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Seeking Montesa opinions
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Posted by: zoommx
What's anyone's experience with Montesas? I've seen a few, and even rode one for a hour or two back in the early 80's, it seemed good to me, but that was before I had a lot of cycle experience.
Posted by: BadgerMan
I owned a 1979 Cappra VE during the early eighties. It looked just like this one (a 414cc version of the same vintage):
http://www.southwestmontesa.com/gallery/414.htm
I have very fond memories of that bike and I kick myself for selling it every time I see the word "Montesa".
It was a very reliable and low maintenance bike. It was quite fast, handled well, and was built to last.
If you have the chance to snag one, do it. They are pretty rare anymore since they did not build many of them.
Posted by: Mike McGlade
I raced a 78 VB 360 in Oklahoma in the late 70's and had great luck and success with it. It made power from so low it was scary and you could short shift it in slick conditions and stay hooked up. I got great starts on it and it handled quite well for a bike of that vintage. The only problem was the wimpy 36 mm forks would easily get tweaked and the stock shocks were junk (one unscrewed itself during a moto and leaked oil all over the place). They went to 38 or 40 mm forks on the later model (the 414) and I raced one of those for a local dealer at a night race (fell in moto one, first in moto two) and the forks were much improved on that bike. The styling of the 414 was the only disappointment as it resembled an army bike (olive drab and cream) as opposed to the beautifully crafted red fiberglass tanked VB models. Just watch out for those O rings on the gas cap. They have a tendency to wear and you'll lose the cap and get a lap full of cold gas.
Posted by: zoommx
Thanks for the input. I'm thinking I may eventually seek out one to own. Sounds like they are fairly durable and reasonably competitive. If I come across one this season, I'll give it a close look.
Posted by: BadgerMan
If you come across a '77 or '78 cappra 250 or 360 let me know as I have been keeping one eye open for one. LOL!
Incidentally, if you find a 250 and you want a 360, snatch it up. The hot setup was a 360 top end mated to the 250's five speed transmission (the 360's were a four speed).
Posted by: zoommx
You must mean if I come across TWO of them!! 
I'll keep the 250/360 idea in mind, although I am probably looking for a 250 anyway; and I'll let you know of any I find.
RW
Posted by: TVRider
Roger,
My buddy Tony Glueck is Mr. Montesa. He'll be at Harper's Memorial Day weekend (Sunday only). He usually parks on the left at the bottom of the drive right when you come in. Ford conversion van, open tandem axle trailer. He can tell you anything about them. He probably has at least 25, mostly vintage and 250 or smaller displacement. He's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. I'd introduce you, but I can't make it, my son is getting confirmed that weekend.
Tommy
Posted by: TVRider
Roger,
Tony will be bringing his 77 VB360 Montesa to Harper's Memorial Day. He also has a backup of that bike he would probably sell. Email me offline at tviers@charter.net and I'll give you his phone number.
Tom
Posted by: zoommx
Tom,
Are you going to be able to make it to any more races this year? Missed you at rad robs, and noticed you didn't make it to thayer either. Robs track was cool. great condition, a little dusty by the middle of the second round, but still very good. I'll look up the Montesa(s) IF the races aren't rained out this weekend; questionable at best right now. 
I'll email you later,
Roger
Posted by: TVRider
I don't know how many I'll make. I'm going to Casey, IL for the AHRMA National June 11-13, so Moberly is probably a no go. I like the track there so maybe the next time. I definitely want to go to DeSoto, it's too close to miss. The season ender at Greenwood should work out as well. It's just a tough time for me, I coach my 13 y.o.'s traveling soccer team and that takes away 8 or 9 weekends a year in the spring and fall. I'm also trying to chase AHRMA CC points as I have two class wins already. I'm hoping I can win a championship before they make me move up to intermediate. I've already been approached by AHRMA with a gentle suggestion along those lines. My argument is that I never raced before last August and never even owned a dirt bike other than Trials before last summer, so let me have one year of winnning before I have to move up. Good luck this weekend!
Tommy
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