Author Topic: I know that this is not a Kawasaki  (Read 5095 times)

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mswyka

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I know that this is not a Kawasaki
« on: September 22, 2018, 04:37:48 PM »
And, does not even have a Kawasaki engine.  But I am officially starting this project today.  Keeping my fingers crossed that we can get this running.  1972 Arctic Cat Panther 303 Wankel.

It had about 20 years of dust on it so after pulling it out of the machine shed we gave it a good soaking with the pressure washer.  It will need some more clean up but I am not going to spend too much time on the chassis if we can't make her pop.


We have no manual for this sled.  Does anyone have a manual or know where I can get one?
« Last Edit: September 22, 2018, 04:42:45 PM by mswyka »
Intruders:  1978, 1979, 1981 Custom (Pink)
Invaders:   1980 440
Projects:    1981 Invader 440

rminier

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Re: I know that this is not a Kawasaki
« Reply #1 on: September 22, 2018, 06:25:22 PM »
http://www.vintagesnow.com/Arctic-cat.html

This isn't perfect....it doesn't show a '72....but it does have the service manual for the '74 Panther with the wankel.
« Last Edit: September 22, 2018, 06:52:44 PM by rminier »
75 SnoJet Astro SS, 79 Kawasaki Invader 440 (two of them), 81 Scorpion Sidewinder, 82 Blizzard 9500, 83 Yamaha Vmax 540, 97 MXZ 670....and holding...for now.

rminier

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Re: I know that this is not a Kawasaki
« Reply #2 on: September 22, 2018, 06:57:05 PM »
parts fiche..

https://www.blwpartsfiche.com/

scroll down and click on the snowmobile, then the 1972 models
« Last Edit: September 22, 2018, 06:58:40 PM by rminier »
75 SnoJet Astro SS, 79 Kawasaki Invader 440 (two of them), 81 Scorpion Sidewinder, 82 Blizzard 9500, 83 Yamaha Vmax 540, 97 MXZ 670....and holding...for now.

sprocket

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Re: I know that this is not a Kawasaki
« Reply #3 on: September 23, 2018, 07:29:05 AM »
My neighbor had one what he put on it was a 36mm mikuni had more throttle response than what came with it, good luck with it

Vader440

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Re: I know that this is not a Kawasaki
« Reply #4 on: September 23, 2018, 06:13:13 PM »
Nothing wrong with having multiple brands. I have 4 Arctic Cat Jags and 2 Scorpion Super Stingers and a Ski Doo Olympique along with my Intruder.

mswyka

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Re: I know that this is not a Kawasaki
« Reply #5 on: September 23, 2018, 07:41:34 PM »
http://www.vintagesnow.com/Arctic-cat.html

This isn't perfect....it doesn't show a '72....but it does have the service manual for the '74 Panther with the wankel.

Thank you.  This should be helpful.  Just the plug number was important - keeping me from putting in a BR9!
Intruders:  1978, 1979, 1981 Custom (Pink)
Invaders:   1980 440
Projects:    1981 Invader 440

mswyka

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Re: I know that this is not a Kawasaki
« Reply #6 on: September 28, 2018, 07:04:12 PM »
Tonight's report.  No spark.  This is not a good sign.  Looks like I have some more investigation to do.
Intruders:  1978, 1979, 1981 Custom (Pink)
Invaders:   1980 440
Projects:    1981 Invader 440

mswyka

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Re: I know that this is not a Kawasaki
« Reply #7 on: October 03, 2018, 07:07:06 AM »
A night or two ago I pulled off some parts to gain access to the points - hoping that I would find an obvious problem with the points that could be rectified by a little filing.  No go.  Points looked good but I gave them a little filing anyway.  Still no spark.  At this point I am not sure how much further I want to take this exercise.  While the Wankel is an interesting curiosity, I am not sure that I really want to invest in learning about  another make/model/engine - I have been pretty comfortable just knowing about the Kawasaki engines.
Intruders:  1978, 1979, 1981 Custom (Pink)
Invaders:   1980 440
Projects:    1981 Invader 440

Interceptor398

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Re: I know that this is not a Kawasaki
« Reply #8 on: October 03, 2018, 07:14:06 AM »
I asked a friend who has experience with these, aka John Nutter. This is his reply.

Hi Bob. Its the same ignition as any German 2 stroke of the era. Points, condensor, coil, Plug. Wiring. Id probably look at the condensor next.
« Last Edit: October 03, 2018, 07:38:15 AM by Interceptor398 »

mswyka

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Re: I know that this is not a Kawasaki
« Reply #9 on: October 03, 2018, 05:01:58 PM »
I asked a friend who has experience with these, aka John Nutter. This is his reply.

Hi Bob. Its the same ignition as any German 2 stroke of the era. Points, condensor, coil, Plug. Wiring. Id probably look at the condensor next.


Thank you.
Intruders:  1978, 1979, 1981 Custom (Pink)
Invaders:   1980 440
Projects:    1981 Invader 440

Lloyd (ljm)

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Re: I know that this is not a Kawasaki
« Reply #10 on: October 04, 2018, 03:10:45 PM »
A Wankle has been on my bucket list for some time.   
77 SST
78 Intruder
79 340 Invader
80 440 Invader
80 Drifter (bought new)
80 LTD 4/6    X2

Several Deeres

mswyka

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Re: I know that this is not a Kawasaki
« Reply #11 on: October 19, 2018, 08:41:36 PM »
Simple change of points and condenser:  Just remove engine


Looks like this engine has not turned for many years.
Intruders:  1978, 1979, 1981 Custom (Pink)
Invaders:   1980 440
Projects:    1981 Invader 440

Interceptor398

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Re: I know that this is not a Kawasaki
« Reply #12 on: October 20, 2018, 12:03:24 PM »
They are an amazing engine.

mswyka

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Re: I know that this is not a Kawasaki
« Reply #13 on: October 21, 2018, 03:18:12 PM »
So far, so good.  After about an hour this afternoon the new points and condenser are installed and much to my surprise and great relief, we now have spark!  One hurdle down.
Intruders:  1978, 1979, 1981 Custom (Pink)
Invaders:   1980 440
Projects:    1981 Invader 440

mswyka

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Re: I know that this is not a Kawasaki
« Reply #14 on: October 27, 2018, 02:57:02 PM »
Today we put the engine back into the sled and managed to get a few pops out of her.  Still work to do.

With the first pop or two we started to see evidence of prehistoric animal life in the exhaust.  after pulling the exhaust, poking, prodding, fishing, and shaking, we finally go most of it out.  That is enough for today.
Intruders:  1978, 1979, 1981 Custom (Pink)
Invaders:   1980 440
Projects:    1981 Invader 440