Page 2 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration by Jose Catena
Jose explained to me a few more problems that he had to deal with
The Mecatecno have problem when rear brake system. ( i have a small Dragonfly and is same problem).
The problem is not to change system and being able to maintain it . I will think of improvements that i can make.
My Mecatecno has front Foral suspension but it is very bad condition. I will have to change.
In my first look on the bike i loook to see what is bad. The Foral front fork works good but the chrome is scratched and oxidated.
I have two óptions : first change the crome pipes for new, or second options is to find other forks that will work in Mecatecno.
The other problem is that i have no seat and rear mudguard.The rear shock absorber is the brand IDEAL Spanish brand, and i find in Madrid.
All other spares parts i can make myself
The Mecatecno have problem when rear brake system. ( i have a small Dragonfly and is same problem).
The problem is not to change system and being able to maintain it . I will think of improvements that i can make.
My Mecatecno has front Foral suspension but it is very bad condition. I will have to change.
In my first look on the bike i loook to see what is bad. The Foral front fork works good but the chrome is scratched and oxidated.
I have two óptions : first change the crome pipes for new, or second options is to find other forks that will work in Mecatecno.
The other problem is that i have no seat and rear mudguard.The rear shock absorber is the brand IDEAL Spanish brand, and i find in Madrid.
All other spares parts i can make myself
first the head and barrel comes off. from this distance the piston seems to be in good condition with only a small amount of blow past the rings on one side
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
The fly wheel side casing is now off showing the motoplat system.
The motoplat ignitions were a standard fittment back in the 80's. There were however hundreds of different shapes and sizes. They are not available now however Bradford ignitions would are not based in Spain can repair motoplat coils and magnetos - yipeeee.
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
Hi James, here have located Beta Zero fork in very good condition. The measures is exactly to Foral fork. I can use this unit in time for repair Foral. The rear shock ,is in Madrid a new unit.
You have a book workshop of motor?
This engine start good but a small sound inside.
Think is possible this sound be for rotary admission valve.
Kind regards!
You have a book workshop of motor?
This engine start good but a small sound inside.
Think is possible this sound be for rotary admission valve.
Kind regards!
I have found in the piston a small crack in the rear skirt does not seem very important but i would like to change it.
You know somewhere to buy in Spain.
Although this picture does not show it . Jose's piston is cracked on the skirt. He has two options. He could carefully weld the piston or buy one of the above Suzuki pistons and modify it.
You know somewhere to buy in Spain.
Although this picture does not show it . Jose's piston is cracked on the skirt. He has two options. He could carefully weld the piston or buy one of the above Suzuki pistons and modify it.
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
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1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration by Jose Catena
1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration by Jose Catena
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The Mahle pistons fitted as standard as completely unobtainable.
The Mecatecno Skywalker piston dimensions are 77m bore.18mm pin.75mm height.32.5mm from top of pin to top of piston.
With research and asking Jordi Rabassa he told us that the Mecatecno piston was not cast for them . It was a Maico 400 piston that was used. Having made many many checks i could not find a maico piston that fitted and was available.Soooo we did some more research
A Mecatecno owner and good guy J Robertson discovered that an Suzuki RM370 piston would fit with small modifications. Here are the details
The RM370 piston dimensions are:-
Diameter 77.25mm at the bottom of the skirt (1st os {77mm Std}).
Length overall (top of the crown (centre of the piston) to bottom skirt) 86mm.
Base of the dome of the crown (outer edge of the piston) to the bottom of the skirt 81mm.
Gudgeon pin diameter 18mm.
Top of crown to top edge of pin hole 37.6mm.
The piston has two rings and has two 1mm lubrication holes 15mm & 30mm down from the crown on the exhaust face of the piston. This provides some lubrication of the exhaust port bridge and helps prevent "nipping up".
Pin & small end:-
Gudgeon pin diameter 18mm.
Small end i/d 18.2mm, o/d 21mm., length 22.7mm.
All measurements have been taken from genuine Suzuki parts, in original boxes with printed part numbers on them.
The Mecatecno Skywalker piston dimensions are 77m bore.18mm pin.75mm height.32.5mm from top of pin to top of piston.
With research and asking Jordi Rabassa he told us that the Mecatecno piston was not cast for them . It was a Maico 400 piston that was used. Having made many many checks i could not find a maico piston that fitted and was available.Soooo we did some more research
A Mecatecno owner and good guy J Robertson discovered that an Suzuki RM370 piston would fit with small modifications. Here are the details
The RM370 piston dimensions are:-
Diameter 77.25mm at the bottom of the skirt (1st os {77mm Std}).
Length overall (top of the crown (centre of the piston) to bottom skirt) 86mm.
Base of the dome of the crown (outer edge of the piston) to the bottom of the skirt 81mm.
Gudgeon pin diameter 18mm.
Top of crown to top edge of pin hole 37.6mm.
The piston has two rings and has two 1mm lubrication holes 15mm & 30mm down from the crown on the exhaust face of the piston. This provides some lubrication of the exhaust port bridge and helps prevent "nipping up".
Pin & small end:-
Gudgeon pin diameter 18mm.
Small end i/d 18.2mm, o/d 21mm., length 22.7mm.
All measurements have been taken from genuine Suzuki parts, in original boxes with printed part numbers on them.
This is the small cover that screws on just below the sprocket. It covers the end of the gear selector drum which protrudes from inside the engine. There is a small circlip on the end of the gear selector rum shaft which holds the drum in place.
The problem is that Jose's plastic cover is old brittle and has broken.
The problem is that Jose's plastic cover is old brittle and has broken.
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
You can see in this photo where someone has stuck it on
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
Urrggghhh , but its only a bit of rust
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
The ignition system off and disconnected
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
Now the clutch side case comes off
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
For the below photo you can see that the clutch has been taken off already.
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
Now Jose has removed the main drive cog to the clutch and removed the disc valve cover
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
Here is the disc valve on the drive shaft.
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
When you remove the valve you must mark its correct position. Sure... you can work it out , but if you want exactly the correct position, mark it. I have known valves that were not marked by the factory.
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
Here is the engine out on the bench partially stripped.
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
The donor bike - yes you heard right . Jose is morphing a beta and a mecatecno together !!
Here are the front works which Jose plans to use for his Mecatecno restoration. I had already let him know that Richard Allen had got some Aprilia Foral forks in stock but i guess he cost and postage would have amounted to quite a bit and way more than these units on the Beta. This is a 1991 Beta Zero courtesy of " El Rey "
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
Now Jose has stripped the engine completely and the gears are all out. Here he is cleaning them ready to reassemble after checking in new bearings.
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
They look pretty good to me
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
Jose's 1989 Mecatecno Skywalker restoration WWW.RETROTRIALS.COM
Sooo. Will Jose discover where the noise is coming from within his engine ?
Will he be able to prevent the Mecatecno leaking oil ? (very difficult ).
Will he find any thin cracks in the magnesium engine casings ? ( common )
WIll he be able to source a piston ?
Will he be able to mend the split in the plastic tank ?
Will he be able to mount the Mecatecno brakes on the Beta forks ?
Move onto page 3
Will he be able to prevent the Mecatecno leaking oil ? (very difficult ).
Will he find any thin cracks in the magnesium engine casings ? ( common )
WIll he be able to source a piston ?
Will he be able to mend the split in the plastic tank ?
Will he be able to mount the Mecatecno brakes on the Beta forks ?
Move onto page 3
