Bill Wilkinson turns on the style on the Greeves Anglian (WWC169F) that took him to his SSDT win in 1969 – (Photo: the late Barry Robinson with permission of Liz Old)
It is with great sadness that Trials Guru announces the passing of Bill Wilkinson, the last British trials rider to win the Scottish Six Days Trial on a British built machine, the 250cc Greeves Anglian, WWC169F in 1969.
Bill Wilkinson (right) with Trials Guru’s John Moffat in 2015 at the Highland Classic 2 Day Trial. Bill was Guest of Honour. (Photo: Jean Caillou)
Bill was a true Yorkshire character, who called a ‘spade a spade’ and wasn’t afraid to say so! He was quick-witted and enjoyed the company of like-minded individuals. Bill was a proud Englishman and even prouder Yorkshireman. He rode for the Greeves factory from 1960 until 1971, when he switched to ride for OSSA Moto UK under the ownership of Peter Fletcher. When he rode for the Greeves factory, he never had a written contract, it was done by the shake of a hand, because Bill’s word was his bond.
Bill Wilkinson with his wife Pearl in 2015 (Photo: Jean Caillou)
Bill Wilkinson will be sorely missed in the world of trials, he was a national, British Experts, Scott Trial and SSDT winner. Our sincere condolences go to his brother Mick, sister Shirley, his wife Pearl and his son, Andrew and daughter, Michelle and the extended Wilkinson family. (Photos courtesy of Jean Caillou, France)
Bill Wilkinson tries one of Trials Guru’s John Moffat’s Vazquez Bultacos for size in 2015 (Photo: Jean Caillou)
John Moffat of Trials Guru added: “Bill Wilkinson was a superstar of trials when I was a schoolboy, a man that I looked up to along with his peers of the late 1960s. Little did I know then that I would become a firm friend in later years. I got to know him by speaking with him at his stall in the Parc Ferme at the SSDT in the late 1980s. He knew my late father well and always spoke highly of him. Over the years, our paths crossed many times and in 2015 I invited him to be the Guest of Honour at the tenth edition of the Highland Classic Two Day Trial, which he happily accepted and what a great time we had. He was simply superb. I had the honour of interviewing Bill on stage at many functions and also on Nevis Radio at the SSDT in Fort William. Bill will leave a huge hole in the sport of trials that cannot be filled. He was one in a million“.
Bill Wilkinson’s funeral is on Monday 28th July 2025 at 1pm at Skipton Crematorium, Waltonwrays Cemetery, Carleton Rd, Skipton BD23 3BT. Thereafter a ‘Bun Fight’ at the Rolls Royce Social Club in Barnoldswick. All welcome, trials attire and colourful clothes to celebrate the colourful fella that he was.
Vintage Weekend with World Champion Bernie Schreiber in Indiana, U.S.A.
American’s only World Trials Champion and Scottish Six Days Trial winner Bernie Schreiber conducted his first RIDE VINTAGE two-day Training weekend on May, 24/25 at Mount Wawasee Lodge in Indiana. Schreiber, being the most successful Trials rider ever from the USA, shared his wealth of knowledge and overseas experience with twenty participants attending from five States. The weekend was exclusively reserved for twin-shock machines.
The Vintage weekend event was hosted by Michiana Trials Team in Indiana a member club of (MOTA) The Michigan Ontario Trials Association created on February 19, 1967, in Detroit, Michigan. MOTA has a long history in American Trials hosting American National Championships and a World Championship in 1977 of which Schreiber competed. Just two years later Schreiber competed at the AMA National Championship on May 26th, 1979 in Indiana, the same year he won the World Championship.
2025 marks a special moment for Schreiber who started Trials competition fifty-five years ago in California and still competes in Vintage events today. 1970 was the beginning of what later became a successful Trials career overseas in the late 1970’s and 80’s. This year is a celebration of 55 years of competing in a sport which originated in 1909 throughout parts of the United Kingdom.
Schreiber was thrilled to ride his late fathers 1972 Bultaco Sherpa which has been fully restored by Duane Tope for the occasion. Tope from Indiana has a long history in Vintage Trials bikes restorations and competition, winning the AMA Twin-shock Trials Champion title in 2023.
