1966 Sprite Trials & Scrambler - 4-Page Vintage Motorcycle Road Test Article

Description

1966 Sprite Trials & Scrambler - 4-Page Vintage Motorcycle Road Test Article
Original, vintage magazine article
Page Size: Approx: 8" x 11" (21 cm x 28 cm)
Condition: Good
IT’S A RARE — and happy — day when we have the
opportunity to ride and evaluate a pukka, over-the-
counter trials machine. While interest in observed trials
may be growing in this country, the availability of suitable
as-is machinery hardly reflects it. To be sure, there have
been several makes and models available for some time
that are well suited to this highly specialized sport, but
in the main, these have required modifications and tailor-
ing before they were ready for a slow and skillful go. The
picture in the last couple of years has changed for the
better, and further evidence of this is offered in the person
of the Sprite Monza Trials.
The Sprite is, strictly speaking, a one-purpose ma-
chine. Its use is dictated by suspension geometry, gearbox
layout, control/seat/peg relationship, gas tank size and
seat padding. The Sprite is supported up front by leading-
link units of the manufacturer’s design. Rear suspension
is handled with an inclined swing arm, and both ends em-
ploy Girling spring-shock units. When we received the
bike we were disappointed that it was not fitted with the
telescopic units that are available, but after many hours
of riding we can find little to quarrel with about this
leading-link arrangement for trials. The forks are respon-
sive and consistently stay where they are put. Vertical
travel is seven inches — wholly adequate, because the
front end was never close to bottoming out. Both the front
links and rear swing are bushed with nylon, thus requiring
little lubrication.
The front end has a bad habit of trying to get out
from under when the bike is pushed hard over soft, uneven
terrain. This is a difficult point to forgive, because experi-...
13272-AL-67rta-08