Pre 65 trials is a real laugh. You get to ride some pretty tricky sections on woefully inappropriate machinery. Unlike modern trials there is little chance of serious injury other than a few bruises and aching muscles (from heaving a 300lb all iron trials bike out of the mud for the nth time...). If you aren't very good (like me) you can blame your inability on your bike!
There seems to be two basic approaches. If you have loads of money you can buy, brand new, either a Miller BSA B40, a Bartram Ariel HT5 or a brand new Greeves Anglian, all costing around the £4000- £6000 mark. People spend a fortune getting hubs machined out of billet ally, putting modern fork internals into old sliders, etc etc. Alternatively you can pick up something a bit more original like my 61 Greeves Scottish for around £1000 - £1500. BSA B40s, C15 and cubs are also all available in that price range. You will have to do some sorting on them however. A few nutters also go for the rigid option - ie. no rear suspension. This is a lot harder (on the behind at least) and carries alot more cred than simply buying a new replica like the Anglian. Some total nutters specifically set out to base their trials machines on the most inappropriate bike possible like the guy who does the Manx 2 day on a '36 Levis with girder forks.
A cheaper option is to enter the twinshock class. You can get functional Bultacos or 'tessas for under a grand.
Ebay does a brisk trade in trials bikes but you'd be better joining your local club and seeing what comes up. See the Old Bike Mart of Classic Dirt Bike magazine for more info.
Phil
