ianpr

Very interesting bike - would love to know a bit more about Suzuki '120' trials & offroad history -anybody know a website? As a teenager I had a stripped down monocoque framed B120 'commuter' that we put Knobblys on & trail rode in the fields round home (or veld as it is known locally). It was a real gutsy little bike & I recall seeing one converted to a full blown motocrosser as well. Mine didnt have the twin ratio gearbox though - I have seen quite an impressive looking tube framed 'scrambler' version with this 2 ratio motor but dont have much info on it - this was in the early to mid 70's Ian

Green it is - Now I know why they call them Kermit's - Have to be careful where you park it in a forest - you may never find it again! Never seen any Italjets in South Africa (not sure if any where ever imported) but it looks very similar to the Fantic 300 I had a while back - almost seems like an advanced version. Were Fantic & Italjet ever connected - I thought the Itajet was related to Bultaco ? Ian

My 300 Pro had an extended arm & it made a huge difference - with a short ' 2 finger' clutch lever you could feather the clutch with 1 finger in a section. I got it with the mod. I no longer have the bike (stupid mistake - selling it!) so I cant measure it for you, but there was a clearance limit to what you could add. It took a bit of time to adjust as well because of the longer throw on the lever, otherwise it would slip. Also found a good well lubricated cable was critical. Ian

Hi Just a thought has anyone on the forum ever done a front disc conversion on a 348/349/350 - I have seen a picture of one on a local SA auction site - Looks like they used a Japanese front end. It would upset the authenticty of the bike, but would certainly make long descents less hair raising than with std Montesa brakes. Ian

I have seen the back disc/sprocket used on a racing kart many years back but I would think you would get a lot of chain lube on the disc brake surface The other things which caught my eye are the very long carb induction tube & the unusual exhaust - presumably a low end 'torque/grunt' tuning method - There was a South African champ years ago who used a 'de-tuned' TY175 with an extra plenum on the exhaust whic was presumubaly a method of modifying the exhaust timing Any ideas on what the exhaust is about? Ian

Tim Left PPC a year or so back ... really enjoy Cape Town ... it is such a unique city with its mountain beaches & space - being in the country was great but it was a small town .. I wound up 'single' again my daughters were grown up & off to seek their fortunes... so I headed to Town for a fresh start.... What took you off to the bottom of the world.... you still doing enduro as well.. Ian

Tim Moved to Cape Town about 18 months ago ... I suppose Brian is still looking for that trophy..... The non original mudguards also figure ... the ones on the bike have faded a bit & are more pink than red... she must have been well ridden too, as there is not too much 'trials damage' evidence ... my ex BvdH 349 had been badly hammered when I got it (frame was even cracked)

Hi Tim Some very local Cape Town trials history!! Small world - the names all make sense -The bike was given to a good friend in Jhb (who got me into trials & bikes when I was about 16 - he found it on a farm - the owner was going to give it to his 6 or 7 year old son to ride. After suggesting that a 350 & a 7 year old would not mix well & might have some terminal results & that a twin shock foot ups machine it should rather be preserved - the bike was given to him). It then went up to Jhb & has been standing for quite a while - Tony gave it to me - I am just waiting for it to get a ride down to Cape Town. I was hoping to ride it in this years 'John Fulcher Memorial Trial' but I will not make in time- I won the 1st ever one in 93 ever one as a clubman, with Ben van der Westhuizen winning the 'Master' class - interestingly I was riding Ben's old 349 which I rebuilt - for some obscure reason I painted the tank yellow! Ian

Hi Thanks for all the help - Definitely a Cota 350 With a bit of TLC & work it will be a good bike that will not cost too much to sort & run - Then last bike I owned was a Fantic 300, which I guess has a similar engine characteristics (the more bottom end grunt the more I enjoy riding them - maybe I am getting old!) Ian

I have managed to get a look at a Cota 349 tha was given to me & was surprised to see a grey frame, red tank & red mudguards - The paintwork looks original - frame/enginenumber is 51M26351 Bike is tatty but all there! It has been standing for years- front shocks are sticking, back shocks may be leaking, motor kicks over with a very healthy compression. When I get it my plan is to check it over give it a thorough service, chec all the brakes bearings etc. & then take it to a trials My questions - Is the grey frame an original colour? - What should I check/clean service before I try to start her - Where can I get decent brake shoes - so she stops in the wet Thanks Ian

Hi Maybe just a silly question - about the colour difference on the models I have owned two 349's - one many years ago & another one I was given by a friend a while back (must still pick it up) - Both of them have been red tank/seat with a black frame - was there a model difference with the red frame & white tank/seat like the one shown ? Thanks ian

Hi I have been following the 330 thread with interest... I am not too knowledgeable on Montesa derivatives but it looks very close to the earlier 349 (which I once owned & have nowgot another one) Can anyone highlight the differences - another question that someone can maybe shed some light on is when were the last twinshocks actually made. I owned a Fantic 300 which I think was one of the final twinshockers Thanks Ian

Thanks Jaan The bike is still up country (Johannesburg) but I should have it in a few weeks ... then I can assess what is needed In the late 70's their was a 348/9 in competion here with an aftermarket ally tank & a few bits ...BVM trialsport is the name that sticks in my mind - based on the one I owned I thought it may be better to use a smaller/different less bulky tank & seat combo too Ian

Hi - As a way of introduction I am located in Cape Town SA - I have dabbled in trials a for years & have recently been given a twin shock Montesa & plan to get it sorted & ride it. It is either a 348 or 349 - the engine number is 51M26351 - not sure what year (77 ?) I owned one of these way back (before I had a Fantic) but cant remember all of its quirks. Can anyone help me on what to look for on the bike & mods done to them over the years. Thanks & Regards Ian