Monthly Archives: May 2016

Bultaco

Bultaco Sherpa in 2016 SSDT!

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Moorhouse Bultaco - James Moorhouse
‘El Donkey’ at rest. The number painted on the exhaust is a nod to the way the numbers were used in the 1970s and 1980s SSDT
We set out to find out what made Skipton trials rider, James Moorhouse want to ride the the 2016 Scottish Six Days Trial on a 35 year old motorcycle.
Moorhouse: “Ever since I got the 340 Bultaco I call ‘El Donkey’ – I jokingly said I would do the Scottish and it just snow-balled from there. After breaking down on the Tuesday last year I knew I had to come back and finish what I started.”
Rachael Chamberlain Photo - Bultaco El Donkey
Taking a short breather is James Moorhouse with ‘El Donkey’ the 1981 Bultaco Sherpa in the 2016 Scottish Six Days – Photo courtesy of Matt Betts
What preparations had he to do to the bike prior to the Six Days:
Moorhouse: “Just about everything you can think of, the piston, main bearings, wheel bearings, chain and sprockets, brake shoes, tyres. All of these components were replaced by my ‘factory mechanic’ and friend, Robert Barber.
We sent the  rockshock dampers to be serviced and stronger springs fitted by manufacturer, Gary Fleckney in Bedfordshire and InMotion/Bultaco UK in Egham, Surrey both were very helpful, they have a fast postal service”.
JAMES MOORHOUSE CAL1
James Moorhouse tackles Cnoc-A-Linnhe – Photo: Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven
“I had fitted fat-bars to an adapted top alloy yoke some time ago and the snaky exhaust pipe.
Because of last year it was always in the back of my mind it could go bang, but I knew we had done everything we possibly could so if she didn’t make it then it was simply wasn’t to be and I wouldn’t waste an entry on it again. Fortunately the entry wasn’t wasted!”
JAMES MOORHOUSE POG1
2016 SSDT – James Moorhouse on Pap of Glencoe – Photo copyright: Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven
James continued:
“Tuesday afternoon over the moor, she got some water in the carburettor and would only run with the choke on. At the next section I drained out the carb, it must have whiskered the spark-plug so I had to replace that too – luckily I had a plug on me, in fact I carried a lot of spares in my bag”.
Running repairs through the week long event included: Welding the exhaust pipe, welding a snapped rear brake arm  and fitting a new rear tyre on Friday morning. The rear tyre and plug were the only components replaced during the week.
It was noticeable that James rode with a broken front mudguard:
James: “It didn’t affect the way it rode so thought I’d save some weight!
I thought on Friday she was running a bit weak but on Saturday she felt as good as new”.
When asked if he would do it again, James replied:
“I have achieved what I set out to do, it’s time to retire her from the SSDT, but I will compete again but next time on a modern bike”.
Many thanks to James for allowing Trials Guru to publish this article.
Finish El Donkey RC Photo
A happy James Moorhouse at the finish of ‘Town Hall Brae’ on Saturday 7th May with friends, Boyd Webster (left) and Alan Mudd (centre) Photo: Rachel Chamberlain
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Dougie Lampkin perfect Ten!

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2016 Scottish Six Days Trial Final Results

Dougie Lampkin added a tenth Scottish Six Days victory to his tally of wins of the annual Highland classic on Saturday 7th May 2016.

Showing signs of emotion at the awards ceremony due to the recency of the passing of his World Champion father, Martin, Dougie was a popular winner and both the third place-man, James Dabill and runner-up, Michael Brown voiced their respect for the twelve times World Champion.

Vertigo owner, Manel Jane who was on hand to present the prizes was delighted to witness Lampkin’s victory on the Works 300 bike.

Trials Guru’s John Moffat acted as master of ceremonies and stated publicly that the memory of H. Martin Lampkin would be forever associated with the Scottish Six Days Trial. He also pointed out that the best performance by a rider of a machine up to 250cc was James Lampkin, son of Alan R.C. Lampkin who won the SSDT 50 years previously in 1966 on a 250cc BSA.

DL - JOM - MJ - JMBM photo
Trials Guru’s John Moffat (left) with 2016 SSDT winner, Dougie Lampkin (centre) and Verigo creator, Manel Jane at the awards ceremony i Fort William – Photo: Trials Guru/Jean Moffat

 

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Sid is a great Guy!

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Bryn Matton - Cheryl Matton
A.R.C. Lampkin (left) presents a finishers award to 68th placeman, Bryn Matton from Kent – Photo courtesy of Cheryl Matton.

The Pre’65 Scottish Trial concluded on Saturday 30th April with Dan Clark winning on three marks lost.

The original ‘guest of honour’ Guy Martin couldn’t make the presentation of awards at the Kinlochleven Community Centre, but his place was taken by none other than 1966 Scottish Six Days winner, Alan R.C. Lampkin.

It was an excellent choice as ‘Sid’ is a great supporter and enthusiast of the sport and his 1966 SSDT winning machine, 748MOE was being ridden by his son James to commemorate the achievement, 50 years previously.

James won the Lampkin Trophy for the best performance by a rider on a machine not exceeding 250cc losing a miserly seven marks.

Sid recounted the 1966 event which only used Town Hall Brae on the Saturday and finished in Fort William.

As for the 250 BSA C15 it has survived almost 100% intact since its sale in 1967. It was registered in 1964 by BSA motorcycles and has a Victor frame and swinging arm and of course a full factory machine.

James rode very well on a very standard 1964 motorcycle.

Trials Guru’s John Moffat was ‘master of ceremonies’ at the presentation.