Obscure trials bike

[firko]

Even though Alan Jones is noted for his pre 65 motocross exotica and speedway bikes, he is currently bringing in this pair of Mexican made GRM trials bikes from the USA. The bikes were designed by American trials pioneer Bill Grapevine (Grapevine Racing Motorcycles-GRM) and manufactured in Mexico by Moto Islo. The engine is similar to that of the Cooper MX/enduro but features a cast iron barrel and other differences including a reduction in size to 215cc. Apparently 1575 were made but only 20 complete running bikes are known to exist today. Pretty cool looking thing I reckon.

[TooFastTim]

That's quite a production run for a bike that obsure. I don't reckon that they sold well in the US where brand would be important (what wins on Sunday..) so I suppose they all ended up underneath some very confused Mexicans.

Firko, two pics, two rear sprockets, do you know which was the original?

[Tim754]

http://www.classicbikes.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/    Features lots of old trials piccys from Great Brit in side this site. and heaps of other racing too

[firko]

Tim, here's a shot of another GRM which shows the big sprocket so I guess it's the proper one. I'ts kind of funny how Alan bought the bike. He's not really interested in trials or 2 strokes for that matter so he bid on the engineless bike thinking it might be a good basis recipient for his BSA B40 engine. I think he paid $200 or something cheap. After the auction the bloke asked if he wanted another one for a couple of hundred more and when Al saw how clean it was he couldn't resist. It then turned out that the first bike had a motor as well, the only thing missing were the forks that had ended up on a Carabela. I suspect it'll be his pitbike. One went for $150 bucks on eBay a few weeks back (see below


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/vintage-motocross-AHRMA-rare-moto-islo-GRM-islo-project_W0QQitemZ110263278192QQihZ001QQcategoryZ35576QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[TooFastTim]

Interesting, looks like the gearbox wasn't adapted for trials hence the need for a bloody big sprocket.

There was a US attempt at a trials bike in the early/mid 80's. It too went down like a lead balloon. Trials riders like most off-road riders are driven by fashion and like to ride something similar to the top guys.

Firko, my old man used to have one the Minerilli engined Cottons. The frame was good but the motor was crap. He searched high and low for a B40 motor to drop into it but eventually gave up. Might be an idea for Alan.

[firko]

Als decided to restore the dismantled bike and probably sell it. He may not be a trials kind of bloke but he and I both agree that if a bike is interesting and rare it deserves to survive intact. From all reports, the GRM wasn't that good but that shouldn't be seen as a signal to disregard it as a collectors piece. Many of todays more eagerly collected bikes weren't all that great in their day.

[TooFastTim]

Many of todays more eagerly collected bikes weren't all that great in their day.

Ain't that the truth with CCM 4t trials bikes hitting near GBP10,000!

[VMX247]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/CCM-Trial-maschine-1979-1-Hand-cirka-20-betriebsstd-/170514869432?pt=Motorrad_Kraftradteile&hash=item27b37a6cb8

one of about 104 ever made Trial bikes fom CCM ,the one and only 4 stroke Trialbike of the seventies.
first colour, first tyres , bill of sale with CCM , one owner since new about 20 hours used since 1979
really hard too find in that condition- we can help organizing worldwide transport or would even bring it back to England (british motocycle industrie thank U for that bike) . europe transport add 400 euro
any question please phone 004989134452      karsten

[VMX247]

and six months later ....
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/CCM-Trial-maschine-1979-1-Hand-cirka-20-betriebsstd-/170514869432?pt=Motorrad_Kraftradteile&hash=item27b37a6cb8

[montynut]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/CCM-Trial-maschine-1979-1-Hand-cirka-20-betriebsstd-/170514869432?pt=Motorrad_Kraftradteile&hash=item27b37a6cb8

one of about 104 ever made Trial bikes fom CCM ,the one and only 4 stroke Trialbike of the seventies.
first colour, first tyres , bill of sale with CCM , one owner since new about 20 hours used since 1979
really hard too find in that condition- we can help organizing worldwide transport or would even bring it back to England (british motocycle industrie thank U for that bike) . europe transport add 400 euro
any question please phone 004989134452      karsten

When you say first 4T Trials bike of the '70s I guess you disregard the TLs from Honda as more leisure bikes? Sold from '74-'78 I think and they sold pretty big in the US and UK. They also pull big money these days for a bikes that lacked any real trial success

[firko]

When you say first 4T Trials bike of the '70s I guess you disregard the TLs from Honda

Let's not forget the Italjet 350....a heavy lump of a thing with 4T Rotax power.

[montynut]

I think the Italjet Scott was early '80 but not 100% sure. Either way it was a better Trials bike than the TLs so was the CCM. Having said that their is a Guy in the Denman Twin Shock Club that has a TL250 Special that WORKS!!! unbelievably well.

[montynut]

It is one of those little wonders of old dirt bikes. The final (latest) twin shock bike eligible for competition in OZ is the TLR250 Honda 4 stroke. The Montesa 242 / 330 are also '85 models but I believe the TLR continued after these bikes were replaced. Again not 100% sure as the TLR continued in Japan longer than other markets but was most popular in the UK.

Have I high jacked this thread? 

[TooFastTim]

I think the Italjet Scott was early '80 but not 100% sure. Either way it was a better Trials bike than the TLs so was the CCM. Having said that their is a Guy in the Denman Twin Shock Club that has a TL250 Special that WORKS!!! unbelievably well.

The TLR250 is hugely popular in Spanish twinshock trials presently (a quick scan of Todotrial will confirm, see link below). Odd 'cause it wasn't taken seriously in its time.

http://www.todotrial.com/ttclasico/competicion2011/cingles.htm

[NSR]

How about a Yak, great name I reckon.

http://www.leboncoin.fr/motos/203743843.htm?ca=12_s