johnnyjazz

Some questions for the mechanical meastros! Please forgive me if answers are posted already. My fingers have been walking down google lane all morning but still not sure. So, despite my best intentions to enjoy the bike 'for what it is' - (a poor US hillbilly cousin of kinda decent Euro bike) my desire to practice all the trials stuff i grew up with in the UK overrides my desire to 'trail ride or green laning' which i thought would take priority. The predicted choir that shall be singing "dump the reflex and buy a proper trials bike" please remember the ONLY reason for getting this bike is it's fully street legal and i have to ride past a cop shop to my secret private trials area. Whilst seemingly happy turn a blind eye to my trials work in the woods, not so to DOT obligations, understandably. Plus for $58 Fully comp insurance and a $6 MOT cant really argue. Especially in NY state...where no one is allowed to do anything fun anymore- unless its to do with horses or mountain bikes...lol! I know there is more twin shock action (dare i say scene?) upstate near Albany but that's a wee trek from just north of the city.... All that said...trying to make a few cheap mods as i have sussed some local PRIMO woodland/industrial spots. Luckily most people here don't even know what trials is so the idea of going really slowly, quietly, not racing others is a bit of an anathema for them.... they think me very strange.. that i practice balancing in the driveway. I explain its the Tai Chi of motorcycle sport, mechanical ballet if you will. They still don't understand. i digress..any help for anything here... Q1: When i got the bike it had been fitted with bar risers which appear to push the bars forward and up. Is this the same as moving the pegs down and back? or (as i suspect) moving pegs back and down will offer a further improvement regarding the center of gravity? confirmation/denial? Q2: currently stock at 13/44 WAY too fast... not sure 9/44 will offer practical transportation on the tarmac in traffic ( its a 2-3 mile ride from home) so, is 11/44 the best compromise? or will that still be too fast? any input appreciated regarding road speeds and trials ability as i need the best of both worlds (impossible though i know! lol) Q3: If i repace shocks.. 400mm 50lb are the right ones? (5'9. 165lbs *edited after) Q4: From peoples experience, is the current skid plate acceptable enough for clubman class c line routes... im 50 this year and had waaaay to many accidents to want more so not predicting any super heavy riding... plus with US health insurance as it is... Q5: Are clutch / rear brake extenders a useful addition? Q6: I understand the best tire is the IRC trials, but as its not DOT legit im looking at pirelli MT43.. any other suggestons? Q7: Is the weight and slight power increase of say, a WES exhaust - worth losing the stealth silence of the stock? Thanks so much for any help. Its just a bit of fun, a distraction project. My inlaws have moved in for the summer. i need the distraction more than i need to 'not waste money on something that will never be perfect'. actually using that analogy, Wife comes quickly to mind .....lol! To conclude, regarding the reflex- My (very humble) overall feeling, as others have stated, is that riders were just better in the 80s! i grew up in north of England and learnt to ride in the dove holes quarry in Derbyshire on Ty80s / 250s. Fantics/ Ossas/bultacos et al as a kid.. it all just seemed more 'analogue' back then, body position, throttle control, sheer strength, AND riders health, fitness and general vitality!.... or maybe its just nostalgia as i still get excited hearing the kickstart music theme song!! Thanks for the friendship, support and encouragement from New York. Peace. Johnny

oh and this is me! ....just enjoying it for what it is...

Awesome Bike, Love it! this is it yeah? again, appreciate the insight as i know not every thing fits everything! Thanks u

Thanks so much timdog! im in NY, US.... might you be kind enough to send me a link for the latter?

Hello friends, could someone recommend (if there is one?) a replacement gear shifter that goes directly on the shaft and does away with convoluted linkage. Looking for one with the offset clearance etc.. Thanks so much in advance! johnny

Awesome Pics Fourex, love the vibe of yesteryear! I shall indeed pass on the 123. Thanks for all the input.

Thank you all again so much for the input! just what i needed to hear. Appreciate the advice and guidance and i learn SO much here from your experiences and willingness to share. As always, time spent on reconnaissance is seldom wasted! There is also a Honda TL250 going locally...bit more $$ but probably a sounder investment and possibly easier to get parts for!

thanks all so much for replies...super helpful

Hello friends, this turned up locally as a barn find. Ad says its all original, hasn't run since late 70s but turns over, original docs, manual, tool kit etc. He wants $1k for it (obo)... Is it worth investigating further? with a TY resto i attempted, parts were plentiful online and i wonder if this is the case for a euro 70s bike too or if it would be more of a headache than its worth. - isnt there a montesa with a wierd size front wheel that you cant get any more? is that this bike? How does it look to you Montesa experts? And..is the 123 as sound an investment as the 247 or 349- or does none of that matter? Any advice appreciated from a novice! with very best regards and thanks in advance, Johnny

