Tuesday January 19th 2021
January 19th, 2021I saw this posted on FB - not sure where the bike is, but somebody has done a really nice job on renovating this TY 175 - I see pics like this and for a moment - think about the original one I have in the shop, and ponder if I should spend money doing all the updates to make it more like a modern bike ! - Then I wake up!!
youtube.com Scott 1974 Trial very old
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This is Ron Golden on the Chinese bike he is Importing - He asked us to sell them but I declined.
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Sad news that this Motorcycle Museum in Austria burned to the ground with the loss of over 200 vintage Motorcycles.
click on the links to read the history>
Quick tour through the TOP Motorcycle Museum in Hochgurgl!
Vintage racer section in the TOP Mountain Motorcycle Museum
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While I thoroughly enjoyed my day out riding with the boys last Saturday - I never feel comfortable having to wear layers of clothes in order to keep warm. - I feel very restricted on the bike - also my clutch finger freezes up pretty quick, due to old age or poor circulation, which requires a lot of stops to warm my hands on the engine. Olivier mentioned that he wraps some hockey tape around his levers, which helps - might have to try that.
On that theme - check out this pic of Stirling Moss racing a Formula One Maserati with open cockpit and bare arms!!
Obviously the upgrade in both car design and protective fire proof clothing, have saved many lives in F 1 racing - as have the new rules on riding apparel for Trials ( at FIM level ie: back armor)
But looking back at the early days, when all we wore for Trials, was a flat cap and a rain proof Barbour suit - I have to concur that Safety Helmets are a good idea. However, bulky MX type gear with chest protectors - elbow guards etc etc - are I think a bit overkill for our sport. ( Unless you are planning on doing back flips etc)
A lot of racing drivers were killed in the early years - many thrown out of the cars and in the Pre War days they only wore a leather helmet. - Others like Dick Seaman and Bandini were burned to death - Nicki Lauda was also badly burned but survived to eventually run the Mercedes Team. - These are a few of the drivers who lost their lives racing - Ascari -Gonzales -Rosemeyer, plus others from that era - I can’t remember the names - - then in later years, Peter Collins, DePortago, Lewis Evans, Jim Clark, Ritchie Ginther, Bruce McLaren– plus Canadian Legend - Villeneuve - and perhaps the greatest of them all Ayrton Senna.
The F I - cars these days look more like fighter jets with wheels - but are without doubt much safer.
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Here is a shot of Adrian Prato - stylin’ on the 240 Fantic - He is able to move around on the bike, because he is not restricted by heavy stiff riding gear. - It should also be noted that MX style boots are not the best for Trials as they are too stiff at the ankle and some even have steel toes another no-no. - If you want to ride your best and feel comfortable - do as the top club riders do - buy Trials clothing, helmet and boots PLUS don’t forget thin Trials gloves ( You will notice that Prato is not wearing gloves in order to get the best “Feel” for the controls)
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Check this out - Steve McQueen’s FIM license. - TRIALS and Scrambles. ( He did of course compete in the ISDT)
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