46 replies to this topic

[Trialsin1]

Martin Belair, on 16 January 2012 - 03:04 AM, said:

Yes, early Cotas had white frames.

I have two, first year 123's with the 17"/20" wheel combo. One has a white looking frame and the other has a battle ship gray looking frame. What color should the frames be? I want to get them repainted.

[Martin Belair]

Trialsin1, on 16 January 2012 - 12:57 PM, said:

I have two, first year 123's with the 17"/20" wheel combo. One has a white looking frame and the other has a battle ship gray looking frame. What color should the frames be? I want to get them repainted.

Early Cota 247's had white frames. In 72 they went to silver and 74 black. The Cota 123 came along in 72 so I believe it had a silver frame....not 100% sure.

Here is a useful link with years and photos Montesaweb.com

Edited by Martin Belair, 16 January 2012 - 03:24 PM.

[sparks2]

Hi Greeves and all contributors
Nice bike, hope it will make a good and fairly easy restoration.
Never realised that these early Montesas were so well thought of.
I have a similar model with the early large hubs and white frame.
It's frame number is several hundred earlier than yours so I would guess
that would make it a 1969.
Came to me a good while ago with an incorrectly assembled gear selection index system.
It will need a new piston to make it a runner and perhaps a correctly painted tank seat unit.
Perhaps I should spend some time and resources getting it sorted?
Regards
Sparks2

Edited by sparks2, 24 January 2012 - 03:23 PM.

[Greeves]

Hi all: Sorry for my long silence. Montesa were my beginnings in trials all Cota 25, Cota 123, Cota 247 and Cota 348 untill in 1978 I was given a brand new Bultaco Sherpa 198 to race with.

The 1970 model is actually in pieces, some of them sent to crome, some to sandblast and paint, and the barrel sent to rebore. This weekend found some small parts I needed in Telford show.

The last 2 years I have been using this 247 in competition. Very nice bike and easy to use, it is not too demanding if you make a mistake with the throttle, although the gear box is without any doubt it´s weak point, need to engage 1st gear 20 times to be sure it will not jump out.



I am now also reatoring the engine, and suspensions of this Ulf Karlsson model, saved from the destruction very recently and that cost me exactly 0€. Not going to restore it fully at the moment, just make it usable.

[Triple_X]

Hi

Just bought a very tidy 1969 Cota 247.

Unfortunately it has the small front hub (mine had the large diameter original hubs)but all the numbers stack up and it has a V5 showing 2 previous owners.

When I saw it I just could not let it go as it brought back so many happy memories from 1968 to 71 when I got one of the first ones in the country from Westbury Motorcycles RHU71G. I actually sold it to SM at New Milton in exchange for a Pathfinder!!!!!!

Please any pointers with shots, sites showing original configurations will be appreciated.

I believe that the frame should be white, and the original exhaust finished by the offside rear shock.

I will still ride the Sherpa this year in the SM Champs but will fettle the Cota and get it out on a trial as soon as poss.

Look forward to any comments you guys may have as it is now 41 years since I last had one close up.

Kind regards

Martin

Edited by Triple_X, 24 March 2012 - 10:33 PM.

[Greeves]

Hi Triple_X. I think Montesa Cota 247 models Mk1 & 2 are one of the nicest trials bikes ever.

Mine is still in bits. Only the frame blasted and painted in white is ready. Working slowly with the rest.

This are the links to the pages about Mk1 & 2 in Montesa Web.

http://www.montesawe...lles.aspx?id=61

http://www.montesawe...lles.aspx?id=66

this are the differences between models:

http://www.montesawe...on.aspx?id=c247

This is the original catalogue printed in Spain for the Mk1 model.

[Triple_X]

Thank you.

Martin

[Chris_]

Triple_X, on 24 March 2012 - 10:31 PM, said:

Hi

Just bought a very tidy 1969 Cota 247.

Unfortunately it has the small front hub (mine had the large diameter original hubs)but all the numbers stack up and it has a V5 showing 2 previous owners.

When I saw it I just could not let it go as it brought back so many happy memories from 1968 to 71 when I got one of the first ones in the country from Westbury Motorcycles RHU71G. I actually sold it to SM at New Milton in exchange for a Pathfinder!!!!!!

