Shit piles up so fast
You got to have wings to stay on top. I have been trying to prep for new kitchen cabinets for a couple of weeks, I have a bit of drywall patching and some sanding left to do, then some paint. When the cabinets arrive it will be asses and elbows for a while so I’m trying to get some other issues resolved.
Like the Cushman. It has been apart now since the first decent weather and I am anxious to get it back together as there will be a lot of work it needs to do come summer. I have yanked the jugs so I could have new inserts put in the spark plugs, and I had it done professionally instead of the hack job it previously contained. So I have it this far together.
It’s a wierd little engine, like a half a Volkswagon engine, but it generates 22 hp and weighs very little. I’ve always been surprised the ultralight people haven’t picked these up and hotrodded them, but I guess it’s easier to buy a rotax. I just put the jugs on this evening; it’s actually pretty simple. You hold the engine down with one hand and with the other hand you slide the cylinder on. I don’t have a motorcycle type ring compressor so you have to use your other hand to push the rings in with a screwdriver while your other hand slides the piston in, being careful not to get any of your hands (It seems to take five) in the cylinder flange sealant. I always like to find a place where I can use good old Permatex Two, and this is perfect.
Anyway, once it’s back in the Cushman it should do ok because it will have compression and fewer bits of squirrels in the cooling fins.
Update: They have! How cool is this little sucker!
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What were the tinsnips for?
Had to trim my fingernails.
I saw a Cushman (or at least it looked like one) for sale over on Zionsville Road south of 71st on Saturday. Painted forest green, has an enclosed cab. I can go find it again if you have any interest :)
Most times if they’re running people want a wad of cash for them. I’m fixing this one because I got it almost free
I have a 1977 BMW airhead motorcycle which is usually in some state of repair and which I occasionally find time to ride. Word around that part of the internet is ultralight makers do like the opposed twin, aluminum engines.
Like a lot of things, you start seeing them everywhere once you own one. Boxer engines are much more common than I thought.
Looks like the may tag engine that ran my grand dad’s house boat. Rumor had it was paddle wheeled and steam powered in the beginning of time.
My buddy is quite into Cushmans, he has 2 Trucksters and 2 Golfsters. He also has a step-through scooter and an Eagle. I get to borrow a Truckster when visiting him in Florida.
At least one of the Trucksters has a hi-low transmission and a PTO. Not sure if both devices are on one machine or if they’re split up.
Neat vehicles!
The ultra-light/racing hovercraft world has a lot of products available to it that fit the PTO end and mounting bolt pattern of a Rotax. That might be non-trivial when the Rotax pto is about twice as stout.
The hot rides in 4 stroke-land come from EFI Kohler twins. A little reprogramming, a lot of porting and polishing and 4800 RPM is in reach and can be highly rewarding.
Just got my genome test back. Seriously high N. Thal inheritance. But I already knew that. Knew that cold.
No doubt the rotax engines are tough bastards.
I’ve met some Rotax guys through work. Just what you’d expect from Austrian engineers. Cool products.