@Buco I concur .. I actually grew up around Lyle and Gary O'Brien ... Lyle was the importer of Montessa in the 60's to 80's and Gary was a Team Montesa rider and went on to establish a MC shop in Geelong ... I had a Cota 247 .. she was a BEAST!
@Arne the re-issue runs were even worse than the originals when it came to zinc pest apparently .. such a shame because they are beautiful things otherwise The earlier Paya were truly hit and miss , my 837 set from the early 50's is perfect with not a hint of pest , it truly was luck of the draw ( or the casting plant )
Such a shame because they really did make nice toys
@Don McErlean I see you are still in the denial phase ...