stpauls

Hi I ride my 1999 Beta Techno 250 in a trial competition virtually every week. If yours was running ok when you last took it out and now it is difficult to start, or just won't start then this is what to do before you do anything else at all. To avoid difficult starting, or not starting, it is necessary to dry the air filter foam and housing after EVERY SINGLE TIME that it is taken out. The amount of water in the foam filter and air filter housing will vary, depending on the weather, temperature (cold = condensation) the route, especially if you have been in puddles or streams and of course the hose pipe/pressure washer afterwards. The amount of water varies from just being damp to soaking wet, with 10mm of water in the bottom of the air filter housing. Damp or slightly wet on just the tip of the filter will result in several kicks to start it. More water means even more difficulty, including refusal to start. First, dry out the air filter housing with paper kitchen towels. Then, squeeze out the foam filter and put it on a radiator until it is bone dry. Mine will then start 1st or rarely 2nd kick every single time. Any more kicks, then the filter is wet (with water) and needs drying. Fuel leaking from the carb, when not running but with the fuel tap open? Mine does it when it is more than 1/4 full. If the tank is full, then it leaks fuel with the tap closed as well. However, it never goes into the engine, always ending up on the floor. Providing that fuel is getting to the carb, I don't think that this would influence starting. Tony

On the 99 Techno, the bleed nipple on the rear brake caliper has a ball bearing behind it, which acts as a sort of a valve seal. Without this ball bearing, it will not function properly. Apparently there is more than one type. I got one from BMV recently, but had to alter it a bit to make it fit. It did not come with a ball bearing, so I then had to find a ball bearing that would fit in the seat between the caliper and the bleed nipple. I found mine in the wheel of an old sack truck. Bleeding the bleeding rear brake is a real pain.

Hi I am not completely 100% sure, but I am pretty certain that I posted my original question about the reliability of the OSSA 280i in the "General Trials Talk" section, not the OSSA section. I was somewhat surprised to find that the posting had been removed from that forum, to the OSSA forum. I agree that a cynic might well suspect that opinions in the "OSSA" section could be biased - especially if there was an agenda, such as a person could have a (troublesome) bike to sell. I was speaking to the owner of an OSSA trail model (2011) last Sunday at the Golden Valley trial. He told me that he had experienced starting issues (now solved with a battery pack) and also gearbox issues, but I cannot recall what. Reading around, it appears that many owners have experienced gearbox failure, starting issues and several newish models recently have had swinging arm bearings replaced. Also, on e.bay at the moment there is a 2011 OSSA 280i that has had a new cylinder head and despite help from Birkett the importers, the seller is unable to get it running. Therefore, a 2011 bike is being sold as a non-runner! This could be unprecedented - because I have never seen a two/three year old bike being sold as a non-runner before (apart from a Voskhod - Russian rubbish in the early 70s). The lesson for the manufacturers is not to release models until they have been thoroughly tested for reliability. The lesson for potential buyers is imagine how you might feel in a few weeks/months time when you are unable to compete because your new (to you) bike has suffered a catastrophic and expensive mechanical failure. I like the design of the 280i but I am still nervy about buying one that could lead to upset and expense.

Hi Like the look of OSSAs. Worried about reliability issues. Faults? Would I regret buying a 2012/13 ? Thanks Tony

Hello All rapidly approaching retirement and now finding my old Beta Techno 250 a bit too heavy. I have been thinking about getting lighter, easier to handle 125, probably about 2010 - 2012, around £2500 ish. Any opinions on Beta, Gas Gas or Sherco 125s as being the better bike? Thanks Tony

Hello All Thanks for the replies. I leaned the bike over on it's side, then smeared a tiny bit of silicone grease down in, around the recess. It stayed in place until I refitted the cover. Thanks for the help. Tony

Hello I have just removed two of the clutch springs in my clutch, to try to give it a lighter pull. I am trying to refit the clutch inspection cover o-ring, which seals the case to keep the oil in. However, every time I try to put it in the recess, it just falls out. Is there a special way of doing this? Thanks in anticipation Tony