f1ngerbang

Hi all. Looking for advice on whether the following would be a wise move for a project bike. Background is I want something to work on with my dad; mum passed away last year and working on a project bike is a good way to spend a few nights; keep him occupied and ultimately end up with a runner that we'd probably look to move on so we can do up something else. So...... I've been offered a Montesa Cota 200 for £300. Been sat for a couple of years. When it was running I actually had a crack on it, gears were all good and sounded nice. It's all there and fires up 'but' when it gets warm it is a right pain to restart if you stall it. The reason it's been sat in the garage is because of this issue; nothing else. (I reckon it's a gunked up carb). Anyone got any thoughts as to whether this is a good price for one and anything I should look out for that might be a showstopper?! I'm not looking to throw money at it either, so if parts are monster prices it'd be good to know up front! Cheers in advance!

A virtual pint goes to....... Boldilocks!! Checked everything including nipping to the garage for new fuel just in case what was in there had gone off and attempting to bump start it for what felt like 5 miles uphill. Just when my mate was about to go he said 'let's just check......' DAGNAMMIT!!!! Ok so I'll get a few of these minute pieces of pure evil (I mean really such a small piece knocks out the engine? Honestly!?!) will be bought. The things we learn eh!? Thanks so much to all for the advice!

Hi all Well I suffered a gear problem on my 250 TXT Pro resulting in the engine case being split, a couple of new gears being installed and then rebuilding. After a couple of head scratching moments it's all back together 'but' it won't fire up. I've cleaned the tank, stripped the carb, jets, fuel tap, spark plug and ensured the fuel hose isn't restricted. The carb is getting fuel as the bowl is filling and the floats are moving. When I've put a drop of fuel direct in to the head and kicked it has fired so I can only think the fuel just isn't getting through (as opposed to me wiring the kill switch incorrectly!). Any ideas greatly appreciated.

Yeah, found those and like you said followed them and now I'm about set to put the case back together. For what's it worth to any other newbie attempting a case split I reckon this is do'able as long as your methodical. What I've found whilst checking the shift drum, selector forks and gears is that without the case together and no clutch there is a tendency for the selectors to 'push' the shift drum out which I turn halts any gear change which, if your not checking this, it can make you scratch your head a bit as to why it ain't shifting. Equally when going up the gears you got to ensure the selector wheel 'holes' line up with the required cog or it won't mesh leaving you wandering why it won't click in to place. The the case back together the selector forks spindles will press in to the case holding them in place so when pressures exerted they can't push out and this will be the same for the shift drum spindle so it shouldn't have the space to move out exposing the spring loaded guides stopping the whole lot from functioning. Thank you so much to all who've responded!!!

Thanks so far for all the help - much appreciated!!! Right, I've stripped and rebuilt twice following the exploded diagrams, info from on here, your help and Jim Snell youtube clips. Neutral, 1st and 2nd are perfect but finding 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th (who'd have thought 6 eh!? Lol) on the bench is not happening. Could this be down to eccentric adjustment 'or' is this simply because the engine and gear set needs to be running to get in to these gears?? First time I've done anything like this (up till now pumping a tyre was technical) so your on going help truly is appreciated!!!

Yep the forks and straight; I'll be taking the shift drum off again for a closer inspection tonight - is there a mark or anything on it that you use to line up with spring tension roller? Obviously it ain't rocket science but sleep deprivation from to young children plus a manic puppy makes everything appear more complicated than it should!

Thanks for the replies - get out of one problem and fell in to another..... Replaced the worn cogs, found neutral and started to put it all back together but on trying to go through the gears (by hand) I can't seem to get passed 3rd. It's as if there's no more cogs in the box and I'm in top gear. All I can think is that I had found a false neutral for a starting point and somehow started to far 'round' the shift drum. Any ideas? And while I'm here - just so I'm not going mad - it is 1 down 4 up right?

Hi all - I recently had a problem with my bike in that the gear selector refused to work and this ended up with the case being split. I found the secondary 3rd Gear cog to have lost a tooth and this looked like it was the culprit. I've bought a replacement cog plus another that looked a bit shabby and am ready to put it all back together. My question is 'on reassembly' is it a case of putting the selector forks on at a particular point or at a particular setting? What I'm getting at here is I don't want to find 4th when trying to get 1st!!!! Does anyone have any tips or can they point me in the direction for any illustrative diagrams or manual??? All help greatly appreciated!

Ok - so I removed the clutch plates (the outer had a metal filings type of 'paste' on it but other than that all clean and good) removed the basket and had a good old check - no issues to be found so engines got to come out. Considering the amount of work splitting the case and the little time I have available I think it's going to be best taking the engine out and have a professional complete the work - I can then put it back in the bike and enjoy it before the summers over! Could anyone recommend a mechanic / bike workshop in the Somerset (UK) area for this type of work? as close to Bridgwater would be good! Thanks in advance of any suggestions.

Thanks so much for the responses - I'll hopefully get out in the garage over the next few nights and let you know how I get on!

Hi all - apologise if this is in the wrong thread. I've got a 2004 GG 250 TXT Pro. I don't get out on it as much as I would like but the other day when I did I had an issue with selecting gears; it wouldn't go past second. Within an hour I ended up with only first and an inability to find neutral - day over. I got it home put it on the stand and it's as though it's jammed; there's no 'click' but the gear selector does move and returns so the spring is still functioning. A guy who I chatted to said it was the 'gear shaft selector' which are known to be an issue(?) and the only way to replace is by engine strip!!! In a weird way I'm happy to undertake the job (have an enduro rider / super mechanic for a good mate!) as I like to restore stuff but wanted to check if anyone else has had this type of issue and ask what they did to resolve it. If I need the shaft does anyone have a clue as to costs!? Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks for all your replies. I gave it a good dose of carb cleaner, cleaned the filter, changed the fuel and did notice a change in the response. I think over time I'll whip the carb off completely, check the reeds, replace the filter etc etc as it stands to reason if simply spraying some cleaner through it made a difference I must be on the right track. The throttle tube is black - what's the white one all about then?!

Hi all After returning to Trials via the twinshock route I bought myself a Gas Gas TXT Pro 250 (2004) - it's in a real nice condition (paid £1150 for it). Question is - when I throtttle up its not real crisp or snappy, its stll good but the response feels just a bit off. Could this simply be a case of strip / clean the carb and clean air filter? Before I bought it the bike it had been standing for a while; I thought it might blow through and clear whilst I was riding but on cleaning it and kicking it over the following day it felt the same. Its not a massive issue but, like all things, I like to try and get it as best as I can. Could the throttle cable stretched out and, if so, can they be dialled back in? Any help greatly appreciated!

Just wanted to say hello to all those who post on these forums. After a period of 25 years I've come back to the first sport I ever took part in; I was a 5 when I started and stopped at 13. Funny how at 39yrs old bruises seem to linger and general aches and pains appear constant! After restoring a Yam TY175 for fun and riding it a couple of times I got myself a 2004 Gas Gas TXT Pro 250 that happily tried to rip my arms out their sockets whilst I tried to 'clear' a tractor tyre on my first time out.... backfilp aside it could've worked out better but it is good to know the taste of mud in Devon hasn't changed much! Are their many riders in the Somerset area and if so where do you all go to practice? All the best!