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Armstrongs in Scotland.....

Bill Buckley rode Armstrongs in the SSDT from 1985 to 1988...

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'Every year from the early 60’s right up until now, the British Army has had a Trials Team represented in the Scottish Six Day Trial (SSDT). During those years they have enjoyed the privilege of sponsorship either individually or more often as a team of 3 using machines which have varied from the British built AJS, Triumph, Ariel, Greeves etc, through to the Spanish favourites of Bultaco, Montesa and OSSA.

Then of course along came the Italian Fantic from 1981 till ‘84, not that Fantic ended in ‘84 but it was then that the Army Team were offered the chance to ride the all new Rotax powered 350 twinshock Armstrong. Although in a little doubt and somewhat dubious about having to change from the very reliable Fantic, we also realised it was once again an opportunity to ride a BRITISH machine which hadn’t been done by any military since the 60’s.

So three weeks prior to the start of the 1985 SSDT we collected our 350 Rotax Armstrongs from the factory, giving us a reasonable amount of time to practise and get used to them. We had of course all ridden Rotax before (if not only on the 250 Military Can-Ams and SWM) but not with the big 350! As most will know or can imagine this size of bike is quite a handful for ‘Experts’ never mind for us as ‘Clubmen’. Even so we ran them in and spent 3 good weeks getting used to them.

As with all larger capacity engines it was quite a joy and sometimes advantageous to have more power and torque but difficult and a real hand full to control when off line or tired! Obviously quite a difference to the Fantics we had been riding with 156cc (200) and 212cc (240). But, oh! what fun riding between the daily 30 sections and 100 mile a day X-Country and road. They were so quick and you could pull higher gears over the rough moorland terrain and through all the sticky stuff! (hence us not losing points on time) Must say other than the odd chain tensioner problem and getting used to the 350s power, the team got on very well with the new Armstrong 350 and all four riders brought this new model through to the finish line on day 6.

As most will know and recall, England had several top riders on Armstrongs, none other than the best at the time - Steve Saunders and John Lampkin, both winning British and World rounds on the Armstrongs. And so was our (Army) relationship to stay with Armstrong through 1985, '86, '87 and '88.

From 1986 we used the smaller 240 and 280 alloy framed mono-shocks which proved to be much better, both in power delivery and all-round handling. Likewise these newer models were very well made, sturdy, reliable and never let us down through what is well known as the longest and toughest trial in the world. Other than a couple of small modifications which included lightening the clutch and some personal rider preference changes, we didn’t need to touch or change hardly anything to make them better.

Obviously during our four years on Armstrongs, we attracted quite a lot of attention but so does any new bike on the market. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with this British bike as did many others at the time and indeed in some cases still do! It obviously had the potential to be developed further – shame it never happened!

Not only did we ride Armstrongs in the SSDT but also in several International Six Day Enduros (ISDE) including 1984 in Assen, Holland and 1989 in Walldurn, Germany. Most will also be aware that the Army issued duty motorcycle was also Armstrong, starting with the MT 500 from 1985 till 1994 then changing to the MT 350 (with electric start/disc brakes) although under the Harley Davidson banner, until 2009 when unfortunately ALL general purpose Army bikes were withdrawn from service for good!'

Bill Buckley, Mar 2012.

Images and text (c) Bill Buckley