Sneak Preview of one of "Meteor Works ®" show bikes , this one Steel and Carbon fibre.
Sorry Guy's but this week end will always be about the cycle show above.
Lee will pass on his knowledge to get the best build possible for the New Foster Otter build frames after this show, so take a look at the "Steel Cycle frame's build page.
09/04/2017.
Hi Guy's well we got over the bike weekend for another year. but I must say that with the amount of interest in this Industry it just keeps getting bigger , and it is now a way of life and just not a weekend hobby.
People are putting serious lives, and serious money, into the way they want to conduct there recreational way of becoming fitter, and moving up the life scale, by enjoying riding these machines, Now designed to give them all the correct dimensions for their bodies, to perform at the best of their abilities, to ride out on a Sunday morning,enjoying the countryside, or touring the world.
Photo. Later.
Meteor Works
Proud to Be from Banbury UK.
When a customer comes to you with a limited edition SRAM Red in yellow, it’s going to be quite a challenge to make it pop without overshadowing it. Meteor succeeded in making the loudest subtle bike at the show, being clever not to take it too far, letting the SRAM do the talking, while still showing off their gift for flare.
The gentle fade and overlaying of the painted triangles gave it depth without resorting to a variety of colours, and the masking was sharp and original.
Clearly a bike that will stand the test of time.
TAG*******
Talent Just shows through!.
veloatelierWe are very proud of the Chimera #roadbike we debuted at this years @bespokeduk show. Combining steel and carbon fibre tubes to create a stiff and responsive race bike. Using #3dprinting stainless steel lugs to join the @dedacciaistrada_racingtech carbon seatmast to the #t47 bb and using teardrop and oval steel tubes from @reynoldstubing and @columbus_officialfor the main frame. All cables routed internally in modular guides and using a tapered internal head tube. Modern bike, classic craftsmanship.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
31/12/2017.
2017.
One of the face's we will miss after this year is our own Wilf Couldwell,
Wilf came into BSA Otter , only one year and a bit ago, but had been reading the stuff for a while. and thought, I will mail this guy because I like what he does!
This is what he told me when he rang.
And I said Wilf it would be good if you feel like it, to write us a few of your tales.
He jumped on board without hesitating, and the next week I had the first Cotswold BSA tale.
He said I may have to read through and correct things with some of the writing. but I did as little as possible. because this was Wilf''s style.
He did get annoyed with the so called modern technology, and in the end if he could not email stories he just put them into a package along with some photos, and I had the pleasant surprise of opening another treasure as it was popped through my door.
He then mailed me to see if it had arrived.
And when I published the tales, he was straight on again, saying I had done a good job and he enjoyed reading. it.
I do so miss this happening now, and miss the looking forward to the next rendition.
But Wilf ,one thing is sure you live on in my memory, and I am sure in a lot of others now they have read your "True Tales".
And I have another couple that I can put together from material you sent me.
So rest in peace old friend, for you will not be forgotten.
*******
Well I suppose I better start winding up this different year for me. And probably for you too. I do apologise, for drifting of the chosen track so to speak.
But what I committed to In late 2016 meant that there was only going to be one real word in 2017 and that word was “Sidecars”.
We started off the year with a challenge to build a sidecar onto a Chinese motorcycle before the first day of February 2017,
This was hard for me because I have to do a sixty-mile around trip per day to get to the workshop. And with this Fibromyalgia complaint that I have this is no joke travailing this amount of miles per day.
But we got the thing done, it only takes determination to do anything in life and this was one of those times.
You know the story for the rest of the year, if you have followed the ranting.
I must say I have run out of time so many times, and kept saying to myself is this all worth it.
But the happiness and smiles I have received over the year as meant that you know it is, and I will do it again as long as I can.
While being submerged in the three sidecar builds I have also been somewhat disappointed in the fact that we seem to have forgotten what this site was created for.
Is it a fact that we seem to have a Classic trials fraternity seemed to let go of the fact that, we still love the old British trials bikes up until the seventies? But we have let them go with what else is going on in our lives?
I must say I have been guilty of this myself.
But in the background what I am doing with the charity stuff at the moment I just want to get out of my system?
Well not quite, but I need to try and incorporate both.
