Ken Ives' S90 Honda Trials Special
Ken Ives was a Honda dealers that made one of the first transformations from the "street" Hondas to ride on Trials races.
Ken Ives took a 1965 Honda S90 and made following modifications and improvements to well adapt on atrials riding:
He replaced the tyres, made a wider swing arm, of course improved the position and design of the foot rests, special exhaust, and add a bash plate to protect the bootom engine.
Engine was a lttle 90cc OHC, but strong enough to start on the first trial races.
At same time the Japanese Hideo Tanaka made his own transformation and rode with his S90. Tanaka, some time later was working on the RTL305 development.
In 2006, Mori Kojiro entered at Kinlochleven Scotish Pre 65 2-Day with this machine.
At same time the Japanese Hideo Tanaka made his own transformation and rode with his S90. Tanaka, some time later was working on the RTL305 development.
In 2006, Mori Kojiro entered at Kinlochleven Scotish Pre 65 2-Day with this machine.
Really a funny history!! Do not you think so?
Later, around 1967, 68 Kevin Ives built a new Honda Trials bike based on the CB 160 and CD 175 engine.
Of course he replaced the wheels, tyres, rear suspension, also he changed the forks, special twin exhaust, frame with a lot of improvements like Camber angle, swing arm, reinforced sections, bash plate... Engine also was modified, low compression, lower gearing,..
Really a nice bike!!
Peter Gaunt riding a Suzuki trials
Peter Gaunt was the first engineer who in 1973 developed a serious transformation using a Honda bike as a base. The bike was sold under the Jefferies Honda name, this is because Jefferies bikes, located at Shipley, Yorkshire, was the dealer. The bike was offered ad L469!!
Small series were made, no more than 20 units.
Almost two units still alive!!
Thanks to Carlo, from Italy, I found an original Peter Gaunt's Honda Jefferies,
and thanks generosity of Carlo to share these pictures, we can enjoy today with this nice bike survivor.
I also found another original one, and thanks to John comments we know that the bike was from 1973. You can find pictures on the excellent and maybe the best Honda trials bike web page: www.honda-trials.com
The bike is from Adres Cook, and you can see it on following link: http://www.honda-trials.com/_sgg/m1ma_1.htm
The Jefferies Honda XLS
Gaunt started using a XL250 (trail/enduro bike) but modifying several points in order to have a competitive trial bike.
Actually Peter Gaunt still ride and participates on races as Two Scotish Days with his wonderfull Royal Enfield. This bike has a lot of clever solutions, and perfectly explains how this engineer could make a transformation so successful. The bike is today in Spain bought by a private collector.
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