Email from Ross to Don's Daughter Amanda 

Although I only met Don twice, once at a trial where I was in awe that a Kawasaki 'works' rider was in the same trial, and once at an exhibition ride when he was riding for Fantic. I was struck by his approachability and friendliness. Now I am in my twilight trials riding years I recently reread 'ride it' and purchased a 1975 Kawasaki. Bizarrely when these machines were current I did not appreciate how good they were! However now I have a modest collection of 70's and early 80's trials bikes (as well as a 2009 Beta) I am rapidly finding the Kawasaki is my favourite! I've only had it for a few weeks and have won a number of classic events on it, the bike always attracts a lot of attention as these bikes in original condition are very rare. It is testament indeed to Don's development skills that I find this bike to be so 'user friendly' as my riding technique has radically changed since 1975!! However the bike responds well to a modern riding style and with only slight changes to fork oil and spring preload I can do all the 'trick riding' that I can do on my Beta! The sport lost a great rider, engineer and ambassador with Don\'s passing and I very much doubt that anyone else will fill the void.

Attached is a pic taken at a recent trial of me and the Kawasaki which you are welcome to use, of course there is a picture of you as a six year old riding on the tank with your dad in the 'ride it' book, also one of Karen with some very natty headgear riding with dad running alongside! In the early part of the book he emphasizes what a great family sport trials is, and I couldn't agree more as I did exactly the same with my kids! Your dad was bang on about the maintenance on the Kawasaki, when I rode mine in it's first trial I had only had it a few days but it was clear that although it was quite tidy the previous owner had been very economical with the spanner work! A number of bolts were loose which I had dealt with during the week, however as the trial progressed the bike started running a little weak and the revs sometimes wouldn't die down when I shut the throttle, I checked all the glaringly obvious and the only thing I could see was a clip missing from the carb manifold,assuming the problem was an air leak I completed the trial. When I examined the bike properly in the workshop I found that the cylinder barrel nuts were less than finger tight and when running the barrel was actually moving up and down slightly with the piston! I can't thing of any other trials bike that would actually start let alone complete a trial in this condition! Since I have had the time to go through the bike properly it has been 100 % reliable, surprise surprise!