Problem is I keep thinking I am running out of time and need to do the lot NOW.
I did manage after the Manic few months that I had in the summer manage to get the First New Foster “Otter” frame off of the jig.
And I will make this my priority next year, as I know how good these frames are now living with two for the last twelve months.
The problem is that to get these back into the market place is the amount of time they take to build.
I don’t want to make a profit out of them; I am past that phase of my life.
But the only other real frame kit is the New Super Brand “Drayton Frames”
And I wish Jim all the best and I know he has had his health problems like us all.
But Drayton is the New Kid on the block and until that trend subsides. It is only the true enthusiast for a traditional frame with some history that is likely to be a customer.
This is a shame to me because I think the frame is that good, that it need keeping in production.
So it is up to you, if you want a British frame with history you only have to let me know, the team is waiting to be at your service.
Tomorrow we get onto the rest of what happened in 2017.
*******
After doing the stories about the little recognised brands of trials bikes in the last throws of the Villiers engined Trials bikes.
A story started to unfold and we eventually kept building on this with New information, that seemed to come in monthly.
This was the ELstar brand and we now have two machines that are being reconstructed to the original specification. and we even now have agreed that the colour of the machines was as near as damn it "BSA Nutley Blue".
So we have probably saved that British Motorcycle as a trials bike from extinction.
The same sort of thing as also happened this year with the Fraser Honda brand that was built not that far from me in Redditch in the Midlands UK.
We now after this year 2017, a lot more information, and even more information has emerged about the brand and their build methods etc, recently,
So we still seem to be doing something right.
And looking at the figures from you, that keep visiting the site, and sometimes I still cant believe, that people follow this stuff and like it.
But I will keep going to make the site better, and perhaps get a bit back to what we set up the site for.
But I know with what I have in the pipeline it should keep all of you Happy for another twelve months, and we will try and get you more involved, by letting anyone that is interested know when there are New updates,on the site.
I will just need a mail address to put you onto a list.
So Short this year, I will not rant any longer, But I have got a
Scooter and sidecar stuck in a desert that needs some help.
More on the New year Page tomorrow.
30/12/2017.
NEW Page, "TheOssaPlonker"
BMCA Leamington M40, Trial Report.
Fraser trials bike page updated.
29/12/2017.
face book viewers Ron Langston Tale on the bottom of this page.
Fraser Honda Page updated ,with some New information and photos.
27/11/2017.
For the "Round the World Trippers" to study
Move it onto their New Page later.
*******
25/11/2017.
2016 now with 2017, I-pad page Updated, as I seem to have put to much material for the I-Pad's to cope with on the 2017 News page again.
Exclusive to that page video Now on check it out.
*******
24/11/2017.
"GOV132 Is Lost", Page updated.
23/11/2017.
A Message from Deryk Wylde,
There we go again - sorry folks, after a short technical intermission (Posh-speak for my satellite internet system broke....) all is now well again and we are back in business. So far the library has on its 'shelves' ready for members to select and read at their leisure - and there is no limit on the number of items you can read at the same time, so if you are going on a long flight - for example - you can download a dozen or more books or magazines to your electronic storage, iPad, tablet, pc or whatever - and read them whenever it suits. The list so far includes all the Rich Mixture books except two, one of which is being serialised and new printed copies of the other are still available..... There are already the first FORTY issues of ORRe - the other fifteen will be on the shelves my next week, plus a good selection of the old OFF ROAD REVIEW magazines, which will ALL be available by Xmas. Since most of the members are opting for the lifetime membership option at £40 - I have decided to remove the annual option of £20 - since that was only likely to create more work by needing to send out reminders. Oh, by the way, I have started the Scottish Six Days Results service, I shall publish the historical results, because ir seems that I have the only copies of all the early ones right through to the present day, so far I have included 1910 and 1911. Here is a reminder of the details; I have created on Facebook, a group entitled ‘The Competition MotorcycleReference Library’ in which I am placing not only the existing versions of ORRe and, more importantly, the continuing ORRe - but also the digitised copies of every publication that I have ever created, all the printed OFF ROAD REVIEW as well as my RICH MIXTURE series of limited edition books, but those copies can only be read by ‘members’ of the library - much like any other library! In order to become a member, there is a nominal fee (to help me recover the cost of the specialised software that I needed to create the digitised copies) of just £40 for a lifetime membership. That can be paid by paypal to ‘derykwylde@gmail.com’ (which has to be typed, paypal doesn’t accept copy and paste!) If you would prefer another payment method, email me at that address and I will give you details. NEW ORRe - issue 56, which includes the completion of the DOT story, is now in the library!
