Montesa 172

[mainline]

Are these bikes to be avoided?
I remember reading somewhere that the gearbox can be a pain to rebuild and the kickstart is suss.

[David Lahey]

Some people love Cota 172s. A mate of mine bought one new in 1976 and still rides it and loves it. They are a great trials bike for small and light people who love 1970s Montesas.
The kickstart mechanism is a bit fragile and hard to get parts for, but my mate's has been working fine now for 36 years. I think if you keep the bike in a state where it is easy to start, the kickstart has an easy and long life.
Both Montesa and OSSA trials bike gearboxes require setting up during rebuilds, which is something extra to do compared with Jap and Bultaco gearboxes, but it's not a big deal
A bit less powerful and a bit lighter than a TY175, but feels about the same weight

[Montynut]

All Montesa gearboxes are extremely strong and long lasting if set up correctly. Montesa was in the gear manufacture business before bikes.

The gearbox needs to be set up correctly during a rebuild as gasket thickness and new bearings affect the shimming set up. The selector mechanism is time consuming to set up on the 123, 172, 200 242 series engines but is straight forward if done in the correct sequence.

The kick starter idler gears cause problems. This is mainly caused by riders jabbing the kick starter instead of engaging it then kicking. What happens is that the idler gear sits on an intermediate short shaft and has a metal retainer plate that bends when the kick start is not operated correctly. This allows the gear to float out and only half engage and causes the gears to strip. There are also about 5 different versions of the gears and related bearings which cannot be mixed and matched

[mainline]

thanks guys, I've found a pair of projects for sale. Will have to check out the engines carefully.

[YZ250H]

Did you get em ??

[mainline]

Haven't had a look yet, do you want the spare one?

[YZ250H]

As long as you don't tell my missus.  Then we can go trials riding with Vandy 
What if I keep it at your place 

[mainline]

Would she actually know if you had one more bike? You could hide it behind the CR

[YZ250H]

 She's reading over my shoulder 

The funniest thing of all is she admitted she probably wouldn't notice 

[David Lahey]

in this forum string are "then (1976)" and "now"  photos of my mate's Cota 172
http://www.trials.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=5639&p=18749&hilit=lough#p18749

[Eddy#36]

An old fella rang me today about selling his Cota 172, its a 11/75 model fully restored about 6 years ago comes with manuals etc

Are these bikes any good? What are these thing worth?

[David Lahey]

If the rider is on the light and small side of average they are pretty much as good as anything designed in the early 1970s. Value will depend on current condition and how many people are wanting to buy one.

[YZ250H]

If the rider is on the light and small side of average

That pretty much sums up both Mainline and myself 

[mainline]

Yep, supermodel material

[Eddy#36]

anybody chasing one of these Montesa's 172, PM me