The BSA Otter Owners Page.
The Trials bikes you see below,will have a brief discription under each photo, Engine type,running gear, forks, ETC.
Gallery Page Two... For Your Otter Bikes. and my build's reference...
I will start with my BSA "Otter" collection First and then add images of your bikes as you send them to me....
OK as you now know this is the first of my "Otter"s
Mk 2 Faber frame, BSA C15G engine , Cub Hubs, The back one extended by 1 1/2 in, The usual parts from Terry Weedy. Triumph four stud forks.
Faber Otter Mk3.
OK, Howard has been kind enough to send me this image straight away, so I have put it on, against my better judgment. Now is this image really a "Otter" frame, You decide? by the way the price is £595. No vat. 19/3/10 Howard has today e-mailed me to say that the Mk 2 Otter frame is still available at a price of £565.
Scott Ellis replica frame
This is My Scott Ellis Replica frame, that I built, over Christmas 2006.
Using the Widened Triumph Cub Subframe and Swinging arm. I also lengthened the swinging arm by 1 inch.
Scott Ellis replica frame Other side.
As you can see I have fitted a oil filter, to help the poor filtration in the F type engine, Paul is making me a Brass replica oil pump for this engine that should help a bit. A plastic cover will enclose the filter, as Scott's bike when finished.
Dave Dawson's Bike.
Will give details later.
Daves Bike the other side.
Dave Is the Second Member of the BOOC club.
Pat Slinn being the First.
My first Faber TR25. "Otter"
This is my third BSA Otter, Nearly finished.
Its engine is from a TR25 Triumph, but I have re"badged" it.
Hubs are Bantam, Forks Four stud Triumph, and all the Terry Weedy bits.
The Faber TR25 Otter the other side.
Named "Tarka"But was in two minds what to put on the Tank as it needs painting as you see , Might get Dave's mate to do the paint job ,if the price is right? any eagle eyed viewer might wonder what ignition is on the bike. Well it is the set up with the zenor diode and Boyer unit I am going to fit to the Scott replica bike. just checking to see if it worked on this bike to be replaced with PVL. There.
Little Otter...
Now Ian has is own page I will leave this image as I like the little fellow. Ian is BOOC member three.
. Photo from Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.
Rob Linklater's Bike.
This is Rob's interpretation of a "Otter", B40 engine ,Bultaco front end? looks like Wassell fuel tank, Sammy Miller oil tank under fuel tank that Rob says really slims the bike down.
BOOC member four.
Ian Ballard's Foster BSA B40 Otter...New.
This is Ian's bike when it was newly built,
Don't forget this is a Harry Foster built frame.
What a lovely bike.
Scott Ellis BSA.
This is Scott on his last works suported bike. And the bike when sold to Colin Dommett, had the frame copied and named the "Otter".
I have put this on to this page until I can get a better Photo of Scotts bike, But I now have high hopes that I can.
OOTC
Pleased with the swinging arm.
OOTC
First fitting of forks.
OOTC
Well this is the little hub I am using. You tell me what it is?
A Day Out With Mick Andrews,
This is Lee On Otter No 1.
His first day on a trials bike.
OOTC
Looks good from this side too?
OOTC.
Wow, what a lot of work.
But we got there...
Mk 3 Faber "Otter" frame.
Howard has a new batch of these in the "pipeline".
I think has they are built to comply for the Scottish trial, that this would be a good name for the frame. Mk 3 "Otter Pipeline"
What do you think Howard?
Paul Nixons B40 Otter.
Paul has just sent me this shot of his bike.
he is one of several new visitors to the site over the last couple of weeks 8/12/10 Paul is looking for some wide ratio gears. I am on the trail.
Alan Taylors B40 Otter.
Alan is one of the ever supportive Stratford club members. and turned up with his Cub and had a good ride at our show.
C15 Otter from Sheffield.
I think this bike has now been sold, Do any of you know where it is?
Foster BSA B40 Otter from e-Bay.
