2009 290 Beta Evo Help

[brucey]

Hi,

I've just purchased the above bike to keep my Triumph Tiger Cub company!

It has been reasonably well looked after but is not immaculate by any means. I only intend to compete in local club trials on the novice routes.

This is the 1st Beta I have owned but the build quality looks to be good and as a 'left footer' has the kick start on the proper side :-) (first bike since my Bultaco back in 1978!)

I have a few questions:

After reading this forum, I checked the frame and swing arm carefully for cracks and it seems fine. However, I think the frame & swing arm may have been changed for the following reasons:

1. The Fuel Filler Cap is on the centreline of the frame top tube. However, the Rad Filler Cap is on the left of the top tube.

2. The bottom fixing hole for the Swing Arm Chain Protector is about 50mm short of the aluminium lug attached to the Swing Arm. Did later Swing Arms have different protectors? which one do I have?

3. The guy who sold it to me informed me it has been fitted with 2010 (white) plastics. However the Registration document confirms it as a 2009 bike. (frame and engine numbers match the Reg doc)

I want to fit a side stand but cannot see the fixing holes for the bracket. I intend to order a complete stand, but I believe the swing arm and stand bracket may be different for 09 Evo's. bearing the above in mind, which one do I need?

It has a slight rattle from the top of the engine when it has warmed up. I'm guessing it will need a piston and small end sometime in the future or 'do they all do that'?. The engine starts runs, revs and pulls really well. It will be perfect for my ability.

Both front and rear tyres have tubes fitted. I'm assuming this is standard on the front as it has a security bolt. However I'm assuming the rear needs the tube removing and some form of sealing ring to be fitted. Any advice?

After accidently un adjusting the carb mixture screw, I have reset it to about 1 3/4 turns out. This gives best tick-over. Am I in the right ball park?

The previous owner also said it had additional flywheel weights. Does the engine take slightly longer to pick up and slow down with these fitted? I remember my old Gas Gas being slightly more responsive.

I have about 25mm vertical play in the back wheel, so I guess the rear suspension bushes will need looking at soon. The previous owner changed the dog bone bushes, but I can see a small amount of play in the centre one.

It is a lovely bike which will benefit from a bit of fettling

Any help appreciated.

Bruce.

[vonhazza]

Hi Brucey, your EVO is the same as mine, 2009 with the frame upgrade, the radiator is the same the frame is reinforced at the radiator mounts and top engine bracket, not sure about your swingarm but it looks like the oridginal 2009 one to me, you could try checking with Beta UK as if it was replaced under warranty they should have a record of it and beable to tell you what side stand you need.

The mixture screw sounds like it is about the same setting as mine.

I beleive all UK Beta Evos have a flywheel weight as std but they can be removed, I am in Australia and mine did not but I have since fitted an S3 one and I am very happy with it now and run with the map switch in the number 2 position,

Your back tyre should be tubeless and you should get that looked at before riding too much as you will tear the valve stem out running with out a rimlock, a rim sealer inculding valve stem should fix any leaks from the spokes.

[brucey]

Many thanks for your reply Steve. I seem to be your 1st post!

Did Beta UK transfer the VIN number or amend the registration document when they replaced frames under warrenty?

Does anyone know if the position for the bottom fixing bolt for the swing arm protector can be used to indicate which year the swing arm is?

Are the mounting holes for the side stand bracket already drilled in the swing arm? if so, where? (maybe I need new glasses!)

Bruce.

Edited July 14, 2014 by brucey

[vonhazza]

Hey Bruce, I think it bolts up around the inside of the swingarm can have a look at mine tomorrow,

Go to http://www.betamotor.com/en/support/manuals and down load the Service & Parts Manuals they may help you.

The 2009 Evo was the 1st EVO model and about 80% of the 09's here (Australia) had the frames replaced under warranty for breaking frames, the frame numbers were on file with Beta Australia and we returned the headstock (with the frame number) to Beta so I know they record these things, I have heard some swing arms were also replaced under warranty so they would certainly keep a record on file of any claims.

It would certainly be worth your while to send an e-mail to Beta UK with your Frame & Engine numbers to see if they have any records of warranty changes to your machine,

Steve,

[brucey]

Sent the frame and engine number to Beta UK (John Lampkin). They couldn't say if the frame had been changed but I have had a really good look at it when I removed the swing arm to grease the bearings and change some of the suspension bearings. It all looks fine.

The swing arm protector was the wrong one (Correct one from Lampkins now fitted).

