Twinshock

I picked up a nice clean Montesa Cota 172 this past summer. Spent a little time on the bike, but had problems with kick start.(I understand this is common problem) I was given one of the old kick start shafts along with the bike as an example of what happens as the shaft twists. Is there an after market shaft out there made of a better grade of steel? I have one shaft (unbroken but twisted) and another that is twisted off. Also looking for ideas on bike set up and mods to make a good rider for AHRMA. Keith

Hi there me again just a small problem this time ! I cant seem to get the locking ring on the front pipe to stay in place on my 1974 MAR after a ride of about an hour it comes loose . also i have no copper gasket between front pipe and cylinder , is this normal? so my question is should i loctite it ?? and fit a gasket. Other than that its ready to go crank seals, primary chain, and all case oil seals done. new bars levers mud gaurds looks great. i am going to have a go at posting some pics. cheers martin

I rode a friend's 348 Cota in an event this past weekend. The last time I rode a 325 Sherpa T was probably about 1976 when I sold my 1974 bike. Keeping in mind that I'm trying to remember back 30 years, it seems like the Cota didn't have as much flywheel mass as the Bultaco. IIRC the Bultaco would plonk along at dead slow in second gear with no problems as the heavy flywheels would keep it going without a lot of attention from me. The Cota seemed happier in first gear at those kind of speeds. If anyone has experience with both bikes I'd be interested to hear what they think about which one had the heavier flywheels. cheers, Michael

For some reason I'm not able to use the rear brake of my 348 (1978), I think the lever is somehow unsuitable for me. What's wrong with me - or with the lever? Can I get a better one or is the only way to do it myself? Anybody else has the same problem? Or is it just me...

Hello All I have just pruchased a 349 82-83 model. Silver frame and Forks, Red plastic tank and white aftermarket guards. It needs the uasual things to get it running. The rear muffler is not correct. Does anyone know where I could get one, it's the rectangular type. I have spoted a 348 but not a 349. I really need help with the Timing measurement in mm, I guessed it at 2.5 BTDC but have no idea. Also what oils are used in the clutch and gear box and quantity please. Regards Trials09

Thought I'd post this here rather than Monty section as most t/s's run drums. Bloody odd this. Front brake creaks when applied when stationary and the lever feels spongy. The drum lining isn't split which was my first thought. Stripped the brake down and still does it...bit of a strange one? When moving the brake works ok but is still spongy. Any ideas welcome no matter how bizzare

Thinking of buying a pair of ozo shocks, are many people using them?

Ok guys , Now ive decided to keep the o'll girls ive set about sorting one out! first problem is the exhaust thread is badly damaged ie stripped! how can i restore this? i dont think you can get a helicoil this big! I think there might be a steel threaded insert for sale on the net! but i assume this is inserted by heating the exhaust port and then pressing it in! but surely when the bikes started up and the exhaust port gets hot wouldn't the insert move about? any ideas on this chaps as the barrell /piston/head are mint! Apart from some idiots handy work tightening the ****** exhaust ring to tight!!!

Hi another question regarding my 247, It has a Decomp fitted, but it is in the vertical position with the plug at the 45' angle position - is this correct or should they be reversed? I'm not aware of the actual combustion chamber shape, but suspect that the central position would be a better place for the plug for a uniform burn Should I swap them over? (I'm assuming that they are both 14mm)

Below is a pic of me on my first bike ( ) around 1978/79 - from what I can work out its a '74 model, can anyone confirm? I am 99.9% sure it was left hand gear change. The tank unit had been resprayed, otherwise it was standard apart from some rather odd-looking mudflaps! Thanks for any help Steve

please Help. I am desparate for an original shape TR80 Gripper Kickstart Lever. Can anybody help ?. Many thanks Peter. glamourgirl31@manx.net

I rebuilt my forks with the magical dampening rods, magical springs, and adjustable pre-load bolts. I added 167cc of 10 wt. fork oil. I set the adjuster at minimum 20mm, and the fork caps add approximately another 28mm of preload (around 48mm total). I weight 225 with gear on, this is the reason I felt a little more pre-load maybe ok. When cycling the fork with no spring and fork cap off there is a sucking sound of the oil, sounds like it is getting some air. Is this common? The dip length maybe different with the magical dampening rods as the length is different than the stock rod. Suggestions for fork oil amount? General suggestions? Thank You Glenn

I'm doing some renovations to my MAR and want to run the ignition wiring differently to where I found it (getting squashed between the bashplate and the engine cases) It seems obvious to run the wiring forwards and up the RH front downtube as I see was done to the MARs I see in photos with Mick Andrews riding. My query is how to route the wiring to the downtube. If I use the exsiting grommet slot directly underneath the flywheel but run the wiring forwards rather than backwards, I suspect it will get just as squashed as it did going backwards from that hole. If I make a new slot for the slide-in grommet at the 4 o'clock position, I fear that I will be weakening the cr…

I have just been lucky enough to get a very tidy KT250-A2 in my possession. It is missing a seat and its sidecovers though. Thanks to David (Feetupfun) I will shortly have seat on its way, but I am still missing sidecovers. I tried Fred and Deb's KT page, but he is out of sidecovers for a few months. Does anyone else have any leads on where to get a set of sidecovers for my bike. I am not fussed if they are the wrong colour or not painted at all, as I have someone local who can paint them for me. Cheers, Ben

Hi New to this. I am rebuilding a Ossa 350 yellow gripper and surprise surprise it hasnt got an airbox. Does anybody out there know of the whareabouts of one?

Any recommendations for my 199B Sherpa? Just how important are the shocks in trials? Im an old slow fat guy..

Does anyone know if he is still riding or involved with trials ?

Anyone know if the motor of early 123/172 cota (red one) will fit into later 200 frame ? Am running a 123 with 400x18 rear tyre, and clearance in swing area isn't good to all.........easiest way would be to find a 172 swing arm, but they seem like hens teeth in the uk I'm aware exhaust/silencer is different on the 200 cota

ebay listing When I saw this on the local Craigslist I thought it was a guy in the local club selling his bike. I mean, how many of these can there be? Turns out there were about three of them in the area. They were all bought at the same time back in the 70s, modified and competed with. I am trying to get the opportunity to photograph it for historical purposes. It was originally posted on Craigslist for $1500, but I think it will go a lot higher. As of this posting it's already at $1325 with 5 days left. He also has a M10 bitsa for sale, although it may not generate the same interest.

Can anyone please tell me the correct amount of oil & grade required for the forks on a Yamaha TY250 twinshock. These are the straight leg forks with 34mm diameter stanchions.