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Green Cota - mystery solved

Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 7:08 am
by billy
I have read a number of articles on the history of the Montesa Cota including in the current edition of Classic Trial #24.
None of them have made mention of the green models that were around in the late 1970's.
Does anybody have any info on them?

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Re: Green Cota

Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2018 6:28 am
by whitehillbilly
Greg Harding has 'Kermit' so probably has info on them.

whitehillbilly

Green Cota - mystery solved

Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2018 5:36 pm
by billy
After further investigation I believe I have solved the mystery of the "Green Cota 172".

The Montesa Cota 348 was named "Moto Verde del Año" by the magazine Motociclismo in 1977 - the biggest award in the world for the motorcycle of the year in the off-road category.

Moto Verde translates to Green Motorbike. Montesa released a limited number of green Cota 172's in recognition of the award.

Re: Green Cota - mystery solved

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 7:24 pm
by Greg Harding
Hi Everyone,

Billy, here are some photos of my Moto Verde and maybe some bikes that are familiar to you:
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Maybe Kermit is younger than I thought?

Excellent research and now for another mission for you, how did the Blue ones come to be? A Mate of mine had one like Phil, who knows it might be the same bike?
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Re: Green Cota - mystery solved

Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2018 7:14 pm
by Phil 850
What size wheels does the green 172 have and what is the chassis number.
My blue 172 has a 21" front and 18" rear and that matches the manual that I received with it.
Chassis number is 19M1851.
I believe there were only about 1990 172's made.

Re: Green Cota - mystery solved

Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2018 8:02 pm
by Greg Harding
Hi Everyone,

Phil, I thought only the 123 models had the smaller wheels and all of the 172 models had 18 rear and 21 front?

If only 1990 were made, Kermit is roughly in the last 100 made:
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The spare parts bike is 19M 1026 and had a Red tank. You mentioned before that you were thinking about painting yours Red? That would be a mistake in my opinion as Blue is a much rarer colour. There are other differences between the Blue/Green and Red models. Remember Blue is the only colour, everything else is just background!

Can you post up some before photos of your Blue collectors bike?

Re: Green Cota - mystery solved

Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2018 8:25 pm
by Phil 850
Here's a photo as I received the Cota.
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Re: Green Cota - mystery solved

Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2018 9:09 pm
by Phil 850
Here is a link to a Cota 172 with 20/17" wheels.
http://www.montesaweb.com/secciones/detalles.aspx?id=50

Re: Green Cota - mystery solved

Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2018 1:39 pm
by Rod
Hi Phil, just goes to show you can't always trust what you read, that link shows what looks like a 123 due to no chain tensioner and finishes with the observation basically stating that the 172 was derived from the 123 with the addition of 21" and 18" wheels.

Re: Green Cota - mystery solved

Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2018 3:20 pm
by billy
Hi Phil,
I agree with Greg. Painting it RED would be a mistake. I have been able to find out that a limited number of Cota's were manufacture by the factory in GREEN and BLUE exclusively for export. You have a rare bike.
If I find out any more I will pass on the details.