This bike sold for £2675. a while ago. Where is it? We May now know 2024...
Ian Ballard Foster BSA B40 Otter.
Just found this.
Just going through my photo stock and found this of Ian Ballard,
When his bike was nearly new by the look of it.
Jim Davison from the IOM.
on his C15 "Otter".
Hi Jim,
I have a man in the IOM checking to see how many "Otters" reside there?
Steve Ransom, riding his "Otter" at the Classic Trials Show.
This bike belongs to the Ransom's, Steve, and his famous father Mick,
Who I had the privilege of meeting at the Classic Trials Show.
Brian Martin's works C15.
BSA 250.
The bike with the yellow tank, is Brian Martin's, Development C15. BSA 250,
This bike is now owned by Ted Freeman, a friend of mine since 1961. This was the bike that Scott Ellis rode for six weeks prior to being given BOK228C to ride. The photo was taken at the Classic Trials Show.You can just see in the top left hand corner of the shot the Mk 3 "Otter" that Alan Whitton built up for Ian Marshall.
My three "Otter's" at the
Clasic Trials Show..
Otters. One,Two, and OOTC, the rest were out ,being ridden at the show at the time the shot was taken.
Our first BSA C15 T, taken in 1962-3
This is the first BSA C15, that we owned. the bike was bought from Pride and Clark, or Comerfords, I can't remember. But the bike was built for the 1960 Scottish, and had the subframe lowered. a load of chroming done, and still had the Scottish Six Days markings on the bike. I fitted the Rickman front guard. The riders? well their age added up to about 150 years old at the time.
My father, and grand mother, who was 99 years old when she died.
Father on what I think is a Matchless.
This is Pops, sitting on the bike he rode during the war years, and I remember him telling me that he did a few of them trials things! on it representing, his regiment. Sorry the two pictures are small but these are the only ones I could upload, for the moment.
B40 "Otter" that Sam built.
Just found this shot of one of the last batch of "Otter" frames that Sammy Miller built. If you notice the subframe is bolt up and the swinging arm is different, to the ones that Faber built for him.
Sam might still build one or two of these? I don't know!
B40 "Otter" from Sheffield.
This is John's Otter that he had for sale in November ,this year
I don't know if it is still for sale?
Sheffield B40.
This is a shot from the other side.
If anyone is interested in this bike I have John's number,and I can try and ring him for you.
Marks B40 Otter.
This Otter belongs to Mark Parry Norton.
Who I met at our trial, What a Nice Guy.
This bike was for sale? I have Mark's number if you are interested?
The bike is Pre65? fit, exept for the forks which are Bultaco.
Pat Slinn and his superb BSA
This is Pat after taking second place at the Classic Trials Show. showing class...
I thought he should have won? but there again I would.
Pat's bike, the one that started it all off.
Just look at the work that man has put into refirbishing the bike, back to how it was when he first built it. There again I think it is probably better now than it was then?
This is the super Balco Triumph Cub.
OK, I hold my hands up, I have forgotten the Guy's name, who owns this bike I spoke to him at the show and I would like to contact him?
Not easy Lee is it?
This was the lads first day on a trials bike with Mick Andrew's showing him how it should be done.
Body Swerve?
Well looking at this shot you would think the boy had been trials riding for years?
And he did show some skill?
This is the last shot of the day, out with Mick, and Alan Whitton.
And by the end of the day, they had got the lad riding realy well?
Just shows how good the two are at teaching trials skill's.
Outside Sam's.
This could be the same bike as further up or it is very simular.
Carlos's "Otter"?
I think this is Carlos Boch's Bike, the one that Tony Down rode in Scotland?
BSA C15T Patrik Svensson.
This is Patrik, doing the special test, at the show, on the ex Bryan Hyatt BSA C15T.
Works BSA clutch
This is one of the alloy clutches fitted to a lot of the BSA comp shop bikes.
They came from the USA.
Harris big foot cam followers.
Just kept this as a reference for the BSA engine.
