Spodefest carnage report.

Looks like the piston is fine.

I don't think there is supposed to be about 1mm of up and down play in the
lower rod bearing. I could be wrong though. Also, there is about 2mm of play
from left to right.

I kicked it before tearing it down and the squealing sound was still there.

I know how you feel. Whenever something of mine breaks, I usually kick
it a few times before settling down to fix it. I always feel a little
bit better.

After pulling the cylinder off the sound is gone. I expected to see a busted
ring or two.

I think it's weird that the squealing sound went away after taking off the
cylinder and yet the piston and rings are fine.

So unless I'm wrong about the bearing I'll be splitting some cases soon.
Never done that before. Wasn't there just a thread about that?

Let this be a lesson to you all. (and me especially) that drag racing your
dirtbike down a gravel road for 5 miles will most likely cause damage.

I learned that lesson with an old Montesa Capra MX125 in 1981 on a
gravel road in eastern Oregon. But in my case the engine seized, the
chain came off and wedged in the rear wheel, and I skidded about 70
yards with my nephew on back.

This was *really* my fault though, as the 'Tesa had a huge rear
sprocket for mountain climbing in western Oregon and I was tapped out
in 5th at the time.

Viva Montessa!

CrashTestDummy - '85 RM-250
f.j.bradfordREMOVE@verizon.net

I'll need some help with this one.

P.S. Looks like the lower rod bearing needles are worn flat. It's dry as
hell too. Is it so dry because I was possibly running it lean for so long?

I wonder if it has anything to do with the flywheel weight I just put on
before the fest.