I've taken a punt on a side stand and mount bracket from e bay as it looks like the correct one for my swing arm. I believe this was ex BMV stock. I'll make the other bits in my workshop.

I've also had the carb off to check and clean it. Hopefully I will have it all back together (with a few other parts also ordered from e bay) ready to test ride at the weekend. My Son has already said he would 'help' test it!

I'm generally impressed at the quality and design of the components fitted to this bike. I think it has been fairly well used but certainly not abused too much. I'll keep the Cub for polishing and this for riding!

Roll on the weekend!

Bruce

[goudrons]

As stated, the rear tyre should be without an inner tube.

People fit them because these rims can leak, either through the tyre bead, around the valve or more likely around the spokes.

Again as written already, they aren't designed for a tube, the low pressure makes the tube creep and damage the valve or you end up suffering lots of tube pinch problems.

(BTW you can reduce pinching on a proper tube type tyre by fitting a narrow tube like a 350 instead of a 400, so once the pressure is out, it's not as baggy inside the tyre)

But with a bit of patience and care these rims can be made air tight.

First, make sure you have a tubeless rear tyre, a tube type just won't seal to the rims.

I managed to make mine air tight like this:

Strip the tyre off and bin the rubber centre band and valve.

Clean up the inside of the alloy rim to remove any corrosion.

Replace any rusty nipples and true up the wheel, it's important you have the correct tension on the spokes/nipples.

Place a small blob of silicone sealant on the top of each nipple and with a wet finger, smooth over and leave over night to go off.

Replace the centre band and valve with one of these.

http://www.splatshop.co.uk/wheel-rim-tape-with-valve-jitsie.html

The valve is bonded to the band, so it negates the chance of a leak there.

They can be fiddly to fit, but if you liberally spray the band and rim with silicone spray, it should snap into the rim and tuck up into the grooves each side of the centre trough.

Refit the tyre on the rim, first making sure the tyre beading is not kinked or split.

Push the tyre over to one side and paint a thin strip of bead sealer around inside edge of the flange, repeat on the other side.

http://www.tyrebaydirect.com/153-Tyre_Fitting_Chemicals_and_Solutions/89839-Bead_Sealer_950ml.html?si=1&gclid=CjwKEAjw0a2eBRDVrabv9vWJ90USJACsKRDHPyrLP8ehjt_9l21C2MN3FR4FElS4bagCxf3zxpCE-BoCviXw_wcB

To inflate you either need a compressor which can supply a lot of pressure very quickly or a tyre beader like this

http://www.splatshop.co.uk/YOU HAVE USED WORDS OR A PHRASE WHICH ARE NOT PERMITTED ON THIS WEBSITE. PLEASE DELETE YOUR POST/TOPIC. DO NOT TRY TO CIRCUMVENT THE FILTERS IN PLACE ON THIS WEBSITE-tyre-bead.html

You lude the beader up first (silicone spray) tuck it in between the rim and the tyre on one side to seal up the tyre/rim and pump the tyre up until it inflates and pops the beader out.

Try without the inner valve core first and inflate until the bead "pops" on the rim all the way around.

Check the tyre in seated, they have a habit of tucking up in one spot on the rim and usually need 50+ lbs before they pop all the way around.

That should keep it all air tight!

Edited July 20, 2014 by goudrons

[totty79]

Having had to deal with the corrosion caused by acidic silicone on alloy rims I'd strongly advise against using it.

Just assemble as designed.

Edited July 20, 2014 by totty79

[brucey]

Thanks for your advice and suggestions guys.

I fitted the side stand (after having to disassemble the rear suspension again to clean up a heliciol with an 8mm tap!), made my own spring bracket, pivot bolt and bump stop and everything looks fine.

Virtually all the play has gone from the rear suspension after replacing a very rusty pair of pivot needle roller bearings AND tightening the others up properly (my fault!).

The swing arm protector didn't fit because it was the wrong one! I fitted a new one from Lampkins and everything lines up now.

I fitted a few other pattern parts to tidy the bike up a bit and everything is now looking fine.

I wasn't sure what to do with the mixture screw extension thingy so I used a 'P' clip and attached it to the top of the carb.

I'll look into removing the rear tube when either it blows or when I replace the rear tyre. Is it normal for Beta spokes to get so tarnished? It makes me appreciate the stainless spokes on my Cub!

I will be trying it in anger one evening this week (between thunder storms). Seems a shame to get it dirty now! ...........only joking :-)