steve

Roberto, Thank you very much for your input and advice. It has been a few years since I rode on drums - I've had TY Yams, Fantic 240, Montesa 247 & Cota 123 and all mannor of British bikes so I know what kind of performance level to expect. If you have seen the llittle video clip when coming down the last hill my front brake was full on, good job there was plenty of room - it wasn't even very steep and I nearly ran into the car park one lap. Mechanically I'm fairly good (I did work as a mechanic / minder at WTC for a while plus over 10 years riding and maintaining my own bikes) Sandy, Yes the shoes are the EBC grooved. I'm going to replace with Newfren and see what happens. Not read anything complimentary about the EBC shoes yet and I've had some EBC pads for Discs in the past which were also rubbish. Dave, 3/4" is fine with me, 19mm just doesn't trip of the tounge as easy does it! - Did you get my message ref the scores? Thought I'd send them private as nobody here knows the other riders anyway, give it 6 months and NV might put them on thier web site.

Add my vote to the 250 Gas Gas. I would consider myself as a good Expert rider before I retired and I never found the 250 short of power, even at National Level. I recently had the chance to try a 300 Raga and would consider it too much even for my level.

Hello all, I wonder if one of you fine Gas Gas fellows could help me with a couple of measurements. I am looking to replace my fork brace / mudguard bracket on my Montesa Twinshock. I used to have a 94 Gas Gas JT250 and the brace fitted to the Paolli forks would be ideal for me - if it fits! I think they were fitted across the range from 1994 to 2000. Could some kind sole please give me a couple of meaurements? I need the distance between the mounting holes (the bit where it bolts to the fork leg) height of the bracket. (if it does bolt in will there be clearance for my tyre) The other factor is the width from fork to fork but that can easily be bent or stretched to suit Many thanks, Steve

I just spent a couple of hours on the front brake problem. I oiled the cable, greased all pivot points. Took shoes off and scuffed. cleaned out drum and lightly sanded. when I was finally happy everything was as good as it could be re-assembled and centered the hub before tightening. Took it for a spin in the garden - guess what? - USELESS still ! The only thing I can think of is that the new EBC shoes I fitted are no good. It's enough to drive a bloke to modern bikes!

I hadn't considered that, it's very good point that shouldn't be overlooked.

I was aware of that. The two bikes require a different approach and technique. Surely swithing between these bikes is difficult. Don't get me wrong I have always believed 125's are a great way to really develop a technique but in Pat's case he's now at a level where he needs to concentrate on really fine tuning his style to the 2.9. What better opportunity than to do it riding on the sections in the WTC . Not only that but riding against the better opposition will give him a gauge for his own progress.

If he has lost too much ground this year then priority has to be to prepare for next years challenge. If he is to mount a serious challenge on the Junior class next year then experience gained on the bigger bike this year will surely help. I don't know your relationship with Patrick either on a personal or business level but surely your investment was in his career, not jsut this season? Winning a world title would have been fantastic but now that is out of reach you and the team need to look forward. Either way I wish him all the best - so long as he doesn't finnish ahead of Wiggy!

If you have friends with an 07 or 08 could you perhaps swap carbs over for a test? I would have thought there were many small things that make the difference between the 2 bikes, the carb being just one of them. Of course there is also the fact that your bike has 3 years more use. Change the piston rings, repack the silencer, de-coke the front pipe and repack / renew the middle box for starters. The middle box is often overlooked as it's not an easy job, yet it can have a big impact on the bikes performance. Works teams will change the middle box every trial.

Just out of interest, what are the 'issues' you guys are having with the Mikuni? Years ago I seem to remember people taking delorto's off and putting mikuni's on!!

