On 12th July 2015, the racing ‘Circuit De Barcelona’, Catalunya was the splendid setting for the appreciation of one of the world’s most famous trials motorcycles, the Bultaco Sherpa T.
In 1965, Ulsterman, Sammy Miller had left the English Ariel behind and developed the 244cc Sherpa to become a true world beater of a machine. It effectively turned the page on the history of motorcycle trials.
Here are some images from the celebrations, courtesy of Motocat, Victor Martin and Merce Gou.
David Seymour Tye died on 2nd July 2015 at Oban. Originally from Derbyshire, David Tye was a natural off-road rider who excelled in scrambles and trials and rode in the ISDT. Best known for riding BSA Gold Stars, he also rode the works opposed twin cylinder trials Douglas in 1950-1952, before joining the BSA concern to ride their Gold Star machinery. His factory trials Gold Star bore the registration number BSA350.
Tye was an outwardly happy individual who had a ‘do-or-die’ attitude and was always up for a challenge. His younger brother Jonathan also a trials rider of note (and a Flt Lt. in the Royal Air Force commanding Vulcan bombers) told Trials Guru some years ago that their mother was an adventurous type of lady who died at a very elderly age and he believes he and his elder brother David, obtained their adventurous lead from her.
Being a commercial diver, David Tye unfortunately contracted the bends (or Decompression Sickness) whilst on a dive in the 1970’s and was confined to a wheelchair as a result.
He was Managing Director of Oban Divers Ltd.
He never let his paralysis get him down and was a great man for encouraging others’ endeavours. This culminated with his son Michael becoming Scottish Trials Champion in 1975 and again in 1977. His daughter Sally married road racer and motorcycle dealer, John Stoddart. Their daughter is Susie Wolff the racing driver.
David Tye was best friends with Peter Hammond of Triumphs but also had a wealth of friends in off-road motorcycle sport, many attended his funeral at Oban on Tuesday, 7th July 2015.
Former AJS factory rider Gordon McLaughlan wrote “David Tye was a true gentleman and motorcycle enthusiast. I rode with David in the 1952 & 1953 Scottish Six Days Trial and met him numerous times at his Oban home with the fellow ‘Gordons’ – Blakeway and Jackson“
Not generally known, but here we have Ariel HT500 registered as 786GON, known as ‘Sammy’s other Ariel’. During the late 1950’s and 1960’s Sammy Miller had access to two HT500 Ariels, his famous version GOV132 and the machine pictured here. The bike is now in Italy in the possession of a collector, having been owned by Jock Wilson (Comerfords) Ernie Page, Roy Kerr and Tim Beaven, plus some other individuals
The machine was put on sale in early 1965 by motorcycle dealers, Comerfords Limited in Portsmouth Road, Thames Ditton, Surrey along with GOV132. Comerfords having taken over the support from Ariels to Sammy Miller when the factory had ceased manufacture of trials machines. 786GON was for sale at £350, which was almost £150 more expensive than a brand new Greeves two-stroke at that time.
Arthur Fowler bought 786GON, but returned it for sale at the end of 1965 to Comerfords and Jock Wilson purchased the machine.
After selling the bike to Harry Rayner, Wilson bought it back from another owner, John Parry, at which time Jock Wilson slowly restored the machine to its former glory.
Wilson sold 786GON to Scotsman Ernie Page, himself an accomplished trials, scrambles and ISDT competitor, who owned Page Motors in Edinburgh, who at that time had a sizeable motorcycle collection. After a period of time, Page sold the Ariel to former employee, Roy Kerr, himself a former Scottish trials champion.
After some years under the ownership of Tim Beaven, the bike was then sold to a private collector in Italy called Carlo Ramella. The Ariel lives on but in its new home in the Italian alps.
Justyn Norek a design consultant from Turin, made the following observations of 786GON when a test of the machine was undertaken by the German ‘Trialsport’ magazine in March 2014, here they are:
“Frame: In Reynolds 531 tubing, modified with steeper steering angle, oil in frame.
