Forum

[Stringers Best Mate]

Matt, if it runs, leave it alone!! Trust me - it's best to ride rather than tinker! And if you think that's loud, come and stand next to my old H-D..

[grunda 12]

hi matt now youve got the monty i doubt that you,ll do much trials riding on the bullet as the bullet is heavy and the monty is lean & nimble ,although 2 stroke oil is very exspensive these days so maybe the bullet wins that trial? atb paul.

[Matt]

Stringers, you are right but if I can't start it hot, which was the situation yesterday then something needs to be done. I think it's just a matter of giving more air on start up thought to be honest, I'll see how I go and hopefully I won't have to do any tinkering with the float hight or anything else for that matter. She does run really sweet! Paul, you're right as well, the Bullet although strong, economical and gorgeous is not up to the task in the same way the Montesa is. I like ridding the green lanes though, being out in the countryside with mans best friend (two wheeled best friend that is.) So I'm going to see how I get on with the Montesa down the lanes and if I enjoy it then I might well sell my trail Bullet. I also have the Honda Superdream to sell so between them I should easily make my money back to cover this Montesa (£1200) and hopefully some spare change!

[Alan R]

Hi MATT----------- oddly enough I'm agreeing with the sentiments that's in STRINGERS post---for the moment, that is...You appear to have found a "Hot-start" technique that works for you so I would just "ride & enjoy" and get some "bonding time" under your belt....(Sorry, that's just an old farty-bags keeping it real, innit??)..However,one REAL bonus with a 1970's 2-stroke single is}--- mechanically it's about as simple an engine/carb. that you are likely to come across in motorcycling---(being no Gas Turbines out there I think??), and unlike your 2 Enfields there's NO}---Vertical split crankcase, timing gears, cams, push-rods, valves & their parts, oil pump, points,(my Grass-Tracking Montessa's and Bultaco's had solid state electronic ignition as standard), seperate gearbox..Similarly the carb. with a couple of jetting "tweaks" is identical in structure and operation to a 4-stroke one...Here's a couple of suggestions to be going on with..a)Obviously try any dedicated forums for Montessa and ---b) Are there any 2-stroke owners in your area ?? eg BSA BANTAM, Classic Japanese Bikes such as early Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki...or even the little Peddle & Pop guys on Mobylettes or Puch Maxi etc...Collectively (and lovingly ??) known as "Stinkwheels" these 2-strokes are easy to run/maintain...Sorry to bang-on like this but it's a re-visit to a happier time for me...Final tip }---- remember ALL engine lubrication is via the fuel/oil mix so do stay with whatever the previous owner has told you he's used......Do you know, I've suddenly got the urge to have another Bultaco Sherpa !!! Stop me someone, stop me !!

[Matt]

Tragically I went out for another run today and although I had great fun and the bike performs fantastically I stopped in the middle of the woods somewhere to take off some of my layers, I put the bike in neutral and pressed the kill switch. Thirty seconds later I tried to start her again. NO JOY. It's a real shame. I kicked and kicked until I was worn out, after many in's and out's of the plug, trial and error of different starting procedures she did start as if nothing had happend, randomly on a kick where I was giving it no throttle which goes against my experience yesterday. I then continued a great ride having lots of fun. Upon returning home I killed her with the switch again and couldn't re-start her at all... I returned her to the garage dismayed and not knowing what to do next. The previous owner's been in great email contact and he is just as confused as me. He did say that she's not been ridden much in the past year...

He's said he's never had to start it with the throttle wide open. He also says that he always ran it on normal unleaded (on his new bike he uses Super -high octane) I'm using normal unleaded as well.

(There is air, there is a spark and there is fuel, what's the problem!?? Timing?)

I'm at a loss, it really puts a "spanner in the works" of an otherwise fantastic new bike.
Thanks again for reading. Advice welcome.

[Stringers Best Mate]

Ha! That's a Mediterranean temperament for you, Matt! Try hiding behind a tree and catching it by surprise, maybe? Glad to read someone's got time for a bit of riding at this time of year; just a little envious up here.. Keep the faith, put the kettle on and re-visit square one again. You'll crack it before too long, chum.

[PeteF]

Just a thought if the bike has not been used for some time. Try cleaning out the float bowl and check the float needle/float height. Might be leaking a bit and just on the point of flooding.

[Alan R]

Hello MATT---------- Try this link... It should get you the UK HONDA SUPERDREAM FORUM ------ honda-superdream.proboards.com ------------------- Might be able to sell that Honda??? I'm a lapsed member ------ had a CB400 HONDAMATIC then sold it............... V.sorry to hear about those re-starting probs....Good idea to have a break from it for a while.....take "old faithfull" Bullet out for a "Plug" or two, get Christmas out of the way then come back to it next week.... See what effect taking the air filter off has ??? Be methodical----one change at a time------book.in at your favourite Hospital for a bionic-leg transplant !!!!! PS-- just a thought, how is it stopped ? a kill button ?? ----- Check it out, might be slow to release ( it's just a spring-loaded earthing button).......... Keep the faith, Bruv !!