All the previous copies of ORR-e from Trials-Central,are NOW on the TCMRL page.
I didn't want people who had paid their dues there to feel they had been cheated.
I have offered to 'honour' their payment by saying that to any that were paid up members on TC, will get a £30 lifetime payment instead of the New members £40.
And these are for you to down load, and keep, and not just read on TC..
The Boy's are again late with there weekly Report.
But If I could down load the photo from Instagram. you would see that they arrived in Montenegro yesterday,
I still can't Believe that Honda have not jumped onto this "Band Wagon".
Its a Bloody Scooter of theirs pulling a big, and a bit smaller lad, and a sidecar, with a ton of luggage, and have you been following the route? Mountains all the way.
18/11/2017.
My Steel tube suppliers winning run at the 2017 Welton soap box Derby.
1st 2nd-5th actually
Proformancemetals.
*******
17/11/2017.
"Out on a BSA Prototype", Page updated.
This is how you should have built your BSA Bantam "Replica".
"The Bike They Call Otter" page updated.
The old Blog material that I retrieved from my old computer. Written in 2005-7.
when I had very little knowledge about the "Otter" breed as you will see.
16/11/2017,
Britannia Project page episode eleven on the Indian build.
and Mike likes to live Dangerously.
14/11/2017.
The Boys are one day late with there weekly report because the WiFi conections are starting to get bad, just like here at home Ahh well.
Episode Ten of Britannia Indian Build. and an interesting one with Steam Shop Dave,
09/11/2017.
I have been asked if anyone makes a Honda TLR replacment frame.
Well the only one that I know of in the UK is Mark Seward at MSR engineering in Cornwall.
Tel Number 01726851733.
Photo Courtesy Mark Seward.
*******
08/11/2017.
You know when you have brought up a family, and you think! well I can relax a bit now, and do my own thing.
Then suddenly out of the blue, springs another bunch of children you need to look after.
Well that is what I feel like now, with the pair of intrepid explorers.
Matt and Reece
They are just hitting the BIG around the world trip on a totally inadequate machine, a Scooter with a sidecar fitted.
And treating the whole exercise like a game on "Play Station".
But they are winning.
And that makes me very proud of what they are doing, and a wee bit envious, knowing that I would have been with them if I had been fifty years younger.
So Now I feel it my duty to help them all I can, in achieving this crazy dream they have, and doing the best to help them achieve their goal.
So follow the New page that will be on the site next week with this heading.
And if they need help, which they will, please try to help me out, with your suggestions etc.
They did not change the sidecar wheel, but had a narrower tyre fitted onto it.
They were told to have this done before they set out on the long journey but they ran out of time, and a lot that was going to get done did not happen.
Unfortunately the lads have little mechanical knowledge and don't even know the difference between a tyre (tire) and a wheel, and a Swinging arm is a Pole, yea I mean it.
Great Stuff "Spirit" and being Young.
05/11/2017.
The Boy's are in Slovinia.
******
A NEW important update on the Deryk Wylde page.
New Page Later if I get time.
"My Seven Best Builds BSA" Now Published.
*******
Peter Gaunt, next week Guy's.
Just ran out of time with ORR this week end.
*******
02/11/2017.
Good News, "Off Road Review" is back.
You can find details on the Deryk Wylde Page.
Sign up and get twelve months, New Issues, Plus the 55 previous ones.
*******
01/11/2017.
BMCA Air Ambulance Trial Report, and Pictures, on Best Of Britain, page.
The boys have a lot to learn they should have been over to the right and one thing you never do is drive blind into water unless you have tested it first for depth and obstacles with a stick.
phewww they wont get far driving like that.
*******
09/10/2017.Banbury UK.
I was going to say that there is a New episode of Mike Wallers Indian build on the Britannia Projects page, then I thought, Sod It!
The John Draper replica "Cotswold" build page updated.
