jerry t

Your opinions please Is it a period aftermarket mod? In which case it stays Or Is it non period in which case the search for Sherman tank parts continues and it hits the spares pile eventually

If only it were a period mod. Pretty sure that it's just a later top yoke banged on when the proper one failed.

And its likely to remain on the 'bike for a while longer as so far I have been unable to find the correct steel one. jt ooking flor the correct one . thanks Jerry.

Could somebody make me a paper pattern of a Cota 247 MK1 chain guard please? I'd like to make a new replica guard for mine. thanks Jerry

Chris... Lost your email address due to computer hiccough... can you bang me a message at some time that's convenient. Buying mudguards next... Can't resist them any longer! Need a decent ride and with no rear there is mud n stuff flung everywhere.

Little to add except... Managed a little ride last night! Very exciting, feels like proper progress.

I think that we are all in general agreement... Date of first registration can vary from date of manufacture by miles. As a Matra / Talbot dealer in the late 70's we (well.. my dad) had a 'new' Matra Rancho delivered for sale. For some reason the build date had to be checked with the factory. It turned out to be over 12 months old! Lets get the build dates etc agreed with the VMCC and one more make gets to keep its numbers or at least get an age related rather than a Q. I'll make the primary overtures, then its over to the experts Cheers Jerry

I was only going on the readily available information on the net (Montesa web) which dates the frame number 1191 as November 1968.... As Mine is 1144 I was assuming, rightly or wrongly that it was earlier. All depends on the accuracy of the info found Versión cubos de 180 FECHA N BASTIDOR ELEMENTOS MODIFICADOS Jul. 1968 21M 0 Primera Cota 247 producida en serie. Mar. 1968 21M 500 Bastidor con "orejas" soporte guardabarros trasero Nueva guía cadena Nuevo escudo Tubo escape modificado Tubo admisión boca con dos esparragos Caja filtro aire modificada (3 tornillos) Nov. 1968 21M 1191 Guía cadena Versión cubos de 110 FECHA N BASTIDOR ELEMENTOS MODIFICADOS Abr. 1970 21M 1800 Nuevos estribos con sierra Nuevo tapón depósito con juntas tóricas Sillin modificado Cubos de rueda de 110 mm. Rueda dentada de Duraluminio Oct. 1970 21M 2505 Bridas suspensión delantera de Duraluminio

Progress report. It's now running/starting well and as soon as the new chain arrives I can have a wee test ride. My plan is to have the old girl road registered. Without a rear mudguard or front plate there is no way of knowing if it was registered, so I guess it is an age related number I can date it myself (almost within days to the end of October '68) as it's frame 1144 and it's well recorded that they grew a chain tensioner in November '68 at frame number 1190. However, the DVLA won't trust me I suspect. Who holds the records or at least is a DVLA trusted dating source for these? cheers Jerry.

Gear lever... I'm resisting the ones on ebay just for the time being as they are the MK11 version (mine has the 'flat' shaft) although one might be bought if the temptation for a spin around the local field proves too much!

Well... I was defining mine as an early 247 as it was built in the first year of production (1968) however as the years move on 1975 isn't exactly new! News from the weekend, I now have a runner and it's selecting gears when it didn't previously. Very satisfactory! Jerry

Luckily I'm pretty well equipped Lathe/press/compressors/ air tools etc So I'll do most of it except wheel-building (did it a couple of times, never again!) and pressing / truing the crank if that's needed (again done it and hated it!) Otherwise I build my sons Kart engines so two-strokes aren't too much of a mystery Paint/bodywork ... surprising what you can do with home compressor and a resin kit! Polishing.. My favourite (yes really) can't wait to get started. Mind you if one of the advertisers jumps up and down and yells let me, let me... It'd be stupid not to say thank-you and just turn up with the part and the camera!

Alas I know nothing of the history. Its frame / engine 1144. Does this ring any bells with anyone? Bought from the twin shock shop as a project machine (I'm a journalist) and will appear in Classic Dirtbike in the fullness of time It'd be good to know who stocks the bits that you mentioned as available... I intend to keep it, might even indulge in a classic trial (novice/numpty class) Most of all it's a cracking little 'bike to enjoy on some land I have access to on a lazy summer evening.

Hello All Just managed to get my hands on a very early Cota. (frame and engine number under 1200!) I'm thrilled to have a 'bike resto in the shed for the first time in about 15 years (last was an old Norton) I'll be honest with a Cota this early, I think that it should be accurately restored rather than put together as a competitive machine. This means alloy guards etc. thanks Jerry

Introduction time Hello I'm Jerry Thurston. For those of you with long memories and a working TV set. Yes I'm the Lanky slightly obsessed one from Channel 4's Salvage Squad all those years ago! Latest project 1968 Montesa Cota 247. It needs a chain and as the bike hasn't arrived yet I cant measure... Anybody got a link length / size for me? Counting the rear sprocket in the pix of the 'bike I have seems to be 50 teeth. cheers all Jerry