1997 Beta Techno

bads1buell · 11-01-2012, 08:47 AM

What do you all think of this 97 Techno. Got a chance to grab it for $1000.00 seller says all is good. Rear fender is not original and looks like the tank speedo is missing.

Where there any real issues with this year? other than the clutch and carb.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7897261...hoto8144752512

lineaway · 11-01-2012, 11:07 AM

Rear wheel has been replaced. They had terrible rear brakes and those bars have to go. They did work well. I would not buy one with out pulling the water pump cover off and checking for corrosion. Last thing you would want to buy is a bike needing center cases!

bads1buell · 11-01-2012, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lineaway

Rear wheel has been replaced. They had terrible rear brakes and those bars have to go. They did work well. I would not buy one with out pulling the water pump cover off and checking for corrosion. Last thing you would want to buy is a bike needing center cases!

I didn't know the older ones had the water pump problem.

DrKayak · 11-01-2012, 01:07 PM

Yea, the fender is off an 96 like mine. It's the only fender left in stock at Beta for the Techno. I paid $1,000 for mine last fall. I think it was a great deal. I have never seen another one with an asking price below $1,500. I have seen several in the $2,000 range, way over priced...

I have rode the crap out of mine. 100s of hour in a year. The fan failed and a Rev 3 fan fit but was $200. No other issues. For the $1,000 I paid, if it has corrosion issues I could care less. I have got a ton of fun out of it.I plant to ride it to death then get a Rev 3.

The rear brake took some work to get it good. As said, the rear brake is not great but with proper maintaince it can be good enough.

http://youtu.be/JWFldYrVwrs

lineaway · 11-01-2012, 06:14 PM

I`ve ridden Beta`s since `89. The water pump problem has always been around, in fact Honda also had one for awhile. I fixed a `92 in about `98 with JB weld and as far as I know it still works! Spending a thousand dollars plus to repair a $1000.00 dollar bike usually does not happen. Takes 5 minutes to look!!!!
PS I did like my `97 since I won a senior national championship on it!

DrKayak · 11-01-2012, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lineaway

I`ve ridden Beta`s since `89. The water pump problem has always been around, in fact Honda also had one for awhile. I fixed a `92 in about `98 with JB weld and as far as I know it still works! Spending a thousand dollars plus to repair a $1000.00 dollar bike usually does not happen. Takes 5 minutes to look!!!!
PS I did like my `97 since I won a senior national championship on it!

What exactly is the problem and failure?

Thanks!

lineaway · 11-01-2012, 07:22 PM

You end up with a hole in the left center case, not much cooling going on with no pressure with a hole on the backside of the water pump. Center cases come as a matched set, bearings, gaskets and close to eight hrs labor if things go well.

DrKayak · 11-01-2012, 07:57 PM

This doesn't lead to coolant in the oil? keeping fresh coolant in it doesn't help? Just poor quality materials on some bikes?

I'm getting good water flow as the fan comes on quick. It's only got too hat when the old fan was failing.

lineaway · 11-01-2012, 08:11 PM

Yes it leads to more coolant in the oil and never being able to cool the engine! The usual reason , the bike sits for years without ever being moved or the fluid mixed up so the corrosion happens at the lowest point in the cooling circuit. Which happens to be the water pump!

DrKayak · 11-02-2012, 10:58 AM

Great info... thanks

bads1buell · 11-03-2012, 05:05 PM

Anyone know why there would be a shiny bolt in the top of the kickstarter? Other than being stripped or is there a smaller bolt supposed to be there?

welder · 11-08-2012, 10:31 PM

Betas have fan problems. $200-$250 for a new one, which in time will also fail.

lineaway · 11-09-2012, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by welder

Betas have fan problems. $200-$250 for a new one, which in time will also fail.

The honest answer is all water cooled trials bikes could have a fan issue. There are many ways for a cheaper replacement. As in all parts anymore a new one is not cheap.

Happy Seal · 11-09-2012, 09:08 PM

Well, this is the first I've read about this case issue. My 97 is overheating and I can't figure out why. This might explain things.

How do I check the case and waterpump?

lineaway · 11-10-2012, 04:55 AM

Before you check the case. Have you bypassed the thermostat? Hooked a battery to the fan to make sure it starts on it`s own. A lot of time when the fan is starting to go, it is intermitent. You can tell once it is getting warm , you can push start the fan with your finger.
But yes to check the waterpump, just drain the coolant(if there is any). There is a vent screw on top of the raditor, then just remove the water pump cover. It is usually pretty obvious from there. Hope you sort it out!

