Classic Dirt Bike - Spring 2021 - Preview

SPORTING ACTION IN 2020  WE FOUND SOME!

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#58

ISSUE Fifty-eight Spring 2021

MEGA MAICO

Magnificenceinthemist Lovely Lito L l Lit

Featherlight fabulousness

PLUS

Gold Top G ld T

Cream of the ISDT

Two or four…

T f

… strokes, your choice

WORKSHOP WOES WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN FRENCH FANCY

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MOTO IN BALANCE MEMORIES

Smile please Capturing an image is a popular part of any celebration.

B

irthdays and anniversaries, Christmas and new year are all occasions which we love to celebrate, in normal times with our friends and family – then there are other occasions, those smaller events which also require a celebration.

While national successes will make the headlines of the national press there are occasions which are momentous in a particular field and once they have happened are talked about and discussed for years, especially if there is documented evidence.

Documenting momentous occasions has been the job of photography since the art form was invented and once discovered it added accuracy to descriptions of events as well as providing a way in which those not present could see what happened.

Prior to photography there were descriptions of events by observers, even artistic depictions from sketches or a whole record of an event created into a linen document called the Bayeux Tapestry.

Unlike photography, where the recorder is actually on the spot, I doubt there were teams of people stitching away as The Battle of Hastings happened so, unlike photography, the record of The Battle of Hastings was completed after the fact from tales related by the winner.

As this column is being written on Burns Night, a celebration when thoughts can and do turn to all things Scottish, being a trials rider, my ‘Scottish thoughts’ are generally about the SSDT. The news broke earlier this month about the effect this pandemic is still having on our sporting world in general and several events in Scotland in particular.

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❝ To have become legendary as only

dabbing once in the six day event, Jackson must, by default, have cleaned every other observed section ❞ The first casualty was the Scottish Grand National Scramble at Drumlanrig, then the decision to cancel the Scottish Six Days Trial and the Pre-65 Scottish Two Day followed, as restrictions aimed at combatting the spread of Covid-19 remain in place.

Few trials riders will be unaware 2021 would have been the 60th anniversary of Gordon Jackson’s one-dab win and the historic photograph of the exact point when Jackson’s foot left the timing-side footrest and instead briefly and firmly supported Gordon as his AJS momentarily wobbled at the top of Grey Mare’s Ridge in the 1961 Scottish. Even though most of us weren’t there to see it for real the spectacular picture of this ‘dab’ means we can see it and appreciate it in a way in which wouldn’t have been possible had we been there.

If you had been one of the spectators or riders who were on Grey Mare’s Ridge that fateful May 60 years ago, it is quite possible this historic moment might have been missed as not everyone would be in the right place to see. Still, the picture was taken, it is there and we can celebrate both it and the achievement all these years later.

I came to the realisation that the way events are recorded for posterity has changed considerably in the 60 years since Gordon was pictured with his foot down on Grey Mare’s Ridge. Another thing I’ve just realised is that to have become legendary as only dabbing once in the six day event, Jackson must, by default, have cleaned every other observed section in the trial, yet this bit is rarely mentioned.

Okay, back to the point… or closer to it, since 1961 the art or science of capturing imagery has advanced more than the period from The Bayeux Tapestry up

until 1961. I’m led to believe renaissance painters and artists could and did use a type of pin-hole camera to project an image onto canvas for initial sketches, it was a short step to alchemists discovering chemicals which reacted with light to preserve an image on glass plates, then film. In 1961 in the motorcycle press of the day film and glass plate photography was used. A film camera was used to take the picture of Jackson but when Don Morley was taken along to do the photoshoot on the winning bike he used a glass plate camera.

Forget images of bearded gents in frock coats and top hats with massive cameras formed from mahogany, as by 1961 glass plate cameras were no bigger than SLR film cameras. For the action photographer the technological advances were well received but the images still needed development, a step in the direction of instant imagery came with the Kodak Instamatic which produced a self developing picture almost instantly.

These days with digital technology widely available there is no need for developing processes as literally millions of images are downloaded to discs and storage sticks every year, but how many are seen once their brief viewing is over?

A shame because who knows what gems lie hidden on such devices, maybe they would be worth celebrating too.

SPRING 2021 |

3

Regulars 06 News and views

Lots of ‘will it, won’t it?’ news regarding shows, events and gatherings in the pandemic-hit off-road world.