A quick update on the 330's progress. (if anyone is interested) Thanks to Sandy I now have an airbox Well nearly as I just need a lid for it now. I made a nice bash plate and sorted a little problem out with the carb. I had stripped it yet again as it wouldn't start and eventually realised someone has linked the two breather pipes together causing fuel starvation after a few seconds running!! Such a simple thing that I overlooked it. I have seen pipes go from one breater to the other before and then they are cut open at the lowest point so it can vent. Mine had been replaced and not cut. Last Sunday I actually rode the bike in a Trial at my local club. I haven't ridden for around 10 years and with the bike being totally untested I rode the Clubman route. Boy am I glad I did! Here are my findings from the Trial. 1. I am so unfit! It's tuesday and I still ache all over! 2. The Engine needs stripping. It was really noisy, not a knock or rattle as such - just loud. I suspect main bearings and seals. The carb was impossible to get right (I am very fussy on carb tuning and have a good ear / feel to setting them up) which would indicate mains and seals also. 3. The front brake is USELESS. Most of my marks lost in the trial (and there was a few!) were due to the brake. I had fitted new shoes and hoped that a blast up and down the car park would bed them in. No way. I was having to squeeze the lever so hard that by the second lap I was getting cramp and I simply couldn't stop. Going up was no problem but anytime I had to turn coming down I was in big trouble. 4. A bald Michelin X1 is not the latest in tyre technology. 5. Riding a 24 year old bike and a cheeky smile can heavily influence observers descisions 6. Riding jeans must shrink when left unworn in the loft. Due to this strange phenomenom causual gear was worn. 7. After 10 years I was actually quite supprised at my riding ability. On the 2 rocky sections where brakes weren't nessesary I actually posted the best score. (just 1 soft dab for 4 laps) 8. Must contact Lewisport as the boots I bought from them in 1996 have split around the heal. I was told Gaerne were quality, is this why they emigrated so they could avoid warranty claims on 'nearly' new boots? So what's next? Engine rebuild, new tyre, sort brakes or P/Ex for a new bike!!!!!!!!. Just added some video the missus took. Thankfully feet were up, though it was part of the easiest section.

I saw that liting today. The seller clearly states - It is not restored, it is not nearly new and it is not just in immaculate condition. It is 100% brand new. He then goes on to list all the faults with the bike !! Definition new (NOT USED) Show phonetics adjective not previously used or owned: Used car sales have risen because of the increased cost of new cars. Did you buy your bike new or second-hand? See also brand new. (from Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary) How can a bike be owned by someone else for 29 years and still be 'NEW'. It is not new - just unused. Yes it's extremely rare to find a bike so old unused and would be fantastic to wheel straight into a museum. I don't think it should ever be used now.

Sorry Sandy, no lights or even wiring for lights on mine.

Glad you got it sorted. I'm not sure quite how the switch works, I'm guessing some sort of bi-metal strip. I have had the odd one fail myself. I remember one failing the day before a national trial. I bought a car thermostatic switch from the local factors. It looked a similar size but thread was bigger so I turned it down in the lathe and cut a new thread. I stuck it in and added an overide switch as precaution. Bike ran faultless all day. I did order the correct switch the next week and kept the other as back up. I do remember there was a huge price difference between the two though!

Well the bike runs - just! I have to sort out a kill switch, change the oils in the engine and dig out the bike rack. Next week I'm going to ride it! Ok so there's no airfilter yet, and I'm waiting for some ali to make a bash plate, but I need to find out what it goes like.

Good advice given above. If I could just add one thing. Before doing all that pull one or both wires off the stat whilst the bike is running. If the fan stops then go ahead and test the stat as above. However, if the fan still runs with the open circuit then you have a wiring fault elsewhere.

Hi Charlie, Very interesting project - thanks for sharing. Nice job so far, have you built the frame from scratch yourself? Is this the first frame you have done? Did you make a jig, if so any pics of that please? Is the swinging arm modified from something else or made from scratch? Sorry about all the questions!!