Schreiber treated the 20 Vintage enthusiasts to his structured training format based on lessons learned in becoming a World, National, and Scottish Six Days Trials Champion, which included fundamental techniques from his book ‘Observed Trials’ by Len Weed. Schreiber said: “Its not just skills and hard work, everyone at the top level has great techniques, but your mindset is what makes you a winner. That’s the only difference. Learning to ride a Trials bike, is not the same as learning to ride Trials.” He continued to focus on competition successes and practicing with purpose by design. “The best way to practice is to prioritize on the things you need to practice, and knowing which tasks should get top priority, then act to get maximum returns.”
Kirk Mayfield (left) delivers a tribute in honour of Lane Leavitt who recently passed away.
Scotland is Schreiber’s next stop at the annual Highland Classic two-day trial on June 7/8 to compete with 200 twin-shock participants at Alvie Estate, near Aviemore.
Bernie demonstrates ‘body position’ on his 1972 Bultaco.
Event organiser and American twinshock champion, Duane Tope.
Englishman Francis Hall on his Ariel.
Bernie Schreiber’s 1979 Bultaco 199A now owned by Francis Hall.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lane Leavitt, former Bultaco factory trials rider who passed away on May 16th aged 74 years.
Lane Leavitt on his 325 Sherpa ‘Dual Tank’ in the 1975 Rhode Island event.
Lane was AMA trials champion on three occasions and was a world championship contender, who competed against the Lampkins, Rathmell, Schreiber and Whaley. He switched to Montesa, when the Bultaco company hit financial trouble in 1979.
His achievements were: three times US National Champion; five times California Champion; twice Oregon Champion; he rode in the SSDT four times; USA ISDE Team Member; AMA Sportsman of the Year and inducted to the Trials Hall of Fame of the AMA in 2006.
Lane wrote a book on observed trials with photojournalist Len Weed entitled ‘Motor Cycle Trials – Techniques and Training’.
Lane Leavitt on the 349 Montesa on Ben Nevis section, SSDT – Photo: Jimmy Young, Armadale
He married his teenage sweet-heart, Debbie Evans, herself a well known trials rider and stunt performer. Lane set up his business with Debbie, called Leavittation Inc., based at Santa Clarita, California, which arranged stunt work for the movie industry. He turned to professional stunt performing in 1980 on the ‘Fall Guy’ TV series.
Lane Leavitt from the USA (Montesa) on Cnoc-a-Linnhe in the SSDT – Photo: Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven.
1979 World Trials Champion, Bernie Schreiber wrote on learning about Lane Leavitt’s passing: “A unique individual in his own way, but a true friend who always brought his honest opinions on all topics. He was innovative, passionate and constantly in search of a better motorcycle, better trials events and better results. His opinions on trials events, motorcycles and riders development were direct and honest. He enjoyed pushing the envelope in Trials and all facets of his stunt work in an industry he loved so much.“
Trials Guru sends sincere condolences to Debbie and the Leavitt family at this difficult time. The trials community of the USA have lost not only a champion, but an enthusiast of the sport.
In case you didn’t know, Trials Guru was represented on Nevis Radio during the Scottish Six Days Trial week in Fort William. The website owner, John Moffat was the guest presenter on the daily show which broadcast from 7-11am Monday to Friday and 7-12.30 on the Saturday as the last man, John Shirt (240) left the Parc Ferme.
Thanks to: Nevis Radio; Michelin; Gavin Cairns Roughcasting Ltd; Thistle Access and Comms West for their support.
If you want to review the interviews and commentaries on the SSDT Show, here are the links:
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of George Arthur Greenland. George was attending a trial in Belgium with his family and passed away in his sleep.
George A. Greenland – Photo: Colin Bullock
He was an accomplished trials rider, sidecar driver in trials and enduro and organiser of the Enduro Du Super Mare. He developed the Wasp 1,000 twin cylinder racing engine with Robin Rhind-Tutt.
George discusses the Wasp 1000cc engine with Robin Rhind-Tutt in 1983. Photo: Salisbury Journal
John Moffat of Trials Guru said: “I got to know George Greenland through competing in the Pre65 Scottish Trial at Kinlochleven back in the mid 1990s. I interviewed him quite a few times at the presentation of awards. He was such a knowledgeable and friendly gentleman. He once fetched a Honda RTL engine back from Belgium for me and refused to take anything for his trouble, he said: ‘I was going there anyway and it’s only a little engine’. It was a great honour and priviledge to be able to tell George’s story on Trials Guru website. He was a ‘one-off’ character who will be sorely missed in the trials world, and I mean world, at events in Europe and the annual get together at Telford show. George Greenland was truly a Trial Legend.”
