Other strong populations survive in Wales and Ireland. At present, the majority of the otter population in Great Britain occurs in Scotland, with a significant proportion of this number being found in the north and west of the country. However, persecution, habitat loss and, more recently, the impact of toxic organochlorine insecticides caused a marked reduction in the range of the species. So last November I set too, I already had a frame jig from when I modified the second Triumph 5TA.Historically, otters Lutra lutra occurred over most of the UK. Over the last couple of years I have been reading the “Otter” website and was inspired to build my own but with the Triumph engine. This improved it's handling greatly but with a wheelbase of 55 inches it was a bit long for the trials we have here in Somerset. So a long story cut short, and two Triumph 5TA's later, I had a Triumph 500, which I modified to oil in frame with a steeper head angle. There are a few things in life that sound as good, a Triumph Rocket Three with loud pipes, a TR7 V8 rally car in a forest and the peace of a man cave (workshop). However I still had a hankering for a Triumph twin, for the noise if nothing else. After a couple of laps a front puncture (no tyre clamp) put paid to the day.īack home reflecting on the day I realised two things, firstly how much I had enjoyed the day, and secondly how badly prepared I had been.Īfter wobbling around a few more trials I bought a C15T, which was much easier to ride.
#YOUTUBE SL1PG8R OTTER BREEDING TRIAL#
I suddenly realised how difficult this trial thing is. Tom a kind and patient chap offered to show me the ropes. I hunted around and bought a C15 BSA from a well-known purveyor of trials bikes with 2 shocks.Īfter a bit of tinkering I entered a Bath classic trial at Fry's Bottom. In my blissful ignorance I failed to understand that it looks easy if you are very good. I have been competing for a few years, but after watching the trial at the 2012 Red Marley Hill Climb.Īs I watched a gent on a Triumph Twin negotiate the section’s, I thought, "that looks easy I will give it a go". Please find attached some pictures of my first “Otter” build. Jon Griffin, has spent Hours he says, on this ground up build, with Triumph 5TA engine fitted, This is the Photo Courtesy Jon Griffin, of the finished Otter machine. This superb shot of Jon riding his "Triumph Otter" in the 2016 Exmoor Trial. Jon just loves the sight and sound of Triumph Twins, and keeps on building them. The Story of a Ground up build of a "Otter"frame, with a Triumph 5TA engine unit fitted, and all built by its owner Jon Griffin.
#YOUTUBE SL1PG8R OTTER BREEDING UPGRADE#