Fuel Tank: Beautifully styled in fibreglass, very light and slim design, one bolt mounting with depression in front part to allow full lock of the steering, with the fork coming close to the tank. Perfectly done by Butler Moulded Laminates, the creation of Chris Butler. Also the builder of the Butler trials machine. It has a metal logo on the top of the tank a real work of art.
Seat Base: Integrated with the rear mudguard, another artwork in fibreglass by Butler. Very slim viewed from the top, in cream white finish, synonymous with Miller’s Ariel. It also had the integration of the rear registration number plate. The seat is perfectly designed to be light and slim, but still comfortable.
Exhaust system: Starting with the beautiful curve, extremely compact and well tucked-in to the motorcycle. It terminates with a small silencer breathing out the hot expelled gasses on to the rear tyre knobs. This ingenious idea allows for cleaning of the rear tyre from any mud and leaf-mould and also warms the tyre rubber for better grip.
Kick-starter and Gear Shift levers: Bored out to shave more weight from the machine.
Technical Specification of 786GON:
ARIEL 786GON – Technical Specifications:
Engine layout: Single cylinder, vertical cylinder in light alloy.
Capacity: 497cc
Bore & Stroke 81.8 X 95 mm
Compression ratio: 8.5: 1
Max power: 24 hp at 5800 rpm
Carburetor: Amal monobloc.
Oil system: Dry sump with double oil pump and separate oil tank.
Primary drive: Chain.
Clutch: multiple discs in oil bath.
Gearbox: Burman – separate, 4 speed ratios: 6:1; 9.5:1; 14.7:1; 19.3:1
Frame: single down front tube in Reynolds 531 steel – Weight around 14 kg.
Suspension:
Front: Hydraulic telescopic forks with sliders shortened from Norton road-holder, yokes from BSA shortened to shorten wheelbase.
Rear: Rear swing-arm on silent-block bushes with chain oil system incorporated, Armstrong shock absorbers.
Wheels: steel rims, tyres front: 2.75 x 21, rear 4.00 x 19.
Brakes: Front: drum type 180 mm – Rear: drum side type 180 mm
Main dimensions: wheelbase 1340 mm
Ground clearance 220 mm
Seat high: 810 mm
Steering head angle 63.5 degrees
Weight: 111kg.
The magazine Trialsport in Germany carried a full report using material from Justyn Norek Snr and his son Justyn Norek Jnr. If you can read German language, here is a link to the article on the internet, (you may need to right click on the link to open it):
PDF version of article from Trialsport Magazine DE: Ariel 786 GON (1)
Photos courtesy: Roy Kerr, Kelso, Scotland, UK.
Photos courtesy: Justyn Norek, Turin, Italy.
For more photos of 786GON – See Justyn Norek Photos
Please be aware that the article on Ariel, 786GON which appeared in Trialsport magazine is copyright – Trialsport March 2014 – © 2013 TRIALSPORT Verlag, Odenwaldstraße 5, 97896 Freudenberg-Ebenheid
Additional information Words and photos copyright – Justyn Norek, Turin, Italy.
Article ‘Ariel HT500 – Sammy Miller – 786GON’ is copyright of Trials Guru – 2015.
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.
Recently, Trials Guru was approached by a fellow enthusiast of motorcycle sport, Justyn Norek.
In case you don’t know him here is some information.
Justyn was born in Cracovia, Poland. As a teenager he followed the famous Tatra Trial based at Zakopane, an event frequented by Ted Usher, John Giles, John Brittain and many other British trials riders of note.
Justyn became friendly with Kuno Karlsson of Sweden a good rider in his day, which resulted in a visit to Sweden in 1966. Norak became friends with Ingvald Johanson of MC-Nytt the monthly motorcycle magazine.
Norek was always taking bike-sport photographs, a skill he developed to good effect and his work was now being published in the UK, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands.