Thanks David, really appreciate your succinct and as always incredibly knowledgeable advice! not that i have any intention of messing with it, but glad to know it's as it should be. Methinks i just got a wee bit confused looking at the parts pic where i couldn't see those holes that were drilled, and it seemed that the nuts holding the steel band on look recessed in the parts pic whereas on my mike they seem to protrude from the band hence making me wonder if something had been removed. i was researching the threads on here about TY flywheels and they spoke about removing a steel band so good to know what that actually means now! on an aside, i see a lot of people talking about the modification of electronic ignitions... am I correct in thinking that the general consensus is that the TY250A isn't a bike that benefits greatly from this and the original ignition system is perfect (esp. if road legal with lights etc)? Not that i am seeking to perform this upgrade as my bike runs great, more just curious as to whether it is beneficial from a performance perspective. I'm also presuming the more upgrades one makes like that it lessens the value of the bike from an 'original' standpoint? many thanks always...i continue to learn so much! very best from NYC and hope all is well down there in the Antipodes

Hello friends, Having read on here about the modifications people do to the weight of the flywheel to affect performance, could someone comment if my flywheel has been adjusted or if this is standard? it appears to have some holes drilled in it and doesn't look exactly like the pic in the parts manual. i know the previous owner was serious enough to swap the front 14 tooth sprocket to a 12 so I'm curious as to whether the flywheel was modified also or is standard. And would someone be kind enough to briefly recap the difference between a heavier or lighter flywheel and the effect it has on the bikes performance? (I'm still a little unsure) with many thanks in advance and very best wishes from NYC, Johnny

Agreed! Feet up fun has helped me so much. we are so lucky to have someone not only with so much expertise but someone so gracious and generous in their sharing of it! -and of course shout outs and big ups to all the other wonderful posters here too who are awesome in their legendary contributions that help us all learn. thanks so much guys! deep gratitude.

Sorry to revive an old thread, but wondering is the lubricating of contact heels something that should be done on a regular basis? if so, how often is it recommended for optimum longevity? sorry for naive question but i wasn't aware aware the necessity to do this. i think my bike still has the original contacts, so its probably long overdue! many thanks in advance.

Hope im not violating any forum rules by posting (please delete if i am) but from a historical collectors perspective the price blew my mind...In case you missed it..from last month at a bike auction in Vegas..Granted they're pristine concours rebuilds but to see them actually sell for this $$s...crazy! i guess some people have very deep pockets... -wife didn't think much of my TY project till she saw this...now she wants to help polish it!

I believe my 74 TY still has the original reeds...is it advisable to change them for the reason stated? and is it usage or simply the passage of time that would necessitate their replacement? thanks always, i learn so much here

Some of the pump gas over here is just so awful with up to 20% ethanol added...i know its a bit more expensive but i found my '74 Ty250 loves this stuff (fully synthetic) and runs like a dream!

...one here in long island...NY https://newhaven.craigslist.org/mcy/d/east-meadow-1982-vintage-swm-trials/6771451918.html

Thanks so much again friends, appreciate all guidance. the shed is actually solid with a good roof that doesn't leak.. i dint know as i hadn't spent enough time up there, but turns out there is some kind of natural spring in the garden that combined with when it rains heavily causes the whole garden to turn to mush. the shed only has a soil floor with paving slabs laid down so the water is coming up from under those. it is on my project list this summer to sort it out properly and spend some money and time on it in exchange for....drum roll please.....being allowed to bring her inside and tuck the bike away upstairs! hallelujah very happy and very lucky to have such great in laws and wife's dad even helped me hump it up the stairs, bless him! so turns out i now have my own motorcycle museum...hooray! though interestingly even a month in those conditions had started to show wear on the bike in places. super glad i didn't vacillate in my efforts to remedy things. i will crawl back under my rock now and re emerge here in the spring when it doesn't start or nothing works and i need more help..til then, thanks again for being an awesome cyber family that a jazz musician from NY crazy enough to buy a trials bike can turn to for advice! johnny

Hello friends, the mechanical ignoramus here again from Brooklyn NY. please bear with me as im sure you are fed up with me asking for advice, but time spent on reconnaissance is seldom wasted and if there's no such thing as a silly question etc... having followed all the sagacious insights from you all in my last post about winter storage, i was a bit saddened to find out the in-laws shed where i now keep the bike floods when it rains heavily leaving about 3-4" of standing water for a day or two until it drains. i deliberately raised it up about 6" off the ground on plywood and put some thick plastic sheeting underneath so the bike isn't directly in contact with the water, but i'm aware that its a fairly damp wet environment esp' at the moment as its been raining a lot. i wish i knew more about this stuff myself but am limited in my knowledge of trying to preserve vintage bikes nicely. in my earlier post someone had said words to the effect of chuck em under the porch in the rain and 'she'll be 'right they're built for it' kinda thing, but i also read feetupfun saying these conditions will destroy bearings/seals in no time and a 2T is more susceptible to damage than a 4T (curious as to why that is?)... i gave her a brief spray down with wd40 on exposed parts but wondering is a thick coating of Vaseline better to avoid corrosion? and which parts are most likely to rust first so i can keep an eye on them when i next go and check as i wasn't able to look over new years when i was there as it was raining really hard and the shed was wet. its been there about a month now. am i being super paranoid or should i be concerned? i've worked so hard (and learnt so much) coming here to help restore the bike and get it road legal etc and i really dont want to ruin it with 4 months storage in the wrong conditions. i just want to preserve a time capsule for my son to have one day. the shed is well ventilated so the conditions on the inside generally reflect the outside. a heated storage unit here for bikes runs about $150pm which is a little steep for me right now so the only other option is to see if the mother in law would let me keep in inside. it would have to go upstairs in wife's old bedroom and even then not ideal as id have to get it upstairs (on my own) and then say yes to everything she asks of me and agree with her about anything...maybe that's a good trade off to keep the bike nice? are there any issues or concerns about keeping a bike inside? obviously id drain the fuel but is there anything else i should do? my fear though is once its inside its never coming out and i know we need to ride em not hide em. what would you more knowledgeable folk recommend? as always i'm humbled in the shadow of your expertise and i know so little id rather ask and be ridiculed than not ask at all. the last TY i had was in 1986, cost 250quid and left it at my mates farm in the barn and at 12 years old i had slightly different concerns in life than now and obviously i've got a wee bit more into this one! pics enclosed of finished bike, shed, bike in shed and last one shows how much standing water collects in the back corner when it rains. thank you all so much for any advice, comments or criticism and humbly yours from the land of over priced rent and $1 pizza johnny

