bearkat twister

[Tim Wilson]

I got this twister from my grandfather in 1987, it was my 8th b-day. My dad had it for a year or so, but after attending this years tote gote fest I traded him my running twister and brought it back home for another go around. I put some work into it about 12 years ago and smoked the engine shortly after. There is more work to be done and some things I will do differently this time around-

 

[buckeye]

It will be nice to see this one come back to life.
Great base for a start.

 

[MB165]

:drool: cool machine

 

[Tim Wilson]

engines

The engine on the right is my builder. It's an I/C 8 hp with a ball bearing supported crank (notice large journal in side cover) The output shaft is too long and will have to be machined or replaced with a shorter one from a different engine. Three out of the four others have exploded, at least one is a boat anchor.

 

[Richard Trotter]

I have an 8hp that needs to have the shaft turned, too. Most ball bearing 8hp motors have this extra long shaft. You could use the recoil/fan shroud on the left. The embossed covers always add nice detail to an old motor. Plus it has the 'cast' spring/spool housing which is better than the stamped steel ones.

 

[Tim Wilson]

fan shrouds

I like the embossed shroud too. I got that one in a box of miscellaneous parts my grandpa gave me. I need to send the 7hp copper colored one to my dad, I think its original to his twister. The black one has no numbers, I used it when I did my first rebuild and did away with the one it had before I knew better. It was cracked but I wish I had the numbers. If the block has a large exhaust port is it a 6hp?

 

[MB165]

If you guys ever run across a Twister in the Phoenix, AZ area that has a brazed handle bar let me know. My father had one back in 1980 and the handlebar cracked in between the throttle assy and the right fork tube. it was a lengthwise crack if I remember right. That would be neat to see that turn up.

 

[Tim Wilson]

engine mount

Forgot Im not supposed to ask questions on this forum.
Ive only stumbled across one other twister in 25 years, but I haven't been searching for them until recently.
I plan on using a tote gote design for the motor mount. The stock system works fine, but the bushings are not easily replaced

 

[jdogg]

Hey Tim! I absolutely love the Twister!! Looks in great shape! This is on my short list of must own someday! I dont say that about alot of mini's! Never seen one in person....but all the picts ive seen of them just strike a cord deep down inside of me! Maybe weird but....ahhhhhhhh someday:shrug: Maybe I can arm wrestle Outlaw Ace for his:laugh:

 

[toomanytoys]

Very nice bike, looking forward to seeing this one done!

 

[Richard Trotter]

The best way to tell a 6hp motor is count the head bolts. 6hp had 8 head bolts, 7hp and 8hp had 9 head bolts.

 

[Tim Wilson]

muffler

Today a friend of mine donated a small supertrapp to the cause. It has about a 1" inlet and is USFS approved. I plan on keeping this bike basically stock but not without improvements. The exhaust and intake will be full custom. (Maybe even a mikuni carb) Depends on what fits with the compact jackshaft and fender design -

 

[Tim Wilson]

I may have jumped the gun starting this build thread over two years ago. Well I've bought and sold a few trail scooters since then, but this bike is still at the top of my priority list.
I saw a tote gote 760 at the 2013 gote fest with an atv tire that fit nicely, and I just bought a new set for my bike. Also saw a nice 530 at this year's gote fest with a shiny new set of shocks that would fit the twister, so I bought a set of those as well. (Thank you Richard Trotter)
Still have a long way to go, hope to keep the ball rolling.

 

[CarPlayLB]

Keep going! That is an awesome bike! I can't wait to see it all together!

 

[jdogg]

MMMMMMMM......maybe this is the year!! Still on my all time faves list!!!! :thumbsup:

 

[bikebudy]

Wow man, I like this bike :thumbsup:

I also like the OE engine mount but, see how the other would be easier.

 

[incogrhino]

Cool bike :thumbsup:

 

[rds]

The new tires and shocks look awesome

 

[countstevula]

Any progress Tim??

 

[Tim Wilson]

I'm afraid not. I got sidetracked on a big bike build, a 79 Honda XR500.
On the twister I decided I wanted to use a subaru robin EH30 or EH34 vertical cylinder ohv engine. Unfortunately I was told by a supplier that they are discontinued. I don't think that the engines such as the Honda gx390 would fit without a lot of modification. I'll probably stay with the briggs flathead, and I recently picked up a really cool dellorto carburetor for it.