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Find out how your copy of CDB could drop on your doormat on a regular basis.

58 Dicko’s view

A reflection on a life lived and some tales of an outgoing personality in the trials world.

72

Dirt Talk

The dirt bike world has a lot of views, this is where you can air them. Not as instant as social media but worthier.

82 Moto Memories

It would have been 60 years since Gordon Jackson dabbed on Grey Mare’s Ridge, our memory is of a year earlier.

Events

74

54 Under the wire

Yes, there was time for some events and Westmorland MCC managed another scramble at their showground course.

60 Classic British MX series

Hopefully as the year progresses there will be some classic MX action.

Dave Gittins sets his stall for the CDB scrambles series.

65 What might have been

With the sport decimated and cancellations rife as the pandemic hits hard we have a look at some past events.

On the cover Kev Smith's Mega Maico enjoys some respite before being unleashed on the track during Galloway's track building day.

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28

Features 10

18

Super Swede

Signing off an era of big bikes the Swedish Lito shows what can be done to make these machines competitive in modern classic events.

Chalk and cheese pt1

The world of trials was in a period of change in the Sixties, the 'Spanish Armada' was on the way, yet there were still British machines out there.

28 Chalk and Cheese pt2

Two pre-65 machines – as different as chalk and cheese on the face of it but how different? We have a look.

10

38 A glance at…

…a JCM in Sammy Miller’s museum.

52 A glance at…

… some ISDT Gold from the National Motorcycle Museum

74

60 54

Magnificent Maico

In the misty hills of Galloway MCC’s test track we capture a Maico before it gets dirty.

Technical 42 In the workshop

There's so much going on this issue – a new wheel has appeared, some alloy has been cut and the dust brushed off something OTT.

50 Dirt Products

Got something to enhance the off-road experience? Let us know and we’ll tell the world… yes, we will… you can’t stop us!

SPRING 2021 | 5

CDB show: Pandemic forces change of date and venue The Hagon Shocks supported Classic Dirt Bike Show is as much at the mercy of this global pandemic and official attempts to deal with the virus as everyone else is.

So, for 2021 only, the best classic off-road show in the world will decamp from Telford’s International Centre to Staffordshire County Showground on September 18/19.

Long regarded as the season opener for our scene, the Hagon Shocks backed Classic Dirt Bike Show’s traditional date has been hit by social distancing regulations for 2021 but will return to its traditional February date and Telford venue for 2022.

Though regulations change on an almost daily basis, signs are vaccinations will have advanced to a wider age group and there should be light at the end of the

tunnel. With a one-year date change the traditional last minute purchasing of the final bits to sort a bike out for the season is now a let’s-seewhat-we-can-build-for-thepost-pandemic season ahead.

So, no matter what discipline you ride in there’s a chance to head to the Hagon Shocks Classic Dirt Bike Show and come away with armfuls of bits and pieces.

While actual details are scant at the moment Mortons’ shows team will be working flat out to make sure the show is the best possible one it can be.

Naturally, given all the events which have been postponed or cancelled, we’re all desperate for somewhere to be in relation to our scene and the show will provide this opportunity. So, if you’re keen to display in the private entries, or are a club looking

to promote your event for 2022 then contact the shows team and see what’s available.

Contact the shows team on 01507 529430.

New series name and sponsor Almost since its launch the popular National Twinshock Championship trials series has been supported by Kia Motors, thanks to the efforts of Kia dealer David Dench.

The relationship has worked well, however Kia’s focus has moved to electric vehicles and the trials series no longer fits their plans. The series organisers would like to thank David Dench and Kia Motors for their great support and generosity over the last six years.

Initially for twinshock and air-cooled mono machines, the scene has changed considerably over the years and being described as a Twinshock Championship does not now accurately reflect the series. So, to herald the announcement of a new sponsor there is also a name change, the series will be known as The Rockshocks Classic Trials Championship.

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Rockshocks have a good relationship with the series as director Gary Fleckney has supported it as a rider for many years and was Air Cooled Mono Clubman Champion in 2016; Caroline Fleckney was instrumental in organising the

charity calendar which helped raise over £9000 for Teenage Cancer Trust in 2019.

Rockshocks have committed to a three-year sponsorship deal which will enable the series to progress and flourish.

Highland Classic Two-Day – Edition Fantic One of the ‘must do’ events in the classic trials calendar is Inverness and DMCC’s Highland Classic Two-Day on the Alvie estate near Aviemore.

