Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Trials Central

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Montesa Cota 348 Clutch

Featured Replies

Hi,

i had a problem with the clutch dragging on my 348, I have changed the clutch oil and gearbox oil but it is still dragging when I put it into gear so it isn't fully disengaging as it is trying to drive with the clutch held in. 

 

Does anyone have any advice as to what the problem might be and what I could do to solve it?

 

thanks

dan

When you say it's dragging, do you mean it actually creeps foward with the bike in gear when the clutch is in? Or is it just hard to find neutral at a standstill?

I ask because plenty of people (myself included) sometimes struggle to find neutral at a standstill - it seems to be a feature of these bikes.

If it's really bad, there's a few bits you can check without opening the side case, as follows:

# Stretched clutch cable

# Badly lubed / knackered clutch cable

# Bent clutch lever

# Bent clutch actuating arm (the bit that comes out of the top of the side casing)

If none of those solve it, pull off the clutch side casing and check the little brass plunger that sits in the side casing - it might be worn (you can get new ones from InMotion trials) thus preventing the clutch fully disengaging. While you're in there, have a look at the three-legged "spider" that the brass plunger pushes against - it might be bent. If it is, this would also prevent the clutch disengaging properly.

 

Good luck!

Hi there, I have a similar problem with my 248. I can't find neutral and rolling the bike backwards is an effort.

How easy is it to get at the brass plunger to replace it?

  • Author
21 hours ago, montesamadness said:

When you say it's dragging, do you mean it actually creeps foward with the bike in gear when the clutch is in? Or is it just hard to find neutral at a standstill?

I ask because plenty of people (myself included) sometimes struggle to find neutral at a standstill - it seems to be a feature of these bikes.

If it's really bad, there's a few bits you can check without opening the side case, as follows:

# Stretched clutch cable

# Badly lubed / knackered clutch cable

# Bent clutch lever

# Bent clutch actuating arm (the bit that comes out of the top of the side casing)

If none of those solve it, pull off the clutch side casing and check the little brass plunger that sits in the side casing - it might be worn (you can get new ones from InMotion trials) thus preventing the clutch fully disengaging. While you're in there, have a look at the three-legged "spider" that the brass plunger pushes against - it might be bent. If it is, this would also prevent the clutch disengaging properly.

 

Good luck!

Hi,

 

it is actually creeping forward and it's also hard to find neutral. I will have a look at those things you suggested and see how I get on! :) 

 

many thanks!

dan 

Ant - I can't speak for a 248 because I've got a 349. If the 248 is similar to the 348 / 349 then the brass plunger is a piece of pi$$ to change. It takes longer to get the side casing off than it does to pull the plunger out.

With a clean bike and a new primary gasket and brass plunger, it's a 5 minute job from start to finish

30 minutes ago, montesamadness said:

If the 248 is similar to the 348 / 349 then the brass plunger is a piece of pi$$ to change.

I think the 349 is just a bigger bore version of the 248. I'm even wondering if I can up-CC mine at some point if I want to, but that's a thread for another time..

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.