A Hint from Switzerland.
Hint sent in by a Chris Smith in the current issue of Model Engineering Workshop when topping up oil in small motorcycles - in his case a Tiger Cub and Velo LE - buy a baby's feeding bottle with graduations on the side in ccs and slightly open up the teat. As most are fairly flexible, with a slight squeeze the oil is in and the floor is still clean.
Should you use more than one type of oil, ie forks, just label each bottle as required.
Why did it take 60 years before someone realised that a Baby Triumph needed a baby's bottle!
08/10/2017.
NEW Page.
"The Foster Otter Triumph".
*******
07/10/2017.
"Super Cub Two" build page updated,
*******
I have now decided to do a page on the
"1960's Banbury Boys" that wanted to become the Next "Banbury Dan" Shorey.
One did, Rod Gould below.
But others had different career's in the world of Motorcycle Racing.
Vince, Bruce Cox, and Pete "Fred" Clark, to name just three.
There were also others who tried but did not get the breaks ,including me.
"The Bedford Boys" Brian, and Alan,(who is still a top class sidecar passenger at sixty nine).
Colin Jenkins who rode a BSA Bantam with some skill.
Worth waiting for the story.
*******
"Banbury Dan" Shorey, 499 Norton. Aberdare Park.
*******
Two Weeks to the Off,
For the Intrepid duo on their Guinness Round the World trip attempt.
On the Honda SH300i Scooter attached to the "BSA Otter" built sidecar.
Now with "Hagon Shocks" fitted.
Edgecumbe Manor Cornwall.
Survival training.
05/10.2017.
Ann Couldwell has informed me that Wilf's funeral will be on Saturday 14 October at Llantilio Crossenny Church Wales. at eleven am.
****************
01/10/2017
"Britannia Projects" page update.
Mike struggles with a pair of Enfield forks.
*******
30/09/2017. Banbury Oxfordshire UK.
Some sad New guy's.
Our Wilf Couldwell passed away yesterday peacefully at home.
Our thoughts are with his wife and family, at this sad time.
A tribute will be an update to Wilf's page later.
You can now read it at the bottom of Wilf's page.
*******
____________________________________
The Boy's need your help to "WIN" the Honda Engine Room.
"Champions for Change" competition.
Please take a look.
*******
29/09/2017.
Brian Martin and the works BSA's Page update.
New Banbury Pride personality tomorrow.
Vince French.
*******
And a New Foster Otter found. a Triumph engined bike.
And one of the first batch.
26/09/2017. Banbury Oxfordshire.UK.
BMCA Best Of British Page NEW, now on.
*******
Born 1943 Banbury,Oxfordshire.
July 2011 recorded.
Rod started racing in 1961 riding a BSA 350 Gold Star.(Ecuri Rasputin).
tuned by the local tuner Bert Pool from Bourton,
Lightweight machines were a ride on a Bultaco and later a Yamaha TD1C.
He also had a Yamaha engined DMW. at one point.
His first IOM TT was in 1967 riding a Norton, dnf was the result.
Then Rod went off to the USA to ride a Yamaha in a production race.
And this led to the sign up to Works Yamaha.
the rest is History, and what he said.
Proud to be from Banbury UK.
*********
25/09/2017. Banbury Oxfordshire UK.
"The BSA Rocket Gold Star."
"Born And Built In Banbury."
The BSA Rocket Gold star was a bike contrived by Eddie Dow and Service manager John Gleed, in 1960, and built out of the parts book using A10 twin engine in a Gold Star frame? the bikes were built from parts as BSA would not provide the complete engine unit. There was a need for a bike to carry on the theme after production of the Gold Star was stopped in 1963. So this bike was born.
It was that successful that BSA decided to jump onto the band wagon and built over 1600 at the factory that were sold quickly. 1962-63.
But the Bike BSA Rocket Gold Star was
Proud to be from Banbury UK.
24/09/2017.Banbury Oxfordshire UK.
Tomorrow I need to speak to "Daz" Darren Jenkins.
*******
A New season of BMCA trials starts today, with Dave Wood's trial.
We will have a New page Named, "BMCA the BestOf British"
Up shortly with the first report.
Over to Al.
