...

New recipes on that page "Lockdown recipes"...

More pages updated...

Try and get back working on the bikes tomorrow, (At Home of course)..

06/04/2020...

Mike's Back of the shed build Episode twelve now on...

"Miss Win"

When I airbrushed this pair of wings years ago (well a few) I knew they were something special, and so did my old dog "Win" and just posed for the photo, (but she did that a lot) I miss that old dog a lot at the moment, but just the thought of walking her for miles in the countryside every day, with the pain I was normally in, makes me more determind than ever to get through this crisis..

So Lets do this thing together lets stay safe....

And more so, Lets do it for "Miss Win"....

Copy and paste to a friend... lets beat this virus...

There is a rainbow out there...

05/04/2020...

New Page "Lockdown" Food Recipes...

Just down from the top listings for your convenience. and I have also moved up the Jam Rolly-Polly page just underneath it..

04/04/2020...

Tesco brought me food, thank you Tesco..

The fresh produce had a use by date today (4th) the fourth ( don't really take any notice) and you should see the hugh substitute cauliflower. Got to get inventive with that one...

Anyway a couple of the photos of what I have cooked up over the past two days .I say two, but the pheasant has done me four...

Pork Mince and Orange Pasta...with Asparagus and Broccoli, Olah Otter...

(Recipe later...)

Pheasant Carcase stew and dumplings. (two Days after eating the breast meat with meals two days before, Superb... (Recipe later)...

Never lived as well...

Different video from Richy Vida today...

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