Warnining: Bragging Content inside :)
 

Well, I swapped my crotch rocket:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-m...0/IMG_1583.JPG

for this 2004 Beta M4:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-x...0/IMG_1777.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G...0/IMG_1778.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-i...0/IMG_1779.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-k...0/IMG_1780.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-p...0/IMG_1781.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l...0/IMG_1782.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-K...0/IMG_1783.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4...0/IMG_1784.JPG

This is again the best of both worlds: Italian frame, suspension and brakes, combined with a Japanese engine - Suzuki DR350 :D

This particular specimen says it has done 11 thousand kilometers (~7000 miles), but it wasn't in best shape. Basically I had to spend most of the cash I got in the swap to get it new chain, sprockets, handlebar, all bearings, and fresh pint of oil. I also fitted it back with its original head and turn lights as it was equipped with some cheap Chinese no-good stuff. Also had to rewire dashboard indicator lights.

I haven't managed to get it out much, but so far I'm very happy with it. It's really light and nimble, and provokes hooliganism behaviour. Of course, it's not like the 115+ hp V-twin Cagiva, but I like this type of thrill more. The only remaining wrinkle is some pulsation in front brake at low speeds, which apparently is due to a bent disk, as I've checked and replaced all other possible suspects. But that will wait for winter/spring tinkering most probably.

Sweet bike! Betas are rather rare in my neighbourhood, and the ones I've seen are trials bikes. Love that supermoto look.

Do you have a dial indicator? My buddy had success in straightening a bent rotor with a dial indicator and an adjustable wrench.

Never heard of Beta, but a neat looking bike. I'm assuming it's a large size thumper. And, yes, it looks like it could unlock some latent hooliganistic (is that even a word?)tendencies.

Liking the license tags on the bikes. The C X at the top would go nicely with my Maggot at the local cruise nights.

I love it! 8)

Beta's are not common here either but you do see them sometimes. They make some sweet dual sports but are best known for trials bikes. I have never ridden one but I agree, that bike is the best of both worlds. :P

No, Weld, I don't have a dial indicator (if I translate the tool correctly). Maybe I can borrow one, as my most precise tool is Vernier caliper.

cheesy, it's a 350cc Suzuki thumper. The claimed dry weight is 133kg, though.

Now, I'm hoovering around the idea of getting a flat side carburetor and a more open exhaust. But the missus says I can't spend more money on my toys for now...

It's the same all over. :wink:

Mine has been known to find stuff for me.

Congratulations! I'm not familiar with the Beta motorcycles, but it looks like a great bike! :)

Spud :)

Nice looking bike..
Is it a real Beta or some Chinese bike with the Beta name..
Once you could pick a Chinese bike... But its getting harder now..

It's a genuine Beta with genuine Suzuki engine. The later model has different lights, dashboard and some other cosmetic bits.

As far as I know, this is the only model where they use other than KTM engines. Don't know what they use for their smaller models from Alp and Urban lines, though:

http://www.betamotor.com/en/all/bikes

In South America I know that Beta sell rebadged Chinese bikes, but haven't seen them in Europe (yet!).

So does mine, then she gets PO'd when I buy it.

Only if I leave my toys out in the front yard.

Fellas,
I need some advice.

The stock carburetor on this bike is Mikuni BST33, which as far as I can tell is a normal CV carburetor.

Now, I know that the proper way is to get a pump flat carburetor, but since it's for sort of road use (albeit "hooliganic" one) and budget is tight (and will get tighter when my wife finds out about my plans) I'm contemplating to use only flat slide one. My logic is that flat slide w/o accelerator pump is still better than CV, except for fuel economy of course. Or I'm wrong?

The kind of riding I (plan to) do is twisty back roads with sort of WFO out of a corner and hard breaking into the next one. Or somewhere abouts. I mean not really highway or much cruising at steady, economical pace.

Found an interesting vid on CV carbs, FWIW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyspAHrMbb8

Flat slide or round slide gives you a direct link to the slider, and subsequently the main jet. A CV has a momentary delay, because vacuum pulls on the diaphragm after the butterfly opens. Such a delay is imperceptible under the right conditions, but a momentary low vacuum signal will cause a slight delay.

You can tune it to make it nearly perfect (with different springs, etc), but I'd rather tune a non-CV slider. CV carbs are terrific for cold starts and smooth riding, whereas non-CV sliders are more race-oriented.

You probably knew all of that already.

Thanks for sharing the link to the great video, Weld! :D

Spud :)