Hello Charlie, and hope you are grand. The BMCA season is underway once again. Pete Dawson tries to cover local to him venues and I'll try and pick up others over my way. It's Milwich this Sunday, and Dave Wood will try and send me some words.
The highlight for me is my BMCA Midlands Air Ambulance Trial on the last Sunday in October. Held as always at Easthope on Wenlock Edge.
Rigids are my main focus... and we intend to set the severity of the Clubman's Class using the rigid class as the bench-mark.
So I hope some rigid enthusiasts turn-up!
As an Ulsterman, I can get away with all sorts of things, and the old Dot now has adjustable for length rear struts... to optimize those trick front forks! And necessity being the mother of invention, the seat had sore need of comfort... and so the "valve spring sprung cantilever" was born... Patent will be pending for the foreseeable future... All the best, Al
Photo later.
*******
22/09/2017.Banbury Oxfordshire.UK.
*******
The Dan Shorey "Bultaco Sherpa N"page update..
And More on "Banbury Dan"
Just put this on for the guys that are about to circumnavigate the globe on a Scooter and sidecar good luck fellas.
And I hope you get you Guinness record and bring awareness to "Modern Day Slavery."
Good luck Matt and Reece, for Queen and Country.
Proudto beBritish.
Proud to be from Banbury UK.
*******
And for the link to Deryk's new Facebook page below.
This video is now on the
New Adventure Scooter page coming shortly
We Did it before.
17/09/2017.
NEW Page at bottom of listings.
"Well Street Garage Buckingham UK."
12/09/2017.
"Out On A Prototype BSA"
Page updated , with a "Sprite Report."
*******
A little what you fancy does you good?
Taking me back to the seventies,
and I love the latest version.
Bad for you? I don't know, but have you gone through the ritual of eating one, sheer bliss.
10/09/2017.
Deryk Wylde a Change of direction.
Sadly Deryk lost his second wife a short while ago, and now he does not have to spend every day as a carer as he did, for a long time with his wife.
He has decided to retake up some of his old hobbies as well as stepping up trying to get as many of his vast (and I do mean vast) collection of unseen Classic Off-road motorcycle photographs out to the general public, and interested people that were part of that past Classic scene, and also the later generations that take an interest in motorcycle off road history from the Golden age of the past decades, and also have respect for the heritage it created.
He also wants to put good use to the expensive software that he has had to purchase to convert these photo files.
So he is truly sorry to let down his readership of ,
Off-Road Review –e on Trials Central,
but feels the only way to make a true connection to those who care, is to use the social media channel Facebook to outlet these superb visions of the past competition motorcycling.
This way not only the remaining stars that were portrayed, and that means every one who had the chance of being photographed at the time, can add comments about their image portrayed, but so can friends and later family members.
So check out and apply to become a member of the group.
“Historic Off-road Motorcycle Sports Photos.”
To take part.
I have,
Charlie.
07/09/2017.
Elstar Page updated again. and many others.
"Classic Trials Scene" a monthly column, page update.
The Original "Otter" Page updated.
06/09/2017.
Guy's you just need to watch this.
" Guts, Determination, and a Great Sense of Adventure".
And not a bad trials rider too. at about 21 minuets in. but watch all of it, you need too.
(Click it on Full Screen for the best result).
They Keep Getting better Ed,
What he said Donate if you like it.
*******
05/09/2017,
Britannia Projects page updated,
Etienne Willems page updated.
04/09/2017.
Just an update from the 27/08/2017. below.
Well Stuart got his bike fixed and did the four lap Manx Senior GP and managed a last lap at 111 mph, but just missed out on a replica, there is always next year Stu, And even the Classic TT if we can get a bike sorted.
ELStar Page updated with Important Information for you Bob and Steve.
And New Photos..
*******
27/08/2017.
In March 2015, I said this on Trials Central.
Hi Guy's.
Thanks Andy.
Guy's the cost of the Parts for the "Mini Otter" Super Cub Trials, I have just added up, less all my time and Frustration, adds up to £1000 pounds plus a carb that I swopped, this is with the T45 and Reynolds tube for the frame.
It is a super little bike to have fun with ask Ben about his.
There is nothing sinister about building these bikes, just an exercise to see how cheap you can put a competative little machine together.