George Greenland with Trials Guru’s John Moffat at the 2012 Pre65 Scottish Trial – Photo: Jean Caillou.
We send our sincere condolences to the extended Greenland family.
George A. Greenland’s funeral and celebration of his life will be at The Stones Hotel, High Post, Salisbury, SP4 6AT on Friday May 30th, 2025 at 11.30.
You can read part of George’s story on Trials Guru HERE:
As part of the 50th anniversary of the Beamish Suzuki brand, the Beamish Owners Club have been planning a once only event, to celebrate the establishment of the brand.
The club have just announced that they are teaming up with the organisers of the Golden Valley Classic Trials’ Gerry Holdstock Two-Day trial on July 5/6th 2025.
The event is taking place at Cowcombe near Chalford.
Chris Sutton (325 Beamish Suzuki) on Altnafeadh with the Buachalle Etive Mor in the background – Photo: Iain Lawrie
If you are interested in Beamish Suzuki machines, then why not consider joining the owners club, full details by following this link to the official website: https://www.beamishownersclub.com/
Chris Sutton in a spot of bother on his Beamish Suzuki – Photo: Mike Rapley
The now well known ‘Trials Guru’ logo, which has been in existence for ten years, is now a Registered UK Trade Mark with the Intellectual Property Office of the UK Government.
The registration process completed on 28th March 2025.
This means that the ‘TG’ logo shown below, and it’s design, must not be used in any publications, periodicals, advertisements, written material including articles, clothing or accessories of any manufacture, items of event or any other promotion or graphic designs without the prior written permission of the Intellectual Property Owner, which is John Moffat who operates this website, Trials Guru.
Whilst Trials Guru is not a profit making entity, the trade mark logo is now protected by UK law, thus protecting the brand, and will result in legal action if used without the owners’ written permission. The website remains unchanged in that it will continue to be free to view.
This logo is the Registered Trade Mark of John Moffat / Trials Guru. Unauthorised use of which, may result in legal action.
Mike Naish: “I wish to introduce you to the ACU Southern Centre Rights of Way Officer and Grass Track Steward, Keith Lee”.
Keith Lee on a Bultaco Sherpa at the Dartmouth Trial in 1972
Mike Naish: Where do you originate from Keith ?
Keith Lee: “Well, I was born in Okehampton where my father was a Police Officer. It was a sporting family and I readily took to all sports but excelled in Boxing, Tennis and Squash to County level.”
“I had about one hundred fights at middleweight including contests in the RAF, and won the South West Championship in Devon and also for the RAF in the Inter Services contests. I played tennis to county level and on one memorable occasion I actually beat the Wimbledon champion, Virginia Wade. I had been picked to carry the Olympic Torch during the Olympics held in Britain in 1948. I ran from Kingskerswell to Torbay carrying the Olympic flame for the opening of the sailing. It was there that I met Virginia and we had a game of tennis in which I beat her. I have to say she thrashed me the next day on a return bout!
Rider is unknown but watching in helmets are Vic Ashford, Graham Baker and Keith Lee – Photo: Mike Rapley
MN: What was your first Motorcycle and your first Trial ?
KL: “I was stationed in Plymouth during my time in the RAF, I was on the maintenance of Sunderland flying boats. I went to Greens of Plymouth and bought an ex-WD 350cc Royal Enfield side valve with a box sidecar. I paid £10 for it. With Eddy Haines and Bill Pemberton we went practising with it, in solo form, up on Dartmoor. At this time I was teaching in Okehampton. Of course in those days there was nothing to stop you riding over the moors.
My first Trials bike was a 1954 round frame, 197cc DOT with the heavy Earls front forks and swinging arm suspension. I bought it from Kings of Oxford. I took it from Okehampton on the outfit to an Exmouth Trial on Woodbury Common in the mid 50s. The trial started at the Half Way House as I remember. Everybody laughed at me for having a swinging arm and said I would never get any grip, so after the event I took off the back end and grafted on the rear end of a grass track bike to make it a rigid. Then I sold the DOT after putting the swinging arm back and moved to a 197 DMW. I won my first award on it at the Mortonhampsted Trial in April 1956.
