thedktor

My 349 had no gasket, not even cement! I was going to ask if you should use some goo of some sort, so if anyone has opinions.... Steve

Interesting.... but I suspect the market just wouldn't be enough to make it work, I mean the bike would end up costing, what 3, 4, probably 5k pounds. The Indian built Royal Enfield is perhaps a similar example, ancient technology built new - prices in the UK similar to the above has generated a small market. Mind you, the latest one is unit construction and fuel injected! Emission regulations I guess. http://www.oxfordshireroyalenfield.co.uk/prices.htm Steve

oh yes and for those of us 349 owners: http://www.motocra.com/motos/Montesa/cota349_1.html "Potencia: 20,5 CV a 5.500 r.p.m." Not bad .... Steve

Here you go: http://www.geocities.com/guanaco_es/motodelmescota348.html "Maximum power: 16 hp at 6000 rpm Torque: 2.9 mkg at 5100 rpm " But the point is that being a trials bike the power should "come in" from idle up! Steve

Well done! I used a 3 leg puller with a chain clamped round it, but it is ovbious that they flex somewhat and I guess the split bearing pullers don't... Steve

I have removed two clutches recently - try holding the clutch and tapping (carefully) the shaft. The shock will gently ease it off bit by bit. Or it did mine anyway! Otherwise, yes, a big puller. You've seen the thread for the primary gear removal?? !!! Steve

Ha ha yes I did nearly run out in the road and do a dance! Very pleased with the new gear cluster, unfortunately the rest of the engine not so good, but usable spares if needed... Steve

Ah, good tip, worth investigating. And yes, there is not a lot of space behind the gear. Steve

OK interesting stuff, thanks My original engine has no breather, the slightly newer one just aquired does.....but .... looking inside the cases it doesn't seem to actually link to the gearbox chamber! I will have a better look and work out whats happening, and design something suitable for my rebuild. Steve

Hmm ok, power washers, submerging, can't help I guess. No breathers on either motor. The moral of the story is regular oil changes! Which after you've spent days/weeks/months rebuilding a motor is something I would not hesitate to do..... Steve

Could you neatly stick a layer or two of aluminium foil, say off a pie dish, to act as a shield? Steve

Picked up a bottom end in my search for replacement gears. Drained the gear oil and was shocked when several teaspoons of clear water came out before the oil!! A dreadful feeling of d

Wow, I really don

I have just picked up a s/h 349 bottom end, which hopefully has better gears than mine. The only problem is............. the flywheel and tapered gear are still attached, which means having to go through this trauma again!!!!!!! I have been advised that the way to get the bleeders off is a hard hit on the end of the puller. Not a tap, but a bl@@dy hard wallop with a big hammer. I did hit mine quite sharply last time to pop it off and I'll stick with the normal hammer and see what happens.... Steve

Hmm, I thought my shocks were a bit sorry looking, but nothing compared to yours! Good luck with the rebuild... Steve

Thank you Peter! I did excatly as you suggested, and I now have working shocks.... excellent. The seals held up ok pumping in the garage but I suspect any serious use will have them leaking but that is OK as I will get some new shocks at some point. This place does seals, not sure which they mean as there is one on the damper and one external, per shock. http://kawasakikt.tripod.com/vintageperformance.html Anyway, my shocks are not pretty so there is no point spending any money on them.... Steve

Thanks for the reply Wayne Metal spraying yeah, that could be a solution. Got a couple of leads on some engine parts, will see what that turns up first, but its all getting a bit expensive for what was supposed to be a quick project, hmm... Steve

Take it that's a no then! How about this question, can I experiment with normal engine oil, or will it damage the seals... or.... well, any ideas at all!

. Yes, this Montesa really is out to get me and trying my patience big-time! The cases required some gentle tapping to separate the crank and bearings (as expected) but a lump of rust on the bearing has left a nice gauge as can be seen, and there

Yes, shedding bits is my concern and why I wuld be very reluctant to re-use. Still waiting for a guy to split his engine, fingers crossed..... Steve

Here

Here's the gears, or the worst one anyway. You can see a tide-mark, I thought oil floated on water but its as if there was a layer of water on the surface of the gear oil...who knows but its not good eh! Also the output shaft very worn! Got a possible lead on some replacements, just waiting for the owner to split their cases and see if the gears are any good. Steve

Sorted! Well, it was not simple, as everything is proving with this bike! One bearing came out easy- heated the case with the hot-air gun, placed the (cleaned) gearbox shaft back in the bearing and gently tapped the shaft with a rubber mallet, and it worked its way out in no time. The shaft fits quite snuggly into the bearing so with no oil on the surfaces it gripped when held at a slight angle. Now, the other was a pain, a conical bearing on the clutch shaft. Heated the case again, a bit of gentle levering with some nail heads and the inner race popped out leaving the conical surface with absolutely no chance of gripping anything onto that! So instead I spent 30 minutes with a dremmel and a small grinding head

Useful info and pics Steve I guess some silicon gasket goo would do an ok job as well, as mentioned earlier - Steve

My 349 has the little seals for most of the crankcase bolts, but most were pretty much perished (ie a gooey mess) and will need replacing.... Steve