Hayward Belt Drive Kit
Ok did some homework on this item, but not a good report!!!
Otter DIY frame builds ...Setting Up The Frame...
I have put this image on for the ones who may have a go to build their own frame. Read the frame build text.
and you can follow the other frame building further down this gallery.
Frame Build Reference.
Here is another shot to help you boys that are brave.
This is PHOTO "2".
Otter Engine?
Well it may Be
This is the "Bad Boy" that is popping in to the next frame build.
I bet you think I have more than One screw loose now. 2016 could be the year that this gets done.
You Can't Fit That?
Well I will try, you never know this could be the one that boosts the OTTER name and Frame.in the future ...
Yes the starter is coming off. shame though.
Sump Plate BSA Late type.
This is just a reference for my Engineer.
Jon Tye's Otter.
just found this Jon, hope you still have the bike.
DIY Frame ,Swinging arm.
I have put this on so you can see what you will need to make up a swinging arm,16" between centres.
DIY Frame, Sub frame
This is a shot of the OOTC sub frame.
Bending the loop was a nightmare, T45 just does not bend without heat!!!!
DIY Frame, Bike.
Thought you would like this shot.
It shows most parts of the build.
DIY Frame,
You should be able to work out what you have to do from these shots.
DIY Frame.2
Footrests were made up like channels so that they sat over the end of the swinging arm box, and were secured with the spindle bolt. simple but very effective.
DIY Frame. Plate.
Here is another shot of the bench marks. the tubes are set on this with steel blocks to be tacked.
DIY Frame. Steering Head.
I took a shot of this on the jig to show how to set the head angle. The bench, or jig, also needs to be set level with a spirit level in bothe planes.
Top Cat Cub.
While I had a camera, thought I would take a shot of each bike I had handy.
Otter On The Cheap.
Just checking it over, and fitting sump plate. ready for the Trials Test.
Scott Ellis (Replica)
First shot of this bike on the Otter Web Site.
I will finish this little bike as soon as the weather gets warmer.
21/1/2011.
Faber Mk2 framed TR25 engined Otter..."Tarka" New Image.
This is my TR25 engined bike, I have just put longer rear shocks 13/1/2", I have been researching the suspention fitted to "Otters" for a new page, and have come to the conclusion that these are the shortest that you should fit, but there will be more info on the page.
"Bessie" Beesa!
This is the bike that Paul Beswick, built up in its final quise.
It has been the subject of much discution on Trials Central just recently.
"Bessie" the other side.
Paul fitted engine rails to this bike, a long time before Faber came up with the same idea, to make the frame look more like the original BSA frame.
Rick's, Foster framed bike.
Rick has just bought this bike, and asked me what it was.
I told him to look after it has there were not many of these built.
Rick's Foster."Otter"
If you know who built this bike up, we would like to know.
The silencer should give you a clue. Rick bought it from Oxfordshire.
Ricks Foster "Otter".
I think this is one of the 1984-5 bikes, and it could have been one with an engine "GB" that came from the Johnson's at Banbury.
Foster "Otter" trials outfit.
I have been looking for a photo of this bike for ages.
Well I take it ,it is the Barry Pocock, outfit???
Faber Truimph Twin "Otter" frame.
This is one of the few Frames that Howard built for a T100A motor.
Kerry Kubena's "Otter"
Kerry from the United States has just built this bike up.
There is a web site for the build, I am trying to get permission for a link! Now has it's own page...
Walwin BSA.
Just had to put this bike on, I knew Ross and Mike Winwood well in the sixties along with there dad, and admired what they were doing at the time.
Square "Otter" frame.
OK I think I am putting the spare Cub engine in this frame now, so have incorporated oil carrying in the frame.
Square "Otter" frame
The tubing used in the main frame is 2" 16 gauge (ERW)
SQ-"Otter" frame and S/A
Gussets were first tacked with the Mig, and then bronze weld run around the joints to distribute the stress.
SQ- Swinging arm.
