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Author Topic: VA/VB125 Cappra frame  (Read 4535 times)

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Offline JC

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VA/VB125 Cappra frame
« on: January 01, 2009, 05:26:16 pm »
Anyone got a spare VA/VB 125 frame they're willing to part with?
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Offline holeshot buddy

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Re: VA/VB125 Cappra frame
« Reply #1 on: January 01, 2009, 08:57:54 pm »
what would you want one of those for ??? ;D
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Offline JC

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Re: VA/VB125 Cappra frame
« Reply #2 on: January 02, 2009, 09:34:29 am »
I've still got some VA125 stuff, but not a frame. Just love those little beauties!
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Offline holeshot buddy

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Re: VA/VB125 Cappra frame
« Reply #3 on: January 02, 2009, 08:08:52 pm »
i have a nearly complete spare bike
not sure what i am doing with her yet  ;D
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Offline JC

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Re: VA/VB125 Cappra frame
« Reply #4 on: January 03, 2009, 03:34:00 pm »
Whats missing on it H'shot?

Got any pics of it?
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Offline holeshot buddy

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Re: VA/VB125 Cappra frame
« Reply #5 on: January 03, 2009, 09:02:08 pm »
missing throttle assembly
airbox
chain and levers as you can see not much :D
has great pipe and muffler 8)
engine needs big end (of course) :'(
and needs piston barrel good
looks just like my other one 8)
i think they are about ten numbers out on frame
still not sure yet what i am doing with her ;D
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montynut

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Re: VA/VB125 Cappra frame
« Reply #6 on: January 03, 2009, 10:04:44 pm »
Happy New Year everyone!

I had a VB125 in '78. I love Montesa's and currently have 5. During the 70's I raced several of them including the 125. I am sorry to have to say, with the risk of being howled down, my experience was that it was the worst bike I ever owned!

I don't think it ever completed a meeting successfully. Handled OK but was badly under powered and unpleasant to ride due to the engine. The motor vibrated and ran that badly that it was seriously disappointing to own. Basically something always vibrated off or too pieces.

Barry Ryan, NSW distributor at the time, tried to assist but it seemed that everything was to no avail. It had a 36mm Bing carbie which meant the power band was narrower than a flea's dick!

Maybe it was just the one I rode but I sold it at the time for an RM125B. Kept the VB 360 and moved on to a VE414.

Hopefully your bike will be much better and gives you great pleasure. I will be interested to see how it performs. Sorry I can not be more complimentary about the bikes abilities.
« Last Edit: January 03, 2009, 10:07:45 pm by montynut »
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Offline JC

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Re: VA/VB125 Cappra frame
« Reply #7 on: January 05, 2009, 09:58:05 am »
Yeh, I can concur w much of what you say. I had a VB125 too, but set up as an enduro. I didn't have the vibration problem tho. I never raced it in MX, but it sure wouldn't have been competitive w an RM125B which was one of the nicest & most fun bikes I ever rode. Best 125 MX bike in its day by far in my view. Just loved that bike (the RMb)

Unfortunately the VB125 was quite underdeveloped. Only diff I recall between VA & VB barrell was size of inlet tract. They just seemed to wack the 36mm Bing on in the hope it'd be competitive. It wasn't. Ports were fairly small even for VA's day. I tried a 34mm Mik on mine but it still seemed too big for the ports & I wasn't using it on the track anyway. 32mm Mik went much better for what I used it for. Had a decent powerband for enduro/trail w the 32 Mik. I liked the ergonomics, handling & light weight too. It never seemed to 'cramp' you like other smaller 125s of the day.

In my view the VA125 is a much nicer looking bike than the VB. I'm under no illusions of thinking it (the VA125) would be a winner in pre78, tho almost anything is possible these days w $$$$.

The VA125 is just a real sweet looking bike & I've liked them ever since they 1st came out. The shame is that Montesa didn't bring the predecessor out in 74 when they could have.

I'd be happy if I could just find a VA125 frame & do the rest up myself. Anyone know of the whereabouts of one?
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mx250

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Re: VA/VB125 Cappra frame
« Reply #8 on: January 05, 2009, 01:38:41 pm »
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Offline cappra

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Re: VA/VB125 Cappra frame
« Reply #9 on: January 05, 2009, 05:24:55 pm »
The main concern I have with the VA 125 (and to a lesser degree the VB125)
is the kickstarter mech. and the transmission.  The VA uses many of the parts that
were designed for the Cota 123 and they are not up for the pounding that the mxer
hands out.  I have built numerous VA and VB 125 engines and they can be very
frustrating to get everything correct and working properly.  I do remember talking
to Lyal O'Brian a few years back concerning the VA 125 and his frustration
with the transmission.  All I can say is go easy bro....

ps when kickstarting, push down and feel the kickgears engage before
kicking thru.
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Offline David Lahey

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Re: VA/VB125 Cappra frame
« Reply #10 on: January 05, 2009, 05:31:04 pm »
JC there is a rear wheel hub assembly (hub, backing plate assembly and axle) for one of them in my shed and you are welcome to have it.
David
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Offline David Lahey

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Re: VA/VB125 Cappra frame
« Reply #11 on: January 05, 2009, 05:38:51 pm »
Jared one the guys who ride Cota 242s here in Queensland Australia had new kickstart gears custom made for his last year. He is a top level trials rider and doesn't spare the bike and yet the gears seem to be holding together well. I don't remember who did the work. The rider is Wayne Chadwick. If anyone is interested in getting similar for their 125 MX Monties, I can probably get hold of Wayne for them.
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Offline cappra

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Re: VA/VB125 Cappra frame
« Reply #12 on: January 05, 2009, 05:47:04 pm »
Yes, the Cota 123, 172, 200 242, 304 all have weak kick gears, as well
as the VA/VB 125.  They did start heat treating the kickgears on the Cota
307, 309 and 310 models and they have held up well.  I have customers that
are looking for kick gears, but when they hear the price of having these gears
made, they flee!  The one good thing is that almost all of them use the same
gears with just the middle bearing being different in the later models.
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Offline JC

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Re: VA/VB125 Cappra frame
« Reply #13 on: January 05, 2009, 07:42:38 pm »
David, I'll take you up on the offer of the rear hub. Is it VA/VB 125 or Cota 123?
I hope to be down in G'stone about mid-year. I'd love to see yr bikes too if yr happy to oblige.
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Offline David Lahey

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Re: VA/VB125 Cappra frame
« Reply #14 on: January 05, 2009, 10:51:44 pm »
Its a VA/VB 125 rear hub and yes it would be great to get together here.
I'll post some photos of the hub so you can ID it yourself.
Regards
David
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