This all off-road event boasts all the traditional trials terrain a rider could want and then some, and with a great run across the fells it's not a pocket handkerchief course either.

In common with most organisers, the club's keeping a close eye on the regulations for social distancing which are in force to combat this pandemic.

So, the current situation with the trial is it’s looking possible for it to go

ahead, however things change on an almost daily basis so no final decision is being taken just yet.

The committee will meet, online, in February for an update session, with a decision on the running of the trial being held off until as late as possible in April. The club will work closely with the event's permitting authority – Scottish ACU – and the primary Trial Partners, which is Alvie Estates Ltd who have the final say as the landowners. For the moment, the event is still planned for the weekend of June 12/13, 2021.

Classic British MX series

As you will see elsewhere in this issue, the popular MX championship run by Dave Gittins through the AMCA, hopes to run a programme of events in 2021. There’s more in the feature on p60 and naturally all things depend on Government pandemic restrictions, but here’s a taster of the events list: As things stand for 2021, championship meetings include: April 25: Bath Classic May 23: Westmorland MCC June 13: Acorns MCC July 11: Mortimer Classic August 29: Moseley September 26: Llanthony Classic

SSDT and Pre-65 Scottish Trial cancelled The following press release from Edinburgh DMC about the SSDT and Pre-65 Scottish Trial is reproduced here in full: "Due to the current coronavirus restrictions still being in place, the Edinburgh & District Motor Club Board of Directors has taken the decision to cancel both the Pre65 Scottish and the Scottish Six Days Trials for 2021.

"This decision was not taken lightly with committee members from both events wanting them to take place but, the sensible and responsible thing to do was cancel. Not only did we need to consider all the riders, officials and followers that enjoy both these events and the amount of preparatory work that goes into making them possible, but we also had to take into account the risk to the local community by bringing large numbers of people from all over the world into Lochaber.

"With the virus still very

prevalent around the world, this was not a risk we were prepared to take, therefore the decision to cancel was the only way forward.

"We realise this is devastating for all those involved with these events but also to the local community and businesses that enjoy a considerable income from our presence in the area, but we hope you understand that the health of the local community is of utmost importance and must come first.

"The Pre-65 Scottish Trial Committee has now had a virtual video meeting to discuss how we deal with those entrants who had an entry for the 2020/2021 trial. Due to the uncertainty at present about how long we are likely to be under restrictive guidelines that prevent our sport taking place, the committee would like to delay making a decision until May/June 2021 when we see how the vaccine is rolling out

and if restrictions are easing before we decide whether or not it is feasible to carry entries over for a second time or scrap the entry and refund all monies and then start afresh for 2022.

"If you have an entry for the 2021 trial and do not wish to ride in 2022 or to wait for a few more months until the position regarding restrictions is clearer, you may email sec@pre65scottish.co.uk to withdraw your entry and a

refund will be sent out to you now. Please clearly state your name and riding number in the email.

"The Pre-65 Scottish Trial Committee are very disappointed that the 2021 Trial had to be cancelled and we are keeping our fingers crossed that things will return to as near normal as soon as possible to allow time to start work on the 2022 Pre-65 Scottish Trial. Please stay safe and well everyone."

SPRING 2021 | 7

R.E.H Forks

R.E.H Forks, Britain's answer to competition forks for pre-65 trials and pre-74 motocross, has developed a new Booster Spring for its Classic Moto-X Forks.

The Booster fits inside the main MX spring, to selectively stiffen the front suspension.

"The new spring-in-spring adds 0.5N/mm per leg, allowing fine-tuning for specific tracks," said engineer Duncan Macdonald, for R.E.H Forks.

"Riders can add a spring to just one R.E.H Fork leg if a small adjustment is needed, or drop a spring into each leg if extra 'boost' is needed for the biggest jumps." The standard R.E.H MX spring is rated at 4.3 N/mm.

R.E.H test rider Chris Chell tried them initially at a classic motocross race meeting near York. Chris won three races in the pre-74 class on his Cheney BSA with R.E.H forks and yokes.

"During the day the off-camber track became really rough so I decided to add the new R.E.H Booster Springs to my forks, to make them stiffer for the final races," he said. "It was so easy: top nuts off, drop the Booster springs inside the main springs, top nuts back on, and away. It took two minutes, with no messing about with oil, and I was racing on a completely different set of forks. I was well impressed."

