Willard's vintage Hotsaw Builds

[Willard]

And for all you bikesaw builders out there You need this equipment for your bikesaw project program too.
I setup this little gym in a spare room in my basement years ago.
Gotta move a ceiling tile to do pullups but this setup with over 300lbs of plates is all I need.
You gotta be a gearhead and a musclehead at the same time

 

[Willard]

I'm not rushing this project. Just bought a toaster oven for the work bench. Great for curing engine coatings, installing bearings, etc.
I'm going to make these saws look as good as they are fast.
Each saw will have their own spare test cylinders and heads.

 

[Willard]

Got the latest Moto Tassarini VForce 4R reed cage today for the YZ125.

 

[Willard]

With a busy tree service season I put the hotsaw projects on hold until the fall for the time being
No competitions to go to this year so no need to rush things.

R&D pays off, I got all the parts needed plus spares for the YZ125 and CR250R to get them up and running. Still need to collect a few more parts for the CR500 but that build I'm taking my time with,Lol.

Future looks good for the big bore bikesaw single cut oversize wood competitions as Dennis Cahoon and company have ran their 500's in a California competition recently.
A few goodies here for the 125 and 250.

 

[jacob j.]

R&D pays off, I got all the parts needed plus spares for the YZ125 and CR250R to get them up and running. Still need to collect a few more parts for the CR500 but that build I'm taking my time with,Lol.

Looking good, Mr. W - I was wondering when you'd get back to this...

 

[Willard]

Looking good, Mr. W - I was wondering when you'd get back to this...

Thanks Jacob,
I'm really biting at the bit here to get these saws in the wood but still not retired yet so gotta keep slaying trees for few more months, then it's back to the real fun.
With a little time off I've re thought a few changes to the builds, which definitely will improve their holeshot into the first cut.
I came to realize we're not cutting 20" wood anymore for 3 cuts cold start at the big shows. These saws have to be lighter, more compact and quicker between the cuts.
In 16"-18" pine a stock CR250 can beat a 330 or a 363 big bore.
All in the chain and operator skills with the right built engine.

 

[Willard]

About 2 more months will be the end of my 2021 treework season and I'll be back wrenching on the 3 bikesaws.
And it couldn't be a better time for this mini lathe I ordered yesterday. Actually ordered it online through Walmart.ca for $599CAD ($480 USD), free shipping and no tax. Will be delivered next week.

I did lots of research on these lathes and they have improved lots in quality in the last 20 years even though it's Chinese made.
I'll be turning about 90% aluminum so perfect for what I need it for. I always wanted one of these, just took many years to decide.

 

[Willard]

Got the little lathe unpacked and well packed it was.
Perfect for the smaller aluminum jobs I can do myself.
Can turn some steel too.

 

[Willard]

Up to a few weeks ago I had my mind set on retirement this time next year.
Well it's not going to happen....it's happening right now
When I decided last week I've been cataloging all my equipment and then put it into winter storage.
In the spring I'm selling everything off and live my life totally around my family and my hobbies.
47 years I have made income running a chainsaw since 16.
I never had the pleasure to run my own MS500, 462 or 572XP, but hey I'm keeping my 044, 562 and 066's.

 

[Willard]

More part collecting for the CR500 and starting it's bottom end and frame build. Yes the intake manifold horns will be trimmed off.

 

[Willard]

Next week my 36" bar and loops of chain are coming for the CR500.
If all works out with Covid etc next summer I hope to be at the Westwood California show.
Here's Mel Lentz running a 408 Puma for the win last summer.

 

[Willard]

It's minus -30°C outside and the heat is on in the saw shed.

Got a good start on the '84 CR500R hotsaw.
Gave it a haircut and it lost over 7 lbs, Lol.

 

[Willard]

The 514cc Honda CR500 powerhead is starting to resemble a chainsaw, pieces starting to find their place.
The carbon fiber frame is roughed out, now to carve out the rear handle and mount the top handle,
Bar pad with studs on the way when the new sprocket and rope spool comes in the mail.
That 10 lb 36" bar is going on some major weight reduction

 

[J_M____]

Lookin good

 

[Willard]

Belated Merry Christmas everyone and Happy New Year's.

The Honda CR500R is put a side getting some major race mods, so I'm now focusing on the YZ125 and CR250R at the moment.

Another mock profile here of the two, sorting out these saw's horizontal profiles.
The powerheads will be mounted on top of their pipes like today's standard vertical hotsaws are setup.
Mag side carbon fiber sideplates will be mounted to support the top handles connecting to the PTO sideplates. Under the top handles will be 1.5mm thin carbon fiber covers to seal in the ignition coils and fuel lines.

Parked in front of the 1983 CR250R is the NOS OEM crank I bought for it off Ebay last year.
During that period Honda was experimenting with GP race bikes technology before switching to the tin can full circle cranks in 1984.
Yamaha ran that '83 style of crank in their TZ125 GP race bikes right up to 1995 getting upwards of 15K rpm out of them. Crankcase windage was the key in those crankshaft webs.

 

[Willard]

How's everyone doing?
Been a long winter and I just recently sold all my tree service equipment and diesel pickup truck.
Hopefully no more distractions for the bikesaw builds.

 

[jacob j.]

Looking good Mr. W - I'm looking forward to you making some noise and chips with these projects.

 

[Willard]

Looking good Mr. W - I'm looking forward to you making some noise and chips with these projects.

Thanks Jacob, they're finally starting to look like chainsaws and I'm really looking forward to sinking their teeth into some wood.
There's a period in these project's construction I'm now starting to realize I feel anxious.
Less then 3 months to make Squamish, B.C. loggers sports. I've been waiting 32 years to get to this show, Lol.

Unfortunately Kaslo, B.C is not going to happen for me in 3 weeks.
Both these shows run cold start two cuts in 22 inch timber. Squamish has 22" doug fir. Kaslo 22" pine.

 

[Willard]

Been a while since posting these.
Dennis Cahoon takes 1st with his Honda RS125 bikesaw at Squamish,B.C.

 

[Willard]

Well fellas 6 more weeks before I do the 3,100 mile round trip drive through the bald prairie and up through the Rocky mountains to Squamish BC on the west coast.
Either I'm really dedicated or I'm nuts.
So close now with the YZ125 bikesaw. Need to build some chain guards, finish mounting the pipe, bend the stinger out a bit and rework the head and cylinder some. Then dial it in with the 28" b/c in some bigger wood to match the 140cc class cold start, 2 cuts within 4" in 22" Douglas fir.

The YZ125 turned out really compact and just around 23 lbs PHO, about the weight of a 3120XP.