1983 Montesita T-10 trials bike restoration

[shearer27]

Here we have what's left of my Montesita T-10 trials bike. I have owned this since new (1983?) but it was left in an outside lean to and half buried underground for 30 years! Obviously the wheels and tyres are long gone but it looks pretty complete otherwise. Do you think it's restorable? The frame seems solid enough although very corroded. Thinking it might be best to get it sandblasted? Any advice or comments welcomed!

[Avro]

Anything is restorable, the question is how much is left of the original at the end and how deep your pockets are.
Some of the corrosion looks pretty severe. I think getting it sand blasted, or similar, is a good idea. It may blow holes in those tubes but you need to find that out anyway. If the metal is that thin then the project is pretty much dead.
It would be certainly be worth the effort for sure.

[Mikku]

OMG I love that!!

I can’t help with resto advice but definitely think it’s worth trying to save! Especially since you’re the og owner! Good luck with it all and please keep us posted with pics and progress!

[CustardLips]

Would love to get my hands on one of these. Here's me in the Euro championships in about 83. 

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Get it stripped mate... gotta be worth a try. 

[kalex]

Would love to get my hands on one of these. Here's me in the Euro championships in about 83. 

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Get it stripped mate... gotta be worth a try. 

That rear brake lever looks long enough to use both hands on it

[oldschoolace]

Great pic that Nick. Ive seen one or two of these on my travels. will keep an eye out for you 

Shearer, that should clean up a treat with a citirc acid bath and some tlc 

[kalex]

I've only just realised that these are montesita and not montesa.

Are they the same company or totally different as the front end does look like old school trials bikes with the forks being as they are.

[CustardLips]

Would love to get my hands on one of these. Here's me in the Euro championships in about 83. 

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Get it stripped mate... gotta be worth a try. 

That rear brake lever looks long enough to use both hands on it

   Yeah... think they used proper trials bike levers on em Lee. 

Great pic that Nick. Ive seen one or two of these on my travels. will keep an eye out for you 

Nice one Clint. 

[CustardLips]

I've only just realised that these are montesita and not montesa.

Are they the same company or totally different as the front end does look like old school trials bikes with the forks being as they are.

Yeah same company Lee. 

[shearer27]

Thanks for all the comments guys. Not sure why or what the cross-over is between Montesita and Montesa? The headtube sticker is definitely the Montesa M with made in Spain below. Thanks for the picture of you CustardLips nice to know that someone used one competitively. So what would work best - citric acid or having it blasted? Guessing citric acid might be easier on the metal as I'm not sure how strong it is after all these years. Seems pretty thick tubing and judging by the weight it should be up to blasting! Thinking it's too rare just to leave to rot so will keep you all posted with any updates. Thanks all.

[oldschoolace]

Citric acid all the way. Check the resto stickies for a how to. Should at the very least give you a good idea of its true condition, at best leave you with a frame ready to be rebuilt 

[shearer27]

Thanks oldscoolace. I might give that a go. Should I strip the remaining paint off first?

[oldschoolace]

Just take apart what you can and get all the parts in the acid bath. Won't harm to brush off the lose paint but wouldn't bother stripping the rest until you know what you are working with.

[Avro]

That's asking an awful lot of a citric acid bath. Don't get me wrong, I use the stuff a lot but not on something this corroded. I can not help thinking that it would save a lot time to blast with some medium, get them to used walnut shell if you are worried, but grit/sand/oxide will be fine if done sympathetically. Horses for courses, only me opinion of course.
Good luck with the project.

[griff]

Would love to get my hands on one of these. Here's me in the Euro championships in about 83. 

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Get it stripped mate... gotta be worth a try. 

That rear brake lever looks long enough to use both hands on it

  beat me to it

Great pic Nick! Didn't know you did trials but would love to see more pics if you have em? BITD Kickstart was one of my favourite programmes but we used to just set up crap obstacles to go over

Makes sense that Montesa / Montesita are the same company, in Spanish 'Montesita' would translate as 'Little Montesa' so can see how they might have decided to give that name to their pedal bikes

[CustardLips]

Only did it the once John and the only pic I've got. Borrowed the bike on the day and came 3rd out of 5 in the novice section. Got a medal at the presentation night an all that shit.  It was good... i enjoyed it.   
Medal disappeared along with my few racing trophies somewhere down the line unfortunately. 

[CustardLips]

Yeah Kickstart... Eddy Lejeune and John Lampkin... shit hot. 

[shearer27]

Thanks for adding your comments and input - much appreciated. I've added a new pic below just to show that I've managed to remove the stem, bars and saddle although the seat post is going to need more persuasion! I've also started to remove some of the old paint and rust. Looks pretty solid underneath. The worst parts are those that were buried - especially the front dropouts.

[CustardLips]

Looking much better already. 
A citric bath for a few days may help release the seat post if not Clint may be able to help with his seat post removing contraption. 

[CustardLips]

Did you manage to get the stickers off before stripping ?

[oldschoolace]

Yeah if you get stuck with the post (pardon the pun) drop me a line, I've got just the tool to fish it out 

[shearer27]

I managed to take all stickers off before stripping so they will give me an idea of reproducing them when I need replacements. I think I'm going to try the Citric acid method and I'll let you know if I need help with the post if this fails. I'll keep you posted!!

[shearer27]

After a little digging on the internet - who would have thought that after all these years a correct number plate would still be available in the UK for my Montesa T10!

[In2bmx]

Great Resto thread   

Looking forward to seeing the updates 

[Mikku]

Loving that plate!!