brewtus

Interesting turn on this thread. I can't really fathom these problems that you good folks are reporting. I have a garage full of HRC Montesas, and the build quaitiy is what you would expect from a parent company that sells several thousand Accords a day. My 4RT has literally thousands of hours on it, and has never once suffered from these maladies. The 2 315Rs in my scuderia never have either. My old warhorse 314R had a whomped top-end, but that was PO induced and had nothing to do with OE quality. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying your problems with your Montesas are BS, I'm just wondering what exactly led to these maladies. I was a Registered Honda Technician here in the U.S. for a number of years in a previous life, and one thing I did learn over those years is that for every failure there is a path to the outcome. Some were quality failures sure (very few), most were caused post-sale. Not saying yours were. In my tenure, I investigated and repaired various and sundry failures on everything from Z50s to GL1800s and belive me the quality failures were very few. I'll be the first to admit that Honda has, will, and continue to step on it's own d*ck now and again, but that is a rare occurance and is usually rectified fairly quickly. Read into this post what you will. I'll be the first to admit that I'm an HRC/Honda/Montesa fanatic, so my outlook is pretty biased. I am however, an HRC/Honda/Montesa fanatic for a very good reason. Enjoy your bikes. Viva Montesa!

Oh, I don't know. I for one would be thrilled to see updated pics of this aswsome build.

Now how did I miss this? I'm in Springdale, Arkansas right now visiting me Ma. Had I known about this, I would have brought a couple of Montesas! Where exactly is this?

I do like the thin protective mud coating. All kidding aside, it looks like a fun project. Have fun with it!

Wow, how did I miss this thread? A pic from what, 4 years ago - Since then, a '99 315 had joined the party. Not mine, I'm caretaking for it. No, I'm not an HRC Montesa addict at all!

Make that ALL states in the U.S. when riding on "public" lands. A complete and utter horses*it "solution" to an unwarranted and unproven "problem" created by the bunnyhuggin', idiototic, and unregulated EPA to prevent wildfires that were never, ever started by an internal combustion driven vehicled, blown-out-of-the-tailpipe exhaust emitting "spark". I may have a strong opinion about this.

Been rooting through some "Brown" trash I see.... Damn straight I am!! As I recall, you were the only Vintage Expert to ride that section. The rest poooosed out. 700 hours on a 4RT top end? Pffft! Nothin!! Barely broken in. Mine had that by the time I got it in 2008.

Top ends don't last my ass. Mine has literally thousands of hours on it, and still runs very strong. The PO rode it pretty hard, and I've not been too kind to it either. Regular oil & filter changes, and keep and eye on the valve adjustment (although mine has not slipped out of adjustment....ever). As others have stated, it's a Honda. Love it a little, and it will love you long time! BTW mine is an '05, ridden, worn, and bashed here in the wild, wild west.

Don't give up on this site. There is plenty of good advise here, just be patient. Our friends on the other side of the pond do WAY more Vintage Trials than we do, and they are quite good at it. After all, where do you think I get some of my hare-brained schemes from?

A few pics of the TY80's owned by The League (of Extraordinary Gentlemen), a group of buffoons that ride them in the Mountain West Vintage Trials Association events. Much (much!) more can be seen here - http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=574301 Ride 'em, don't hide 'em!

Hmm, this thread looks familiar... Happy Thanksgiving!

Superb!!

I can't really remember where exactly I bought mine, but Dennis Kirk has 'em in stock - https://www.denniskirk.com/51218.sku?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cse&gclid=COj54-et4rwCFYtDMgod_XsAvQ It really woke up my 'Flux. LOTS more bottom-end oomph for $20 and about 45 minutes work.

Don't count on many Montesas sitting on U.S. showroom floors. 99% of the American motorcycle buying public would walk right past them to buy 'Wings or VTX's not ever knowing what the hell they are. I'm just thrilled to have them available here again after what, 7 years or so? I know of 2 orders already, and I may sweet-talk my credit union into yet another....

It just got better..... http://www.xtrm.com/contingency/honda/index.asp?ev=430&yr=2014&evt=5

I found this today on ADV - http://powersports.honda.com/trials.aspx It's been far too long since we had an importer.

Cheap a$$ Reflex build, you say? Gotcha covered - http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=562129 Yes it's very long and does ramble in the middle, but it chronicles my cheap a$$ 'Flex. Luck on your build!

Awesome!

I just heard from the webmaster. He is looking into it, thinking the web host is being blocked. I'll keep you updated as I hear.

Strangely enough, I know their webmaster. I'll let him know of the issues.

I've seen more than one TY350 Mono front-end upgrade on these things. I've ridden a nice modded example with the TY front end, and it was soooo much better than my stock TLR. No Good Reason and Brand Whoredom keep me chained to my decision. I was a Honda Certified Technician in a previous life, and I just can't help meself. That, and I have all the tools to overhaul those forks...

It was not my intention to completey change your mind. Just reporting my experiences. In all honesty, I enjoy competing on my 'Flex, otherwise known as OJ. Silly-assed build/rant here - http://www.advrider....ad.php?t=562129 Take your time. 'Tis a long story, with many distractions along the way. The TLR really does have a long Trials history, much more in your country than mine. You good folks In the UK have the advantage of having a more solid aftermarket support following for these things than we do here, and believe me that's a big plus. Try one if you get the chance, and make your decision from there.

The upgrade I would love to make is a Showa 315R fork and triple-clamp upgrade to OJ. I'd personally leave the frame alone, no cutting. If after the fanasy 315R steering upgrade it still did not steer well, then I'd hack the s*it out of the frame. Anything to make this chopper turn like a proper Trials bike should!

Can't speak for the UK specTLR's, but the American spec TLR's (Reflexes) are.....challenging. Heavy, slow, not really geared correctly, but cheap and (at least they used to be) plentiful. Stone-axe reliable also. TLR's will take an amazing amount of abuse and keep going. Try that with a mid-80's Spanish bike and, well...... I guess it all depends on what you want out of the bike. If you want to "get your feet wet" in Vintage Trials, then the TLR is not a bad choice. If you are already an accomplished Trials rider and serious, I'd look at either heavily modifying the TLR or choosing a "real" Trialer from the same era. You decide.

Awesome. My motto has always been "Ride 'em, don't hide 'em". Agricon has me thinking about a Gollner mono TLR replica. That and yours has placed Bad Thoughts in my head.