Twinshock

Inspired by the photos of Big John's "works" Honda that were posted recently, I was wondering if anyone had any full works bikes or one off prototypes that never made it to mass production? To kick off...here's some photo's from Italian engineer Marco Mantovani. Back in 1984, Marco was asked by SWM to develop mono system for there 350 Jumbo. It was never produced, as the factory went bankrupt shortly afterwards. The twin disc set up was a few years ahead of its time when compared to say a Fantic 303 of 1987 vintage. Anyone else got anything interesting in the corner of their garage? Martin

Will the carb and front forks from a 349 work on a 348.

Have Betor (Bultaco) forks on my cagiva. Can anyone help with the correct capacity of fork oil. Can you suggest a good quality and oil weight for a 85 kg rider.

A chance for all of you with twinshock and Pre65 machines currently languishing in sheds, gardens and garages to get them out (ooer missus) and give them an outing in the Classic Experts run by the Rhayader Club. A good traditional trial with roadwork around the beautiful Rhayader countryside which has some of the best trials terrain to be found. Two routes, Expert/Clubman, so something for everyone, with sections comprising streams, roots, banks, gulleys etc. Organised by the enthusiastic Malcolm and Anne Bates, the trial desrerves to be well supported so dig out those old bikes and use them for what their creators intended. Regs details should be in TMX - secretary i…

There was a bit of chat about someone looking for Cota 123 parts a few days ago. On my last visit to a bike wrecker at Tiaro, Queensland, Australia, the owner had most of a Cota 123 for sale. If anyone is interested in it, please contact the owner (Ross) on +61 (0) 7 4129 2771. Please consider the time zone before you phone Ross.

I know of at least 3 short stroke works Honda still around (Mick Grants included), but does anybody know if any long stroke works Honda are still in existance?

I was told when 348 were used in the Uk that they had to have a non fiber glass tank.If this is true does anyone have any history about this.If so does anyone know of someone who might have one of these old tanks around,or some pictures

Look i've got to tell somebody. Got bored in the shed to day waiting for bits to be machined to finish the B40 off. Cant bring myself to start stripping the Ossa Gripper (see other post) so finally got round to trying to start the Cota 349 i rebuilt last year. Dont know why but been putting off trying to get it to start after i rebuilt the engine. I suppose till you start it "done a great job, star mechanic!" then you try and either 1. it wont start or 2. starts makes a really nasty noise and stops abruptly. Well no excuses found some petrol in a can, smells alright (funny feel a lot happier now?) add a bit extra oil just in case. Thats good no petrol leaks. Kick, Kick,…

how does the MAR stack up to the period competition?

Help . Does anyone know of a company that sells aftermarket piston kits. Bought a Cagiva DG350 needs a piston and rings. Maybe some of you lot have one lying around.

For my sins i decided its about time i got the old Ossa back up and running. Its been sitting in the corner of the garage for the last 10 years while other projects have been soaking up funds (sound familiar?) Now i've never stripped an Ossa before. Plenty of Bultaco's and Montesa but not the Ossa. Anybody know of anything or any special tools i will need? also parts seem almost like the "Holy Grail" always promised but never actually there. One last cycle part i need is an origional airbox. I know i could get one fabricated but would like to restore to origional. Anybody got one holding the shed door open?? So any advice and or location of parts will be greatfully receiv…

What's the deal on '70's Montesas? Some have big, ugly seats... I hear some are long and turn like a bus. Which are the good ones? Call me shallow, but I grew up lusting after red ones...the white ones just don't do it for me.

I am looking for some photos of the works ossa monoshocks (Cheney frame) which were around in the mid seventies. Does any one have any images that show how the bikes were put together. I would also like to contact any of the riders or Roger Holden. Thanks for your help.

What is the pre-mix ratio for an air-cooled Rotax 240 (SWM) ? In other words, how much do i need to put in to 5 Litre's of Optimax ?? Thanks in advance. Gaff.

Hi all My boss has bought a what seems to be very original Montesa 247,its been parked in a shed for a few years and it needs a bit of TLC. so im doing a few things that need to be done to it but what I need to know about it first is what year it is so heres the frame number: 21M18677. but its painted in some very strange colours for a montesa as the tank and mud guards a bright yellow and the very large seat is blue. I dont know whather it has be resprayed these colours later in its life but it sure stands out in a crowd! . and some other info please 1. What fuel/oil ratio does it run? 2. How much gear box oil should it have and what grade? 3.Whats the spark plug …

Hi I wonder if theres any one out there that can help me. I am doing up an old Montesa cota 200 and have found that it has no spark. I have tried a new plug, coil and plug cap. is there any way of testing the generator? also could the condensor cause this? Thanks for any help.

Hi everyone. My Dad has bought a Yamaha TY175 and is currently rebuilding it. It looked as if it hadn't been cleaned for about 5 years, so he is cleaning and polishing along the way. He bought it cheap from Ebay, and although it was a runner it was a bit of a mess. To my mind it rode quite well, even with the gearing much too high, slick tires and rock solid rear shocks. We are a puzzled though, because of some of the bits. It has magnesium hubs which (to me) says it might have been a special model, or were these fitted as standard? The side panels are missing, and the exhaust is completely different to the others that we have seen. ON the plus side though it has…

Besides 75cc, of course. Are the frames /geometries different? How do they compare when ridden?

My lovely wife took this cool shot at Chehalis vintage national saturday august 14th. She takes a pretty good photo for a beginner I'd say. Jay HodakaLaunch

Your old man I assume: