Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

hi Don Morley on 8n Enfielc:l 350. Doyen of the pre-'65 trials is the Talmag. run annually in January by the club of the same name on and around the channingly-named Hungry Hill, just outside the home of the British Army at Aldershot. An indication of its popularity is given by the fact that entries for this year's event closed within 12 hours of opening, and were oversubscribed by 400%. with 800 applicants for the 200 places. And what a turnout there was, on a day that can only be described as balmy weatherwise with temperature in the 50s and glorious sunshine. Classes are divided into 0-500cc (mostly the domain of Triumph Cubs, with a few C 15 Beezas); over 500cc rigid, a Class which attracted the entire production run of five 1949 Douglas opposed twins; over 500cc with rear suspension. further sub-divided into those with and without unit construction, and finally the smallest class of all, those with girder forks. Most unusual here was a 1958 Levis 550 - the only one still thought to survive. A sidecar class is also run. In keeping with tradition. all machines entered were British, and some lovely examples there were too, especially of the classic Royal Enfields, HT Ariels, 500T and 16H Nonons, Matchless G5LC and AJS 16C, and the like. The occasional Triumph twin whose smoother power delivery characteristics are not especially suited to the type of terrain usually chosen for these events, with loose soil and sand sections much in evidence - lent pleasant contrast to the heavyweight longstroke singles which predominated. Star rider was the legendary Sammy Miller, whose HT Ariel replica aroused some adverse comment, however! Only the engine and gearbox are pre-'65, with the rest of the bits of modem manufacture. Sammy showed that whatever period of machine he was mounted on, he'd be well-nigh unbeatable in this sort of company, but it was still a delight to watch. He was run very close, however, by British grasstrack champion and speedway star Julian Wigg, whose immaculate style was matched by the superb turnout of his 500cc ex-works Royal Enfield the only one made, and formerly ridden by the legendary Johnny Brittain. Julian showed that it's possible to have an immaculately-restored bike and still be in the running for the winner's laurels. In the space of seven short years the Talmag has become an institution, and as these pictures show, the machine.ry on display is not only nostalgic but ridden with both style and enterprise. Roll on next year's version! • At Can-Am, we figure that With features like our snorkel that you can race it and never most people buy our air intake system, Ohlins maintain it. It's bikes to race with, not suspension units and just that. where to work on. SO instead our new light we come of an engine that uses but from, maintenance rings and bottom ends tough doesn't include like a razor does blades, diamond~~~~~ engine rebuilds. we build our 250 and At Can-Am, we believe it's our section alumi- _iii!! 400 Bombardier-Rotax num swingarm. job to build the engines to take what Now, don't buy a bike. And yours to you give them, day We know how to Can-Am with the idea enjoy it. after day, weekend build a bike! after weekend. (Most Can-Am riders you talk to run a hard and fast season with little more new than a plug or two.) There's really nothing magic about building competitive performance and bulletproof reliability into the same engine. It's just good engineering. The ~ same good engi\ neering that's 1 gone into the rest of the MX-6B. Ohlins. Ohlins. all the way! • ............. • i:l11~"'118 8*Trademarks of Bombardier limil" WE WILL WIN YOU IF YOU'RE NOT ADVERTISING IN CYCLE NEWS. .. YOU'RE LOSING BUSINESS! April 12 Paul Ricard. France International Road Race Marc Fontan Sonauto/Yamaha on Dunlop 3rd . Christian Sarron Sonauto/Yamaha on Dunlop More CJdes ride on Dunlop ..... ..,.oIher tlrelntheworlcl. ~ DUN~OP p.o. Box 1109.1luffaIo, NY 14240 17

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