boghopper350

I have owned my m49 for over 8 years and have always liked the way it looks and rides... When I could get it going! It has generally been a right pain. I put this down to the fact it was getting on a bit and one day I would give it a good going over. Well this week that day arrived. A heap of seals, bearings and gaskets beside me, I stripped the engine. I didn't think that there was much wrong with the bottom end apart from an annoying oil leak from between the crankcase's. After replacing all seals and bearings, it was rebuilt. It had a rebore a while back, but hasn't been used much, so I used the same piston, barrel etc. The amal was put in the cupboard and a 24mm oko was put on it. Gave it a try and after a while got it to fire up, but it was running badly. I put it down to jetting... After much messing about, I got it running quite well, so I asked my son if he wanted a go. I couldn't get him off the thing... Until he lost it climbing over a heap of sleepers and bit the dust. That was it, he wanted to ride it again, but it didn't want to know. It had a week spark that just faded as you kept kicking it over. After much checking, swapping of parts and head scatching, I found that the wire coming off the low tension coil had broken through, but was being held in place by a great dollop of silicone. Therefore causing an intermittent problem with the ignition. After replacing the offending coil the little bike hasn't missed a beat all day. :-) All that time the poor thing was being a pain and the problem was being masked by a blob of silicone. I know that I should have looked into it further before but I just didn't have the time, I just used the 199a instead.

Many thanks, I'll give them a look. I am aware of the fact that some of the bearings need to be C3 spec, and also of the need for viton seals for the crank.

Hi. Does anyone know if the bearing and seal sizes ie mains and clutch, gear selecter etc, are common for all the 5 speed sherpa crank cases throughout the years.

Dabbers have just started to run mono trials due to their popularity. Sounds like that could be perfect for you too. They are a nice bunch, very easy going, not too competitive.

How much would an equivalent, mass produced part for a modern bike cost I wonder?

Sorry, I forgot to mention that my 199a had a bing on it that was standard. Bings are supposed to be slightly better than amal, but the point is they do run nicely on a good well set up carb and it's less agg with something like a mikuni, dellorto or even oko.

I like the idea of trying to keep these bikes as standard as possible. But I have found that no matter what you do to an old amal you are up against it trying to keep them running nicely, as you say they need constant adjustment when they get worn (and they do wear quickly) I thought that my 199a was running quite well but I had a mikuni sitting in the box of bits in my garage. I had to try it. I havn't touched it since. It runs so much better, all day, every day. This would be the case with any decent carb, jetted correctly.

I havn't, but I used their enduro tyres once and they were ok, but didn't last very long

+ 2 as both me and my son like them.

You're more than welcome, it's nice to be of assistance. Yes I'm a fan of bultaco's. I've had my 199a for about 12 years and it has only let me down once, and that was just the points closing up. They are all ridden regularly as my 2 sons have got into twin shock trials. It's kinda strange to be riding bikes with them that were around when I was their age. Hope you get sorted out and get over what is stopping you from riding soon. And good luck with your rebuild. Atb Bog

Hi BR. I have measured the bike and the measurements are. 382mm, center of swingarm axle to center upper shock mount, 318mm, center of swingarm axle to center lower shock mount, 410mm, center of swingarm axle to center of rear axle, mid adjustment. Atb Bog

If it's ok when you're riding it should be ok when you start it. I know my 199a has a lot of compression and is a bit tricky to kick over. Is it slightly better when it's warm? ( if you can start it) I sometimes pull the clutch in and prod the kickstart when it slips, then try again (seems to help for me, I don't know why) Or just try backing the adjusters off a tiny bit.

I'll have a look in the morning. I had the bike out all day and have just put it away. Shame I didn't see this post earlier.

Glad you got it sorted. :-)

I shouldn't worry about asking questions. I have found that everyone on here is more than willing to help. Welcome to the world of bultaco's.

I think that you could have flooded it, possibly by leaving the fuel on while it stood? We had the same thing happen on the synt. The float bowl keeps filling sometimes and runs into the crank an it wont start whatever you do. The only thing that worked for us is, cable tie the front brake, remove the spark plug, get two of you to lift the back wheel up and keep going until you go past the vertical. Then kick the engine over with the kick start. You should see a lot of petrol coming out of the plug hole. It sonds like a mission... but it worked for us. He doesn't leave the petrol on any more while the bike stands.

Is the carb a mikuni? If it was running ok on that plug and if it looked the right colour, there should be no need to change it. My son has an old synt and that runs fine on the plug you mentioned.

How old is the fuel?

600cc of good quality gear oil in the gearbox, sae 75 - 95. You can use10 / 40 if that's all you have. 300cc atf in the primary / clutch

I asked when I got the bike because I have a 199a and it just pushes all the time.I have to ride it on the clutch in most sections, I got used to that, it isn't a problem. I just fancied the idea of something more manageable, that is why I went for the 198b. I just thought that I was in for more of the same when I saw that the gearing was identical on both bikes, but it seams like the primary gearing is different. Many thanks for your comments.

I didn't put any on Bondy, I left it as it was to try it before making a decision. It currently has 11/39 and seems good with that gearing.

Sorry to hear that. Did you buy through ebay or trials cub parts?

I also have to rebuild mrs boghopper's rockery. Yikes!!!

Too busy playing matey ! ;-)

After a weekend living in a field and riding this bike around sections for two days, I now know that it definately wont end up in a museum, or someones bedroom. It's gonna be used for what it was built for, all be it with a complete buffoon on board. This bike is fantastic!!! New tyres and chain and sprockets, and you never know it may even make me a kind of ok rider!