Trials books - what have you got?

[K1W1]

Finding this section on ADV got me looking back through the library to see some of the "oldies but goodies" that are buried from way back.

The first book I came across was this. The "must have" for all 1970's trials riders.



This edition is a 1974 print and whilst all the photos depict Sammy Miller demonstrating techniques on his Bultaco the preface page has a Bultaco team photo with the note. "Runners change with the years. Sam was with Bultaco to the close of 1973. In April 1974 he was retained by Honda Europe to expand their trials side by developing machines and managing their trials team."

The second book I came across is this one



Don Smith was a former works Montessa who was reatined by Kawasaki to develop their trials bike in the early 1970's. This particular edition is a 1975 and contains at least one photo of the little known first attempt from Kawasaki the 450cc works bike. One of other the interesting photos in the book is a very young Don Smith instructing a very much younger Barry Sheene in the art of Speedway riding!

For those who are not familar with the history when the big four Japanese campanies decided trials was the way of the future in the earlier 1970's they all scrambled to obtain top English riders to develop their bikes. Honda of course got Miller and Kawasaki got Smith. Mick Andrews, former Ossa star was responsible for the Yamaha TY series (spot the family resemblence) and Suzuki employed one Gordon Farley.

What books, particularly classics do others here have on their shelves?

[motu]

I have that edition of Don Smith's book too.And also his smaller later book,where he is using a Fantic.It gives some training in ''unweighting''...radical stuff back then....getting the rear wheel a couple of inches off the ground was hard work with the old bikes.

[lamotovita]

I would love to find a copy of the Sammy Miller book. I've never seen it. I have the Don Smith book and the Bernie Schreiber book.
A favorite of mine is Classic British Two Stroke Trials Bikes by Don Morley. It may well still be available in the UK.

[Ian640]

One on my shelf that's not been mentioned yet is "Motor Cycle Trials Riding" by Max King, 1972 edition. You can still find it if you look hard enough. Think I go mine through Amazon. One reason I bought it is that it covers an obscure form of trials that we run overnight here in the UK (link).

I used to have (but sold for next to nothing......doh!):

The Way to Win Motorcycle Trials by Sammy Miller
The Mick Andrews Book of Trials by, erm, Mick Andrews
The Sammy Miller Story by Jeff Clew
Two books on the Scottish by Tommy Sandham
Four Stroke Finale The Honda Trials Story by Tommy Sandham

[Lobo50]

I just checked on the Amazon site for the book "Clean to the finish". They have 1 in paperback used for $112. OUCH. Here is a list of some other books someone on another forum posted.

max kings trials riding editions 1 - 5
lanes motorcycle trials
bernies observed trials
don smiths complete book of trials
don smiths trials bike riding
miller on trials
millers way to win trials
Another on Ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com/The-Way-to-Win-M...3286.m63.l1177

[roadholder]

I remember leafing through this one in awe as a kid!

[fargodroid]

Originally Posted by Lobo50

I just checked on the Amazon site for the book "Clean to the finish". They have 1 in paperback used for $112. OUCH. Here is a list of some other books someone on another forum posted.

max kings trials riding editions 1 - 5
lanes motorcycle trials
bernies observed trials
don smiths complete book of trials
don smiths trials bike riding
miller on trials
millers way to win trials
Another on Ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com/The-Way-to-Win-M...3286.m63.l1177

Ouch indeed, and for a used one...

[Thumpermeister]

Originally Posted by Ian640

I used to have (but sold for next to nothing......doh!):

The Way to Win Motorcycle Trials by Sammy Miller
The Mick Andrews Book of Trials by, erm, Mick Andrews
The Sammy Miller Story by Jeff Clew
Two books on the Scottish by Tommy Sandham
Four Stroke Finale The Honda Trials Story by Tommy Sandham

The latter is a great book. I believe it has recently gone back into production.
I think they can now remove the question mark from the title however!

[husqvarna]

Never owned any of the books but read the Sammy Miller & Don Smith many times from the library.

Best little section from Sammy Miller, as I remember, was when he was a kid and claimed to be able to go down a particualr hill without using his brakes. To prove it his mates loosened off the brakes. Can't remember the outcome too clearly but I think he had a good crash.

[darmst6829]

[quote=Ian640] One reason I bought it is that it covers an obscure form of trials that we run overnight here in the UK (link).


Long distance trials looks like a good time, have you ever tried it?

[lamotovita]

Can anyone reccomend a source for Trials books in the USA?
I checked Whitehorse Press and found not one Trials title. Lewisport has the above mentioned twin shock book that looks interesting.

[roadholder]

Originally Posted by husqvarna

Never owned any of the books but read the Sammy Miller & Don Smith many times from the library.

I remember memorizing many of the tips provided and practice some to this day...if not always succesfully!

[wcohl]

Can anyone reccomend a source for Trials books in the USA?

Not quite a book, but Ryan Young aka RYP has DVDs available

https://secure.rypusa.com/catpage.cfm?cat_selected=84


If you ever get the chance to attaend his school, do it.

[norton73]

One of everything I think;

The afore mentioned "Clean to the Finish"
Also "The Sammy Miller Story" by Jeff Clew

Don Morley wrote three books on trials, "Classic British Trials Bikes"

"Classic British Two Stroke Trials Bikes" and "Spanish Trials Bikes"

All out of print and stupidly expensive used.

"British Trials Motorcycles" by Ralph Venable. great pics of bikes from the 50s and 60s.

"Observed Trials" by Bernis Scheibner
" Lochhaber Rich Mixture" by Ed Stott. great pics of the Scottish 6 days

"the 'Scottish'" by Tommy Sandham, history of the Scottish six days

"Feet up in the '50s" Picture book from Mortons Media

[Honda-50]

Some of these have been mentioned, but maybe not depicted. I also have Four Stroke Finale