Showcase Time - Classic era bikes

[Twinshock200]

Here's a few more from the British Bike Bonanza (BBB) last week, sorry for the delay I thought there was a website problem when the topics stopped coming up on the main page and there was a message from Keith.
Jon V8's pics also prove that these old bikes get used pretty regularly over here as a couple of them are repeated in his pics and mine, sorry I couldn't make it to the Eurocup Jon, it looked like they all enjoyed their day.
A couple of these bikes at the BBB were for sale so have a look at the asking price !!!!

Just on a change of subject, is anyone following the "engine cut out lanyard" topic that I started a couple of weeks ago, have a look at my last post a few minutes ago !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheers
Galps

[JC1]

I found out a bit more about the Firefly & GRM, pictured above on p4.

If my info is correct the Firefly was a UK kit bike from 67, built for Cub, C15, Greeves & Villiers engines

GRM was Bill Grapevine's work (GRM = Grapevine Racing Motors), who was a bit of a trials identity in the US. He began building bikes in the 60s, including some lightweight rigids & a Hodaka 90 model shown below - known as GRM Mavericks - but the GRM Islo was mass produced in Mexico from 71 to 74 when 1575 were said to be built/sold but of course thats not Classic era.

Non-original tank

GRM maverickcub 160Lbs wet.jpg (51.06 KiB) Viewed 7706 times

GRM maverickcub2.jpg (54.76 KiB) Viewed 7706 times

4sp Bul engine

GRM Bul, rigid.jpg (97.95 KiB) Viewed 7706 times

GRM Bultaco rigid 2.jpg (106.99 KiB) Viewed 7706 times

Grapevine Maverick Hodaka 90.jpg (156.58 KiB) Viewed 7706 times

I didn't know Hodakas would be eligible for Classics, but the Ace90 4sp model was produced from 1964, so here's a few Ace-based specials

Harry Taylor was head of R&D at Hodaka & a keen trials rider. This bike was originally built back in the day

Hodaka Trias, Harry Taylors now.jpg (91.22 KiB) Viewed 7706 times

Hodaka-Trials 100 3.jpg (154.03 KiB) Viewed 7706 times

Hodaka Ace 100 trials1.jpg (39.45 KiB) Viewed 7706 times

[David Lahey]

Thanks John those are very interesting bikes especially the Hodakas. I had seen Jay Lael's terrific Hodaka from the mid-2000s before but not those ones you posted. The weight of that 90 is just amazing. Do anyone know why those Grapevine bikes were built as rigids?

[JC1]

Yeh they are aren't they David, esp since the early ones are Classic legit. There's a veritable plethora of interesting Hodie trials bikes on the net. They seem to 'breed' like no other

Jay's bikes are Wombat based which aren't legit, but since they could be duplicated on Ace-based models I'll digress & post some of his & others, for anybody interested. Jay has done several he calls T1, T2 & T3. Personally I think T1 looks the nicest. T3 (not pictured) is more radical.

Hodaka trials, Jay Lael- TC-2.jpg (68.16 KiB) Viewed 7642 times

Hodaka Trials Jay Lael T-1.jpg (62.45 KiB) Viewed 7642 times

The Bullfrog original was conceived at Hodaka R&D by fitting a Hodie engine into a Saracen frame & fitting a Cotton tank (Pabatco were also importers of Brit stuff), then building double-downtube versions for Hodaka engines. Only "6 or 7" were built. Original in foreground, said in some places to be a 175

Hodaka Bullfrogs (only 7 built).jpg (99.3 KiB) Viewed 7642 times

Hodaka Bullfrogs.jpg (182.64 KiB) Viewed 7642 times

The Avenger was built & marketed by Sprite using their frames w Wombat engines, designed for oil workers in outback US apparently. About 150 were said to be built but I wouldn't be surprised if that figure is considerably exaggerated.

Hodaka SpriteAvenger 125 Trials.jpg (134.64 KiB) Viewed 7642 times

Here's a few more nice Wombat-based 125s

hodaka trials 125.jpg (76.76 KiB) Viewed 7642 times

hodaka 125 trials b.jpg (77.92 KiB) Viewed 7642 times

Hodaka Trials 9.jpg (97.23 KiB) Viewed 7642 times

Hodaka Trials 6.jpg (188.31 KiB) Viewed 7642 times

And a rather stunning one-off Twinshock.

Hodaka Trials 5.jpg (75.39 KiB) Viewed 7642 times

[JC1]

Some Huskies, a Horex & more Hondas

HUsky 175 Trials, 62 SSDT.jpg (34.71 KiB) Viewed 7589 times

Husky silverpilen Trial.jpg (18.74 KiB) Viewed 7589 times

Husky trials special.jpg (69.62 KiB) Viewed 7589 times

Horex-Regina trials.jpeg (197.88 KiB) Viewed 7589 times

Honda-C65Trials-Cub 1967.gif (89.13 KiB) Viewed 7589 times

Honda CB160-CD175 Trials Ives 67-68.jpg (43.13 KiB) Viewed 7589 times

Honda 160 trials 215Lbs.jpg (48.51 KiB) Viewed 7589 times

Honda twin, Rob L 2.JPG (151.94 KiB) Viewed 7589 times

Honda twin 175 Eddy Lejeune 67.jpg (89.61 KiB) Viewed 7589 times

Honda twin 175 Eddy Lejeune 67 2.jpg (101.93 KiB) Viewed 7589 times

[JC1]

While we're on Twins, here's a few heavyweights. Or is that super-heavyweights!
Can't imagine why anyone would want to compete on bikes w such a huge lump of an engine, but then... I've never ridden one.
Must be something endearing about them

Triumph rigid.jpg (227.04 KiB) Viewed 7375 times

Triumph 400, built by D&C Classic Bikes.JPG (187.51 KiB) Viewed 7375 times

Triumph 5TA in B40 frame.jpg (159.69 KiB) Viewed 7375 times

Trifield, SSaunders 2011 pre65 SSDT winner.jpg (140.35 KiB) Viewed 7375 times

Trifield.JPG (211.27 KiB) Viewed 7375 times

Triumph-Hardy 1960.jpg (46.63 KiB) Viewed 7375 times

Triumph twin.jpg (58.87 KiB) Viewed 7375 times

Triumph twin 2.jpg (64.48 KiB) Viewed 7375 times

Triumph twin 3.jpg (209.43 KiB) Viewed 7375 times

And a Greeves twin!

Greeves twin, classic.jpg (235.51 KiB) Viewed 7375 times

[Jon V8]

I do like that rigid Triumph twin ! Everyone here loves the sound of them when they are working hard on a good hillclimb - sheer music.
Its a good point about riding heavyweight bikes,yes they are more tiring to ride because of the sheer weight.But it doesnt mean they cant grip or steer well.In proper trials with plenty of mud they often do as well or better than more modern kit,my AJS for instance will find grip anywhere,even with the 8psi that I run in the rear tyre...
Very satisfying when you beat a load of twinshocks and unit bikes too...

[David Lahey]

I came across this beaut motor for P65 trials yesterday. It sure ticks all my boxes
I'm told it might be a motor used by works JAWA riders in an ISDT in the 1950s. It is 250cc

[Geoff Lewis]

Hi there David, You are a very lucky man to find this very rare piece. These motors were basically hand built by the factory and internally polished etc, Giving between 18 and 24 horsepower depending on specification. I think you should give it to me.Just kidding ( sort of) . Well done.
Regards Geoff

[David Lahey]

I'm not that lucky Geoff. I only got to admire it, rather than buy it. It is being prepared for use in vintage MX racing by Tricub for a customer