The swinging arm was built on the same jig as the one I built fro the OOTC. and out of T45 tube (becase I had it), but the lot was Mig welded.
SQ- Start Point.
So the swinging arm is finished ! It has taken me half the time to make has I Mig welded it, instead of bronze welding.
I have also machined two bearing bushes out of PTFE,
The pivot spindle is 1/2" machine steel.
Friday SQ pictures
Friday 25 march.This is the weeks update on the SQ- frame.
Friday SQ- Frame
As you can see I have now decided because the frame is better than I expected, to build it for a BSA engine.
Friday SQ- frame, and the Old Cogger that is building it.
Squaring the jig and front down tube, before welding.
Friday SQ- frame.
The front down tube was well tacked with bronze, and then I removed the frame from jig to finish the joint.
Friday SQ-frame
I have used bolt on engine plates as there is more adjustment, and makes it easy to fit with different make of engine.
FridaySQ-frame.
OK swinging arm box, is to be out of 2.5mm RHS.
Friday SQ-frame.
Well I have only spent a few hours on this project this week but it has progressed well. I hope next week is as good? I have simplified the swinging arm pivot box as well !
Take a look next week.
Monday pics SQ-frame.
Swinging arm box was cut from a length of 60x120mm 2.5 thick RHS. It was cut down with the band saw to be 45 mm deep. And triangular braces welded on.
Monday pics SQ-frame.
Frame jig was checked for squareness again
Monday pics,SQ-frame.
I also tacked in the steering head gussets.
Monday pics,SQ-frame.
Forward pressure was put onto the down tube before tacking to counteract the shrinkage..
Monday pics, SQ-frame.
After tacking in with the Mig, the joints were then Bronze welded, to disapate the welding stress.
Monday pics,SQ-frame.
Swinging arm slotted in . A Good Day's work!!!.
Tuesday 29SQ-frame
OK added the head steady mount, and tank fixing.
TuesdaySQ-frame.
I also made up some better shaped front engine mounting plates and fitted them.
Tuesday SQ-frame.
I shall be using one of these little Glass-fibre tanks on this bike.
I will make a mould with a square profile base to fit the frame.
Tuesday SQ-frame.
I now need to decide how to simplify the sub frame?
I was going to fit a Cub sub-frame to this bike. but they seem to be getting scarce., and would still need to be modified.
30/3. SQ frame
The jig was set up to carry the simple subframe tubes.
These were then bent and tacked to the frame.
30/3.SQ frame.
The cold drawn seamless tubes were the bronze welded into place.
30/3.SQ frame.
Double check for squareness.and clamp tubes into position.
30/3 SQ frame.
Next step is to make top damper mounts, on the simple princible. and also align them.for good movement.
30/3 SQ frame.
Well I am pleased with how this frame is turning out.
And don't forget it was only built to prove an engineering method.
30/3 SQ frame.
Sexy Ahy.
31/3 SQ frame.
OK Made and welded on the top shock mountings, and seat rail.
31/3 SQ frame.
This is the "Otter" seat base that I made,as you can see it is too wide for this subframe ,as the frame is only 8" at the widest point.
31/3 SQ frame.
I removed the frame from the jig to weld the inside of the joints and to tidy the outsides. I have bosses for the shock retaining bolts still to fit.
April 2 SQ frame
I yesterday finished the top suspension mounts.
And today I milled up the plastic swining arm thrust washer ,to centralise the S/A..
April2 SQ frame.
As you can see I also made up the footrest plates and fitted them.
April 2 SQ frame.
Leveling the frame and fitting a pair of shock's, looks like I have got the dimensions spot on. Still trying to deside whether to use a muguard hoop or not?
SQ finished.
Ok the last few parts were made for the frame./
The back mudguard loop was bent out of hydraulic oil pipe to keep it simple and quick 1/2" in diameter.Two bosses were turned up for this loop to plug into the seat rails.
SQ Finished.
Penny washers were used for the muguard mounting holes.
