Basket Cases

[Greg Harding]

HI Everyone,

Raining in Coffs Harbour, apparently we have high rainfall because the hills are very close to the ocean! This can make organising any event a bit like Russian Roulette! Very disappointing for everyone who travelled to ride and help co-ordinate the Bucca Trial!

Below is a photo of everyone who rode on the Saturday before, from left to right Lachlan, Les, Ross, Me, Donna, Andrew, Stu, Gary and Jarad. Where we ride has a different type of clay which doesn't pick up, also is more gravel based. With the exception of creeks being too deep to cross, we can ride all year round and have riden after a week of similar rain which we experienced this weekend (makes the waterfall very impressive).

David, I am thinking of riding my TY 175B at the Twinshock Masters and the Bucca Trial was going to be a test for my bike preparation.

Ross, thanks again for the second hand tyres and bits and pieces, they certainly will get used at my place! BTW, I hope you enjoy the DVD's.

Andrew, I will bring the TL125 side stand to the next trial after I lenghten it. Perhaps it won't be as wet in Sunny Queensland!

Stu, we will give you another chance to ride Sherco Hill the day before the next Bucca Trial, perhaps you can organise some more people to come riding with us. Also thank you again for picking up Donna's TLM 220 off Andy on the way up, we are both very happy with it!

The smiling Bonifaces, great to see 3 generations enjoying our sport and look forward to riding with you guys again! I am told that next year, Mum is riding as well (Great stuff)

[Greg Harding]

Hi Everyone,

Brownie, thanks again for the Yamaha nick-nacs and this Revs motorcycle news newspaper dated Friday August 10 1973. I can't scan the whole paper but I do want to point out some interesting bits.

Extract from the article--------Brisbane based Annand and Thompson air freighted this TY250A (1st one in Australia) and negotiated for Dave Pinkerton, the current Australian Trials Champion to ride it. Dave Pinkerton who was under contract to a local Yamaha/Montesa agent Bob Morgan was travelling the National Show Cricuit performing his now-famous trick-riding act. An agreement was reached between the three parties for Pinkerton to make three major apearances. He will ride the TY250A in the QLD and Aussie Titles and at the Brisbane Show. After that, the Yamaha will become the personal property of Pinkerton--------

After reading the artical, I think we were all right about Yamaha. However, not sure about it being a TY because he was already sponsored and riding on the Show circuit. They are definitely chrome mudguards, the plot thickens!

[David Lahey]

My theories:
Previous to that TY250A production bike being given to Dave, his stunt shows may have been on a (Bob Morgan sponsored) Montesa 247
The bike in the movie is a TY250A with silver painted mudguards and lots of other bling

Even though that might have been the first production TY250A on these shores, I had always thought that there was at least one pre-production TY250 here, before the production bikes arrived. I can still picture the bike I was told was a pre-prod TY250 by its owner. It had a similar paint scheme to the TY250A but had maroon instead of yellow, and the exhaust pipe went upwards from the exhaust port instead of down, right then up. It was 1974 or 1975 and the owner claimed the bike had been bought from one of the Gough brothers (Robert I think). The owner was a local kid same age as me. We both rode at the same places that the Gough brothers practised trials. Bruce Jackson or Peter Claffey might remember better than me about that bike and its owner.

I've recently been told by someone who watched one of the Pinkerton stunt shows (and told me that it was a blinged-up TY250A that he saw) that the Vee Dub and other stunt obstacles were transported inside that huge enclosed trailer and there was only space for about three bikes in the trailer, accessed through the side front door. What a waste of space!

[Greg Harding]

Hi Everyone,

David, after some more thought and googling old Yamaha models(ie DT1, DT2 and DT3), I think you are right. What I couldn`t understand is why they would paint a bike such a dark colour when it is ridden at night??????

Chippy, these footpegs of yours in the photo below, I have managed to straighten the bent one and they are tough (pretty sure they are chrome moly)! The grapevine tells me they are off a replica bike ridden by some magical bloke from the other side of the world? Is this your secret weapon for the twinshock masters, makes me curious???? After you convincingly beat me on very similar bikes on sunday, I am feeling very outclassed. All I have is a old beaten up almost worn out TY175B resurrected Basket Case (wont mention all of the problems as it may not pass scrutineering!)

Lately we have been taking turns, remember the gate trial at Esk, I do!

Will this mean two in a row for you?????

[chippy]

Hi all,

Yes Greg we have been taking it in turns but as YOU said I have been doing better at the ones that COUNT including the one on the weekend. So it maybe your turn this weekend. But your poor old "basket case" is well sorted. Thanks for getting the footpegs sorted and you have put one of those brain teasers out there for those that are not that well versed in trials history. It is going to make people wonder what I am going to turn up with. That "secret weapon" is not yet tested and will have had literally the day before to get any practice in up at Conondale.
I think there will be a few late nights this week getting it sorted, including footpeg springs (I may need some) as they never came out with any!!!
Ross you have probably guessed already that "that" purchase did occur. Thanks for your help.
I will post some photos of this "mystery machine" after the weekend for those who are having trouble working it out.

Greg yes I do remember the Gate Trial at Esk, but I remember the Aussies BETTER!!!! Let the games begin!

Chippy

[David Lahey]

It's not much of a secret since Greg posted the photos of the footpegs!

[David Lahey]

My money is on the Yamaha - go Greg

[Greg Harding]

Hi Everyone,

David, thanks for your vote of confidence, Chippy is a good competitor and can ride anything!

Chippy, welded your pegs today (photo below) and hope they work well on this mystery secret weapon. How`s the preparation going?

Aussie Titles, yes thats a biggy, your memory is good! I`ll have just one more try, does your memory go back toThe Battle of the Beards this year?

Eh what about that one?

[Greg Harding]

Hi Everyone,

Just posting a photo of some of the TY`s at the Twinshock Masters after riders briefing before we added dirt. Even Ronnie`s sidecar at the other end!

Rob and crew, another excellent event, certainly a good formula with classes for everyone. A little disappointing that no one entered an air cooled mono, hopefully next time! Has WDTC considered an unusual or rare bike theme to see how many different bikes come out of the woodwork? Personally I am working my way through my collection with Honda TLR250, Bultaco Alpina350 and now Yamaha TY175 ticked of the list. Not sure what I will ride next year, might wait and see if there is a theme?

[David Lahey]

Greg we must be twins mate - we both rode TY250As (together) at the TY Challenge, we both lend people twinshocks to get them started, and we both rotate through our bikes at Conondale! Your post had the old grey matter going tonight trying to remember the sequence for me at the Twinshock Masters. I reckon it is:
2004 Yamaha TY175B (1975)
2005 Montesa Cota 348 (1976)
2006 Bultaco Sherpa T M49 (1968)
2007 Godden Majesty 250 (1981) (tied with George McKenzie on his OSSA)
2008 OSSA MAR 250 Mk2 (1975)
2009 - went to Denman MCC with Mark Casswell and had a ball there instead
2010 - Yamaha TY175/205 (1975) and Yamaha TY250A (1973)
2011 - TBA - but definitely not an Alpina!!!