For a few moments, let's go back to 1970. Trials is pretty popular here in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S.. Local events look much like our Vintage events now, except its a little early for the Japanese entries. Lightweight British 4-strokes are still popular, but most of the better riders are now mounted on one of the Spanish brands to come to the market since Sammy Miller left Ariel and went to work for Mr. Bulto of Bultaco. Sherpa Ts are popular, as are Montesa Cotas. The most recent Spanish company to produce a Trials machine is OSSA.
The Plonker was their first effort, developed by Mick Andrews with production beginning in 1967. Though not as popular as the other two Spanish brands, certainly it was a worthy Trials bike with soft power and excellent handling. Here in the Baltimore area there was a motorcycle shop, Liberty Cycles, that sold OSSAs. The proprietor was Jimmy Foster, an expert Trialer and woods rider in general. Other very capable riders of the time who were located in the area were Wayne Slate, Bob Smith, Mike Slate and Larry Flowers. While Mike was riding Bultacos, Jimmy, Wayne, Bob, and Larry were riding the OSSA Plonker. And this is where our story begins.
The 1970 OSSA Plonker featured here was originally purchased new from Liberty Cycles in Randallstown, MD. Don Flowers bought it to ride trails on the farmland with, and to spectate and support his son Larry, who was competing in moto-x, scrambles, and enduros.
And Larry sometimes rode the OSSA in local trials. Over twenty years ago this bike was dissassembled for service and the top end was freshened up, but that's as far as the service got. Since then several people, including Larry's old riding buddies have attempted to buy the OSSA, but the Flowers are not easily parted from their motorcycles. Finally, Larry made a deal with Mike Slate. Mike would restore the Plonker and Larry would pay for the parts, painting and plating etc... The bike would still be Larry's, but Mike would be able to ride and compete on it when he liked.
Beginning in May of 2003 Mike began the Plonker's final dissassembly, though it was already in enough pieces to easily fit in the back of his Caravan. Parts were prepped and shipped out for replating or painting. Missing parts were replaced with NOS when available, and updated or "made to work" when they were unavailable. Evidently Mike had some trouble locating 4-speed Plonker parts, but when I talked to Ron Bors, he assured me he still has plenty in stock even though there never really were a great number of these bikes produced and shipped to the U.S. Once OSSA began producing the Mick Andrews Replicas in 1971 Plonkers were quickly forgotten. In their day the Plonkers were considered ugly and bulky. But I stray from the story. The front and rear Telesco suspension units were frozen from corrosion, but Mike managed to salvage them and bring them back to "new". The engine cases were glass beaded and given all new bearings and seals. All other moving parts on the bike were replaced. These included steering head bearings, cables and chains. The brake shoes were relined, Michelin tires were installed along with Renthal bars. Finally, on Christmas Day of 2003 the OSSA was ready to be started. And start it did on the very first kick. (According to Mike's father, Wayne, Mike was kicking it through to free up the clutch plates but it started instead.)
While photographing the Plonker for this article I had the opportunity to take it for a short ride through the woods. I was pleasantly surprised with the "feel" of the bike. Power and handling are very similar to my 4-speed Bultaco. It is very unsimilar to the MARs that followed which were much lighter, especially in the front end. I was impressed enough that I dreamt of buying one that night as I slept. Mike has said he hopes to compete in an MAVT event this year, either in Toronto, or perhaps Strasburg which is closer to his Richmond, VA home. If he does, Vintage B riders beware. Mike was District 7 Trials Champion more than once back when OSSA Plonkers were a normal sight at local and national events.
Here, Rob Meadows, former and current ace Triumph, BSA etc... mechanic, tightens down the head on the 250cc 4-speed motor. This was based on OSSA's scrambles engine, detuned for trials. Bore is 72mm and stroke is 60mm. Engine has electronic ignition which OSSA was one of the first to employ. Note heavy, brass flywheel.
