Tag Archives: Repsol

Rob Shepherd goes for Montesa/Honda 4RT

Richard-Thorpe.Rob-Shepherd.Craig-Holmes.jpg
Rob Shepherd (centre) with his newly acquired Montesa 4RT Repsol 260. With Richard Thorpe (PJ1) and Craig Holmes of Craigs Motorcycles. – Photo Copyright: Barry Robinson.

Former British Trials Champion (1977) and factory Honda rider, Rob Shepherd is making a comeback to trials with a machine that he was associated back in the seventies. Honda powered four-stroke power. ‘Shep’ a Yorkshire farmer has been practising constantly with a Drayton BSA Bantam which he hopes to ride in Pre’65 events next season. He was particularly taken with the Montesa 4RT. Shepherd rode for Montesa back in the early seventies with Rob Edwards, before switching to Honda UK Trials Team with Brian Higgins and Nick Jefferies, managed by Sammy Miller.

hondashortstroke - HB
The Honda RTL300 (short-Stroke) similar to the model ridden by Rob Shepherd. This is Nick Jefferies machine, now owned by a French Trial enthusiast. Photo Copyright: Heath Brindley, Bristol.

According to Rob’s younger brother Norman, also a very competent rider on a Bultaco, Rob has worn the rear tyre of the Bantam to ‘slick’ proportions. He told Trials Guru at the recent Scott Re-Union: “He’s never off the thing, he’s worn the knobbles off the rear tyre”.

TL305WR
In the 1990’s enthusiasts began building ‘Shepherd Replica’ Hondas. Here is a Honda trials TL250 motor bored to 305cc installed in a Jim Susans (Bikecraft) frame. Photo: MoffatRacing Archive.

Rob Shepherd has been out of the sport since 1983 when he last rode it was an Appleyard 340 Bultaco in 1982/83 and a Majesty Yamaha in 1981.

Red Rose Trial 1981
Rob Shepherd in 1981 on a Majesty Yamaha 320 at the Red Rose Trial. Photo: Barry Robinson

 

rob shepherd 340 appleyard bultaco in one of his last outings at the 1982 wetherby bottle trial
Rob Shepherd 1982, Appleyard Bultaco 340 mounted for the Wetherby Bottle Trial. Photo: Barry Robinson.

 

Link to more on Honda Trials


Acknowledgement to Trials Media/Trial Mag/John Hulme.

Photos:

Barry Robinson – All Rights reserved.

Heath Brindley – All Rights Reserved.

MoffatRacing Archive – Copyright.