Booster Springs are £22.20 (inc VAT) and are in stock now.

Details at www.rehforks. com, click on MX Options. Or contact Duncan or Judy at rehforks@ gmail.com, tel 01751 417371.

Remembering those who have passed One of the saddest parts of reporting on the subject we’re passionate about is recording those stars of our scene who are no longer with us.

They may well have been super star riders or people who did their bit to help make not only our sport a nicer place but the world in general, but all are stars nonetheless.

As the year of 2020 drew to a close and 2021 opened before us we learned of several names whose journey in life reached the chequered flag or Section Ends cards and 2021 will be the poorer without them.

Our 2020 Telford Guest of Honour Bryan ‘Badger’ Goss, 1970 British MX champion, businessman and responsible for the popularity of Maico in the UK passed away on January 6, 2021.

Belgian MX racer Joel Robert passed away on January 13, 2021 after a long period of poor health. The racer burst upon the MX scene with CZ in the Sixties before moving on to the Suzuki when the Japanese industry realised MX was worth being involved with.

The trials world was shocked to hear Manuel Soler – Spanish champion and part of the Bulto family – passed away suddenly on January 19, 2021. Manuel seemed always

OSSA Stuff and Vintco If any indication was needed on the health of the classic dirt bike world, then the announcement by Gary Warr of OSSA Stuff that he’s taken on the supply of Vintco parts for the UK is a positive one.

Says Gary: “As a racer of OSSA Phantoms I’ve dealt with Vintco for a long time, the opportunity to work with them in the UK was too good to pass up.” So, Gary tells us he has faster moving parts already in stock and can promise super quick delivery on all Vintco

Trialsart Tankshelters Just announced is the change of ownership on the Trialsart tank shelters used on Honda RTL and TLR models. They now join the Rockshocks fold though Gary Fleckney tells us the Trialsart business will run separately but alongside the Rockshocks business. The tank shelters provide superb styling to cover the aluminium petrol tanks on these iconic Honda models and allow a slightly more comfortable seat to be fitted too. So, if your TLR is looking tired or your RTL is losing its shine, contact Gary on 01234 741800 or email info@ rockshocks.co.uk there will be a website for Trialsart but at the time of going to press this was not finalised.

8 | SPRING 2021

to be smiling and was a true bon viveur and a formidable competitor who treated everyone the same.

Royal Enfield star Peter Fletcher, who gained the nickname ‘Fearless Fred’ from his contemporaries, passed away peacefully at his home in Knaresborough on January 22, 2021. After his riding career Peter went on to be OSSA importer among other things.

Closer to home for CDB, North East Centre enthusiast John Graham passed away at the beginning of December 2020. A stalwart of the North East Centre observers, ‘Farmer John’ manned sections in all weathers and not just local trials either.

And personally, hailing from a trials riding family meant, for me, there was obviously some influence on how I rode and how I should ride, from not just my father but my uncle too. This family influence on my riding came to an end on January 27, 2021 when my uncle, John Britton, passed away.

The nation mourned the passing of Centenarian Captain Sir Tom Moore, he captured everyone's hearts by completing his charity walk as he approached 100 years of age. He was one of ‘us’ too, having been a competition motorcyclist in his youth.

stuff. The range covers not just OSSA but Bultaco, Can Am, CZ, DKW, Hercules, Hodaka, Honda, Husqvarna, Kawasaki, KTM, Maico, Monark, OSSA, Penton, Sachs, Suzuki, SWM and Yamaha models produced between 1970 and 1981.

Additionally as Gary is a racer he knows the value of the “break it on Sunday, order on Monday, racing on Sunday” ethos. He also teased us with some developments he’s been working on for a Mega

Phantom incorporating all the special parts he’s developed and wrapped in a frame by the legendary Harry Stitt.

Gary has suggested we go along when Covid restrictions allow, to see the finished, and have a ride on, the Phabulous Phantom… you’re on son! Meanwhile contact Gary through the website www.vmxstuff.com or email him on enquiries@ vmxstuff.com or ring him on 01250 577900 for all the Vintco and OSSA Stuff parts.

