Glayne

All I've heard that I remember is that some of the Beta rear fenders were made of unobtanium? Also heard to guard them with your life? Whatever these mean? FYI, I haven't owned a Beta...Yet...

Well, curiosity got to me. Was doing milkshake maintenance anyways. 5 safety flipflop kicks! 2012 280 with I think fairly low hours for it's age.

I totally agree, seems many gauges can vary in accuracy. (especially mine?)

Any new results? I would go test mine for comparison, but apparently I would have to shut it off🤪

Possibly a dumb question, was this done at full throttle? it should be. Can you pull the header pipe and check for any piston wear around the exhaust outlet?

Maxima Super M 2T oil for me, Mixed 77:1 with premium pump gas for my Gas Gas. I have run 50:1 when my trials can was empty, same results...

This seems to help the learning curve, I did this for a while as it was the best chance of starting my bike (really good procedure) I still do it if I happen to be in gear but in neutral getting the feel of full compression and giving a hard quick kick does the task! I was ready to do just about anything to help my starting problems, lower compression head, more base gasket, switch to a Dellorto carb that I previously had luck with. Thankfully my dealer wanted nothing to do with these and I just learned to get along with it! Worst case is a 3rd kick now.

I did a parts search, if your bike and or your friends bike is a 280 or 300 the cdi is the same, might be time to dish out a few beer! If you live near me my 2012 Raga cdi may also be the same? And I like beer...

I'm also in Canada, just east of Vernon BC, where are you? There are a few trials bikes around, but the ones I know I can count on one hand. I'm really surprised that a skid plate level of water is causing you problems?

For me it was merely an $1800 fix it bill! and a pulled off wiring loom! I wish better for you.

Sounds more like a carb that took on water than spark... but no spark? Do you have anyone to swap a cdi with?⁸

Hey richt, 43 is way too hot, will be early morning rides only. My favorite time of the day, 18 sounds great! I think the forest fire is maybe 15kms away, yikes I live right in the forest but feel safe from that one, many road breaks. Work bench is always busy...2 kids, 7 bikes, 4 snowmobiles, 2 snowblowers, chainsaws...lawnmowers...etc. most are more than 10 years old, always fixing! I have most the correct tools however the gasser hose clamps got me thinking, didn't notice that there were two different sizes of clamps! This is my 3rd gasser, certainly stocking up on European tools!⁹ On a lighter note its back together, fan is working and the oil looks only a tiny bit milkshake. Will change again soon. Thanks richt

If you ground the plug against the cylinder can you see spark when you kick it?

Nearly back together, kids needed damage control! Off work tomorrow for Canada day!

More pictures here, head before and after, everything cleaned up easy. 43 degrees here for the first time ever, forest fire close, ash snowing from the sky. Picture of my truck hood is me parked at home for only 2 hours.

Both o-rings are starting to deteriorate, pretty sure I cooked them! coolant looked clean though. New S3 o-rings, base gasket and thermostat showed up today. Piston just looks dirty not pitted, pretty sure it was burning an unhealthy diet of coolant, will be cleaning it up for sure. Piston had new rings maybe 40hrs ago Head is dirty as well and will get a cleaning, however the plug looks good. Thanks richt for the suggestions.

Cylinder great, piston hmmmm. My enduro pistons are a little cleaner. How does this look for a trials piston without a power valve? Why no power valve?

Am I too late to this party? did you ever get this sorted? I would say something blocking the choke or pilot circuit. My 2013 ec300 can be a bear to start if I let it sit un started too long. Helps to tip the bike all the way over towards the choke side till you see some fuel run out the overflow. Would a 1999 have a Keihin carb? Would check condition of the reeds as well.

Hard to say, I only know of two around here, one was found in great condition, the other was bought new. I may have to get a new one sent from your neighborhood, our trials dealers rarely have one in stock.

Ha! I know the feeling, put my YZ250 into a river, under water 20 years ago, must have been 1000 kicks to get it fired up and back to the truck on unfamilliar terrain in an unfamiliar country! Have only changed the oil once so far, let it drain over night. Will pick up some cheaper ATF for the next few changes.

I agree they are a bit expensive however they hold their value well. I just do not see one for sale in all of western Canada.

Checked for bubbles this afternoon, no such activity, seemed motor got hot, coolant was cool, only ran it for as long as the carb and hose had fuel as the fuel tank was off. Played in the water pump a bit, all looks shiny and new, no play on the shaft, would have thought the coolant would be warmer, probably a low rpm thing. Pulled exhaust off drained oil and coolant, will pull head and top end tomorrow, and will have parts for Wednesday. While it's 40+ a bit of tinkering is more desirable than an after work ride. 2013 gasser enduro has needed no engine tinkering after initial carb setup. Low hours though not sure how many, wish I put an hour meter on it. Next one I will.

Awesome, that's where it started for me as well. I rarely ride my enduro these days. We had an Oset 12.5, an Oset 16 and a Beta minitrial as well. Those electrics were awesome training tool to get the kids standing up. Now the 7 year old is onto a KTM 50SX and I'm there just to eat roost. I wish I could find a good used Beta 80jr in this part of the world to slow things up a bit and learn some clutch.

Thanks richt, makes perfect sense, I have ordered a new thermostat, new O-rings and a new base gasket (I see some leakage there) Dave from Moto Trials West seems to always have what I need on the shelf!

Thanks richt, good idea to check for bubbles will take a look this afternoon. Am I correct that the thermostat should read Open Line, no resistance at room temperature? I think you may have half the problem here >>>>Excess pressure in the coolant can be caused by a leaking cylinder head O-ring, can possibly be a result of overheated engine.<<<<