Hi, I am by no means an expert and have never ridden one but I do have the model before (330 Twinshock) which shares the same motor. It looks like Montesa developed a new engine and box for the 330/335 as it is very different to the 349 you had. By the time they launched the 330 though all the competition (Yamaha, Fantic, Beta) had monoshocks out. The 335 was then launched with the Monoshock and disc brakes but was a little bigger and heavier than the competition. Montesa had already lost many customers that were faithfull to the brand and it didn't sell too well. Does look very pretty though! I suppose it depends on what you want to do with the bike. If you want a competetive Air cooled Monoshock to compete on then the TY is a far better bike. If you are a collector or just want to ride something different to everyone else then the Montesa is the one. Spares might be a bit of a problem depending on what bits you need. Steve.

Oooh, you tease!

Hi David, I have seen Howard in the results on the NVMCC web site but I didn't see your name. Do you still live local? (come on the Diamonds!!) I know you used to prefer the Derbyshire trials - last time I saw you was probably at a YMSA Trial about 12 years ago! What class would I ride in? Inter, CLubman, Novice? or do they have a twinshock? - might get an award if I'm the only one in the class!! Another year and I can do the over 40!!

If all the answers were in one place then there would be no need for a forum! Sometimes people just like to talk.

Hi all, I have always had a lot of affection for twinshock Montesa's. I had a Cota 123 as a kid and rode my Dad's 247 whenever I could. I now have a Cota 330 which I hope to compete on soon. However it seems really difficult to find information about the bikes. I had a little browse through these forums and there are lots of posts like - Where can I get spares for my..... or how much oil should my Montesa have in the forks etc... Is there an owners club? If there is I haven't found it yet. There is some good stuff on www.southwestmontesa.com but obviously it is a commercial business. I am thinking of somewhere where information can be collated and shared to help keep these fantastic old bikes running. Where owners can help each other with advice and perhaps even parts. I recently bought a Bultaco and found it much easier to source parts an info for this. There is a club Bultaco -http://www.clubbultaco.com These guys even run their own Trials for Bultaco owners and of course they are sponsored by Butacouk who has fantasic spares for Bultaco owners. What do you guys think? Are you happy with what's already out there, or do you think there's a need for something better?

The engine fetched a very welcome

Woody, Thank you very much for such a fast a comprehensive reply. It sounds like the Traditional series would be the better challenge for me to try, the only problem being the road work involved. (MOT, tax, insurance etc...) There was a time when I used to make up a number plate and stick the tax disc off the car on! Scrutineers used to turn a bit of a blind eye to that years ago. I remember one trial where word got back that police were doing stop checks up the road. Half the entry were looking for an alternatice route through the woods!! I wonder just how good I'll be after a 10 year lay off! In my head it seems like only yesterday but my body has suffered considerable wear and tear in those 10 years - especially my back. I see my local club - Nene Valley have a 50/50 route (new to me) which might be possible on the Mont. The next Trial is July 6th so that could be my first ride out. I doubt if I'll get a chance to practice before hand and the bike is far from fully sorted so it could be interesting. gkp413 - I know of the Earl Shilton club and have ridden there a few times years ago. Shame I wasn't ready for the 2 day trial this weekend, mind you, I am not sure I could ride 2 consecutive days at the moment.

I haven't riden a trial for nearly 10 years now so I'm a little out of touch with it all. Which championship would be the best for me to ride on my Montesa Cota 330 (1985). According to the acu web site there appears to be 2 which I could enter. Sammy Miller and Acu Traditional?? Do any these Trials involve road work? Which would be the best for me and the 330? I presume I still need to join a local club (will join Nene Valley anyway) but do I need an ACU licenece - when I started in 1988 you needed one, they then abolished it. Is that still the case? Other than the national champs are there any good events in the Midlands for Twinshock? Thanks, Steve

Desperately trying to resist the comedy answer here - Dog turd kit is otherwise known as puncture repair kit for tubeless tyres. They are sticky brown things (hence dog turds) which you push into a tyre using a special tool. Quite effective for a temporary repair and no need to even take the wheel out of the bike.