sir dabs alot Posted June 22, 2011 Report Share Posted June 22, 2011 Are there any ways to tell if the 2009 Beta EVO I just bought is an 'updated' frame or an original issue frame that were prone to breakage? Serial numbers, visable traits, etc. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pa. Posted June 23, 2011 Report Share Posted June 23, 2011 The first batch of frames had the tank filler off to the left. From the second batch the tank filler is centrally located. If it has not failed by now it most likely won't. Our two 2009 first batch bikes are still fine. The 200 is now with it's third owner and the 250 is with it's second owner and all are happy. (Yes I am a Beta dealer.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sir dabs alot Posted June 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2011 Thanks PA, in that case mine must be a first batch version. The only thing that worries me is that this is a very low hour bike and may not have been ridden enough to expose the problem. It's doubtful that Beta would honor breakage given it's age even though total hours ridden are very low. What do you think? Hopefully it will turn out to be a non issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sir dabs alot Posted June 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2011 Oh yeah, where exactly were they breaking? I've heard at the petcock or the rear shock mount. How about the swingarm? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liviob Posted June 24, 2011 Report Share Posted June 24, 2011 I have a 1st generation 09 290 for 2 yrs. I ride intermediate with no frame problems. I spoke with our local national #3 rider when he was riding Beta. He said that I would most likely never break the frame or the swingarm. He said only the pros were breaking them and the frames were breaking because the riders were jumping them and casing their landings real hard. I'm guessing the hard landings were breaking the swingarms too. I heard that you can oversize the head stay holes to allow a little more movement if you think you will be jumping the bike. A problem I had with my 09 was the suspension was too soft. I installed firmer springs front and rear on mine. After some fiddling with oil viscositys the suspension now feels better than the 2011 and has much better bottoming resistance than the stock 09. If you weigh more than 200lbs. the mods are worth the trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sir dabs alot Posted June 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2011 I do weigh over 200 lbs and had wondered about the stiffer srpings. Where did you buy the fork and shock springs? Are they Beta items. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liviob Posted June 25, 2011 Report Share Posted June 25, 2011 (edited) No. As far as i know they are not availiable through Beta. Call Matt at MCR suspension ph 810-678-2617. Tell him you want a .71kg front spring and a .80 kg rear spring for your EVO. You will have to change the oil in the fork compression leg to Belray HVI 3wt set to the stock oil level height. Also set the spring preload to 1 1/2 turns in from full out. For the rear install the .80 kg spring and set the preload to seven full turns with the adjuster ring after it touches the spring. At first use the shock the way the factory sent it with the bike. The springs will probobly feel too firm until they breakin. Allow at least ten hours riding to breakin. Once they breakin you will be very pleased with the new feel. It is very supple at first then firms up nicely for reasonably good bottoming resistance. I have allowed many people to ride my bike with weight ranging from 160lbs to 240 lbs they all like it with no adjustments to accomadate there weight. I weigh 250lbs. It is a little fast on compression for me but im leaveing it cuz i'm trying to loose a few lbs. If after the springs breakin and you find that the rear damper is too slow on compression you will have to change the oil in the shock to Maxima 165-150 fork oil 10wt. It is two centistokes faster viscosity than the stock bel-ray 10wt providing i am correct about the stock oil brand. This oil change will put the front and rear compression speeds in harmony. It is possible to service this shock. You will have to look through my posts to get the instructions for servicing the rear damper. It is a easy project if you have some basic shop tools. After these mods the bike will have a completly new handling charicter. I'm pretty sure you will like it. You will find that after breakin adjusting the springs will mostly just change ride height and minor compression speed adjustments. If you need to change compression speed by alot it will have to be done with oil viscosity changes. As you know you have rebound adjusters for rebound speed adjustments. Edited June 25, 2011 by Liviob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sir dabs alot Posted June 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2011 I'm about 240 and always thought the Rev-3 as well as most any other trials bike are a bit soft for anyone over 175 lbs. Thanks for all of the detailed information and contact number. This is very helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liviob Posted June 25, 2011 Report Share Posted June 25, 2011 Considering your weight you will love this setup. The bike will no longer feel mushy and wallowy and you will be able to hop the wheals and jump off stuff 2 to 3 feet high without fear of damageing you or the bike. If you do this mod stay in touch with me. Livio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sir dabs alot Posted June 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2011 I'll definetly keep in touch and give you some feedback. Clanking drop offs have always been a problem at my weight. So much so I may avoid doing it too much in fear of damaging something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liviob Posted June 25, 2011 Report Share Posted June 25, 2011 I have been riding trials for 2 1/2 yrs and have experianced all of the same problems that you have. The bike will now do everything you want to do just like it does for the 160lb guys. It boggles the mind to think the facyorys and the trials riders themselfs have not come up with somthing to make these bikes ride better for riders larger than the design envelope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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