It is Not claimed to be a Pre 65 machine although the engine had its routes before this time.
It is not claimed to be a period Twin-Shock, although the frame is based on, and has the same dimensions has a Mike Mills , Hubbo, BSA frame.
I just can't see the problem with these especially when Ground up NEW build bikes that have nothing to do with the era they are supposed to portray get to be classed has OK for an event when bikes like Jon's and mine get banned??
And a New Ed March video for a trip in Vietnam, on that page.
08/08/2017,
"BSA C15T" Page updated.
More Later.
05/08/2017.
"Hey, NO, You Get Off Of MY Cloud"
Nearly!
The "As Seen From The Sidecar" Guinness , Round the World Sidecar,Is Nearly done.
John Draper Replica BSA C15 Page updated Tomorrow.
01/08/2017.
August already!!
New Page ,
"As seen from the sidecar",
Is about to take place,
This is the Scooter fitted with a sidecar that two lads Matt and Reece are about to attempt a circumnavigation around the world on . we will be following the story. and are very much involved. take a look at their web site of the same name.
25/07/2017.
New Alloy tank build page at the bottom of the listings at the moment, and also the Story about the Little Lexmoto Assault, that just kept going.
Loads more coming shortly.
19/07/2017.
Brian Martin an the works BSA C15T's page updated.
16/07/2017.
Just a taste of the IOM Southern Hundred races,
including a Highside get off by Manx GP winner Pete Wilkinson,
He was OK and went on to complete the races later.
15/07/2017.
"DeLong way round" Page updated,Barry is looking for some old mates from the Solihull Motorcycle club. can you help?
"The Butler Tempest" Page updated.
12/07/2017.
Dave Wood pages, updated all of them.
And a new "Foster Otter" page later from the continent.
And also a page from Italy with pictures of a superb "Butler" and a Triumph Wassell build.
Page now on,
"Graziano Candidori's Wassell Rebuild."
"Felix Eggenschwiler's Foster BSA Otter." New Page.
More on my Foster Otter, and the new frame build.
Sat 8th/07/2017.
Another of the full weeks that I did not expect.
The Honda SH300I scooter was delivered to the workshop on Sunday evening.
Matt and Reece, asked if we could build a sidecar onto the Scooter for a show at the Excel centre this week end ,
Yea your having a laugh, was the reply,
No,No we are serious, we need it to try and gain more sponsors for the around the world Guinness book of records, challenge.
So this is what they got and we could not start it until Wednesday because of other event commitments..
OK I now have a new keyboard, so back in business. most things I have touched since getting back from the trip have broken, my van being the most important at a busy time.
Clutch thrust bearing has let go, so gearbox out on a Berlingo is not an easy job, so I have to get someone else to do it.
Anyway I have been updating some pages today the story of "The bike they call Otter" being one.
I have just got to get the interest back in the site and for the "Otter" machines in general. as I have seen your interest waning while I have been concentrating on the Charity bikes, and I have been asked to do more for the TSB.
But "Otter's" first now.
Sun 25/06/2017.
Back from the Epic heat driven TSB charity ride,
What a week,of highs and lows and up's and down's.
It will take me a week to write the story, up. and it is interesting. And did I like what we did? No, I loved it, and we met so many nice genuine people, on the way down at every TSB branch we stopped at.
From Scotland to Oxfordshire.
The Charity the "Katherine House Hospice"got twice the amount we set our target for and it is still rising.
So guy's I am now back concentrating on the "Otters" for the rest of the year.
But interspersed by building up another eRanger ambulance for next years trips and building a side-car fitted to the Honda SH300I scooter for two lads to attempt a around the world trip on.
More Later today.
A bit about the Savings Bank Museum in Ruthwell Scotland.where we started the ride from.
Sat 17/06/2017.
So I can do know more, we are off to Scotland tomorrow for the TSB Charity run.
I will need a new page to tell the story when I get back,
The Plot built in below zero temperatures, and now to be ridden in scorching heat.
Sometimes you think him up there is trying to tell you something.
I said it would be a challenge for Chinese built bikes, well it will be now.
So watch this space.
Back on Friday if plans work out.
14/06/2017.
Page updated "The last works BSA sidecar outfit 92 HOH".