(well they were good enough for Sam).
SQ Frame Finished.
The narrowness of the seat tubes makes the whole frame seem more compact.
SQ Frame Finished.
A bracket was made up for the silencer mounting but not drilled until I know what silencer I am using.
SQ Frame Finished.
I turned up alloy top suspension mounts and a couple of alloy retainers for the bottom.
SQ Frame Finished.
I now need to make a mould for the base of the tank, to fit the frame.
SQ Frame Finished.
OK , There you have it, the first "Otter SQ" frame.
Now on with the engine!!!!!
SQ Tank.
Ok Lovely day 8/4/11. So I started to make the alloy base plug for the G/F tank. The I grabbed the old Lyta,tank I had. And it looked so good on the frame .So I decided to fit that instead.
SQ Tank mounting
Now have you tried to turn a cone on a lathe without angling the tool bar? Not easy ! But I was to lazy on this fine day to bother. so turned it with hand and eye coordination.Wow ! The plastic cone sits into the tank mounting void for a good fit.
SQ Seat.
Decided as this frame is a one off, that I would make an alloy base for this seat.
SQ Frame Last Bits.
OK Now made a foot brake assembly
And I realy like it.
SQ Frame Last bits.
I have made a brake stop with a 8mm stainless set screw, this also locates through the footrest braket, and helps to locate that, for a more positive feel.
SQ Frame last bits?
I have realy enjoyed this project, with No deadlines to fullfill, and the more I have worked on the frame the better I like it. Such is life.
We will get the bike finished in 2016.
Royal Enfield Crusader
This is my brothers bike. what a gem.
Built with a Ray Tew engine.
I may get around to this one day?
The old big lathe is now working, I may have a go at this this in 2016?
CUB HUB.
Jim said it would be a good idea to turn one up on this web site. so here is the start point a lump of alloy.
Crusader with spirit.
The Ray Tew engine is a Gem, and if i can get a C15 anything like this engine it will be a winner.
Crusader Nearside.
Wow that has just taken me 1hour to load this image.
The moral is leave your computor alone, when it is working.
Crusader Nearside.
The exhaust system is to be rebuilt using stainless tube.
Now we know this shape and length works.
Crusader Nearside.
As I have said, we need to fit a slightly bigger rear sprocket.
Which is a shame. Pretty little bike though,don't you think?
Steve Saunders, 2011 Scottish winning bike.
I have been sent this photo by a mate, who has had input into this machine, And I feel that I might have contributed. Compare with our Crusader. This has the new Maxton suspension fitted.
John Draper C15T
OK This is one of the bikes that has stopped progress on the bike builds that were in the pipeline
John Draper BSA C15 T
The new owner of this bike is George William Prescott,
My ONE year old Grandson.
John Draper BSA C15T
As you can see this bike has a B40 GB motor fitted by John.
And this motor stops in the bike because John fitted it. And I told Nick that I would not change the bike!!!
Star of the future.
Stuart from the IOM.
The bsaotter.com budding star.
Star of the Future
Wish I was young again.
The future of Classic trials. Get the youngsters interested!!!
MK 3 Faber Cub
I will get better pics of this bike . as a referance to Stuart's new bike.
Trick Crank
I should not be showing you guy's this.
I should be keeping the secret to my self.
Whatever.
WOW BSA
Nick's crank .
It is different and the balance is awsome.
Trick and Standard.
The crank on the right . will be moded simular to Nick;s crank.
But with differences
Doug's bike
Think this bike is for sale ?
Will get more information.
Faber Cub.MK3
I will post pictures of the new frame as soon as I get it.
Ian Ballard's BSA C15 T...
This is the C15T that Ian currently has stripped down ready to rebuild.
Ian Ballards C15T...
He thinks these alloy parts are from Taylor-Dow.
They could have been Ian. Looks like one of there Goldie tanks.
Mike Waller's C15/25
This is the Mk2 Britannia bike.
Mike Waller...BSA Britannia.trials ...