He was offered the job of photographer for Team Husqvarna by their motocross manager, Bror Jauren. Husqvarna used many of Justyn’s images for their sales catalogues and were more than impressed with his work. However, Justyn was at that time at Cracow Polytechnic studying engineering and car design, so reluctantly he had to decline Husqvarna’s offer, which he deeply regretted.
In 1981, Norek moved to live in Italy, near Turin becoming design director at Idea Institute in 1992.
Norek retired in 2014 to concentrate in his painting. However, Justyn is now photographing motocross once more.
Sadly much of his early work has been lost or destroyed in Poland over the years so we are fortunate to be able to share with you on Trials Guru Justyn’s handiwork and skill in a small way.
Go straight to Photos: Justyn Norek
Trials Guru caught up with Clive Dopson, talented engineer and trials rider who is well-known in the sport as the man who rides the Norton 500T in Pre’65 events. Many may not know that for the last couple of years, Clive has been building from scratch a replica of his now famous 500T Norton or as he calls it “the 500T NOTRON!” just to distinguish the two bikes. Clive has kept very much within the spirit of a true replica, attempting to improve but not depart from the original build of a 500T Norton. TG asked Clive to write a short account of his 2015 Pre’65 Scottish ride for readers enjoyment.
Words and photos provided by Clive Dopson:
“Hi John, Scotland was good fun again for me. I lost more marks than I had hoped for, but the new bike (known as ‘Notron’ not Norton) performed well. I was worried about it not being the ‘real one’ before the trial, but I don’t think many noticed the difference, those who did notice, did not care.
On the Friday on Meall Na Cruaidhe I landed on a rock and had a strange but very unlucky failure. As I had had oil scavenging issues I had put a hole in the bash plate to get to the drain plug, the rock went in the hole and smashed the plug onto the crankcase.
The oil was dripping out and all present thought I should turn back and retire! I thought if it seizes it needs a rebuild whatever, so I bit the bulleyt and much to the horror and surprise of on-lookers, I carried on carefully.
I assumed that even down hill keeping the engine running kept the scavenge pump working. Going very steady and not looking at any sections I got to the Sma’dam where I met Chris Greenwood, who owed me a big favour from when I gave him a placement at Lotus – it was payback time!
He was despatched to ride back to the van and get some oil to deliver to Pipeline. I got to Pipeline where, due to lack of time and energy, I decided to only do the first sub. The queue agreed that when at the front I should put some oil in and then start. In the confusion I pulled away in second, it took me a while to realise so I decided to stay in the gear.
It went really well up to the big step, I think the crowd thought I was going to be a real hero due to the speed of approach before I turned right. Back at the van I carefully cleaned the crankcase and applied some two pack filler which went off over night.
Saturday I filled up with oil and it ran well all day. I have done a few checks but cannot find anything to make it worth stripping the engine, so I will ride in a local trial on 1st August 2015 to prove if any more repair is needed, I have the engine of the ‘real’ Norton in pieces as I was not happy with the rebuild I did before this years Talmag.”
Being a qualified engineer, Clive analyses everything he does in great detail, here are some facts for you all:
1) My original Norton did 42 days in Scotland from 1986 to 2014, with no retirements, several major rebuilds and many punctures.
2) Highest position 28th, 1991, on 25 marks lost in one day
3) Least marks per day, 12.5 in 2000, when finishing 51st 4) Most marks per day, 80 in 2014, when finishing 134th. also lowest position.
Best wishes to all my friends out there in trials world, I hope to see you all soon – Clive Dopson.
Sponsored by: 
Classic Trial and Trial Magazine UK…
The Highland Classic Two-Day Trial was held on 13/14 June at the Highland shooting estate, Alvie. Rick Lound was there to capture the action, here is a link to his photos. Thanks Rick!
Guest of Honour this year was Bill Wilkinson who enjoyed the experience and vowed to return again!
Results: Classic 2015 Results
Video by Ash Hallows: Here for Video
The fourth annual Bob MacGregor Memorial motorcycle run took place on Tuesday 28th April at the Perthshire village of Killin.
