Classic Dirt Bike

It’s the works

By his own admission Sammy Miller was no longer at the top of his trials career in the early Seventies, having pretty much dominated the Sixties, first with his highly developed Ariel based 500cc single, then – to the disbelief of the feet-up establishment – he went Spanish and carried on winning. Retiring from major competitions didn’t mean he’d retired from development though and was still a contracted Bultaco rider who would become involved with the 325 Sherpa, before heading for Honda in 1974.

The smart green Sherpa we’re looking over in the courtyard of the Sammy Miller Museum is effectively his last works 250 Sherpa. Though supplied direct from the factory, Sammy did make a few modifications, which brought a wry grin to his face as he recalled them: “Looking back, Snr Bulto was very lenient with my modifying bits and pieces, for instance I didn’t really mod my Ariel until it was out of production and BSA riders had to use what was on the production line.”

So, the frame on this 250, while similar to the production one, is Sammy’s own Hi-Boy aftermarket and as such made from Reynolds 531 tubing which made it considerably lighter than the standard model. “It’s also got

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Classic Dirt Bike

Classic Dirt Bike1 min read
Silencer Is Golden
WES Silencers celebrates 50 years in business this year and to celebrate this golden anniversary new silencers will be marked with an original logo used in the Seventies when the company was formed. Though now based in Spain and part of José Franquei
Classic Dirt Bike4 min read
“Remember When…”
It’s not long into any conversation before phrases such as “remember when” crop up. This is a truism not restricted to motorcycling circles but as this is a motorcycle magazine it’s where the gist of a conversation I was involved in went. Soon, lines
Classic Dirt Bike12 min read
In The Frame
Let’s go back in time nearly 70 years to the late 1950s. Imagine you’re in the boardroom of BSA, the biggest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, a manufacturer who can proudly boast one in four motorcycles sold in the world are made in its factory…

Related Books & Audiobooks