Basket Cases

[JC1]

I tho't it was common knowledge that some Brit frame-makers back in the day didn't make the whole frame & swingarm from 531/T45. The "531" sticker was sometimes carefully placed on the part that was 531, inferring that the whole frame was. Bit of a con-job really.


Dave, thanks for all the pics. Great find. Doesn't seem to be much doubt its a Whitehawk mini does there.

Can I foresee a lengthened swingarm coming up?

[David Lahey]

Dave, can I foresee a lengthened swingarm coming up?

I think it will be perfect for my kids in standard form. I also get the feeling that the frame would break if someone as heavy as me started riding rocks on it.
The main frame section is amazingly light compared with a TY frame. The swingarm though is heavier than TY swingarm, and when you look at the design of the stand and its attachment, you can see where the weight is.

[TriCub]

I think it's time for a photo of all the TY's in the Lahey stable.

[David Lahey]

I think it's time for a photo of all the TY's in the Lahey stable.

Cripes, anyone would think I had a thing about Yamahas. Every trial I've ridden so far this year has been on my Montesa 348, bar one when I buggered up the front wheel trying to true it the day before the trial.

[David Lahey]

I think it's time for a photo of all the TY's in the Lahey stable.

Not only that, but I would have to clean them so they looked pretty

[FM350]

I dont think Miller ever sold Whitehawk frame kits? If the top tube is square ERW then its not Whitehawk or Miller, as 531 was used on the Whitehawk, and I think T45 on the main parts of the Miller.

Correction to the above............just spoke to someone who had a Miller frame back in the day and they did have ERW square top tubes! Seems strange that Miller would want to use ERW as its nowhere near as strong as HT round tube? Probably got the idea fro the Seeley 200 Honda, which was also built out of ERW square.

Tank seat unit isnt much like the ones sold by Miller in the past, and i would imagine is something thats more recently made. Looks a nice little bike and should ride quite well.

Photos of someone's Whitehawk showing square section frame tube

I could certainly see Miller using ERW square tube to save a few pennies, but would never have thought Mick Whitlock would have done this?

[GHRC]

Hi all I just picked up a basket case TL250 Honda. Being only 13 years old it will be a long term project so i will need as much info as possible.The first person I would like to thank is Greg Harding for the loan of the swinging arm. the swinging arm on the bike has been extended by about 6 inchs so now we can return it to its original length and shape!! by jigging Gregs swing arm.

Thanks again Greg.

[Joe Henderson]

Dear All,

I was under the impression that Whitlock made all the frames for Miller as well as all the brake and gear levers and mudguard stays etc. that I used to drool over like a ten year old, with my face pressed up against the window of the shop in Gore Road..

I certainly never saw a frame jig in Sam's workshop, but it is a very long time ago.

Maybe he just bought-in from wherever was cheapest and available at the time.

Two of my mates had Miller frames and both had to straighten and re bronze weld the headstock gussets after tough events.

One of the aforementioned mates had a long and acrimoniuos battle with Sam before the frame was replaced.

Whereas yet another mate had a Whitlock framed 325 that never gave a moments's trouble throughout a very long career.

I suppose it was down to what material they had to hand. As long as it was nicely Chromed ( Nickel plated on the early ones after concern about embrittlement ) people would buy them. Anything was better than the gas-pipe early standard Spanish frames!

The Miller sticker helped too, of course.

Regards,

Joe Henderson.

[FM350]

Miller frames were (and are) made by an ex Rickman guy, who rents an industrial unit from him. They were always made as cheaply as possible, and used the old trick of a 531 or T45 sticker on the frame, while only using 2 or 3 inches of this tube, with the rest often being ERW. Most people who had Miller frames ended up with the view that their OE frames were better, as nearly all of them cracked/broke when used in serious competition.

[Greg Harding]

Hi Everyone,

David, the KT forks are heaps better than my ones, I will linish and fit some good quality seals, thankyou. Wondering what era your frame was made as the motor is lifted quite high like bikes in the mid 80's?

Here is a photo of the latest Basket Case TLM 220/200, not sure if it is a 220 with 200 barrell or a 200 with a 220 bottom end and tank?

Quite a few spares to keep Donna's bike going, will be good just to have spare cables and things to take to trials. Thankyou June and Tom.

Jordy, somehow missed that the TL250 swingarm was 6 inches longer, what were they doing to warrant such a long length?