jaylael

This goes back to some previous discussions about the center muffler when it gets plugged up and loud.

Has anybody else ever encountered this problem on Montesa? It's a 2001. I bought it used and it works fine as long as you don't tighten up the clutch cover screws all the way. (specifically the one in the back center) I suspect it has a clutch cover which is out of line with the pilot hole in the center cases. It has no obvious distortion, but it still binds. I have eliminated end play as an issue, by removing the inner shim (between the inside end of the kicker shaft and the case) Now get this part, I have attempted to free it up by 'tapping' on it with a small hammer. (ahem) The result was a tikling sound under the bike, while it was laying on it's side, clutch side up. When I searched out the cause for this sound, I found a quarter sized chunk of the case on the shop floor. It fits perfectly into the spot it came from where the end of the kicker shaft is. I have jb welded the peice back on and iam running the center rear clutch bolt at finger tight with loctite on it. I guess it's about time to tear her down for the winter overhaul. ugh! Hope someone is amused by my sad plight.

Hello again Neon: I use mine after stored up to three months with no ill effects. It seems a waste to use it up in the lawn mower or something when you've put your hard earned money into two stroke oil for it which isn't cheap. The only way gas goes bad is the explosive parts gradually evaporate and leave the oily carrier fluid. This eventually will turn sour and become stinky. You'll know if you smell it. In some of my old vintage race bikes the fuel is still good after a year in the tank. If it's not too bad I just fill it up with the fresh mix and run it. Don't worry.

Hope you mean the Beta.

The Norton girl fueled my adolescent fantasies in 1969 to 1972. It seemed as though every bike magazine had a Norton ad in it back then. Bike ads sure have changed. Now it's all about Ricky Carmichael.

Nice TY Ridge! Looks like a fun bike. Welcome to the new hangout there Bullfrog! Guys we're in the presence of greatness. Listen to this guy. He wrote at least part of the glorious history that is Hodaka.

Vic: In your profile photo, you look like a nubile young trials gal. Great choice of photo. I'd rather not spoil that mental picture by looking further at the moment.

Ridge: There was a guy at Chehalis vintage trial this summer with a '74 TY 250 with a DT 400 B engine in it. He had removed every other cyl. fin and built it a handmade alloy fuel tank. It was really powerfuland used a flywheel weight and giant rear sprocket. It must've been pretty much a handful to ride I'd think. I could picture a broken leg just looking at it.

Sorry: Lame attempt at humour. Comedy is not my strong point.

Stu: On the aluminum parts melting is a consideration. Get the fire started inside the muffler and then feed it compressed air until it stops smoking. This will probably take ten minutes or so. Only your common sense will be able to tell you if it looks like it's melting. Hopefully the fire will be concentrated on the resonator and not so much the housing.

The first motocross race I ever went to was in 1970 and there were two guys ridng these Moto Betas. Believe it or not, they were without a doubt the fastest bikes on the track. The one guy (from Farmington wash.) absolutely SMOKED the 100 cc expert class over a field of Bultaco 100's, Kawasaki Centurions and Yamaha enduro100s. This race was just before the class became all Super Rats the very next month. The Rats enjoyed supremacy for the rest of the season and were vanquished the following spring by the advent of the green Yamaha 100 Lt 1 MX with the low pipe. The Beta sort of vanished, along with DKW, Carabela, Monark, etc. I'm glad I was able to witness the color and diversity of the time before the Japanese domination.

A photo of the original Hodaka bullfrog built at Athena oregon by a collaboration of Hodaka engineers, around 1970. It uses a Sarecen frame. (note the solid footpegs)When it was originally built it had a mechanical front disc brake and a black frame. This photo was taken when Leon Wilbanks donated it to Strictly Hodaka's museum. It has since been restored to perfection, including a snowmobile disc on the front, and new paint. Also I don't remember it having a TL 125 rear wheel. It had a Hodaka hub laced to DID rims on both ends. At that time such rims were not obtainable unless you bought an XL 250 to get them. I suspect there's an old silver "motosport 250" running around with steel rims on it somewhere. I keep hoping Paul will bring the bike to Hodaka days.

Can't resist a chance to show off a few hand built trials bikes. This one was built by a guy I never met named HR Campbell. It sure is a beauty! JL

Stu: I once soaked the exhaust parts to my '86 Cota 304 in a five gallon dip bucket of carb. cleaner overnight. It cleaned them beautifully and I rinsed them with the hose and wirebrushed them all purty. Then I spent the next half dozen rides sniffing deadly poisonous toxic smoke. That's why I still recomend a catalytic burn with a rosebud tip on your oxy-acetyline welder. Just be sure to do it well away from anything flammable and outdoors. Maybe lay it on something metal too. Let me know how you get on. JL

Check out my new Beta and my ultra modern girlfriend. We are very lucky to have such wonderful machine.

Steve: Get that thing running! I had no idea you had a Hodie! Wow! So the downside of this is that every spring just like clockwork it (Hodaka days) falls on the same weekend as Superstars at Ioco. This year the Hodaka Days event is on June, 25th, 26th and 27th. Check your calendar and let me know when superstars is. I'd be amazed if they aren't on the same day. As the trials marshall, trials school teacher, and top Hodaka rider I'd sure like to duke it out in Athena with the Fraceman. Just the thought of it's got me grinning right now! Could this actaully happen? The mind reels. The Hodaka fun trials, bike show, parade and swap meet is the coolest thing for any Hodaka lovers. It is truly a spectacle and this year will include a scrambles race for only Hodaka bikes. Paul Stannard at strictly Hodaka www.strictlyhodaka.com has reprint posters right now with the Bullfog on them in the form of a slick paper flyer which also features my picture on the back page very small. I'd try and get him to send me one if I had any interests in Hodaka trials bikes or Hodaka days. Give Paul whatever he wants for one of these posters. Later, Jay L.

Not much that's newsworthy right now up here as were in the grip of winter snow at my house, there are no trials for a month or so, so I'm thinking about project bike. Just out of boredome I thought I'd post a pic from the "Hodaka Days fun trial" which will be coming up on it's third year this coming June in Athena Or. As you can see the terrain is not the most challenging thing you've evr seen. I am one of the guys in charge of laying out the sections for this event which promises to become a classic. Every year more people are building Hodaka trials bikes. The estimate for 2004 is thirty riders. With this in mind I am planning to build some sections in advance, perhaps swing a load of logs to take over to Athena and lay out for section material. There is a gravel bank and a ditch with an ancient wooden pipeline in it, but not much more. Anyhow Yee Haw, Jay L. Ps, my picture from the trial was too large a file to be uploaded.