steve

Could you figure out some way of mounting them a little neater. Something hidden. How were the originals mounted? I'm liking your work though!

Oooh yes please - never one to look a gift horse in the mouth! Are you still on the same Mobile no *********1180?

My choice would be - Well sorted TY250 Pinky (with 270 Mick Andrews tuning.) or Fantic 245 or 247 (upside down forks) There were a couple of Brothers in our centre, (The Biltons) who imported some Honda 2 strokes - TLM260 ??? perhaps - Looked really trick. Think Takumi Narita works replica. Very tasty but pretty rare in these parts! Max1965bikes - are you reading this - what were those Honda's? - did Bob have a similar one?

Hello Ian, The 349 was indeed the model before the 330. There are a few similararities between the two models but many more more differences (if that makes sense!!) There are very few parts that are interchangeable. Even the 349 seemed to change midway through it's run. For example some later 349's share the same kickstart as my 330 but many have the older style. Montesa designed a brand new engine for the 330 and from my limited experience it goes very well. In my opinion though the whole bike just feels a little 'big' compared to say a Fantic 240 As far as I'm aware the Montesa Cota 330 was the last twinshock made. By 1985 Fantic had the 301 with monoshock and disc brakes. Yamaha of course had the very successful TY250 Monoshock. Smaller companies like Beta and Aprillia were gathering sales, all Monoshock. So the Montesa 330 didn't stand a chance of any sales success. All this means that it is pretty rare for one. And a damn good totally legit bike to compete on in Twinshock trials!! I don't think Montesa ever did catch the rest up. They quickly stuck some Discs and a monoshock on it and called it a 335 which is even rarer. Then there is the 307, 310 and 311. None of which were quite as good as other offerings. Even when Honda put their engines in for the 314 etc... it just wasn't as good as the rest. Only when Honda with works rider Marc Colomer designed the 315 and branded it as a Montesa in Europe did they truly have a bike to equal or better anyone else.

Hello and welcome, It's a shame the Gas Gas 250 was a bit much for you as they are a lovely bike to ride. The handling is very good and I found the 250cc engine nice and smooth. However I am probably more experienced than you so what else is there.. Well if the 250 is a bit much and 125 not enough how about a 200cc? Look for a Beta Rev 3 200cc. I've read some very good reviews about them but haven't actually ridden one. Another option for you could be a Scorpa 250cc with a Yam engine (nice soft power).

I like it, problem is though a roll of camera film costs more than a fork seal!

At last an airbox.

Thought I'd post a little update about my 330. The BIG news is the beast runs again! Having stripped the engine months ago for a rebuild I finally finished it! The big end was good but mains and seals were replaced. Several other bearing were also replaced whilst the engine was apart and a new gasket set should keep it dry. I really had wanted a rebore but due to lack of funds and availability of a piston I've stuck with the old one for now. If and when I can afford it it's pretty simple to whip the barrel off and rebore anyway. I've welded some brackets onto the frame for my new airbox and it fits a treat. Just need to source a filter and cover now. It's always a nervous time restarting a rebuilt engine, I gave it a couple of gentle kicks just to see if everything was turning as it should and was amazed it fired into life. Engine is 100% quieter now the mains aren't rumbling round. As it sat ticking over it sounded a little lean, previously all the tweaking on the air screw hadn't made a bit of difference. Now though just half a turn and it sounded sweet.

When Jordi retired he took Adam Raga under his wing and helped him to his first World Championship. How was / is the team funded? Sponsors, Gas Gas, RFME? all of them? The wealth of knowledge and experience that Doug could pass onto a young protege in a similar role to Tarres is surely an opportunity not to be missed. There was talk of him running a team but I don't know if it was just some wishful thinking. If I was setting the team up I'd pick Alexz but then I am a little biased!! I'll buy a lottery ticket this weekend and if my numbers come up the funding is sorted - can't say fairer than that!

Gas Gas - The rear mudguard 'might' be !!

Back in the days when I rode a Yamaha I had this very problem with a Talon sprocket. (the screws would just go in but didn't line up in the centre of the countersink) I remember speaking to Talon about it but don't recall what was done! It was nearly 20 years ago. Give them a ring and explain the problem.

There doesn't seem to be much talk about this result on here, any comments from anyone that was there? Young Mr Wigg was a promising schoolboy when I used to ride and it's always nice to see riders from your own centre / club doing well. Last time I saw Alexz ride he was still on a 125cc. I have always thought he had the potential but it is so difficult turning that potential into results. At the start of the year it didn't look too good with a big gap between Alexz and the the top 2 or 3. I was amazed and delighted to see him get second place in the Scottish pushing Dougie all the way. So how about Alexz for British Champion and a world top 10 next year? No pressure Alexz

Fantastic result. What a difference to the first round this year! Really pleased for you and your team Alexz. Well done, keep it up.

Directions. From A14 turn off on Jnc 11 which is the A510. I think it's signed Wellingborough / Finedon Take the second left (only a few hundred yards) Signposted The Addingtons. Take this Rd to the end which will bring you into Gt Addington. Turn Right then almost immediate left at the pub (Hare and hound) Trial venue is about 3/4 mile down this Rd on the left. To be honest this is not one of our better venues. Parking is difficult on the grass verge. The sections are all in the Woods and are sometime a little 'fiddely'

Great result by Alexz and the team. Lets hope this result will be the first of many wins. Well done.

Ha ha, Sandy is very greedy when it comes to 330's - was it 3 you had at one point Sandy?

Thanks for the words of sympathy on my screwcutting Wayne! Still makes me smile when I think how pleased I was until I realised what I'd done. I still haven't sorted a lid out. The Spanish web site you mentioned a few weeks ago is a shame. I had already tried to buy from them, I managed to get a cousin of mine to email them in Spanish as my attempts in English with translation were no good. They wanted a stupid amount of money to ship it, all in would have cost about

Some good news today - I just won an auction on Ebay for a NOS L/H forkleg. The one on my bike had been welded where the brake plate anchor was snapped off. When I bought the bike the forks would stick halfway down as the heat of welding had distorted the ali ! I had managed to ream the fork leg out but you can't get better than a new fork leg.

Nice photo's. What a stunning place. What camera did you use? You have some really good depth of field (especially the one with you in it)

Take Alexz and Sam out the picture, are you saying these are the top in the Centre. Flippin heck we are in trouble! They will all be getting a free bus pass soon. Where's the next generation? Is there nothing in between Sam & Alexz and Dad's Army? And before you have a go at me the 3 riders mentioned above are all good friends of mine and are dammed good riders. But surely there must be some younger talent? 10 years ago there were guys like Dave Rolls, Steve Rees, Jon Pearson, er.. even me on a good day and several others that could all win an OTC

Who won the Experts then? In fact who are the top guys in the centre now?

All sounds a bit over complicated to me! Twist the bit in your right hand and it makes more noise. Simple

I must admit I am supprised at that result - Well done Dibs. I'm a little bit disappointed how far off the pace Wiggy is at the moment, was hoping he could close the gap this year but seems to be worse. Is he struggling to adapt to the bike? What's the inside story Nigel?

So with all this time, care and money lavished on the bikes will they be ridden in anger or will you be too scared to scratch them?

Looking good Wayne.