Trials Guru, John Moffat was the guest of honour and rode his late father’s 1951 AJS 16MC trials machine on a route that covered approximately 130 miles of Perthshire’s A and B class roads.
The route took in Glen Lyon, Loch Rannoch, Bridge of Balgie, Bridge of Gaur and out to Rannoch Station with a stop for fuel in Aberfeldy.
The organiser in chief was Kendal enthusiast Peter Remington who is a well known trials and scrambles rider from the North West Centre.
Former Scottish Six Days Trial Clerk of Course Mark Whitham entered on a 1935 499 Rudge, a similar machine to the type Bob MacGregor won the SSDT with in 1935, the last win by a Scottish rider.
Local painter/decorator Bobby Lafferty plotted and marked the route and obtained various landowner permissions. Catering was supplied by specialists Gourlay Catering from Crieff.
A variety of machinery was used ranging from early trials machines to more modern trail and road machines with a few Cheney Triumphs, one used by ex-ISDT rider George Webb.
The weather up to the event was not good with snow down to sea level the day before, but all the roads were snow and ice free even high up and everyone vowed to return next year. Roll on 2016!
With only a few days until this years’ annual Pre’65 Scottish Trial at Kinlochleven, the organisers and course plotters had to overcome extreme April weather to lay the event on the hill.
Here is a photo taken by Pre’65 course plotters today, Monday 27th April not far above the village which gives a flavour of the extreme conditions that can occur in the Scottish highlands.
The weather forecast is better for the event, but it is not expected to be plain sailing with a mixed bag of sunshine and showers.
The annual Scottish Six Days Trial commences on Monday 4th May at Fort William with first man Gordon Murray on his Beta 300 leading the pack out of the West End Car Park at 07.30 GMT. Riders leave at minute intervals.
The event has had some personnel changes since the last trial, incoming SSDT Secretary is Dutch born mathematics teacher, Mieke De Vos, taking over from Catherine Halley who is now an official route-marker. Colin Menzies has retired as Chief Marshal, with Brenda McColm and Catherine Anderson sharing the position.
Quite a number of the hardy observers have retired, one notable absentee is Inverness & District Chairman, Malcolm Smith who will be spectating for the first time in many years, having been a competitor and then an observer for 25 years or more!
There are some new hazards introduced for the event on the Wednesday as the trial goes down to Appin on the A828. The new groups are named: ‘Meall nan Tarbh’ (3); ‘Appin’ (2) and ‘Big Dar’s Burn’ (2) with ‘Glen Stockdale’ 1300m from the village. The local community hall will be open at Appin serving a variety of food and drink, but the organisers would like any spectators to park in a sensible manner so that the continued use of the area can be assured. On the Thursday 7th May, the trial ventures back down into Perthshire as far as ‘Lochs Wood’ which has been missing of late, but spectators are most likely to catch the event at Chair Lift or Ba House, before marching up to Fersit which is a good hours walk from the car parking area at the hamlet. Friday 8th May is the traditional ‘Road Trip’ day when the riders go around the Moidart Peninsula covering around 80 miles of scenic route is the weather is fair. Please follow in the direction of the route to avoid meeting oncoming competitors wherever possible.
Remember to purchase a copy of the programme, the proceeds help the “Leanne Fund”, a local Lochaber charity, it costs £3.00 and will be on sale in the West End Car Park and various businesses in Fort William during the event.
As usual Nevis Radio will keep you up to date with the goings on at Parc Ferme from 7.00 – 11.00 GMT every day Monday to Saturday with David Ogg, Si Abberley and John Weller… of yes, I almost forgot, Trials Guru (The Moffster) will make his annual return to the airwaves!
Just a few more days until this year’s Pre’65 Scottish at Kinlochleven on May 1st and 2nd – and here we have Kendal enthusiast Eddie Dobson with his home built Norton.
And here we have Eddie in his younger days on Peter Remington’s Sapphire Ossa at the 1980 Valente Trial.
TRIALS GURU - DEDICATED TO TRIAL 