Bantam-weight boxing clever
By TMX Archives on 11th May 12
ITs the first full week in May, which means that its Scottish Six Days Trial time.
This year the most famous trial in the world moves into its second century having last year celebrated 100 years since the very first Six Days which was designed to be the ultimate test of man and machine.
And 100 years later the trial is still pretty much still doing exactly that.
The event gives more than a nod to its unrivalled history with the running of the Two Day Pre-65 event which precedes it.
Many of the Pre-65 riders have competed in the Six Days in years gone by and competitors and spectators alike get a feeling for what it was like in the past.
If you want to see choice of machinery the Pre-65 is the event for you. There are two-strokes, four-strokes, singles, twins, big 'uns and little 'uns, from 500cc beasts down to 197cc two-stroke rigids and dozens of different brands.
And the sounds. Rasping Triumph twins, thumping big Ariel, Royal Enfield, Matchless, AJS and Velo singles, busy little Triumph Cubs, crackling two-strokes badged James, Dot, Francis Barnett, Greeves, DMW!
One recent phenomenon is the explosion of BSA Bantams in various guises.
In Pre-65 times these lightweight strokers were seen rarely in trials. Now they are the ‘in' bike to have, mainly because they weigh nothing –
making them perhaps the ideal machine for older riders.
And with modern components and tweaks and capacities slightly larger than their original 175cc they can be made to perform rather well.
I would suggest though that their numbers need to be kept in check!
As I've said above, one of the main draws of the Pre-65 event is the huge choice of machinery on display. If all we are going to see in future is a gaggle of pip-squeaking Billy Bantams...
The Pre-65 wheel appears to have almost turned full circle.
Initially the whole point of the movement was to keep the big singles and outmoded machines out there in regular use as the modern two-stroke arrived and ruled the roost.
Now the Bantam has arrived and once again the big old beasts are in danger of being swamped. Such is life!
Meanwhile the 2012 version of the modern SSDT will almost have reached its conclusion by the time you read this. Wonder if the Gassers, Betas and Shercos will ever be wheeled out in future in a Classic version of the Scottish?