Please any pointers with shots, sites showing original configurations will be appreciated.

I believe that the frame should be white, and the original exhaust finished by the offside rear shock.

I will still ride the Sherpa this year in the SM Champs but will fettle the Cota and get it out on a trial as soon as poss.

Look forward to any comments you guys may have as it is now 41 years since I last had one close up.

Kind regards

Martin

Congratulations.

Could you post some photos?

Cheers

Chris

[jon v8]

We should start a MK1 Cota owners club.... The one I have is a big hub one with frame and engine number 21m1241 - I think,its a long time since I looked at it.The reg number is about 15 or 20 away from the one that "Sparky" Telling rode in the Scottish.
Its basically complete,but is way down my list of projects.

[Triple_X]

Hi Jon

Yours is certainly an early model. I bought mine in October 68, built it for the Perce Simon and then had it laid up for about 5 weeks as the initial batch on gearboxs were faulty. The dogs from first to second would not engage. Eventually Montala Motors of Dartford (the importers) gave me a complete new box and I gave the bike to Triss Sharp to rebuild the engine. It was then trouble free until I sold it in 1970.

Best trials bike I ever had!!!

Will try to get it ready for Star farm and give the Sherpa a rest.

It runs well but is not quite put together as I want it.

Just various small things like borrowing the wife's 5 1/2" saucepan to make a sheild for the air filter, new snail cams, footrests, moving the condenser up under the tank, exhaust gasket and Handlebars to suit my height.

Regards

Martin A

[jon v8]

I will do something with it,I just need more time.... It seems they have a loyal following,and were obviously successful at the time.I'm going to try to get the original reg number back with the help of the VMCC,bit of a shame they dont seem to have a Montesa specialist listed.I have been to the Wiltshire records office and found its original listing in the VRO book.
The bike,although a bit rusty from spending years parked in a garden is complete and from what I can gather almost 100% original,so well worth saving.

[Greeves]

Here´s how the bike is 3 months later.

Still not 100% finished as I am working to fix a chain tensioner as this model did not have it. The engine had to be rebored, new piston, clutch, bearings, seals, primary chain, electronic ignition... big work, but I am quite happy with it. Now it´s not going to be easy to take it to the close river rocks to test it...

[Chris_]

Congratulations, the bike looks great! I have a couple of questions if you don't mind;

-Which electronic ignition system do you have? Is it a significant improvement?
-The foot pegs look like they will be much more effective than the original ones. Are they a straight swap? Do you have a web-link for them?
-Did you do anything to the inside of the fuel tank to protect it?

Thanks

[Greeves]

Chris_, on 23 April 2012 - 01:30 PM, said:

Congratulations, the bike looks great! I have a couple of questions if you don't mind;

-Which electronic ignition system do you have? Is it a significant improvement?
-The foot pegs look like they will be much more effective than the original ones. Are they a straight swap? Do you have a web-link for them?
-Did you do anything to the inside of the fuel tank to protect it?

Thanks for your words Chris:

- The elctronic ignition is one that uses a converter and the old low voltage coil. Can´t remember the company that makes it, but if you are interested send me a PM and I will look it for you. I have it in my 1971 model also and it works really good. The improvement is all about reliability; the bike allways start and humidity is not a problem any more !!!

- The footpegs are strictly the origin ones, that were in this bike but in the last ones of the series (with the small hubs), completely original. Are the same ones but with a small plate welded !!!

- Of course in the inside of the tank I put a product to seal it that also protects it against ethanol.

[Triple_X]

Hi

Excellent job Greeves.

Got the Cota ready and gave a run at the Bath Classic event last week.

As with all new projects they need running to find the faults.

1 Clutch was like an on off switch so this week I replaced the plates and springs. Item that confused be is that the brass pressure bush is available in two lengths. Can anyone advise why???

2 The carburation was off so would appreciate if any of you guys know the standard jetting, needle and slide for a 21M1824 Mk 2 with a Amal 627 concentric.

Once I get it running the way I want will then strip down and powder coat the frame, respray and seal the tank.

Apart from that it was nice to ride and bring back memories from 1968.

Regards

Martin