SOLO Solo thread

[Partner]

The Solo 650AV has large holes, one blade on the flywheel is also broken, but the steel sleeve is thicker. Someone didn't want to screw the cover and that's why the wires were pushing into the flywheel, they are being corrected in every possible place

 

[Hulsty]

9000 and 9010 were both limited I believe 9010 a little bit higher

Got a tach this week and confirmed mine has the 11,500 coil.

 

[Partner]

Solo Minor looks 50 years old

 

[FederalQ]

Can one decipher year model from this number? I apologize if this has been covered I did not search.

 

[mrxlh]

Can one decipher year model from this number? I apologize if this has been covered I did not search.View attachment 426841

The 680 was made from 85-95, that should narrow it a lot.

 

[Partner]

I found 17" 0.078" guides for $5, it fits Solo 50, the drive sprocket is 0.404", the marking is H3 / It's a pity it's not 0.063", but I don't know what was standard, maybe someone has it, let me know/The pins are 14mm

 

[trooney]

Would anyone be interested in a 644 parts saw? Only thing missing is the chainbrske and hardware and the muffler. Piston and cylinder as well as the case and handle are in real good shape.

 

[eric4]

I've got a 656 in the mail, and don't know much about this chassis, but they sound like winners. Owned a 644 in the past, that was a strong lil ripper, but obviously parts are always a challenge.

From what I've read, they're awesome saws, but can have some problems, like plastic recoil parts, and a temperamental carburetor.

What's the story on the muffler for these saws? Are they fairly open as-is, or is it wise to modify?

Are parts still readily available in Europe?

 

[trooney]

I think they're fairly open. I have a 644 thats a runner, but use it very seldom as I have alot of 40/50cc saws. I rebuilt it and put it on the shelf. The parts saw has a real good cylinder, thats why I bought it. If I'm not mistaken, the muffler, its interchangeable with a 651 or craftsman 3000. Might be off base on this though. Parts availability is the problem.

 

[eric4]

Shucks, I got my "low hour, excellent condition" Solo 656 today... Here's a glimpse of the exhaust side of the piston.

I'd consider this some fairly significant scoring, personally. Although the saw still does have good compression, it seems like it's gonna only get worse from here.

If it were almost any other saw, that a replacement piston was feasible, I wouldn't be buggin'

 

[Partner]

Look around the piston rings

 

[eric4]

Look around the piston rings

It wasn't too bad around the rings, but the scoring definitely went up to them. Had to request a return from the seller, sadly.

I knew it was a bit of a risk to get a SOLO seeing as parts were impossible to find, but thought I was getting one with lots of life left in it. Especially spending nearly $400 for the saw, you'd hope for a score-free piston.

 

[FederalQ]

That’s unfortunate. But it is what it is. I think Solo still has an address in Newport News, VA that may be worth contacting for parts. Indeed a lot of money for that saw.

 

[nbbt]

When I looked for a piston for my 667 last summer, all I could find in the US was aftermarket. There seems to be several sources in europe, but I was unable to get any of them to ship across the big pond.

 

[eric4]

When I looked for a piston for my 667 last summer, all I could find in the US was aftermarket. There seems to be several sources in europe, but I was unable to get any of them to ship across the big pond.

I think the 667 was also a more popular saw than the 656. There is an ebay seller right now with a good handful of different solo pistons, but the 656 is nowhere to be seen.

If I snagged the saw for a bargain, it would have been worth removing the piston and cylinder, for a light sanding. For that price, I can build an OEM 350 -> 346xp conversion saw.