Probably the most uncomfortable, and worst riding bike HPE-Muskin ever produced. It was based on the Cat 400 frame, but with a longer forks, shallow rake, large, easy to bend axle tabs, and a grab bar behind the seat. Badged "Endura," it was nothing like the remaining Endura line, which had swing arm suspension, and TC88 drives.
Known best for being a good bike to take parts off of, I ended up with an original 1974 Cat Wildcat several years ago. I promised the seller, a member here back then, that I would never part it out.
In 2012, I did a light restoration on it, chroming a few things, and rebuilding the original H35 Tecumseh. This is one of my Grandsons and yours truly taking it for a spin back then.
After stripping the original, and badly damaged paint, I sanded it and added turn limits to keep the trees off of the frame. I had more left over red base coat from other projects, so opted to use it. I added a lot of rose pearl to the paint. Then I added more, and more. I applied an epoxy primer, then three coats of the red, followed by three coats of urethane clear.
The plastic Cat fuel tank was leaking badly. I melted the outside splits as best as I could, then coated the inside of the tank with Caswell's Sealer. I'd already stolen the long chain guard, so obtained a shorter one and welded on some 18 ga, sheet that I fabricated to represent the original one. All decals were re-used from the previous restoration by using "goo gone" and acetone, then applying a quality 3M adhesive spray. Tedious job. Kenny seat from 2012.
I stripped the wheels down, and cleaned off the surface rust. I made a simple truing stand which uses the Tecumseh timing tool.
It's a roller.
After tearing the engine down, I noted the valves were worn and pitted. The bore had some light scratches, and was both hour-glassed and oblong from wear. Both valves and rings were replaced, along with carburetor, points, condenser, and magneto.
It does not take a lot of money and equipment to paint mini bikes. I have been painting with this setup for years. The little compressors last me five years, and I toss them out and buy a new one. Total cost of my paint system is about $300.
Close up of the engine paint. Urethane single stage, far too glossy for an original looking engine.
After a quick test ride, (still handles as bad as it always did) I shot these final photos.
Known best for being a good bike to take parts off of, I ended up with an original 1974 Cat Wildcat several years ago. I promised the seller, a member here back then, that I would never part it out.
In 2012, I did a light restoration on it, chroming a few things, and rebuilding the original H35 Tecumseh. This is one of my Grandsons and yours truly taking it for a spin back then.
After stripping the original, and badly damaged paint, I sanded it and added turn limits to keep the trees off of the frame. I had more left over red base coat from other projects, so opted to use it. I added a lot of rose pearl to the paint. Then I added more, and more. I applied an epoxy primer, then three coats of the red, followed by three coats of urethane clear.
The plastic Cat fuel tank was leaking badly. I melted the outside splits as best as I could, then coated the inside of the tank with Caswell's Sealer. I'd already stolen the long chain guard, so obtained a shorter one and welded on some 18 ga, sheet that I fabricated to represent the original one. All decals were re-used from the previous restoration by using "goo gone" and acetone, then applying a quality 3M adhesive spray. Tedious job. Kenny seat from 2012.
I stripped the wheels down, and cleaned off the surface rust. I made a simple truing stand which uses the Tecumseh timing tool.
It's a roller.
After tearing the engine down, I noted the valves were worn and pitted. The bore had some light scratches, and was both hour-glassed and oblong from wear. Both valves and rings were replaced, along with carburetor, points, condenser, and magneto.
It does not take a lot of money and equipment to paint mini bikes. I have been painting with this setup for years. The little compressors last me five years, and I toss them out and buy a new one. Total cost of my paint system is about $300.
Close up of the engine paint. Urethane single stage, far too glossy for an original looking engine.
After a quick test ride, (still handles as bad as it always did) I shot these final photos.
