Random 1980s racing pictures

[onformula1]

The problem with the sleeve is it is iron and can not be welded properly. I was thinking you could have a brass band machined with a recess on the top and bottom and run thinner o-rings on each side.

I know the engine was not a Can-Am the reason I included that is because Can-Am engines where had by Rotax and came in over 25 manufacturers bikes at that time and all the way up to 2004 in some cases with little changes and many parts crossed over from MX, enduro, trials, road racing and go karts. I had a Rotax 250 in a ATK MX bike I raced that had a very similar lower end that is in your trike.

[3WW Star-John_Neary]

@onformula1 - My worry with messing with the size/height of the inner o-ring is the effect that might have on the outer water jacket o-ring. Does LA Sleeve still make custom sleeves on request? Tony did not sound hopeful about finding a replacement NOS piston for this so could go to a smaller, more common Rotax piston if i end up replacing the sleeve so kill two birds with one expensive stone.

[onformula1]

John, if the parts were set up correctly they would have the same installed height as the stock o-ring.

As far as a custom sleeve LA Sleeve should be able to handle it, but they more setup for multiple sleeves.

The real one off guy for custom sleeves is John Tice 503-593-2908 www.smallenginemachineworks.com

He is a major contributor on the everything2stroke.com forums and has been in the custom sleeve and big bore business since 1971

Sent from my SM-G386T1 using Tapatalk

[3WW Star-John_Neary]

@onformula1 - Thank you for the link, if Tony Murphy is not hopeful about finding a NOS of my piston i will see about what other piston would be the next best choice and get the a sleeve made to fit the new piston. My head needs to be lapped as well since there is a little bit of pitting from pinging, maybe happened when it lost all its coolant.

[Toaster556]

John, why not go with a custom JE, Venolia or Arias piston? It would save you a lot of headaches with different sleeves and that, and help retain some of the originality. Im not sure if the orignal piston was forged or cast, but Id lay money on it being a Mahle.

[onformula1]

John, why not go with a custom JE, Venolia or Arias piston? It would save you a lot of headaches with different sleeves and that, and help retain some of the originality. Im not sure if the orignal piston was forged or cast, but Id lay money on it being a Mahle.

Most Rotax engines from about 1976 to 1987 used Elko pistons and yes some had Mahle.

Elko is from Austria, Mahle is Germany, Rotax tried hard to source from home as many European companies do.

[3WW Star-John_Neary]

@Toaster556 - The trouble is my sleeve has an issue that is causing a air leak, my piston is in ok shape but does have a fair bit of time on it plus one over heading episode (and sitting 30 years has not helped it) and I don't want to buy a new sleeve for a piston i cant replace. When i last spoke to Tony Murphy the piston was the only item he mentioned that he could not supply me.

Custom made piston is a option i have not yet explored but i am open to the idea.

Couple shots of the piston after i cleaned it up a bit.

[3WW Star-John_Neary]

Now back to the pics

George on his KTM 250, in my opinion this was our best bike out of the Franks we owned. Motor was stock but had tons of power and i cant recall it ever having a single failure of any sort. Fantastic bike.



KTM 495 in anger



Heading to staging at the 84 offroad Nats on my Rotax, you can tell how new it is still as it all the Franks graphics are still in place. Likely only the second or third time i raced it.

[barnett468]

.

Does LA Sleeve still make custom sleeves on request?

yup . . base price is $500.00 for the sleeve with the ports matched to your old sleeve . . If it has 50 ports in it etc, it will cost more . . Labor to remove old sleeve and install new one is $175.00


Ask for lovely Miss Monya 562-945-7578

[onformula1]

I can't quite make it out by the pictures, what is the part number on the top of the piston?

[3WW Star-John_Neary]

@onformula1 - is it is a #1378A ELKO, i think this here is a replacement but i am waiting to hear back from the guy.

http://www.canamclinic.co.uk/engine/closeup/ptk.htm

[onformula1]

John, I think you have a winner!

[3WW Star-John_Neary]

You might notice a common theme in my photos, no one fast is ever using anything but flat track style tires. I see the kids now days with their three wheelers who think they are fast and most have some sort of knobby tire on the rear and it just makes me face palm. Now get off my lawn.

They did not lean off the bike like this because it looked cool, it is how you go fast.



We see the guy with the flat track tires running away into the distance, even in a mud race. I did not even own a pair of knobby rear tires for any of my race three wheelers.



Looking now at how my cables are routed makes me cringe, that throttle cable is just begging to get hooked on the left fork.



Not much is cooler than a Yz powered three wheeler



Rotax stuff

Hidden gems like this are why i knew it needed to be totally taken apart.


Not gonna go nuts polishing the triple clamps, they look right with just a clean i think.



Still up in the air about the rear shock, i would like to have it serviced and the spring repainted but with the engine sleeve issue i am thinking i should save my $$$ for what will likely be a $1000 full engine sorting plus new sleeve and piston.



The finished stuff is now most of a three wheeler.



Sneak peek at the bare frame, need to do a bit more cleaning then ill pull it out into the sunlight and give you guys some proper photos of it from all angles.

[phantomtracer]

John, I couldn't agree more, those knobby tires have way too much side bite. compares to an mx bike the contact patch of the three wheeler is probably 8 times more.

Love those old yz trikes!
Someone must still have the 3b trikes stored away.

Nice work, those triples look awesome.

[Joseph Farrow]

You might notice a common theme in my photos, no one fast is ever using anything but flat track style tires. I see the kids now days with their three wheelers who think they are fast and most have some sort of knobby tire on the rear and it just makes me face palm. Now get off my lawn.

They did not lean off the bike like this because it looked cool, it is how you go fast.

Agreed!

No one ran knobby tires.
Here is a pic of me and my brother in late 80 - early 81 on our 110's. Notice the "Style" and the "Tires" LOL
We're in the L&W Cycle Shop Shirts.