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Classictrial for repair and sale of classic, pre65, twin shock, Honda and Fantic Trials bikes. Located in Southampton, Hampshire, UK. Restoration, FAQ, links, contacts, projects, articles, tests, sales, advice.

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Have you seen oko-carb.co.uk?

Phil Wiffen, British twinshock Trials champion 2008.

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classictrial AT gmail DOT com

02380 600850 or 07761 971756

Chris Stevens, January 2009

Welcome

Welcome to our updated web pages, that includes some specific content that may be of particular interest to owners of classic Fantic and Honda trials machines. There is also some more generalised technical information in our FAQ section, which may be of assistance to anyone who might be confused about such simple matters as fuel/oil mixtures, or is looking for a little unbiased and accurate outline guidance that might help in choosing a twinshock machine. There are many people already able to supply various cosmetic upgrade parts for older machinery, and several are offering retro 1970s designed frame kits for trials machines, so we are steering well clear of these areas, and aim to help with properly upgrading/improving existing machinery, which is often a lot less costly, and far more effective, than any amount of bolt on type hardware!

In terms of the focus of much of what is outlined here, we concentrate on Fantic and Honda machines, as both makes have very good spares availability, and with a few relatively simple modifications are vastly more competitive and far more reliable than most of the older 1970s twinshock designs . Another advantage is that both makes have very reliable OE electronic ignition fitted as standard, so there is no need for the costly ignition system upgrades, favoured by owners of the many twinshock machines fitted with the old fashioned contact breaker points type systems. Another factor to consider is that both of these makes are currently extremely popular, and barring the purchase of an Ebay "project" or tarted up "rebuilt" machine, either machine is not likely to go down in value, and may well even increase if well looked after!

Classictrial are able to carry out all of the modifications and upgrades detailed here to very exacting standards, and can also assist with a wide range of specialist services, including composite production and repair, piston manufacture, and all aspects of welding and fabrication. In 2008 we assisted Phil Wiffen with machine preparation and supply of specialist parts on his Fantic 300, which was then very skillfully ridden to a convincing win in the ACU "Traditional" series of events (UK twinshock championship). For the 2009 season we have helped several owners of TLR Honda's to improve/upgrade their bikes, and some of these machines may well be seen being ridden in this years ACU "Traditional" events, and will be fitted with special GRP tank seat units finished in red/white Classictrial colours, as well as OKO carb kits, and will also incorporate less noticeable changes to steering geometry, and some will have internal engine updates.

In terms of items under development and improvements relating to existing parts, for 2009 we will be testing a full digital ignition system for P65 applications, and have upgraded our production process relating to fuel tanks, and can now offer mouldings resistant to ethanol at 95% concentrations. We will also be offering ready jetted OKO carb conversions for P65 applications, which we have found to work noticeably better than any of the serious alternatives (Dell-Orto, Mikuni, Keihin). In the main we will still be deeply involved with Fantic and Honda, and have outlined some of the things we have in mind for these machines in the following paragraphs:

For Honda we will have a retail version of our OKO carb set up, and will also be able to help with aluminium swinging arms, made using the correct materials, with the option of added length for the 250 models, there will also be a properly designed aluminium exhaust back box, and in reaction to the many poorly made copies of our GRP tank/seat units for the TLR, we are currently designing a totally new and far more compact unit, that may well be of interest to riders looking for increased functionality, not that concerned with an original looking machine. We are also looking at sensible capacity increases for TLR200, but this entails having a special piston manufactured, so is entirely dependent on what interest might be shown. We are also looking at digital ignition option for Honda, and the possibility of delaying the advance function of the std systems electronically, which should help the bikes to grip more effectively in very difficult conditions. Frame alterations to steering and footrest position, are also available, and we can offer a special price on fuel tank to anyone having frame modifications done at the same time (return shipping of complete frames in UK is around £20).

We have found Fantic machines in stock form work relatively well for club level events, but updates to steering geometry drastically improve the handling, and are able to offer steering update, footrest relocation, and special lightweight GRP fuel tank (as used by Phil Wiffen) at a very attractive package price, and powder coating chassis after work is carried out is also no problem (return shipping of complete frame in UK is around £20). OKO carbs are a very easy way to improve the performance of most Fantic’s, and an improperly jetted carb from Ebay may possibly work better than a worn out OE part, but will never be as good as something that has proper set up to suit specific applications. We have had press tools made to enable manufacture of special lightweight aluminium back boxes, which are modelled on the shape of the 300 box, that in itself was developed from the box used on the last of the 240 works machines. Finally in regard to Fantic, there is still a ready supply of relatively inexpensive air cooled monoshock machines available, so we have been looking at the possibility making a modern day twinshock frame kit, which would enable a highly competitive machine to be put together at a very reasonable cost.

If you are seriously interested in any of the above please email classictrial@gmail.com with any questions, or call on either of the numbers listed on our contact page.

Finally please remember that Classictrial cannot be help responsible in any way for loss or injury that may result as a consequence of an owner or third party commercial concern carrying out any of the modifications or upgrades outlined here. An example of this is the owner conversion of a stock Fantic top yoke to accept “Fatbars”. Cutting corners with this type of job may not result in any problems at all, but could in some circumstances result in the bars parting company with the yoke, with consequences that could obviously be extremely serious!

What’s new on Classictrial.co.uk
• Mono to Twinshock conversions • May 26
• OKO carb kits for Spanish bikes • May 20
• Ian Baker replica TLR 200s’ for sale • May 1

FOR SALE

Ariel HT500 short stroke Trials.

See more details.