Availability of parts advice please?

[ktmscott]

Hi all,

I'm currently looking to get into trials. Ive been getting what info I can from other forums and existing threads however I'm a bit stuck when it comes to how old is too old in terms of being able to buy replacement parts and where to look. For example one bike I have been inquiring about is a 2005 BETA 270. Would something like this be or of the similar year be too old or too risky to purchase if things were to require attention? Also are there any things worth looking at in particular with this model e.g common problems or faults etc..

If any one has any rules of thumb or info regarding brands to avoid, how old is too old or any information to help whatsoever it would be much appreciated as I'm a bit in the dark at the moment.

If it means anything I am in South Queensland.

Thanks in advance
Scott

[David Lahey]

2005 is getting a bit old to be sure to be easily able to get some parts that don't normally need replacing, but the normal use items should be fine. If you are fanatical about having the original-looking parts (they changed the colour scheme every year in the Rev 3 series) then I would look elsewhere. Many of the parts for Rev 3s are common or interchangeable between year models so it would be unusual to be stuck with a bike you can't keep going one way or another.
Rev 3s handle well, have good suspension and are only a few kg heavier than current model Betas
Beta Rev 3s in general are quite low and easy to balance on, but will hit more things than other, higher bikes
As far as weaknesses go:
Water pump housings are known to corrode through
Radiator fans only last so long
Ignition stators commonly suffered infant mortality, so if it runs properly, then yours has been fixed (rewound stator coil) or it was a lucky one and will probably go forever
The carby is mounted leaning steeply forwards so setting the float height correctly is critical to avoid losing fuel out the float bowl overflow lines if the bike is leaned over or pointed downhill
The shock mount bolts may have suffered from corrosion which can make the bottom one very hard to get out
I've seen some that suffered from a broken fork spring. There is a spring only in one side
The swingarm and steering bearings are not well greased from new, and would probably have failed by corrosion by now if they weren't serviced early in the life of the bike. The (aluminium) steering stem is easily damaged if the person changing the bearings is not careful enough.
The standard footpegs soon get a bit of a lean downwards with use
Check for loose rear wheel sprocket, rear disc and spokes. The front (floating) disc is meant to be a bit loose
The rear brakes jam on when the pads wear down a fair way, or wear at an angle. Not really much of a problem but something to look for

All the modern trials bikes are good to ride and all have their little weaknesses. They is a big difference in what different brands, and even capacities within a brand feel like to ride, and this changes from year to year. None are bad, but someone new to trials should generally avoid two-stroke models over 250cc and the Sherco 320 four stroke. For a person up to 100kg starting in trials, the best bikes to ride are two strokes of 200cc or 250cc, the Beta 250/300 four stroke and the Honda/Montesa 250 four stroke. Previous experience with motorbike riding/racing of bikes with lots of power does not change this suggestion.

[ktmscott]

Hi David,

Thanks a lot for all the information. I was able to take the bike for a good little spin, and able to go through the gears as well as take it nice and slow and it all seemed to run nice enough. But that said I am used to 4 strokes and it was my first ride on a trials bike. Cheers for the info about the forks. I know the fork seals have been done and the front brake disk has been changed as well as all the brake pads.

I am yet to check the water pump as I have read that is a common issue. Would I be able to ask to have it taken off with the bike on its side to avoid having the radiator fluid dropped??? I'll check on the fan too but I imagine that isnt a huge expense?

With regards to the power of the bike. I have read that it is suggested to stick to 200 - 250 whilst some say the higher cc's can be smoother down low. When I rode it I found it quite manageable and didnt feel like the bike was riding me. Would this be a good enough indication it is a manageable size or does this get thrown out the window once on the trials obstacles/courses??? The only other 2 strokes I have ridden are a 250 exc and a 250 Freeride and they both felt a lot more potent than this 270 in terms of wanting to get up and go but I guess these trials bikes are geared much lower?

Thanks heaps again for all the information

Much appreciated

[David Lahey]

If you lie the bike so that the pump cover is at the top and the motor is stone cold you wont lose much coolant, but you would have to top it up after the inspection anyway, and they don't hold much. If it is leaking due to corrosion, or the pump seal is leaking, the gearbox oil will be white/pink/grey (not translucent).

The problem with the bigger motors is when you are actually riding trials sections (confined turns, extremely rough terrain and slippery stuff). You will never have a problem out in the open or trail riding with too fast a motor response, in fact the best trials bikes for trail riding are the ones with the most power, and the best for trials competition (for anyone below expert level) are the ones with the most controllable motors.

It is the way the motor picks up on the tiniest bit of throttle that is important. Have a read on the trials forums about this. There are so many questions from people new to trials who have just bought a second-hand 290 Sherco/GasGas 280 and want to know how to slow the motor response down. Reduce compression, * ignition timing, add flywheel weight and fit slow action twistgrip, and after all that they still they are harder to ride than a 250 or 200. Bear in mind that the 2005 270 Beta is not as fierce as a mid 2000s GasGas 280 or Sherco 290. My memory of riding a friend's 2005 Beta 270 with extra low gearing, extra flywheel weight and a slow action throttle, is that it took noticeably more effort to ride well compared with my wife's 2003 Beta 200 at the time.

I don't think that smoothness down low is limited to the bigger engines. All the modern two strokes are fantastically smooth down low when the jetting is right. The bigger motors do however have a very strong response down low and this is why they require more precision in rider input in competition sections. After a few years of riding trials competition, you will get used to riding super-tight stuff and may well be looking for a strong bottom end response, but at the beginning it is a handicap.

Yes it will feel slow after a Freeride or an EXC. It is that slowness that is your friend in a competition section.

[ktmscott]

Thanks again for the info David.

I was very lucky to have a local in the trials scene here in Queensland whom a few riding friends know, have me out at his place to ride a few different bikes of different make and capacity and after tinkering about I can see where you are coming from as it was a whole new ball game but was such great fun. Had a good ride of a couple 125's and they were great fun and felt nice and friendly so will definitely be looking for a 125 or a 200 to start and learn the basics on. Thanks again for the info, having a good ride of the bikes back to back was ideal in getting some perspective and very grateful to have had the chance to do so.

cheers,
Scott