Subject: Cota bugs
From: Larry J Bernier 
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 1999 17:57:33 EST

I have a '98 Montesa 315R ----------has anyone figured out where the
"whizzing" or "humming" noise is coming from upon casing out hard on a
log or rock ?   Mine does this frequently ----it will "whiz" for while
then finally quit.  It's a mystery.

Also ---------has anyone come up with an AFFORDABLE protector for the
"tin" exhaust pipe ?   My pipe resembles the appearance of a car that has
been driven over several times by  a monster truck.   Except for the
Liquid Steel patching the seams that split out ----- but that does
resemble "bondo" I guess.

The last bug I haven't been able to cure is the kick starter sticking.  
There is an inch or so of play before it "hooks up" which I'm sure is
normal ----but mine likes to set up camp right there in that position
--------a bit annoying.   I removed the crankcase cover and examined
everything ------took a little emery cloth to the strategic areas -----
still does it.   Spring seemed OK.   Seal seems fine.   Its not hitting
the frame or anything like that.   Another mystery.   Anyone else
experiencing these problems ?

L. Bernier
twotrial "at" juno.com

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From: Bruce Monighan 
Subject: RE: Cota bugs some ideas
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 1999 15:49:19 -0800

The humming noise is the flywheel running on the sidecase and or cover. 
Things get a bit torqued when you hit them hard and the cover can "float"
on the retaining bolts and sealing o ring.  No big deal as long as you 
are not deforming the case.

Only help I can give you on the exhaust pipe is to quit landing on it.  
Actually our sport is so cheap sometimes we forget that things just get 
dented, broken and worn out through normal use and we need to replace them.  
Consider it normal wear and tear.

On the kick starter it sounds like a weak return spring.  The starter lever 
really should go all the way back to the top position.  Does it flop around 
like it has a bad spring or just hang up on the return.  If it hangs up there 
is still something too tight or out of round.  Check to see that the shaft is 
smooth and try pulling the case and reinstalling the lever and see if it 
returns or not.  If not that would indicate a seal/shaft interference problem.  
Good luck on than one, we haven't seen that anywhere else.

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On Fri, 26 Mar 1999 12:55:47 -0800 Bruce Monighan
 writes:
>The mixture of the paper and cork plates are unique and are there to 
>provide soft engagement and minimum slippage without resorting to high 
>spring pressures.  The order they are out together in is very 
>important, do not mix up the order
>
>----------
>From:  Robert B. Ciotti
>Sent:  Thursday, March 25, 1999 5:08 PM
>To:  mc-trials "at" lne.com
>Subject:  Cota 315 Clutch

Aha!  I had guessed a year ago that the only reason the Cota's clutch was
finiky and barked forth strange noises and required very specific oils to
work optimally was that Honda tried to achieve something very specific by
the design, thereby increasing sensitivity to conditions.  After all,
Honda is not known to blow it on clutch designs.  The use of these
materials to provide "soft engagement and minimum slippage without
resorting to high spring pressures" explains all.  Thanks.  Mystery
solved.

Chris Johnson, Director of Engineering
College Park Industries, Inc.
papazit "at" juno.com
www.college-park.com