Sometimes I did not use the outfit for transport and after one Otter Vale Trial at the Hare and Hounds I clipped on a pair of cycle lights to ride home in the dark.”
MN: What bikes did you have after that?
KL: “In the early sixties we had moved to Exmouth and I bought a twin cylinder Triumph which I put into a Cotton frame and trialled successfully. I had done an apprenticeship as an undertaker and had learnt about coffin making, following this I started up a building firm, it was then in 1965 that I bought a Triumph Tiger Cub. At that time Sammy Miller was riding a Bultaco and I quickly realised that the Bulto was the bike to have. I had three or four in the 1970s moving from the 250 up to the 325. I liked to buy them in a crate so that I could build them up myself. If you bought them unassembled you did not have to pay Purchase Tax.
Keith Lee on his 325 Bultaco in the West of England trial in 1975.
I rode in all the nationals of the time and one day I saw Nick Jefferies with a Honda 250 based on the XL Model. I tried it out and knew I had to have one so I got a Honda XL and converted it for trials. I loved that bike it really suited me. I had an early glassfibre tank from an Ossa which saved a lot of weight compared with the steel tank. I nearly won the Greybeards from Sammy one Year. The ‘Devonshire Dumplings’ all rode as a team that year. That was Brian Trott, John Born and Ivan Pridham and myself. On that occasion Sam beat me by one mark but only because he rode a muddy slot section twice on the first lap when it was easier.”
MN: When did you become a Steward?
KL: “In the mid 1970’s I was asked by Walter Baker and Jim Courtney if I would like to become a steward at competition events. I followed them to all events, scrambles, grass track and trials, so that I could become proficient in all disciplines. They were good teachers. I still am a grass track steward at the age of nearly 75.”
MN: What do you consider to be your biggest achievement ?
KL: “I had joined the ACTT, the Association of Classic Trials Cars which ran classic Long distance Trials for both cand bikes mainly in North Devon. I had a Norton Wasp outfit. which I had bought as a Rhind Tutt manufactured scrambles outfit with a Norton Wasp 900cc plus engine. I converted it to trials, and with my passenger Paul Collins in the 1990s we won numerous awards and the ACTT Championship three years running. We also did some enduros on it and of course the Exeter trial.”
Exeter Trial action with Keith Lee piloting the Wasp outfit.
MN: And what for the future?
KL: “I gave up competing when the ‘BSE’ crises was on us. I sit on both the Dartmoor and Exmoor national parks committee to represent all motor groups. The problem with the new rights of way legislation is not going to go away and as a consequence I can see ever increasing problems in using Green Lanes, RUPPS, BOATS, Rights of Way etc which nearly all are becoming reclassified as no-go areas for all vehicular traffic. Of course it has not helped when all the unauthorised practising went on. Take ‘Simms Hill’ for example. We used to use it years ago about three times a year. We informed the local parish council and residents of the dates and times and we gave donations to help the Ilsington Church Roof fund. That was fine, but nowadays you get trail bikes practising every Sunday up and down, up and down and of course the village has changed, with people coming in from outside the area to retire and they just do not want the noise and inconvenience every weekend.
I will carry on for the time being and keep everyone informed through the Gazette as and when there are any significant changes.”
Thank you Keith for your time and I hope all goes well for you in the future.Mike Naish
Apart from ‘Fair Dealing’ for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988, no part of this article may be copied, reproduced, stored in any form of retrieval system, electronic or otherwise or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrical, mechanical, optical, chemical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the author as stated above. This article is not being published for any monetary reward or monetisation, be that online or in print.
As well as sending our Trials Guru ‘VIP’ caps across the globe, we have also been sending out some of our new style Trials Guru stickers (or decals if you prefer!)
Here we have two Vintage Trial, enthusiasts from Kansas in the USA, proudly displaying their decals with their Yamahas.
Jake Wright
Steve Nutsch
Trials Guru – DEDICATED TO TRIAL – Worldwide!
The Premier Trial Website – Recording the History of the Sport 'Established 2014'
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