This is Mike , riding his Mk 1 machine.
Mike Wallers MK2 Bike.
This is a pretty little bike and you can see the work put into it.
Well done Mike.
BSA Engines
It does take a long time to just clean and face the engine cases.
BSA engines
All Parts ready for assembly, of three engines.
BSA Bits
All parts now ready for assembly.
Nick Draper front end
Nick told me to use these forks on the bike on reassembly, has it always steered better with these fitted.
Nick's Bike Pushrod MOD
The "Fat" pushrod is from Nicks Trick engine.
Manic Cub Parts
As you can see I have perchased a Alloy barrel from UPB.
That with the Honda piston makes it 230cc.
Manic Cub Engine
I have made a selector plate cover with oil seal for the gearbox.
Manic Cub Engine
Just need to get the maching done now.
Hubbo Frame.
This is the frame from Nick Drapers bike .
Why is it on the jig???
Well while I redo the head gussets I thought I would make a jig for the frame!
Hubbo Frame.
Why make a JIG for it??
Well I may build a few later!!
MAN-IC Cub Parts.
Exhaust parts and desguised Air box.
MAN-IC Cub.
This is the Oil filter-tank to increase capacity.
Faber M3 Cub Frame.
This frame is realy light and so well built.
Faber MK3 Cub frame.
The engine plates are spot on.
Faber MAN-IC.
Every thing looks good for this build.
BSA B44 Yokes. 35mm.
thought I may use thes forks on the MAN-IC bike.
Faber MK3 Swinging Arm.
This is the NEW one with the Plastic bushes.
Faber MK3 S/A.
This is a realy light and well thought out arm. the heavy part is actualy the spacer the bushes run on.
I could always make one out of Titainiam??
Faber MK3 S/A.
I have added a propstand bracket to the arm.
Man-ic Cub Clutch convertion.
After discution on Trials Central. I set too to see if I could make the clutch control better? I hope it works.
Man-ic Cub Clutch.
These are the components that I made up, I will detail the set up on the MAN-IC page.
MAN-IC Clutch
As you see I made a new cover for the convertion.
MAN-IC Clutch.
The arm is longer than standard, and leverage is much better.
Cub Tank Pressings
These are the tank pressings I bought to make the MAN-IC cub tank from
TR25 Tarka Head modification
This is the head that I chopped to reposition the inlet manifold to the left.
TR25 Tarka Revamped.
I have a lot of jobs to do on this bike, to make it to my satisfaction.
TR25 Tarka Revamped
Just looking at this photo, and I can see a days work.
TR25 Tarka.
Building a bike in a 8'x8' shed, you don't see the bigger picture until you remove the bike from these surrondings.
TR25 almost finished.
Just a few jobs left to get this bike running again.
But probably two weeks testing.
TR25 Nearly ridable again.
It is amazing how long you can spent compleating a few little jobs.
"STU"
The lad will tackle any section, and beats himself up if he gets them wrong.
"STU"
This water section had two good sizes steps but he rode them like a main road.
"STU"
This is the up part of this section after coming down a slippery slab from the left. He practised this over and over trying to get it right . but the best was still a flighting dab. It was difficult . and he showed the true IOM winning spirit.
IOM
Every one bar a few are into bikes in this little "gold mine " of a island.
Dave Wood's Faber Mk3
Dave did not like the wide subframe on the Faber frame so has pulled it in so that it is narrower.
Dave Wood's Faber Mk3
This is the other side of daves first mock up build.
Dave Wood's Faber Mk3
Front fork have AJS /Matchless sliders over Marzzochi stanchions.
Dave Wood's Faber Mk3
Bultaco rear wheel and moded silencer box .
Andy Pitt's Mills framed BSA.
Just put this on for a reference to the Draper bike that I am rebuilding.
Etienne's Swing arm
Etienne has made a superb job of this arm. I doo like the bending and pressing.
Etienne frame jig.
Nice work! and these type frames are so simple to get right.
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