classiced

I had a big crash at the goose neck at Cadwell park. I was thrown in the air and landed on my left arm at 80mph. I shattered my wrist and the shockwave went up my arm and into my shoulder. All this happened 18 months ago. I had my wrist plated and pinned and a shoulder reconstruction. After a few weeks I was told that my wrist may never work again and might have to have it fused but my shoulder seemed to hold up. I then did a 10 week physio class but returned to work in 4 months. This was a bit too early but my sick pay ran out so I had to go back but was pretty disabled for another 2 months. I have given up racing bikes (Lambretta's actually) as I do not have another fall like that left in me but I still race karts and mess about on a trials bike. My shoulder is not as strong as it was and may never be but in my experience you will not want to try much for 6-8months. Sorry but shoulders are slow to get back into shape. You may be lucky though and it might be a bit quicker.

I have done this with a Lambretta to get a Suzuki piston to fit. The gudgeon pin needs to be shortened to take the end caps of the new bushes so it fits inside the circlips. The bushes were made by one of the top tuning workshops but any of the scooter racing workshops will tell you what you need to do and might even make them for you.

Sorry to be a pain guys but does anyone know what the piston clearance should be? I have just managed to get a 12 thou feeler guage down the side if the skirts and i am guessing that the clearance should be 5 or 6 thou? Does that sound about right?

Just started work on this bike and found the little and big end are fine. I do however have alot of play side to side on the gudgeon pin, could that cause a rattle? Haven't cheched the skirts yet put piston looks fairly new (or low milage) Any thoughts?

Just put my engine back in and got it all running fine but did scratch my head a bit about the oil level. I guesstimated the oil level by dipping a cable tie into the fill hole and then comparing the oil level against a spare engine i have (with clutch cover taken off). As the cota 200 has shared clutch and gearbox oil I put in 400ml and then ran the engine for a little while. Then shone a torch through the fill hole and found pleanty of oil on the clutch so I asume the level is good.

Did you ever find out how much they should hold? I could do with this info myself now.

The rear shocks on my 349 have had it so am looking for a replacement pair. The old ones measure up at 12" or 305mm. What is the correct length for them? I can find 310, 320, 325, 330 and 340mm but no reference to 305. Who is the cheapest seller? (not a very good rider so don't want to spend a fortune yet) Or does anyone have a pair that work ok but are a bit scruffy they would part with. The bike is just my practice machine and is very rough. Cheers Ed

Just a thought, I dont think there is a jet size between 110 and 120 as its such a small size difference. Also they are very small are you sure about the sizes?

Mk1 and mk2 main jets are the same. Any classic scooter shops should have them. Tell me where you are and i can give you the number of a local shop.(uk only)

If i can get the parts easily then the pin size is not important now. Thanks guys,

Can anyone tell me the bore and stroke for a cota 349 please? Also the gudgeon pin diameter would be nice as well. I am picking up a 349 with a top end rattle and would like to source some parts. Cheers Ed

Any water in the gear oil? Could be brinelling (or false brinelling) on the final drive bearing. This could break the bearing cage and that might make a clicking noise. Just a thought.

The guy 6th from the right, don't know his name but he used to lecture on the open university.

After investigation I found it is the drive side main bearing at fault. The oil in the clutch/gearbox was very low and smelled of petrol. I think the drive side bearing is lubricated by the gear oil and has burned away and thus let petroil in. Oh well engine out and sent off.

Thats a thought, I will take the head off tomorrow and have a quick look.

I have recently bought a cota 200 and am very pleased with it other than one niggling thing. The engine is a bit loud for my liking. The noise it is making is hard to describe but seems to be in the heart of the engine and not a rattle from one side or another. This noise happens as as you kick it as well but does not get worse with revs. Just mainly at idle and slow running. The bike starts first time and runs a treat but this noise is worrying me. Could it be mains? or maybe a clutch rumble? It needs to be checked out to be on the safe side so where is the best place to get it looked at in the UK (midlands would be good) Cheers Ed