11-01-2012, 08:47 AM	#1
bads1buell ^OP n00b Joined: Jun 2011 Oddometer: 8	1997 Beta Techno What do you all think of this 97 Techno. Got a chance to grab it for $1000.00 seller says all is good. Rear fender is not original and looks like the tank speedo is missing. Where there any real issues with this year? other than the clutch and carb. http://www.flickr.com/photos/7897261...hoto8144752512 bads1buell screwed with this post 11-01-2012 at 09:29 AM

11-01-2012, 01:07 PM	#4
DrKayak Retro Rider Joined: Mar 2010 Location: Shingle Springs CA Oddometer: 536	Yea, the fender is off an 96 like mine. It's the only fender left in stock at Beta for the Techno. I paid $1,000 for mine last fall. I think it was a great deal. I have never seen another one with an asking price below $1,500. I have seen several in the $2,000 range, way over priced... I have rode the crap out of mine. 100s of hour in a year. The fan failed and a Rev 3 fan fit but was $200. No other issues. For the $1,000 I paid, if it has corrosion issues I could care less. I have got a ton of fun out of it.I plant to ride it to death then get a Rev 3. The rear brake took some work to get it good. As said, the rear brake is not great but with proper maintaince it can be good enough. http://youtu.be/JWFldYrVwrs __________________ 06 950 Adventure 96 Beta Techno 07 450 EXC 04 FZ1 DrKayak screwed with this post 11-01-2012 at 01:12 PM

11-01-2012, 07:57 PM	#8
DrKayak Retro Rider Joined: Mar 2010 Location: Shingle Springs CA Oddometer: 536	This doesn't lead to coolant in the oil? keeping fresh coolant in it doesn't help? Just poor quality materials on some bikes? I'm getting good water flow as the fan comes on quick. It's only got too hat when the old fan was failing. __________________ 06 950 Adventure 96 Beta Techno 07 450 EXC 04 FZ1

11-02-2012, 10:58 AM	#10
DrKayak Retro Rider Joined: Mar 2010 Location: Shingle Springs CA Oddometer: 536	Great info... thanks __________________ 06 950 Adventure 96 Beta Techno 07 450 EXC 04 FZ1

11-08-2012, 10:31 PM	#12
welder Beastly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2008 Location: Victoria B.C. Oddometer: 1,320	Betas have fan problems. $200-$250 for a new one, which in time will also fail. __________________ Anything is possible if you don't know what your talking about!

11-01-2012, 11:07 AM	#2
lineaway Studly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2011 Location: nm Oddometer: 774	Rear wheel has been replaced. They had terrible rear brakes and those bars have to go. They did work well. I would not buy one with out pulling the water pump cover off and checking for corrosion. Last thing you would want to buy is a bike needing center cases!

11-01-2012, 06:14 PM	#5
lineaway Studly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2011 Location: nm Oddometer: 774	I`ve ridden Beta`s since `89. The water pump problem has always been around, in fact Honda also had one for awhile. I fixed a `92 in about `98 with JB weld and as far as I know it still works! Spending a thousand dollars plus to repair a $1000.00 dollar bike usually does not happen. Takes 5 minutes to look!!!! PS I did like my `97 since I won a senior national championship on it!

11-01-2012, 07:22 PM	#7
lineaway Studly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2011 Location: nm Oddometer: 774	You end up with a hole in the left center case, not much cooling going on with no pressure with a hole on the backside of the water pump. Center cases come as a matched set, bearings, gaskets and close to eight hrs labor if things go well.

11-01-2012, 08:11 PM	#9
lineaway Studly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2011 Location: nm Oddometer: 774	Yes it leads to more coolant in the oil and never being able to cool the engine! The usual reason , the bike sits for years without ever being moved or the fluid mixed up so the corrosion happens at the lowest point in the cooling circuit. Which happens to be the water pump!

11-03-2012, 05:05 PM	#11
bads1buell ^OP n00b Joined: Jun 2011 Oddometer: 8	Anyone know why there would be a shiny bolt in the top of the kickstarter? Other than being stripped or is there a smaller bolt supposed to be there?

11-09-2012, 09:08 PM	#14
Happy Seal Beastly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2010 Location: CT. Oddometer: 2,001	Well, this is the first I've read about this case issue. My 97 is overheating and I can't figure out why. This might explain things. How do I check the case and waterpump? __________________ with his videos I've been able to crash into trees even faster than before. ( Darius re Shane Watts)

11-10-2012, 04:55 AM	#15
lineaway Studly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2011 Location: nm Oddometer: 774	Before you check the case. Have you bypassed the thermostat? Hooked a battery to the fan to make sure it starts on it`s own. A lot of time when the fan is starting to go, it is intermitent. You can tell once it is getting warm , you can push start the fan with your finger. But yes to check the waterpump, just drain the coolant(if there is any). There is a vent screw on top of the raditor, then just remove the water pump cover. It is usually pretty obvious from there. Hope you sort it out!

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