You'll probably get used to standard after a while, everything in 1st gear. When we first got the 4rt's we'd run 10/42, slowed it down a little, but kept the very useable 1st gear without being too snappy off the bottom end. Then i got fed up of altering the chain, taking chunks off my knuckles and just learnt to ride 10/41.
Great report pat, get the basics sorted and you'll be well away.
Practise figure of 8 turns, letting the bike lean on the inside leg and counter balancing by weighting the outside peg. Great for throttle control and body positioning.
Be gentle on the gear lever and gear box, it won't stand being heavy footed like the ninja.
Yes, bent selector shaft, easy enough to replace and fairly cheap. You need to remove the full clutch case cover and not the inspection cover to get access, so order a gasket too. Follow the manual and you'll be ok
There should be no noticeable movement at the end of the swinging arm, less than a mm after a complete bearing and bush change. Was the all ball spherical bearing the same as the Honda part? I've tried to get after market spherical bearings and the quality has been very bad. Also a local bearing trader will stock the roller bearings and seals, ask for ntn or something similar. Always use the genuine honda bushes and spherical bearing. Not cheap but far better.
I'm not sure if this applies to the latest models, but removing the headlight from the harness was part of the de restriction process on the previous models to allow full power.
A new sump guard fits easily, but after a few bumps and bashes they become misshaped. When you come to change the oil filter the guard needs to come off, usually under lots of tension! Inevitably the sledge hammer comes out to reshape it to help re fitment.
As cornish said, the trick is to screw the front bolts in by a couple of threads only. Make sure the rubber pads are in the correct place and the rear should screw in fairly easily. Tighten all equally a little at a time. H&D ones are a good bit of kit and do take some hammer.
How about leave the family in london for the day, pop up to the mecca of trials, yorkshire, hire or borrow a bike
and get a ride in the cleveland trial run by Middlesbrough motorclub. Proper trial with proper sections. About 25mile lap and 50 sections. I'm sure they won't mind...... too much
Makes the rear more responsive when jumping on larger obstacles. I didn't hit the bash plate so much on big pipes and such.
And it slightly steepens the steering head angle, making sharp turns, becomes a bit easier.
As Oni Nou says, you'll have to buy and try it. They're not that expensive.
They are a good improvement.
The con, is that they put you over the handlebars on the big drops that you can normally roll off! Soon get used to what the limit is and just needs a blip off them instead.
Probably the best value improvement there is for a 4rt.
Fun With Gearing
in Montesa
Posted
You'll probably get used to standard after a while, everything in 1st gear. When we first got the 4rt's we'd run 10/42, slowed it down a little, but kept the very useable 1st gear without being too snappy off the bottom end. Then i got fed up of altering the chain, taking chunks off my knuckles and just learnt to ride 10/41.