12/06/2017.
Part Three of "Britannia Motorcycles" Indian build now up.on the New Projects page.
11/06/2017.
Another bike has been stolen can you help.
Charlie, Would appreciate your help on behalf of Dot Motorcycle Club member. Help requested! This 1955 DOT model TDHX was stolen overnight on 8th June from locked garage in East Anglia. Frame No. H550236 Frame colour Red with Black Earles Type forks. Steel tank stripped to bare metal. NOS Avon Gripster tyre on 19" front wheel. Rear brake plate is painted Green. Newly made full exhaust system. 4 speed gearbox. Please call 01694 724717 and speak to Al. Thank you.
Photo later
********
08/06/2017.
When we were in a drout situation a few weeks back I remembered the old farmers saying, "A dripping June keeps everything in tune".
Well they wereright but it is not tuning me, it has the opposite effect.
I was skipping like a lamb a few weeks ago, but I am now creaking like an old iron gate.
and just when I need to get some road miles in on the charity bikes.
The Lexmoto has 130 KL on the clock but I need to get 400, by the week end and it is precipitating again today.
I don't mind the wet but my bones do.
Anyway no excuse I took onthis Charity stuff for a good reason and will continue to do it.
Because not only is it bringing awareness to different causes, but it is giving me a purpose in life.
And highlights the good use motorcycles can be put to as well as tools to enjoy yourself riding them..
Page updates tonight. while it is wet.
*******
01/06/2017...
Hi guy's just a Quick update.
Mike Waller has noticed that I have not been keeping up with the daily or weekly updates.
He is so right.
And I do apologise, it is a temporary Glitch.
I just can't believe the time I am having to put in to try and get serviceable bikes for the Charity run.
I have virtually rebuilt the Sidecar-e ambulance bike,
and am still working on modifications to get it how I want.
The eRanger sidecar is on the seven seas journeying to us here in the UK, but if it got here today, it just wont get put together in the time.
You know me I don't do quick but have tried to change that because of the deadline.
But every thing seems to have gone wrong.
Just checked my driving licence and that ran out when I became seventy.
so this is another panic.
Just picked up the Lexmoto Assault from Speedway Motorcycles at Cannock. and that bike is good. the Chinese Motorcyle industry have come a long way in the last few years, and I find out that the company that builds the Lexmoto Assault amongst others are half owned by Suzuki, well there's a surprise.
Leaving the Charity bikes for now.
I also have a great interest shown suddenly, in the "SuperCub" trials bikes. after I had said I was not going to build any more, there is interest in frame only and rolling chassis for the 140 YX or similar engines.
Should I build a batch I don't know!
The "Foster Otter"Frames are, to be built after all this rush is over and my own one on the jig finished.
I will try and find time to update a few pages this week,
the material is there but the time has been reallocated so to speak.
23/05/2017.
Firstly update on the Elstar page.
Then a quick update from me.
Where do I start.
The initial road tests with the Sidecar-e have been fine, the gearbox sprockets have been changed three time to now 16 tooth from 14 starting point., Back shocks have been replaced with stronger units but the biggest job as been to sack the Honda Cub sidecar wheel for one from a Honda SH300i scooter front wheel and increase the track of the plot. so that it is ridable by one person without a passenger.
other snagging jobs have been done, a list later.
Time is the problem, being ill for six months has took it's toll.
The main problem is with the eRanger bike, well not the bike, but the DVLA,
and after waiting on un-answered phone lines for hours, and eventually sending a email , I have got a code number but No reply,(now have a form on the way) so even if the eRanger sidecar gets here from South Africa in time, I can't see the second bike being ready on the road for the Charity run on June the 19th,
All I wont to do is register the bloody thing. how can a company that the DVLA now is, run like this?
So I am now on plan B-C-D, and it looks like I have got to buy another New bike from a dealer to get a second Chinese bike for the trip, and the TSB will think it is my fault not a Government company.
So that's where I have been, and who knows what will happen next.
25/05/2017.
Looks like the replacment bike for the trip will be a, New "Lexmoto Assault" in blue and stickered up with the TSB logos.
The little bike has a good report and is like the bikes used by eRanger exept for a few details.
