Eventpost 13 - Bromsgrove BMCA

Yesterday was the 1st round of the BMCA championship, held at Bromsgrove. As my Dad had put the trial on, we spent Saturday marking out the sections and found a good mix of sections ranging from tight, twisty turns in the woods over roots to natural banks and finally some challenging rocky sections in an area that was being used as landfill. The pictures show the variation in the sections.

I learnt a valuable lesson yesterday, as a potential good ride was spoilt by one incident where I listened to an observer in relaton to the route that a section was taking rather than actually looking at the route for myself. As you can probably guess I took the wrong route and has a soft 5 which I then allowed to get to my head and after throwing my teddy out of the pram I proceeded to have another 5.

This loss of concentration put paid to my day and more loose marks went by the wayside eventually clminating in a 3rd five and a total of over 20 and a finish right down the results.

Not a good start to the season but probably a good lesson for me.

Steve Hay won the trial as expected. I will update the results as soon as I have them.

Dadpost 2

He gets a lot of credit on this site for building and maintaining my bikes, in fact I am pretty useless at anything more than basic maintenance. Here is a pic of my Dad in his usual position - working on my bike for me!! Thanks Dad..

Spritepost 21 - Where it all started

Whilst I was moving house recently I found a couple of pictures of the Sprite when I originally owned it approximately 12 years ago. Thought it might be intersting to see them on here...

Spritepost 20

OK, so I know I said it was finished, but you can never settle until you have got what you want can you??? Perhaps that's why I have been married 3 times!!!!!

Anyway, the frame has now come back and I must say I am extremely pleased with the outcome. The frame builder was Roger Heap (Tel No 01527 4793001). It hasn't been the quickest project but having agreed to build a one off frame to my spec I was willing to wait.

In the end, Roger built me a Sprite replica frame to my own spec (basically a copy of the original frame with the dimensions and angles that we had achieved through trial and error during the last build) we had intended to go super lightweight with a very thin guage T45 tube but eventually settled on a Reynolds tube that was a little thicker guage due to the fact that I will never be the easiest on my bikes and at 17st we agreed to be a little cautious.

In addition to the frame and swinging arm, I had a new exhaust, silencer, sump guard, false rear mudgard, seat base, tank and rear mudguard stay made.

Fortunately the left over parts including my spare engine (shown in the photos) have gone to a good home. Richard Clarke has provided a new home following contacts with me through this site. I am sure that when Richard has finished his build, we will post some pics of the bike on here to show it in it's new guise.

So now the new project begins and good old Dad has rolled up his sleeves to start the job in hand. The pictures today show the parts on the day I collected them from Roger.

As we stand today, Dad has turned a swinging arm spindle, the polishing mop has been busy working on the stainless rear mudguard stay and exhaust and we are waiting for the bearings to come for the headstock and swinging arm.

The next job will be to add the brackets for the chain tensioner, chain guard and electrics, the seat base needs covering and then the first build will take place to see how it all goes together and give it a spin before stripping and powder coating before a final build. All sounds easy when you say it like that but I am sure it will keep the chief mechanic (Dad) busy for a while yet!

Eventpost 12 - Shatterford Dudley & Dist MCC

Its been a while since I updated my BLOG as in the last month we have been busy moving house. We moved from Lancashire down to Martley near Worcester last month (just down the road from where the Red Marley Hill Climb is held annually so it will make a nice change to have so many trials nearby since we are now in the heart of the BMCA trials region)

I have managed to get a couple of trials in with a ride in the AMCA re-union event at Aldridge where I dropped 2 marks and finished 4th in the trial on my Cub.

Last weekend I wanted to give the Cub a run out in preparation for next weekends inter centre team trial and the only trial I could find locally was a modern centre trial run by the Dudley and District MCC at Shatterford near Kidderminster.

I rode the Clubmans route as I was on a Pre 65 bike and to be honest was caught between the two choices with the A route being a little too harsh and the B route being too easy.

Still, the intention was to gain confidence in the bike again after riding the Sprite for a while and to give the new clutch modification a proper run out. After a lot of work by my Dad getting the plates and spring tension spot on, as well as replacing the bushes in the clutch we have finally got the desired result with a light clutch and consistant action that performed well throughout the trial.

I managed to complete the trial on clean which is always a good result no matter how easy the sections are and I was pleased to maintain concentration which is something I often suffer with in multi-lap trials.

