I have a friend in Spain who has a rather special Montesa 349 (see photos below). He would like to know who made the frame, he has a feeling it was an English made item but knows nothing else about it - can anyone shed any light on it?

Funny that! Ive had John Dickinson at T&MX News have a look at these very photos and he reckons it could be a derivative of the Beamish Suzuki frame, it looks very like the handiwork of the Beamish frame creators!

The bike belongs to 'Manuel C' of Sotobike club, doesn't it?

Big John

The shocks change in each photo?

the welding or brazing on that shock absorber gusset is never , mick witlocks, or would he ever let it leave the factory like that. the mans got pride.

the welding or brazing on that shock absorber gusset is never , mick witlocks, or would he ever let it leave the factory like that. the mans got pride.

I didn't say the frame builder was Mick Whitlock, did I?

Big John

Funny that! Ive had John Dickinson at T&MX News have a look at these very photos and he reckons it could be a derivative of the Beamish Suzuki frame, it looks very like the handiwork of the Beamish frame creators!

The bike belongs to 'Manuel C' of Sotobike club, doesn't it?

Big John

Hi Big John,

I see the similarity with a Whitlock frame but look at the welding by the rear shock mount - that is not quality work and Mick Whitlock usually brazed rather than welded and to a high standard. I will stand corrected if anyone knows better but I don't think that is his work. Will we see you at Telford this weekend? Look me up, I will be on the Beamish stand in the main hall.

Cheers,

Jim

I didn't say the frame builder was Mick Whitlock, did I?

Big John

Nobody else made the Beamish frame Big John. You are right ahbout the owner by the way - I think he is trying to research the history as far as I understand it.

Cheers,

Jim

Steve wilson?

Hi Big John,

I see the similarity with a Whitlock frame but look at the welding by the rear shock mount - that is not quality work and Mick Whitlock usually brazed rather than welded and to a high standard. I will stand corrected if anyone knows better but I don't think that is his work. Will we see you at Telford this weekend? Look me up, I will be on the Beamish stand in the main hall.

Cheers,

Jim

Hi Jim,

JD threw another name into the mix, that's why I didn't specifically say it was the handiwork of Mick Whitlock! Yes I'll be there all day saturday, so hopefully see you at some point in the day!

Big John

Steve wilson?

Excuse my ignorance Nigel but who is Steve Wilson and is he still producing frames? Does he have a trade name?

Cheers,

Jim

Steve was from around the Midlands originally and used to practise in our local quarry along with Arthur Browning and Dave Smith (enduro rider, nice bloke sadly no longer with us)

As well as being a Bultaco sponsored rider Steve was quite innovative and used to come up with his own designs for trials frames/swingarms (and other stuff including BMX) He had made various frames throughout the 70s, not sure exactly which bikes for apart from Bultaco.

John Collins has one of Steve's Bultacos which he rides in Sammy Miller events now and again. It has a novel airbox/fuel tank layout.

No idea if that Montesa is one of Steve's or not. It is so close in design/appearance to the standard Mont frame though.

Forgot to mention, he lives in Cornwall/Devon somewhere now (or did at least) no longer involved in trials

Edited January 23, 200917 yr by Woody

Woody ,

Are you saying Dave Smith is no longer with us ??? I raced with him and Arthur Browning back in the early 70's when I worked & raced for Sprite . Great Bloke !!! Gordon

Here is a picture of a Steve Wilson Bultaco frame. The swing arm is mounted differently but the layout otherwise is similar and is finished in chrome or nickel.

Tim

Thank you all for your help, I think it seeems the consensus is that it's a Steve Wilson!

Cheers,

Jim

might be but would be rare.