ianpr Posted September 16, 2009 Report Share Posted September 16, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feetupfun Posted September 16, 2009 Report Share Posted September 16, 2009 - What should I check/clean service before I try to start herAir filter Carburettor Fuel tank Fuel tap Ignition points/timing Sparkplug Gearbox oil Primary drive oil Cables Steering head bearings Swingarm bearings Wheel bearings Brakes Unstick the forks and change the fork oil Chain and sprockets - Where can I get decent brake shoes - so she stops in the wet For best performance in the wet, choose linings that contain metal particles - EBC is one brand like this, and ensure they are radiused to the drum diameter. If the drum surface is worn (grooves), get it machined smooth and round then fit oversize linings radiused to suit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feetupfun Posted September 16, 2009 Report Share Posted September 16, 2009 Here is a brochure gallery that may help you ID your 349 http://www.southwestmontesa.com/gallery.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody Posted September 16, 2009 Report Share Posted September 16, 2009 (edited) If it is all original it sounds like you have a Cota 350 - I had one of those from (nearly) new. It was the last incarnation of the 349 and there are three versions of it, the 349/4 which had grey frame, grey mudguards and red tank, the 350 which had grey frame, red tank and guards and then the MH349. All are the same bike with different colour schemes. Although they use the 349 engine the frame is much modified from the original 349 model and it is a much better bike. The most obvious identifying feature is the swing arm which kicks up at the rear spindle mount. A bit dated by the time it came out compared to Fantic etc. but still a good bike with one of the gutsiest trials engines ever. There is also this site which has a picture of the Cota 350 which the Southwest site doesn't click here Edited September 16, 2009 by Woody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianpr Posted September 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordo Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 If it is all original it sounds like you have a Cota 350 - I had one of those from (nearly) new.It was the last incarnation of the 349 and there are three versions of it, the 349/4 which had grey frame, grey mudguards and red tank, the 350 which had grey frame, red tank and guards and then the MH349. All are the same bike with different colour schemes. Although they use the 349 engine the frame is much modified from the original 349 model and it is a much better bike. The most obvious identifying feature is the swing arm which kicks up at the rear spindle mount. A bit dated by the time it came out compared to Fantic etc. but still a good bike with one of the gutsiest trials engines ever. There is also this site which has a picture of the Cota 350 which the Southwest site doesn't click here Thanks for the web site. Lots of great photos to look at and figure out years and models. Great information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toofasttim Posted September 19, 2009 Report Share Posted September 19, 2009 (edited) How could I miss this post? Ian, it's my old bike. I bought it new in '83. Kept it for 3 years and sold it to Peter Harrigan who sold it to Chrome Hunter. It was the only 349 of that model in the country. Somebody has obviously changed the mudguards. Ian, check out the boot between the airbox and the carb. When I sold it it was split and I couldn't find a replacement. Edited September 19, 2009 by TooFastTim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianpr Posted September 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toofasttim Posted September 21, 2009 Report Share Posted September 21, 2009 (edited) Ian, I'm afraid the "John Fulcher Memorial" cup is sitting in my living room. Ian, you still out at Picketberg? Edited September 21, 2009 by TooFastTim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianpr Posted September 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2009 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) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toofasttim Posted September 21, 2009 Report Share Posted September 21, 2009 Nah, Brian gave it to me. Farewell gift I suppose. Ben could be a bit brutal. Neither Peter nor myself was hard on bikes (actually Peter & Chrome barely rode it). You pleased to be in CT? Still with PPC? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianpr Posted September 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.