johnhenry Posted February 7, 2011 Report Share Posted February 7, 2011 Evening all first post, but ill get straight into it, I have come across a Montesa, 348 (1970) i'm told, for sale; and am interested in buying it as the bike (the 348) is of huge sentimental value to me and the family Its code is: 51M2325 Now i have done a bit of research and have worked out that '51M' means its a 348/349 Montesa, just wondered what the rest means as i'm stuck any help would be welcomed Many thanks John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bestrcpilot Posted February 7, 2011 Report Share Posted February 7, 2011 If it is a 348 then it's not a 1970. The 348 came out in 1975 the earliest. The 2325 means that it is the 2325th one made. Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnhenry Posted February 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2011 Thanks for that, im guessing its an early 348 then, just not a 1970...ill have a abit of a route around, another question: its got a more curved body than later models which seem to be very straight around the fuel tank, i know there we're big tank versions, but these we're later right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toofasttim Posted February 7, 2011 Report Share Posted February 7, 2011 i know there we're big tank versions, but these we're later right? Not by much. They were dubbed the cota 348T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnhenry Posted February 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2011 Yeh, i've had a little look at the photos and i'm not sure its as bulbous as a 348T, it doesn't seem like it is. Its a properly early 348 as from the conversation above We're the tanks maybe abit more curved during the early years? also, im starting to read about the joys of petrol slowly dissolving fibreglass fuel tanks, i'm guessing it applies to the cota, and is there anything that can be done to treat it? Thanks in advance PS is there any way i can change the title of this thread to just general questions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feetupfun Posted February 8, 2011 Report Share Posted February 8, 2011 That ID number puts it as likely being sold in 1976. All 348 TRIALS models (76 77 78) had the same shape tank and all are red fibreglass. The tanks had detail differences though. One is quite plain, having just the M round badges, another also has "Malcolm Rathmell" insignia moulded into the fibreglass below the seat and the third has gold and black slotted stripes from front to rear moulded into the fibreglass. In the UK, 348s were sold with aluminium fuel tanks with a fibreglass cover that looks just like the fibreglass tanks on the non-UK bikes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnhenry Posted February 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2011 That ID number puts it as likely being sold in 1976. All 348 TRIALS models (76 77 78) had the same shape tank and all are red fibreglass. The tanks had detail differences though. One is quite plain, having just the M round badges, another also has "Malcolm Rathmell" insignia moulded into the fibreglass below the seat and the third has gold and black slotted stripes from front to rear moulded into the fibreglass. In the UK, 348s were sold with aluminium fuel tanks with a fibreglass cover that looks just like the fibreglass tanks on the non-UK bikes. that clears alot up! thank you mate! thank you! the fuel tank issue, my step dad though that was the case, but its good to hear from another source its definitely the first tank style of tank of the 3 described. from appearance the 'T' Variant, looks much longer and runs further down the bike than this model now the final part of the puzzle, trying to find a way of getting it from lancashire to plymouth! or the rents house! haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgshannon Posted February 8, 2011 Report Share Posted February 8, 2011 also, im starting to read about the joys of petrol slowly dissolving fibreglass fuel tanks, i'm guessing it applies to the cota, and is there anything that can be done to treat it? Yes, it applies to the Cota. The fix is Caswell Fiberglass Sealer. DON'T go for POR, Kreem, etc. as they do not work as well. The Caswell is specific for the purpose of sealing fiberglass fuel tanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toofasttim Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 (edited) Yeh, i've had a little look at the photos and i'm not sure its as bulbous as a 348T This would be a 78/79 348T (note black and gold "go faster" stripes): The other give away for the "T" model is the footrests are situated lower than they are on the regular model. Edited February 9, 2011 by TooFastTim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnhenry Posted February 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 This would be a 78/79 348T (note black and gold "go faster" stripes): The other give away for the "T" model is the footrests are situated lower than they are on the regular model. its a normal 348 then! no stripes and the footpegs arent that low! now to find the money for it. spare wise In motion seems a good place to go for parts, any other places you guys use, UK based sorry. Cheers John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnhenry Posted March 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 another issue with ID'ing stuff; evening all What is the difference between a Malcom Rathmel 348 and a normal 348? from what i can read and see from other threads its just some different aesthetic bits there is a 'rathmel edition' bike for sale but the engine and frame do not match frame is 51m-06** engine is 51m - 59** this mean the engines been swapped. or has the frame or engine come from a different place so has different numbers? PS: sorry if this is stupid, i just want to check with the experts! Cheers John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.