Results (B Route)

Pre65
1 Dave Dawson 0 Marks
2. Mick Parkes 5 Marks

Twinshock
1. Rob Badland 6 Marks

Clubman (Modern Bikes)
1. Stuart Breeze 0 Marks
2. David Morris 0 marks
3. Edward Harrison 1 Mark

Over 40 (Modern Bikes)
1. CV Alden 2 Marks
2. Martin watkins 24 Marks
3. Alan Cowley 28 Marks

Spritepost 19

As mentioned previously in the BLOG, I have now found someone to build a replica frame for the Sprite in T45/Reynolds tube as the original frame, although now handling perfectly, could do with losing a few pounds ( a bit like myself)

We decided in the end to use the same geometry that we had found to work on the old 'chopped' Sprite frame and when we checked it is was identical to the current James frames that are being produced. With that in mind it seemed that the easiest way of commissioning a frame was to use a James jig and make the adjustments in appearance to make it visibly the same as the Sprite with basically double down tubes adding, altering the engine mounting points slightly, changing the tube configuration under the tank area and altering the footrest position to allow them to be positioned lower.

The frame is coming along well with the tubes cut and bent and in the jig ready for brazing, the new tank is complete as is the bash plate. Once brazed the only remaining piece will be the exhaust and silencer which will be tucked in close to the frame and pulled in tight to the engine to keep it as narrow as possible.

The pictures show the frame as it currently stands in the jig.

Will provide more pics and updates as soon as I have them..

Cubpost 7

Whilst I have been on holiday for most of July, good old Dad had been busy at it working on my Cub to sort out some of the small niggles that were present, also after a few months riding the Sprite I wanted to get the riding position the same on both bikes which meant lowering the footrests by about 1.5 inches.

I had recently had some Marzocchi internals put into AJS Matchless lowers and some machining to use a Yamaha brace/mudguard stay so with those forks fitted the bike was back on 2 wheels and the list of requirements was handed to the 'Factory Mechanic' AKA Dad, whilst I jetted off with the Family for the USA for 3 1/2 weeks.

The list included;

Lowering the footrests

Making a new rear brake pedal to suit the new footrest position

Making a side stand
Making a new bash plate

Doing a modification on the clutch to make the action lighter - this is produced by Duncan Macdonald and also required some machining of the engine cases to fit.

Fitting a new Alloy Tank (incl moving the mounting point on the oil tank)

Stripping the subframe and swinging arm and having them powder coated

You can see from the pictures that all of these items have now been completed and the bike is looking in top shape for the start of the winter season. Thanks must go to 'Factory Pete!!'

I will have to try my best to do the bike justice when we start riding again.

By the way, note the natty horn on the bike (not a permanent fixture but my local MOT station have become rather pedantic about the location of the horn so it was required to get the bike legal for another year).

Eventpost 11 - BMCA Charity Trial Mucklestone

After a month out of action for my knee operation I felt it was about time I got back on a trials bike and a relatively easy ride out at Frank Bourne's charity trial was a good event to see how the knee would stand up.

I had my operation on Mon May 16th and the surgeon found that both cartilages were torn and a significant amount of scar tissue was discovered. The cartilage was repaired and the scar tissue cut out and the knee cleaned up. Following a cruciate ligament reconstuction about 12 years ago I have had problems on and off over the years but more recently ant activity left it swollen and painful to walk for a few days so I bit the bullet and had the op. The surgeon told me to expect a fair amount of pain for a couple of months but in fact I was walking without too much pain within a week, able to go up and down stairs comfortably within 2 weeks and by week 3 I started putting in some miles on my mountain bike so I didn't expect the trial to bring too many problems as long as my feet stayed on the footrests!

So on with the event, the rain in the last few days made the surface quite slick for the start of the trial making the climbs and cambers at the venue quite tricky for the 1st lap. I expected the grip to improve during the day so was in no rush on the 1st lap, which was quite a help as walking the sections was far more difficult for me than actually riding them!

I cleaned the 1st lap with many of the expected front runners (Chris Gasgoigne, Bill Bourne, Nathan Jones and Robert Bowyer) losing marks. I found that the Sprite was really effective in the mud and pulling 2nd gear everywhere it gave me the confidence that it would give me grip whenever I required it. (I actually changed the carb on the bike this week from an amal to a villiers and found it cured the bottom end zip that I have been looking for).

