Forum

[Alan R]

ooppss------ have just seen the finishing date/time Try the Montessa at just over 1/3 off the asking price--say £950 ??

[grunda 12]

hi matt youve got the trials bug eh ? buy what takes your fancy thats what i say i had a dallience with an ossa 250 in the 70,s it was not the best reliability wise but i,m sure with todays improvements they could be good ,on the topic of trials riding ,our branch of the reoc did a ride around the north york moors earlier this year and i did a spot of impromptu trials riding on the "oldgrunda" and got it stuck on a rocky plinth to the amusement of my fellow cronies ,the bike was stood up fully supported i even got off and we eventually got it unstuck !!hows that for an ungrumpy tale and yes i can even laugh occasionally at my own stupidity !atb paul.

[Alan R]

Hi guys------ aw, GRUNDA--- yoomza braave keed oon na miztayke !!(That's got a spelling error under every one !!)

[Alan R]

--------- with all those changes perhaps you were OSSA-lating ??--Ok--OK, I'm gone !!

[Matt]

Great to hear you've all dabbled. Nice stories! I went along to a trial today with one of my Dad's mates. It was great to see it all happening in the flesh. There was one 14 year old boy who was very good! It was amazing to see. Lots of the people I met have twin shocks. I think I'm going to go for the Montesa, I spoke to him just now and the lowest I could get him to was £1200. I think it's a good deal, it seems to be a hell of a machine. It has matching engine and frame numbers and is generally very fit for purpose. I think I'm going to go for it. There are some other Montesa's going for LOTS more on eBay. (Well I don't know if they're going, but they're trying if you know what I mean.) I think it's going to hold it's value.

[Alan R]

----------- and a set of castanets thrown in for free ?? Good solid Spanish bike with a lot of history---- you shouldn't be disappointed !! ---- I ran a 350 Montessa Grass-Tracker back in the day ( Ex-cart engine) and it was V.reliable with solid-state electronic ignition and 5-speed box..... ENJOY and don't forget those ACTION phots !!

[Matt]

I bought the Montesa. It's lovely. No castanets thought! Thanks for all the advice. I'm really chuffed with it. I had a spin around a car park and then again around my drive way. It feels great. Shifting gears is a bit tricky but I will get the hang of it. The previous owner has shortened the lever (less leverage then I guess.) I was having to us my heel even to change up instead of my toes... If you can picture that? Anyway. She's a beaut. Here she is in my garage:

[John L]

Matt -
Twinshock.... Bultaco?...Montesa?.....I did wonder if this would help you make your mind up :- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1enoCk1mPKk....but it seems you beat me to it ! Best of luck with the new bike...How many is that now ?

[Matt]

Wow, nice vid John. Thanks. I love the relaxed elegance of twin shock trials as apposed to the aggressiveness of the modern stuff. There are six bikes in the garage now. It's a bit silly. A 1970's Honda 550 four that is my Dad's a BSA Bantum that is my Dad's mates, mine are a Royal Enfield 500 a Royal Enfield 350 in half trials trim for trail ridding, a Honda CB250N Superdream that I am selling and now the 1975 Montesa Cota 247. My intention is to have three bikes. The two Enfields and the Montesa. However if the Montesa's any fun down the lanes I might sell the Enfield 350cc and but a 70's Honda 400 or something that's better on the road than my 500 Bullet. We'll have to see.

[Matt]

I've also noticed that the Montesa is very loud. Much louder than I thought it would be. I didn't notice when I test rode it because I was wearing a helmet. I'm talking about the exhaust volume, not the engine noise. It has the two standard exhaust boxes fitted and I'm wondering if they've been adapted to be straight through and fee flowing making it much louder? What's the status quo?