I lashed out....

[mx250]

....and bought the Pommy Classic Dirtbike mag.

Went into the newsagents to kill time. Picked up the Classic Dirtbike mag and it fell open on an article on Monty 360 and 414's - of course I had to buy it  . ($15 freaking dollars - gee I remember when $15 would get you a good time on Saturday night and still have race entry for Sunday ).

Turned out not such a well written article (IMHO ) and no stunning info bar two ideas.

The owner of the bike, apparently a long term Monty stalwart, said he had used Cota 348 pistons in the 360 . That's interesting. I'm not sure if Cota pistons are easier to find or cheaper, but its always nice to have an alternative . It wasn't mentioned if the Cota pistons had to be modded or not.

The other interesting note was that he had extended the swingarm 50mm - 2 inches - to make the 414 more stable at speed. Didn't say how he managed this and the pixies didn't reveal much but I would guess he cut up another swinger and welded the two pieces together.

There were a few other comments about the handling and engine characteristics which reaffirm what I've read before - they turn well, hold a tight line well and the engine is tuned for grunt off the bottom and mid range. Sounds ideal for Oldfart racing doesn't it? 

[cappra]

I would think it would be pretty hard to use a Cota 348 piston
in the 360, since the standard bore of the 348 is 78mm.!
(standard bore size of the 360 is 83.50mm)
I have heard of some fellows using the 348 piston in place of the 250,
making it a 300, but you do have to space the cylinder up slightly.

Swingarm length is fine unless your going for a land speed record!

[mx250]

I would think it would be pretty hard to use a Cota 348 piston
in the 360, since the standard bore of the 348 is 78mm.!
(standard bore size of the 360 is 83.50mm)
I have heard of some fellows using the 348 piston in place of the 250,
making it a 300, but you do have to space the cylinder up slightly.

When I saw your reply I thought I must of been reading crosseyed, so I went back and checked. "And - in 360 motors - he has used a trials piston from a Cota 348 without any problems." Either he's talking through his elbow or something been lost in the translation  .

[090]

The condition of the Monty as well as the rm125 that was featured really stuck out for me as the conditon of them was pretty ordinary. More like barn finds!

[mx250]

The condition of the Monty as well as the rm125 that was featured really stuck out for me as the conditon of them was pretty ordinary. More like barn finds!

I don't know how represenative they were of the Pommy scene, the Maico's at the back of the mag were on the other end of the bling/professional scale. But there is a place for each; as said the monties were race bikes.

[Wombat]

But there is a place for each; as said the monties were race bikes.
It seems the bling bikes are destined for the covers - the barn finds and race bikes are scattered through the pages of the magazines. I quite like the pommy mag but it's a bit exxy at $15.

[090]

I 'spose i prefer to see the better versions of race bikes, especially when they are crystal clear photos and up close. The front rim on the monty was more square than round. Btw, eleven Maico's! Holy crap! I wanna be on that team!