mk1 monty

L

littletriple

New member
Location
UK
Hi all,

Happy New Year!  My first post on here so go gently please!

I have a '79 Mk1 Monty, it's a standard bike I've owned almost from new but not ridden for several years. Anyway, I notice the cam chain has a standard spring clip joining link, not the bent piano wire type. I think I was advised to fit this link some years ago when the head came off to fix an oil leak, possibly by Ralph at Motalia...? Is this in line with current thinking or should I replace the link using a wired one, if available?
 
The exhaust camshaft has a trace of end float & turns very freely. The inlet has none & seems stiffer to turn. The float seems to be governed by the width of the sprocket + thrust washer. Should I be concerned by zero float, how much float is correct? No spec in the manual I could find.

Is there a "best place" to get valve shims?

Finally, how about running the Monty on super unleaded? I did so in the past, seemingly without any issues.





 



       

 
 
Hey man,
and welcome. The little Monty is one of the best bikes to ride in the Laverda fleet..
Cam chain link is one of the originals, now we can only get the wire type. No need to change if it is good.
Check your shims.. if in tolerance, leave it alone.
Not sure about 'end float', but I would be inclined to not worry too much, just fire it up and monitor over a few warm up runs.
Unleaded fuel is fine, the more octane the better.
Parts easily gained from Wolfgang Haerta    laverda@lightspeed.ca


Give it a kick mate and enjoy.. sounds like it has been a while, so you and Monty will benefit from a run or two..

8)
 
Thanks Ian,

I'm probably being a bit over cautious as I haven't run the bike for some years & going through all the usual stuff looking for problems! The engine always used to run fine so should be OK.  No doubt I'll be back for more advice... :-[

You can see my bike here www.classicmagazines.co.uk/issue/View/issue/TCM200201/january-2002


Martin
 
Hi

Dave, "Dougall" on here has a Mk1 Monty, bike will be at Shepton Show this year too if you are going, Sure Dave will chip in or pm him .

Shaun
 
Nice one!
I can only echo Laverda Ian. Once you have taken it out for a few warm up / shake down runs, take it out and give it some  :D
Where are you based?
 
thanks Dave/Shaun,

I'm in Kent but have made it to Shepton a few times, may well try to get over there this year.
I've read its OK to grind the valve shims down a bit.  Are the surfaces hardened?  How much can you remove?

Martin.
 
 
Please do not use a grinder. A flat block oil stone, using a figure of 8 pattern along the length of the stone. Adjust the route you take each "pass" so as not to wear the stone in one place. Stones usually come with one side "coarser" than the other. Use the coarse side first to get it close, then finish with the fine side. Do not forget to measure the shim with a micrometer, before you start. You probably know the above already, but just in case!  (No offence intended) 
 
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