Much of the issues with these SWM clutches is simply down to incorrect clutch lever and perch, decent cable correctly routed, proper set up, roughed up steel plates once they get old and polished and draggy.
Need to be OE Domino, but they get broken and owners go cheap, then the bikes change hands and, well you know. My mate had a brand new Tl320 back in the day and the clutch action was a revelation after Spainish ones.
Out of all the twinshocks I've owned my TL320 had the lightest pull and smoothest consistent operation of all of them, Sherpas, Cotas, Honda TL, Ossa, even my Beta Rev I kid you not.
Last time I bought a properly jetted, as in original spec' Dellorto is was £120 with delivery.....bolt on, no faff, good to go, enjoy for decades.
Those OKOs are probably ok but some do have I issues with them, I know my Honda Camino runs a Wabron, a good copy of a butterfly Keihin, but, again some have no end of issues.
I can't comment directly on the 348, but with the 349 it's definitely possible for a new rider to get themselves into trouble with accidental throttle use ... mines a bit detuned (small OKO carb), and even then it could pull my arms off in 4th gear going up a hill.
I got it 'cause it was cheap, should have held out for a smaller bike TBH but now I'm attached to it, lol
Thanks for the reply. From memory the 349 is actually a 349cc, a first for Montesa, a model nomenclature that makes sense😀
Mine was just a pain the whole time (172 circa 1977 from new) although I was only a nipper, life became a whole lot easier when I switched to a better engineered Japanese bike (RL250 1979 again new). The Montesa was lovely to look at and a very agile ride but (as a 16 year old back then) a right pain to maintain.
Snap, sort of. I once trialed a borrowed Beamish, a lovely looker, a right pain to ride😀
Iconic 558 , that a nice example 348 ,I like montesa , nice looking sharp , , engines when running ok , there usually very strong ,, , sure you gave it a test ride before purchase , , I have a few montesa projects , , like them all , vintage , , well cheers good luck new bike
Hi guys, this old girl has popped up for sale up the road and, looks like I'll be the new owner. All there, up on it's toes, bit of cosmetics hopefully...ohh, those mudguards😀
It'll join my 1978 247C which is my first ever 'keeper' twin shock having owned an SWM320, TL125, and Bultaco 198B twice. The old 247C is light, nimble, small with a smoooooth and easy engine, we just get on if you get my drift.
Always had a soft spot for Montys. I know the 348 was really a 305cc but compared to the 247C, a bigger bike, heavier and, I'm wondering a bike more suited for an expert rider... I'm more a, well let's be honest, certainly, more novice/intermediate but, hey I'm expert at observing.
So, 348, hero or villain in my hands? ... I'll bring it home anyway as I'm very shallow and, like pretty things in bright colours😀
looking for a website for trials events, enduro and road/circuit racing would be a bonus too
...off to tour France late August by 1992 Honda Revere again (remember them?) or new fangled high tech Wee Strom not sure which yet, so would be great to take in a trial etc
I've never ridden a cut 'n shut that rode any good....they tuck under or fall into corners in my experience.
Good friend of mine has a very modified TY175 on mark 5 frame, nothing on that bike is std bar steering geometry. He has tried various head angles but feels Yamaha got it right back in the day.
I gota say, my SWM 320 1980 std bar 10mm on the arm was THE best clutch of any trials bike I've owned, modern or old. I rode a new 1982 back in the day and that was fine too.
Just had new proper cable, proper Domino leavers and perches, steels roughed up with 80 grit, running ATF, set up correctly.....and greased balls oooer.
Wow, I've never seen a C clip to retain a rear shock. Cool idea.
I took the shocks off to grease up the mounts & fter looking at my shocks closely they are actually quite new, they have 504B on the bottom of them? Compared to the gas Betors on my SWM, they are a little oversprung for my weight.
These shocks are all black and oil only, no gas, possibly NJB Clubmans?
Hi Andy, a bit late to the party but hey, so what.
I've the same bike, a 247C (Competition) and they are lovely bikes, light, small with a very friendly and smooth engine.
The early ones from June 1978 had front fork spring air assist whereby you could pump a little air into the front end to firm them up. This feature was soon deleted though, as they couldn't get the air to remain in the forks.....sounds familiar to modern MX boys
Mine is heading for a rebuild in week or so, only for a frame repaint as the tank paintwork is still original and they are only original once.
Clutch / Gearbox oil
in SWM
Posted
ATF as B40, worked fine on mine.
Any clutch drag, whip out the metal plates, rough up with 80 grit and enjoy.