Do you know this motor? ...TAS MOTOR.

SeattleRider · #1 09-29-2009, 09:04 PM

So I thought I would start here and then go over the 2 stroke engine forum to see what they say.

Here is the story...

I have the oportunity to buy an old 2 stroke engine called TAS Motor ($200). I know nothing about it other than looking at it (and i'm not an engine guy). I think it's in working order but I have no idea what it's worth and I'm having a hard time finding any information about them. I did find out that the engines were made by Tanaka of Japan and Jim Wilson Editor of www.bikenrodkustom.com magazine has one of em (Thanks Mike!). Haven't tried (don't know how) to contact Jim.

Before I purchase it I was wondering if anyone could tell me about TAS motors? Do you have one or seen one for sale? You can't see on the picture (below) but the clutch is on the engine (don't know if they are all like that or not). I want to put it on my board track racer i'm buiding and I thought it would be better than a china engine. However I don't know if it's worth $200?

Any info/help would be greatly appreciated...

DOC BOLM · #2 09-29-2009, 09:13 PM

200.00 might be ok if you can find parts for it.check and see what parts you can find online.If a small part goes out,and you cant find a replacement part you now have a 200.00 door stop H.D.

sdol · #3 09-29-2009, 09:20 PM

A google search turns up the following Google Image Result for http://jleibovitch.tripod.com/94d58c20.jpg tbnh=101&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3DTAS%2BMotors%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um% 3D1

sdol

SeattleRider · #4 09-29-2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdol

A google search turns up the following Google Image Result for http://jleibovitch.tripod.com/94d58c20.jpg tbnh=101&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3DTAS%2BMotors%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um% 3D1

sdol

Thanks sdol - I should have mentioned I did search about the engine but it was a bunch of dead ends. I also found that page and I saw some engines that looked really similar but I couldn't find any info on them other than those pics on peoples bikes. Maybe I'm not just searching in the right places. Thats why I'm asking here...I'm betting that someone here will read this post and have that engine on their bike or maybe have worked on one...

**2door** · #5 09-29-2009, 09:41 PM

Seattle,
I can't be any help but I'm curious about the motor. Do you know the displacement, (cc) ? Is it mounted on a bicycle in the photo? That is an interesting piece of machinery. Let us know what you find out about it, please.
Tom

Kevlarr · #6 09-29-2009, 10:00 PM

It looks like that's what the china engines are modeled after.

foureasy · #7 09-29-2009, 10:43 PM

that thing looks freakin sweet

bairdco · #8 09-29-2009, 11:30 PM

from the aluminum tubing and the cast lugs, that looks like it's mounted to a 1930's Ward's/ Hawthorne Duralium bicycle. if that motor has any power, it'll rip that frame to shreds.

i had one that just pedaling hard would flex the **** out of the frame.

i've got a girl's bike now i'm restoring. i'm afraid to ride it.

but they are cool bikes, and that motor looks cool. all art-deco...

bairdco · #9 09-30-2009, 12:03 AM

found some stuff for you: Lawn & Garden Power Equipment Trivia

looks like they were used on keystone minibikes from the 70's. supposed to be 50cc.

from the shape, it looks like some of them were friction drive, but i can't tell.

Tanaka still has some parts for them, because some stuff is interchangeable with their other motors.

i'd buy it. even if it did turn into a boat anchor...

SeattleRider · #10 09-30-2009, 04:22 PM

WOW, thanks for everyone’s input...

kevlarr- yeah I agree about it looking like it's what china engines are made from. I can tell you one thing...it's solid and you can clearly see it's made with solid parts, the Japanese engines are much better than the china ones IMHO.

bairdco - nice research! I agree with your assessment of the keystone minibikes from what I searched and found. It's GREAT to hear I can still get parts if need be. The frame the engine is on is not my bike but you most likely are correct. I'm going to put this motor on my Harley Board Tracker (see below) made from a worksman bike. Should hold up fine...

I most likely will buy this motor on Sunday and when I go and look at it I will have more questions for the buyer. Number one is making sure it does work and if not what we will need to do to get it going. I know he didn't know a lot about it but is very familiar with 2 strokes and he even offered to help me get it mounted. As you can see on my bike I will need to knock out on of the mount tabs on it and I might have to add a bar to mount the engine.

Here is a picture of the bike I'm going to mount it on...