dirtydalesman

Hi all. I'm currently rebuilding a 1955 DOT TDH I'm hoping to use for some pre 65 trials. It has the Earls type front forks. Not sure what to go with for shock absorbers. I got hold of some TLR 200 rears, and they are about the right length at 390mm, but one of them is dead, so they are not much use other than for keeping the front end together. Anyone got something laying around that might fit, or any suggestions? I don't want to spend too much on shocks initially, as it may take some experimenting to see exactly what is right for the bike.

I don't suppose you could take a picture of the picture for me? I can't find that book available anywhere.

That's lovely information, thanks for that!

I could also see residue of a 77 on top. I did wonder if he did the following year too, but I can't see No 77 in the results. It could be a later event my dad did, but stick on numbers would be unusual.

He was indeed. My dad bought the bike from him probably the following year.

Just found out my Montesa Cota 330 finished 43rd on the 86 Scottish, got me wondering if there are any pictures out there of it in action?

I have some damage to my engine casing as pictured, that could do with repair. I know the outer covers are magnesium, but not sure about the engine casings themselves?

Thanks chaps. I emailed Falcon and they were very helpful with correct oil volume and air pressure. I have pressurised as best I can with an airline regulated to the correct pressure, so I kept the trigger pulled as I released the inflator, hopefully not loosing too much air. The other side still has some pressure in, so I won't risk topping that up for now in case I make it worse! If they hold together for a trial on Wednesday, I'll get hold of a proper pump and set the pressure better.

Ah ok then, that explains it. There is no gas left in the non broken one either, so I guess I just run them as oil shocks for now. They seem to be working ok.

I thought that initially, but I thought usually the gas sits the other side of a floating piston, separate to the oil. That hole is direct to the oil chamber. I have filled it with oil and blanked the hole, seems to work as the other one. But then I'm a bit lost as to why there would then be an air valve?

Evening all. Went out for a play on the Montesa yesterday and one of the rear shocks cried enough. My dad got these with it in 1986. Presumably swapped to the ones on it because the valve parted company on one and the oil escaped. I haven't seen shocks like these before. Are the valves just for oil, or do you pressurise with air as well?

Hi Graeme. Don't know if this helps you, but this is my 68 Dalesman with Puch forks.

Hello, I'm rather late on the uptake here, but I have a couple of links that may be of assistance if your are still looking. For Puch parts I have used https://www.rbo.at/ in Austria. They seem to have pretty much everything. For manuals, this website is very useful http://www.puch-m125.org.uk/ Wheels, engine and front forks were all Puch M125 items. Though yours looks to have had uprated forks. I have an Amal carb on mine, as apposed to the standard Bing, but apart from that and the forks they look very similar. I've never seen 2 with the same exhaust either! Mine also has a Beamish front wheel, but I wouldn't call that an upgrade, the front brake is terrible!

Lovely, somewhat cleaner than mine!

I'm running 30:1. The oil is oil that was good back in the day. Now used up, so will mix with less with the new oil. However, that mix runs fine in the other bike, not oily at all, so it's irrelevant.

Good old Bel ray oil I had lying around. Drained the fuel from the Dalesman and put it in the 330 so I could rule that out. Thats not soot, that's splatters of oil. Carb is 1.5 turns out. Going leaner makes no difference.

Definitely oil unfortunately. Attempted a trial on it at the weekend, as the clutch cable snapped on the dalesman, but the plug oiled up, so wouldn't start every time I stopped. Gave up after a couple of sections. Engine strip time I think.

25:1 is book figure for certain oils on the Montesa as well. I don't have a transmission breather tube unfortunately, so can't try that.

Good plan. Will give it a go.

Yeah, 25:1. Its hard to say really, it doesn't smell out of the ordinary. Gear oil level looks reasonably normal, but as it's fill to quantity it's difficult to tell. Clutch oil seemed a bit low though, guess that's a prime candidate, and years 10w30 as apposed the ep90, so probably wouldn't smell too odd.

So the 330 has always been smokey as long as I remember, but in the past I've just put it down to my dad using old oil This time I've had the carb apart, given it all a bit of a birthday and this is it running on the same fuel that's in the Dalesman. Was hoping to use it in a trial tomorrow but I don't think it's too happy Can't get video to upload, so have done a screenshot of it.

Just getting my dad's 330 back into action. He purchased it from Chris Sutton when it was a couple of years old.

I will make something up and see how it looks. Yes, the kick start is non original, from the standard Puch M125. Original seems to have disappeared some point in the 40 years it spent in the barn! Its right in the way, so a proper folding one is on the to do list. Not seen a number there. Should have paid more attention when I was painting it.

Yes, It's been in the family a long time, and I must say nobody had much complementary to say about it! However, I am never going to be a good enough rider to worry about the bikes capabilities, it's certainly still better than I am! I know it's never going to be super competitive, I am just looking to do a few subtle modifications to improve things a little.

You don't happen to know where I can find the frame number do you? Original V5 is long since lost, so before I make any changes from original, I probably need to go down the age related plate route, but I need to find the frame number first!