Today things are a little different, gone are the days when you could find a ratted old Maico dumped in a shed. Spend a few quid on it and race it the following Sunday.
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Twin-shock scrambling started life as an idea
by ex-riders to keep them out of the pub and to stop boring the locals by bragging about
the day they one the world championship and the such like. Today things are a little different, gone are the days when you could find a ratted old Maico dumped in a shed. Spend a few quid on it and race it the following Sunday. |
Some of the bikes found at twin-shock scrambles today are in better condition than when they were new! A few are even quicker. Some people have tried to make single shock bikes into twin-shocks. Most organisers frown on this practice. There will be classes for early single shockers in the future. In fact Tony Ford of SMX has a Pre85 class.
Twin-shock eligibility rules are as follows:-
 | The engine must be air cooled and original construction must have been prior to 1985. |
| The bike must be and have originally been fitted with drum brakes. |
| The use of USD forks and Multi-adjuster rear shocks should be frowned upon. |
| Any modification should be in keeping with the period and with safety a paramount consideration. |
| Side-cars should be Twin or Single air cooled four-strokes, with the exception of EML Jumbo's (if any one is daft enough to ride one ed.) Disc brakes are allowed. |
Twin-shock Scrambling is a fun family day (weekend) out. Racing is competitive but not to the point of doing others harm. (You can't race a injured rider, and a race win is not worth having if it was gained in an un-sporting fashion) So if you want to be a thug! go elsewhere. One rule that has slipped a little is a minimum age limit. It was 30 years old, but if a younger rider is keen and willing to abide to the spirit of twin-shock I can see no harm in it.
There have been far too many classes in the past so to make it easier for riders and spectators, I propose that the main classes should be, depending on ability, as follows and subject to number of entries. A, B and C Four-strokes if enough and of course Sidecars. Four-strokes are a little special as not many were used in the twin-shock era. They were big heavy and unreliable if you could get one to start. So they deserve a special place if numbers allow. They are also very expensive to maintain, but can be a real crowed pleaser.
Mark Cook
New Visitors since 04-10-03