Works Trials Bikes Owners' Group At the Ventoux Trial Classic last October, the WTB (Works Trials Bikes owners' group, recently formed to preserve historical trials motorcycles), was displaying for the first time four exceptional machines, some of them previously hidden from public view for decades: ■ Don Smith's personal Bultaco Sherpa Type 27, which the multiple European Champion rode to victory in the famous St-Cucufa trial in 1967 ■ The Yamaha 360 prototype, built by five-time French Trials Champion Christian Rayer in 1971/72 with help from the factory that led Yamaha to eventually produce its famous TY model

■ The Yamaha 250 OW10 cantilever, as ridden in 1974 by Mick Andrews to win the Scottish Six Days and the French world round in Sancerre, before being ridden to second spot in the 1975 French championship by Christian Rayer (who was attending the Ventoux exhibition) ■ Rob Shepherd's works Honda RTL 360, which the 1977 British champion rode to fourth place in the 1979 SSDT before the bike was given to Belgium's rising star Eddy Lejeune, and eventually to Honda development rider Kiyo Hattori.

The WTB members, approaching 100, are not only owners but also former works riders, engineers, mechanics, journalists and historians of the sport form all over the world (Europe, Japan and the USA).

SPRING 2021 | 9

Super Swede When the desire to win is uppermost in the mind of a racer then difficulties melt away and success, while not guaranteed, is likely.

Words: Tim Britton Media Ltd

10 | SPRING 2021

LITO

SPRING 2021 |

11

1: Husqvarna’s light and small front hub is rigid enough for use in such a machine.

2: The rear wheel is built around one of CZ’s magnesium hubs, the torque arm which holds the plate in place also has a chain tensioner built in.

3: More canvas strapping hold the tank in place.

Above right: Some time ago in the early days of CDB we ran a series called ‘Handbuilt for a master’ this Lito could have been a close contender for such an accolade.

Below right: Roland Gummesson was quite successful on this machine.

1

2

I

n the world of competition motorcycles success is never guaranteed, it can’t be, there are too many variables. On a MX GP startline there isn’t a rider who doesn’t think they can win – the simple fact they’re on the startline means they are focussed on the chequered flag and passing it before everyone else. Of course there are many factors which can affect the final outcome of a race and often the work of a team is to limit the things which can go wrong in the cut and thrust world of a top-line scramble.

It helps if the motorcycle is right but what is ‘right’?

When Sten Lundin won the 500cc world MX crown in 1959, aboard a Monark, it certainly seemed the right rider was on the right bike, but what was viewed as ‘right’ in 1959 was beginning to change as the new decade dawned.

The idea of a big motorcycle with a separate engine and gearbox was fast becoming outdated, BSA’s allconquering Gold Star, though still winning was at the pinnacle of development and the factory knew something had to be done. On the horizon were the two-strokes but it would be a few years before they were dominant. However, just because a motorcycle is regarded as ‘big’ or its construction ‘out-dated’ doesn’t mean it won’t work.

The benefits of useable power over ultimate power had long been appreciated in not just scrambles and if there comes a point in an engine’s power curve where flexibility is lost then designers and engineers will look elsewhere. What this boiled down to was making best use of the best power. This is what the Swedish industry were doing as the Fifties ended and the Sixties dawned. I’ve chosen to say ‘Swedish industry’ on purpose rather than Lito in particular as

12 | SPRING 2021

3 the big bikes being raced in this era are all linked in some way or another.

This link may be through the Albin origins of their engines, their riders or development engineers but there is a link and in the case of the Lito in our shoot the link is when Monark pulled out of the GP motocross world after the sudden death of their development engineer, their rider and current world champion Sten Lundin was allowed to keep his machine.

Lundin approached Kaj Bornebusch who was connected to Monark but had formed his own company called Litoverken specialising in lithographs.

Bornebusch had raced scrambles in the UK and would successfully carry on in several types of motorsport in his racing career but recognised the potential for publicity with the Lito name on a successful MX machine, so initially Lundin simply painted his Monark in the Lito green. There were a number built to capitalise on the successes of Sten Lundin’s Lito but to call this a production run would be stretching it a little, but they are around and even in the Nineties commanded high prices which often would put them out of the realm of ‘bought to race’.

So, what happens if the desire to race such a motorcycle is high and there are no examples available? Well, you make your own of course. This is what Roland ‘Rolle’ Gummesson did to create this… well… replica is too simple a word for what he did.

Perhaps re-creation to as faithful as the original can be is the best way to describe it. Rolle was by all accounts an interesting character, focussed entirely on racing MX and part of the Swedish MX d’Nations  team in the Nineties.

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