Welcome to Club SAITO !
My FA-72 needs help, don't know what is wrong with it, but it just wont run. Going to have to tear it out of the lane and put it on the stand. It used to run great, then had to replace the cylinder, hasn't run right since. Has good compression, so it seated well, I just can't get it to run reliably, is sags, or two strokes at times, or just plain quits and wont restart.
My Feedback: (1)
Just an FYI, I have a fellow club member from Norway. He has friends that are still there. He talked to them, and there are 2 LHS that keep glow fuel in stock. So good news. I plan to mix up some 10% for my Saito 180, as this should be no problem to get when in country. I do think it will be a good idea to put the CH ignition on the engine as well, as I wanted on board glow anyway, and this somewhat simplifies that, while adding more control. I am not interested in going full on a gas conversion, not yet anyway.
Just an FYI, I have a fellow club member from Norway. He has friends that are still there. He talked to them, and there are 2 LHS that keep glow fuel in stock. So good news. I plan to mix up some 10% for my Saito 180, as this should be no problem to get when in country. I do think it will be a good idea to put the CH ignition on the engine as well, as I wanted on board glow anyway, and this somewhat simplifies that, while adding more control. I am not interested in going full on a gas conversion, not yet anyway.
I have repurposed several Saito gassers to methanol fuel with CDI. Very rewarding. The fuel burn rate drops, power moved up, idle is great and they run substantially cooler. The transition is superb.
My favorite has been the FG-20 which is the FA125 in gaspoline disguise.
Another member of this group "Sr. Telemaster" has done several large Saito CDI/Methanol with stellar results. Good on ya, enjoy!
My favorite has been the FG-20 which is the FA125 in gaspoline disguise.
Another member of this group "Sr. Telemaster" has done several large Saito CDI/Methanol with stellar results. Good on ya, enjoy!
This fellow from Gulliver Michigan( My favorite fishing place in the Upper Penninsula) was a regular at the NAMES shows about 20 years ago.
He made several fine miniature engines. Including a Gnome Radial and a V-12 Allison, among others. They all started easily and ran well.
Made from real castings!
He made several fine miniature engines. Including a Gnome Radial and a V-12 Allison, among others. They all started easily and ran well.
Made from real castings!
Senior Member
I pulled my FG 11 to give it a physical and decided to make a rear facing vent for it. That turned out be a near nightmare. The original vent was so tight it sprung my wrench even though I removed the Hall effect sensor so I could get the wrench on it straight. A pair of small vice grips got it out after smashing it flat. I used my last new vent to make this one. I'm proud of this one.
I use small 1/4" drive 6 point Snap-On sockets to remove them if I can get the socket on. Less chance of damaging the flats. Even the tightest ones come off without damage. Trick is to have the pressure 100% straight down and not off to the side like a wrench does. Broke more fittings using a properly fitted wrench than using the sockets.
I wonder if I can convert my 72 to CDI, and if the extra weight would affect the Something Xtra. I may also look into CDI for the Gemini II 120.
I wonder if I can convert my 72 to CDI, and if the extra weight would affect the Something Xtra. I may also look into CDI for the Gemini II 120.
Senior Member
Adrian is kind of secretive about it, but he has or had some Hall effect sensors that fit the 72/82. The vent on the FG 11 is too close to the main bearing bulge to get a socket on it, I tried all I had.
Last edited by 1200SportsterRider; 09-22-2021 at 07:29 AM. Reason: Spelling
I pulled my FG 11 to give it a physical and decided to make a rear facing vent for it. That turned out be a near nightmare. The original vent was so tight it sprung my wrench even though I removed the Hall effect sensor so I could get the wrench on it straight. A pair of small vice grips got it out after smashing it flat. I used my last new vent to make this one. I'm proud of this one.
BTW, I usually move these vents to the cam box whenever the box is off.
Last edited by Jesse Open; 09-22-2021 at 10:23 AM.
Aaaaaaaamen to using heat for breaking loose stubborn fasteners in aluminum parts. Makes removing those rocker pins a snap, instead of the blade of that tiny screwdriver.
Dave, does the FG14 come from Saito with that casting web milled off? Looks like clearance for the sensor tab. And yes, I'm wondering again.
Dave, does the FG14 come from Saito with that casting web milled off? Looks like clearance for the sensor tab. And yes, I'm wondering again.
Last edited by Glowgeek; 09-22-2021 at 01:21 PM.
I hand file the ribs to install the CH bracket on FA-125 Saitos.
The CH brackets also perfectly replace the Saito plastic thingy on the FG series.
The CH brackets also perfectly replace the Saito plastic thingy on the FG series.
Senior Member
Aaaaaaaamen to using heat for breaking loose stubborn fasteners in aluminum parts. Makes removing those rocker pins a snap, instead of the blade of that tiny screwdriver.
Dave, does the FG14 come from Saito with that casting web milled off? Looks like clearance for the sensor tab. And yes, I'm wondering again.
Dave, does the FG14 come from Saito with that casting web milled off? Looks like clearance for the sensor tab. And yes, I'm wondering again.
Last edited by 1200SportsterRider; 09-23-2021 at 05:53 AM. Reason: Add content
The hole drilled thru the rib is used for a nylon tie-wfap. Secure strain relief for the Hall Effect pickup lead wire.
I make a similar bracket for small Saitos. Bottom mounted and allows easy timing changes and fixed magnet position.
I make a similar bracket for small Saitos. Bottom mounted and allows easy timing changes and fixed magnet position.
Last edited by Jesse Open; 09-23-2021 at 06:11 AM.
Senior Member
The FG 11 fires right there when turning by hand. I don't think my timing light will read through the CHI high tension lead to check while running.
Last edited by 1200SportsterRider; 09-24-2021 at 02:09 PM. Reason: Add picture
Moderator
My Feedback: (58)
I have to service my Saito 82 and 125 after many years of storage. I was digging through my inventory of spare parts and found these whitish washers. Not sure if they belong to Saito or OS. Can anyone recognize them? There are two sizes in the pack. Unfortunately I lost the original label and description. Thanks for the inputs!
Last edited by rajul; 09-25-2021 at 05:54 AM.
I have to service my Saito 82 and 125 after many years of not using. I was digging through my inventory of spare parts and found these whitish washers. Not sure if they belong to Saito or OS. Can anyone recognize them? There are two sizes in the pack. Unfortunately I lost the original label and description. Thanks for the inputs!
Senior Member
Hey Rajul, long time no see, the larger ones go in the this relief for the choke slider to seal against as Lonnie splained. The relief can also accept these aluminum rings that index the big block velocity stacks.