The second and third laps, as predicted, the grip came back though I made the mistake of not changing my approach accordingly and found myself getting into some trouble using 2nd gear actually going too quickly and over-shooting the lines on a few sections losing 6 marks, in sections 3 and 7.

On the final lap I had a word with myself and started to use the right gear and riding more controlled to clean the lap.

Overall a good trial with great sections and what ended up with good weather. My knee stood up to the test and sitting here at home now watching British Superbikes recorded earlier in the day, it hasn't started to swell so it seems to be 'so far so good'....

My bike now goes off to the frame builder this week to be copied for the new frame and I will be back out on the Cub next week as the new forks are in - I must say that I am looking forward to riding it again to see the different between the two.......

Will update the post with photos and results from today later this evening when I have them.

Just received the results and feel that I have been dealt a tough card by the observers today. I have been given a 3 on section 6 that I certainly didnt have but I am sure that this will level itself back out later in the year!!!

Results

2 Stroke

1. Dave Dawson 10

2. Chris Gascoigne 11

3. Nathan Jones 11

4. Carl Winstanley 16

5. Joe Howells 27

Unit

1. Tony Dillon 15

2. Nigel Randell 17

3. Brian Dale 25

4. Gary Hawkins 26

5. Dave Jones 26

Pre Unit

1. Pete Nadin 0

2. Bill Bourne 3

3. Robert Bowyer 5

4. Jim Pickering 19

5. Pete Reed 24

Eventpost 10 - High Whittaker Red Rose Classic

Sunday I rode at the Red Rose Classic Trial at High Whittaker, Padiham.

I can honestly say that this was one of the most enjoyable trials I have ridden for ages. The ground was fantastic with a mix of streams, rocks, roots and climbs. Though there has been some rain during the previous week it remained dry and the going was perfect on the day.

There were 15 sections and 4 laps laid out and the sections used the natural terrain well with planty of scope for different lines to be selected. With not a huge entry and 15 sections it meant that there was very little queuing and everything flowed well for a really good trial - well done to the organisers.

The bike ran well and I am getting more used to the technique required compared to the 4 stroke bike. I lost 2 silly marks with a wrong gear selected and a split pin coming off the rear brake arm and 2 marks that I needed, so a total of 4 for the day was the result.

I now have an enforced lay off with a knee operation curbing my trials activity for a few weeks so this trial was a good one to keep me motivated to get fit as soon as I can to get back on the bike.

Results
2Stroke
1. S Thomas 1
2. M Driffield 2
3. D Dawson 4
4. C Winstanley 11
5. P McCanna 13

Unit 4 stroke
1. J Maxwell 1
2. J Greenbank 7
3. T Dillon 9
4. D Harrison 9
5. E Boocock 16

Pre Unit 4 Stroke
1. M Cocking 4
2. C Benson 28

Eventpost 9 - Nab End, Yorkshire Classic

Last Sunday I rode a Yorkshire championship trial at Nab End, Sowerby. The venue was open moorland with a quarry area and most of the sections were my favourite loose rocks!!

The trial itself was fairly easy so slack marks were going to be punished with no real chance of making up ground on the field as it would have been relatively easy to clean the trial with the right levels of concentration.

As it happened, concentration was what I was lacking. After two single dabs on the same easy section on laps 1 and 2 I felt that the chance of a win had gone. A clean lap on lap 3 gave me a little more hope only for the last lap to bring a disaster with two 3's due to lapses of concentration and dropping off line on loose rocks leaving me looking like a millipede with legs everywhere to get back on line and out of the section.

As expected the trial was won by Steve Thomas on clean and I ended up winnig a tie for 4th with Jill Driffield on the oldest rider rule.

Photo taken from the Yorks Classic WWW site of me in section 8.

Results

2 Stroke Class

1. S Thomas 0

2. S Holt 2

3. P McCanna 6

4. D Dawson 8

5. J Driffield 8

Unit 4 Stroke

1. D Brookes 7

2. T Emmott 13

3. K Shuttleworth 19

4. T Peat 20

5. I Alderson 37

Pre Unit

1. D Emmott 2

2. S Lockley 3

3. G Mitchell 4

4. J Feather 5

5. D Wear 13