Tiger Cub Trials
(along with a little 500cc Daytona news too!)
by Bruce Yule

​​Just to introduce myself, I am a 62 year-old Chartered Mechanical Engineer who has been riding motorbikes since the age of 12. I started by riding my NSU Quickly around the garden and when I was 15 got into trials riding after buying a rather heavy Greaves Anglian from a friend.

I have ridden trials at club level on and off ever since competing in Road Trials in the late 70's on a Bultaco Sherpa and more recently Modern and Pre-65 Trials with the Barham MCC.
 
Although I will never be Dougie Lampkin, I still enjoy the sport especially when riding with my sons, Joe and Lewis.
 
About 20 years ago I was at the Greybeards Trial (an over 40's trial, handicapped to take age into account) and saw an old guy having a great time on a Cub made from various bits. Even his trailer was a converted AmbiCar chassis!
 
I was immediately hooked on the Cubs' 'character' (especially after modern 2-stroke trials) and pre-65 trials in general, as it provided a friendly relaxed sport in which I could use my mechanical skills and workshop to build my own bikes.
 
Since that time I have built numerous Trials Cubs and learnt a great deal on the way.

​I currently own a Trials Cub that I built from parts about 15 years ago and continue to develop when funds and time allows.

​This is the bike I rode at the Jack Thompson Pre-65 Trial at Canada Heights in 2015 and was awarded the only trophy I have ever won in a trials competition! Proving I enjoy building and riding my bikes more than winning prizes!

I also own an 'Armac' Cub (pictured at the 2019 Greybeards Trial) which I built from parts supplied by Duncan McDonald of Renthal Bars, Pace Mountain Bikes and Pre-65 Trials fame.
This is a 'top of the range 'Pre-65 Trials Weapon' with very few original Cub parts remaining. Some may say it defeats the object of riding a 'pre-65' machine but as a Design  Engineer, I love the combination of riding something with character that has been developed to be reliable and a pleasure to use.

Earlier this year I purchased a 1970 ex SA Army Triumph Daytona 500 that was restored some time ago and I have spent many happy (and sometimes frustrating) hours fettling it in my workshop to bring it to a usable but not over restored standard. Starting this bike reminds me of a number of Greaves Anglians I have seen at pre-65 trials events powered with Triumph twins. They sound amazing.
​I can see another project coming along!