johnnyjazz Posted December 13, 2020 Report Share Posted December 13, 2020 (edited) 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 Edited December 13, 2020 by johnnyjazz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingscorpion Posted December 13, 2020 Report Share Posted December 13, 2020 It seems to be very complete and in original condition. Not difficult to restore, except the wheels, whose rims are in bad condition. The problem with those bikes is the wheels. 17 inches the rear one and 20 for the front. Unusual measures nowadays to find a suitable tire. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bultobill Posted December 13, 2020 Report Share Posted December 13, 2020 Looks very original even got the toolbox! Kickstart mechanism was a little fragile if I remember corretly so just check it works as it should. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl ekblom Posted December 13, 2020 Report Share Posted December 13, 2020 My 74 had black frame, 17/20 inch whees and Pirelli tyres(crap!) Suspension was not good. Bigger Montesas were better. As far as I can remember 73´s had grey frame but the same wheel sizes? I think some people replaced the rims for 18/21?and Dunlop tyres 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyjazz Posted December 13, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2020 thanks all so much for replies...super helpful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larry s. k. Posted December 13, 2020 Report Share Posted December 13, 2020 (edited) Hi , maby a good purchase , little rusty , cylinders can have small rust holes , , carb ,prob gummed up ,tank , was it drained , ,seals engine need replaced , wheels you can possibly replace 200 cota , or keep original , and rebuild , ,, once and a while there on ebay for parts , montesa dealer Oregon state , he sells on ebay , I purchased almost 1k parts , from this dealer ,, I have , 200 Cota , Rickman montesa vr73 , king scorpion , , my Rickman was ruffle same condition as 123 ,,, ,, montesa , is a , different road ,, say Yamaha or Honda ,, why harder to find parts , more$$$ , and more time to complet project ,, ,, and ,, you have a rare bike CHEERS ,, sincerely larry Seattle !,,,,,, best offer I Edited December 14, 2020 by larry s. k. Comment 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teamferret Posted December 14, 2020 Report Share Posted December 14, 2020 Mine was gutless and I was a schoolboy then. It looks the wheels are already 18/21 as mine was 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rr62 Posted December 14, 2020 Report Share Posted December 14, 2020 I had a 172 as a kid. Which was maybe better than the 123 in having 21”/18” wheels. The looks of both the 123 and 172 are gorgeous. The less good things I vaguely recall (it was about 1978...)... - Brakes were pretty awful - had to take both wheels out and clean the drums after each wet ride. - The kickstart sucked - weak and the slip out top kick bit was always slippery. - Timing always seemed to slip. - Condensation on the magneto side after every trial. - Used to get coked up pretty quickly. But I was only 15-16 with no mechanical knowledge and I’m guessing Spanish bikes (then) def didn’t have the engineering of the TYs. Also suspect most of the above apply to any Spanish bike of the era. And if a nice 172 came up now then I’d def be in the market!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourex Posted December 15, 2020 Report Share Posted December 15, 2020 (edited) The 1st Cota 123 was the biggest heap of ***** ever made, I've been scarred for life after my Dad bought me one at 12 yrs of age (brand new early '70s), even at this young age I knew there was something wrong with this bike, it was so gutless. Thank god he bought me a TY 175 when they were released, but I've still got the Mental Scars of that Cota 123. Beautiful looking bike for a collection not something to ride. PS: Not to mention that 20/17" wheel combo, welded clutch and front brake lever mounts to the bars,no chain tensioner and not enough power to pull the skin off a rice pudding. Awful, awful. Edited December 15, 2020 by fourex PS added. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyjazz Posted December 15, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2020 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rr62 Posted December 15, 2020 Report Share Posted December 15, 2020 If you want something to look at then Montesa...but to not go wrong Honda. it’s possibly why I now have a 4RT 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stmarysloch Posted December 15, 2020 Report Share Posted December 15, 2020 And no one has mentioned worse fault ! Jumping out of 2nd gear half way up a hill !! Scarey , but to be fair 172 could do the same . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourex Posted December 16, 2020 Report Share Posted December 16, 2020 I never experienced that problem with it jumping out of 2nd gear, probably because I couldn't wind it up to the point of needing 2nd plus I was only 12. Can't help myself here,I'm sorry, found some pics of a young fourex riding his new 123 around the back yard the day it arrived plus some pics from my 1st Trial on the same bike. I think I looked p****d off because I didn't like having photos taken as a kid, I don't think I'd realised at that time what a dud of a bike I had. But it's some pics of a brand new Cota 123. See smiley face once on a TY 175. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feetupfun Posted December 16, 2020 Report Share Posted December 16, 2020 Those old photos are fantastic fourex. It's exactly how I remember trials from the time and one of the locations looks quite familiar. That kid in the last photo sitting backwards talking to you looks familiar. Also no wonder so many old bikes have broken stand mounts. Look at you two sitting on the bikes on their stands. One friend of mine was a bit small for his TY250 in 1974 and had to have it on the stand to be able to start it. Luckily for him the stand was on the left on the A model. Your TY175B looks a lot like mine did, even where the top shockie mount was moved to and the black fork boots. Were they konis too? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyjazz Posted December 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2020 (edited) Awesome Pics Fourex, love the vibe of yesteryear! I shall indeed pass on the 123. Thanks for all the input. Edited December 16, 2020 by johnnyjazz 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.