Strange frame number Cappra VB

[cappra]

I'm not seeing the logic in using magnesium cases. If it's a weight issue, I can see other area's that could be lightend easier.

[Montynut]

I really think it is a 250 engine possibly bored to a 360. The VA and earlier series engines had their engine number usually on the front engine mount area of the cases.

[Montynut]

But then the frame engine mounts seem strange as the tube between the bottom frame rails at the foot peg mount seems to be curved and include an engine mount.

That tube looks straight to me but it seems to have some corner gussets to the rear of each side that give the impression in the photo that it might be curved.
Also I don't think that's an engine mount on that tube but a chain roller mount perhaps.

Wasn't the VA360 motor a side port and the VB360 motor a center port?
Or am I thinking of something else!

You are right Goeff the VA series are side port which is why I would suspect that it is a bored 250 also that frame tube could be straight (it is clearer if you click on the photo and enlarge it in the files source album) it definately has an engine mount attached which the VB series does not. The rear engine mount which the swingarm pivot passes through and in the phot is rotated up and to the rear which is normal for removing the engine is the single type used on the VA series and earlier type frames while the VB and later frames had two engine mounts on that part.

"A' for anderson is possible I surpose but some VF series engines came with 'F' at the end of their engine numbers for some reason. 0503 number put it into the VB series and it is definetely not a VB series set of cases.

I think the whole bike is rubbish and should be shipped to the Hunter Valley Australia for disposal

[TooFastTim]

I love these detective cases.....I look forward to the solving of the riddle. My money's on it being a works bike.

I was just going to say that but I'll add it's an ex Hakan Andersson bike.

[cappra]

I really think it is a 250 engine possibly bored to a 360. The VA and earlier series engines had their engine number usually on the front engine mount area of the cases.

The VA 360 engine had the numbers stamped in the middle of the cases, same as the VB and newer.

[cappra]

I can't tell by the picture shown, but it would be interesting to know if the frame or the cylinder head has
the head stay that the VB has.

[jerry]

Go to Clay Setzers Vintage Works bikes. Plenty of shots of Hakan on the Monty. Might help with ID. Plenty more GP stuff from the mid 70's. j

[SON]

Yes great Euro photos

[Kryckan]

Here are the auctions page where I bought the bike you can see in the pictures how the frame looks
http://www.google.se/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CC4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tradera.com%2Fmontesa-360-cappra-auktion_343315_181190983&ei=K_SyUdzwCajo4QTrv4GYCg&usg=AFQjCNHItmInBJdwonAMHxEQJUJe0Ap_fQ&bvm=bv.47534661,d.bGE&cad=rja

[Montynut]

It looks from those photos to be a VA360 engine and as Jared suggested there is no head brace. The 5 speeds is a little strange.

The bottom cross tube in the frame is curved like those of the VA series.

[cappra]

It's an odd one for sure! VA 360 bottom, VA cylinder head (no brace mounts) VB style center exhaust, early engine mounting points, VB frame,
VB forks. The 5 speed trans is easily fitted inside the 360 cases. If it is really an HA bike, I would guess it was done at the importers level and not the factory.
With most bike stuff, never say never, I could be wrong. What a story that bike could tell! The majority of the works bikes at the factory were destroyed by Honda
in the early eighties. Rumours still exist that some were taken by factory workers off of the scrap trucks and are in the hands of Spanish collectors.

[Kryckan]

I found some more pictures of Håkans bike, watching "crossbilder från förr" you have to scroll down long, look at his front brake
http://www.classic50mx.com/

[cappra]

The #2 bike has the early style VA 360 motor with the crank mounted clutch. It was common to reverse the front brake lever to pull from the front. We did this in 1974!
Montesa went to the front pull brake lever in 1981 on the VG. Cool pictures!

[JC]

Does #3 Monty have similar bottom engine mount to this one?

[cappra]

I just can't tell by looking at the photo.