17/05/2017,
Sorry for lack of time spent on the site lately,
but I have been busy, road testing the Sidecar-e bike ready for the charity run. and there have been problems that I will document later. and also a disturbing report, from Claire in Africa, who is trying to remade the situation.
Check out her reports on the "Charity begins at home" page.
Loads more pages to update and new when I get the time.
08/05/2017.
Last of the season BMCA trial report on the Howard's Wood trial on the Sunday after the Scottish two day trial.
New Tale from Wilf Couldwell on later,
And other updates,
And a start on the plans and drawings of the "Mini Otter" frame,
for those who have now asked for it.
Now I have said I will not build anymore!
05/05/2017.
Charity begins at home page update ,Help Us Now.
More page updates for this week end, when I get to it.
The Charity ride is the important item at the moment.
01/05/2017.
New Wilf Couldwell story this time the G3C Matchless.
26/04/2017.
Mike Starts on the 2017 projects on Britannia Motorcycle projects page.
Photo of the newly acquired eRanger bike on "Charity begins at home" page.
23/04/2017.
The Colin Dommett Page updated and
The Henbest BSA Page page too.
"Chris Leighfield Sprite to Vibsa and More" page update.
And with a "Seven" in it, this means it will be the best year ever for BSA and Triumph "Otter" owners.
First NEW Page of the year.
"Gary Britton Builds Number Five",
More Later.
03/01/2017.
Deryk rang for a chat and had got a story about the Hodaka breed and more importantly the trials bikes built.
There were conflicting tales about where these machines were built,
So you know me. I was onto it.
So there could be a page coming up shortly.
In the mean time I think this little Video explains most about the company.and the club now has a huge following in the USA and Oregon especially.
*******
Well the year 2017,
Has got off to a brilliant. start and I don't know who up there is looking down, but thank you anyway.
So I was invited to the "Event Design and Build"
New year lunch in the "Hatton Arms" Warwickshire,
at twelve on the Fourth of Jan,
and as we were directed to our table, another group of lads appeared on the next table.
I started to sort of recognize, some of the guy's.
and they were from my competitive trials riding days, and others from other arts of the sixties off road scene.
But sitting on the table opposite was an Icon of the British trials scene, and Champion with his partner Dougie for so many years on the trials sidecar , scene it was the one and only all-round legend Ron Langston,
I was itching to go and introduce myself, but thought it was respectful to not butt in to a table enjoying their own company.
But later said hello as we left, Ron remembered, and our days competing together, and I am sure we will speak again shortly.
I reminded him of my tale.
*******
Ron And Doug Masters.
The trial was one of the Midland centre group trials, (I can't remember which one or the year) but it must have been 1962? And started from Edge Hill quarry Warwickshire. We had experienced a strength sapping day as we were new to this sidecar game, and the old bike was heavy. Well we had managed to keep going and were up with the rest of the chairs as we reached what I recall as being the last section of the day.
The long climb from the bottom of the hill at Radway up the old coach road to the top road opposite the Edge Hill quarry (King John's Lane).
We were parked at the tail end of the queue of outfits so had time to watch and study the line taken by the front running crews. Well that old lane was muddy and deep. And there was only one line straight up the middle. You could not see the bikes start the section standing halfway up the hill, but could hear the crescendo of revs building from the mainly Ariel and BSA singles as they set off.
By the time they had come into view most of them were footing like mad or the passenger was off pushing.
The galleried packed banks were passing comments on the action but not many were prepared to help the crews get their plots to the top.
Well stood watching the melee and virtually unnoticed, were Ron Langston and Doug Cooper.
A few words were exchanged between the pair, a few hand signals, and a few kicks of the soil slipping banks, they wondered back down the lane.
In the mean time more red faced struggling crews tried to reach the end's card.
The recognisable sound of Ron's Ariel sprang into life, the crowd was hushed with all necks craned to the corner down the lane, You could hear the power coming from the motors note and tell he was in a high gear, they sprang into view weaving from one side bank to the other, the note of the motor hardly changing, until they disappeared out of view around the top corner.
The motor was cut and the observer blew a blast on his whistle, followed by the tiny voice of Doug "All-right". I think so.
The remaining crew's including us, rushed down the lane to try the same manoeuvre but no one did, There was only one pair of Masters.