haha! classic ...(had to look it up tho as i never saw it but thanks for the heads up!)

wow! Thanks so much friends. awesome advice dpyam, i use similiar to aspen fuel (pic attached) ..and section swept, classic man, awesome. you got me thinking about taking her apart and seeing if could wangle the in laws to put it in the living room...haha! but the beauty of westchester (1hr north manhattan) is the riding is much better and a lot less traffic lights so the idea of being able to jump on her and ride is a huge plus of putting her there (ride em dont hide em, right?)..plus the inlaws dont have any w/shop space otherwise id really consider stripping her down- hell, i even asked the wife if i could keep her in our brooklyn 1 bed apt. hmmm...you can imagine the response! Bmonk, how much oil would you squirt in the plug hole? like 5mils? if you could define 'liberal amount' that'd be great. i only got her as an investment for my son who likes the idea of having a vtg trials bike when he's older. i think the bank gives me 0.1% on my savings so i figured a real nice TY would give me a better return than that! one just turned up on my doorstep so i don't want to waste all my hard work and return to a rust bucket! the last trials bike i had that i had to store outside was a fantic 240 in 1985! i was only 11 so don't remember much about it- other than i sold it for 300quid, prollly rusty! and breagh, brother, right now the thought of escaping the world headquarters of consumerism,materialism and capitalism and moving to east Scotland to build a porch would be just what id like to do with my life! (spent many happy hours in the highlands) sadly, wifey works in the NY fashion world so not sure what she'd do there...i did suggest she could get into trials and fishing perhaps, maybe learn the bagpipes?....very large eye roll. oh well.... best vibes to all and thanks so much again! johnny

Hello esteemed and revered friends! so i finally got the ol' girl all finished (74 TY250a), with many many thanks to all you on here i'm deep in gratitude. So I recently left my job where i kept/worked on my bike (i'm onto bigger/better things) but sadly lost the indoor semi heated storage facilities. so now its the in-laws unheated garden shed in upstate NY! seeing as the winters here are super cold and brutal and i have a few other things on, I've decided to put her away till next spring when i have a bit more time to enjoy her Ive looked at many vid's on line regarding winter storage and there seems to be some confusion about whether to drain the tank or fill it up totally. what would you guys recommend for an old twinshock? ive only run Non ethanol gas with synthetic pre mix at 50/1 since new oko carb...should i put a bit of 40/1 through the engine before storage..and is fogging necessary? the tank has been red koted so i dont think rust is an issue. but i should drain the carb or leave gas in there? sorry to be such a noob!! and the only other concern i have is the freezing colds affect on the vinyl seat. is that an issue cracking? i plan to wrap her up really good (though read about bike sweats and got nervous) and keep the wheels off the ground, ive just changed the oil too...but if im missing anything else from you experts who have done this a million times id appreciate any pointers! thanks so much in advance and all best for a while, johnny

All sorted and done, thanks all. confidence growing more with each job! i found that with a length of old pipe the bottom original race, when inverted on the stem was the perfect fit to drive the new lower roller cage home symmetrically. the lower original came off pretty effortlessly which was a pleasant surprise. thanks again TC for being such a great resource of knowledge and wisdom and for helping us novices learn!

thanks ric h! im just concerned that the tapered lower race for the top on the all balls kit is larger than the original lower race. it sticks out a wee bit more than the recess allows. is this is a biggie or is this why tony27 had to leave off the dust cap? thanks for the confirmation that they are shot though, out with the old in with the new!

Thanks for all your help peeps! i have the new all balls kit on hand but after taking the head stock apart today i was again surprised to find relatively little wear. now, that said,i'm no expert! this is where you guys who know this stuff much better could tell me...is it better to re grease and re use the originals if they are still ok or should i just use the new kit anyway and not put the dust seal on top to allow for the extra clearance? the races look pretty nice and shiny, bottom esp looks sweet but top is dubious in one spot...what do you think given the time to take off bottom lower cage? thanks again so much in advance! (first 2 pics are bottom bearing, last 3 top.)