keychange

new bars are great thanks Ross and you may remember always had a flat spot in the top end - new muffler and flat spot is gone

Here is the evolution of my 247T - the original seat and tank are prettier but this 78 version is more comfortable for the trail/trials riding that I do. This is my bike after a wash down following a ride through my local neighbours paddocks ... cow pats really are sticky buggers ;(

Chris yep and 1976 21M21482> Same shape tank and seat. New graphics is mine and that bike has black frame - I wonder where the silver/white frame picture came from

I just received a 247 WES muffler from SM ( good fast service thanks) and at first fitting the tail end points away from the rear guard at about a 30 degree angle - sticks out quite a bit. It is hard to get images that show this so I am not sure if that is normal or should I be adjusting the bracket to bring it close to the guard

Chris - that photo is definitely my model (77) as the 247T was not around until 1974 ( according to montesa web) and the early 247T had gold background decals in a different pattern where as mine has dark red body decals. According to montesa web my 21M23540 is post March 77 - the Australian compliance plate is May 77 - I always thought it would take longer to get from the factory to Oz. I guess that picture may not be a factory image and could be a restore where someone (like me) have mixed and matched tanks/seats - but it sure looks like a new bike to me and apart from the frame is identical to my original 247T set up.

I note the 247T below which is my model has a white or silver frame - mine is black which with the current 78 model tank and seat fitted works. But if I want to return it to original does anyone know if that is white or silver? Also does anyone know who can reproduce the tank decals - mine are a bit knocked around I never realised the original guards were polished - I cut mine back to bare metal but the thought of turning that into a highly polished smooth finish was daunting and so the white paint went back on

that's great - Chris my 247 is actually the 21M21482, may-76 Cota 247T trail, new decor red stickers. but I have the 21M25307, Jul-78: New Dimension 247T body and seat fitted at the moment.

Paul - this probably isn't the right forum however when you say "just have websites for run out and clearance items" - I actually said I "often advise my clients" not always however in my opinion one of the main barriers to retail profitability (and I have been a successful retailer) is stock that is not performing well enough. Fifteen years ago I created a web site called oddstock.com as a place for businesses to offload old or excess stock - it didn't take off and now eBay is providing that service very adequately. Web sites can work very well for upmarket and niche products or bargain products - but it doesn't perform as well for vanilla products - you need a point of difference. I think that if you display online products that by comparison are not competitive with other online (for whatever reason) you run the risk of creating the perception that you are uncompetitive and that is not a good outcome. If you use the web to increase your turnover - albeit at lower profitability it may be able to deliver economies in volume without impacting your high street sales. I am not canvassing for business as I am fully over- committed well into the foreseeable future (hopefully into retirement) but in the spirit of our mutual interest in trials I would be happy to discuss further with you - if you are interested contact me through http://www.keychange.com.au/

If you want to run a web store in the same way as you run your high street store you are in for disappointment ( I know there are exceptions ) I often advise my clients to think of it as more like one of those 24 hour lease clearance shops that you see pop up and disappear overnight. They are often supplied or run by mainstream shops who simply want to turn over the stock and get their cash back without diluting their image. When you offer your normal products at normal prices on the internet its like opening a scone and tea shop in a food mall.

My point about the postage is that on exactly the same item from the same country of origin to the same destination there was a 100% variance in the charge - it doesn't cost 14 quid to stuff a pair of pants into a padded bag. As for your point Arnoux - it is unrealistic to add 40% for airfreight - if you are using airfreight your ordering systems and/or demand management is failing. I can understand that the market size means it is difficult to achieve economies of scale - but that is a different issue and has always existed here. Yes you pay duty and GST but the UK guys pay VAT so it's much the same. Yes they waived the VAT on sale to me but even if they hadn't I would still be $90 in front. The guy who sold me the pants was making bugger all profit but he is very wisely turning over old stock in order to free up cash and invest in new stock. The internet is the ideal vehicle for this strategy - I don't see it used very often or very well by many retailers and that includes Harvey Norman, David Jones etc. The internet is my business and has been for nearly 20 years and I believe that too many Australian businesses are still lagging behind in their understanding of its effective use and they just blame the poor old government - of which ever flavour is in power on the day.

I can't believe the variation in postage cost quoted for products from UK to Australia. I just purchased some trials pants and paid 14 pounds postage where as other suppliers were quoting higher purchase price and up to 28 pounds for postage... I mean they are just pants they are not fragile, or heavy. Then there are the guys who still charge VAT ... buyer beware .. none the less I got a great deal $115 AUD delivered while our Oz suppliers are quoting $220 plus postage for the same product. I do try and support local business but there is a limit to my loyalty.

Thanks Ross (and David) yes those are nice wide bars so I have ordered them $63.81 delivered

My Cota 247 has had quite a few bar bending spills - and now even a light fall results in a bend so I I think they are past their use by date. Can I get some suggestions on replacements. I do like the original wide bars they are approx 820 mm (32 inches) and I would prefer something without the cross bar support so as to keep the original look.

Yes Bully I was thinking that would need to be my next move - and it is a bit hard to start at the moment which suggests I might be a degree or two too advanced.

Well in answer to my own question - NO - the existing cable doesn't fit - however pure dumb luck I bought a T80/200 cable for my TLR last month in error and sure enough it fits. However on a very quick wet ride - I can't really notice any change to the bike's pickup - yes the throttle is smoother and lighter but not sure the response is significantly different.

It takes a lot of stress out of the starting gear - which on my 247 is not easily replaced

I have been using bees wax on my Diadoras and after 12 months they are great - they never claimed to be waterproof which is why they came with seal skin liners, which I never bother with.

Well I certainly gave them a work out today - maybe I should focus on staying upright

Thanks David, a comprehensive answer as always Given my propensity to fall I will fit these and see how they go. I guess I should always keep a spare set of grips. My Monty still has a nice pair of OEM grips fitted so hopefully the bar ends will extend their life.

I have Diadora and find them very comfortable but not very water proof - but then water proof means less breathing and in our hot climate these boots don't cook your feet.

Is there an option to show 'my content' - when I post a question I want to be able to find the topic quickly - I can't see how to do that now.

This might appear as a silly question - but in 40 years I have never used bar ends on any of my trial, trail or road bikes. I understand that open ends can be a safety issue and as I would like to start competing I believe blocking the ends is a requirement. So I purchased some Hebo bar ends with the intention of fitting them to my TLR200 and Cota 247. However, I really don't have a clue what to do - do they go on the bars then place the grips on top of them or do they go on the outside of the grips ie: cut a hole in the grips.... One thing I do know is the Hebo units are too small for my bars although I can probably pad them with some old tube rubber.

Looking at Amal T80/200 Throttle will it operate with the standard cable?