rebuilders or junk??

[Kid]

I have no gyro experience-- been lurking and learning for awhile now

looking to train at the end of summer

So what do ya think-- worth rebuilding or not??

what are they worth?

2,500 mile round trip for pick-up !!

Build 2 gyros and spring for the parts or strip gyro #2 for the blades????

gyro #1--sub. 1.8--40hrs ? runs--good inst. pod?-prerotor-NO ROTOR BLADES good prop--
gyro #2-- mac. 80hp-not running/not locked up/never tried to start--inst. pod?? prerotor--Benson alum. blades--BAD PROP

[gyroplanes]

I have rebuilt many a neglected gyro and returned them to service.
I am not a negative guy and also not prone to bursting bubbles.

The Subaru gyro would be the best bet for reconditioning. An EA81 1800 is hard pressed to fly a normal sized guy without a redrive, adding Bensen blades makes it a nearly impossible task for all but a very light person, at sea level.

People still fly and enjoy MACs, I did for 12 years. Mac fliers are few and far between and you had better join the cult of MAC worshippers as there are as many tips and tricks to extend the 10 hour TBO as there are MACS flying these days.

Ask a lot of questions before doing things. There are a lot of helpful people on this forum.

[WHY]

Kid

What is your personal weight ? The gyro with the EA-81 looks like B.J. Taylors "Ruptured Duck" ??

Tony

[Jpipe]

Go for it. I did the same thing.

[Master Roda]

Originally Posted by Kid

So what do ya think-- worth rebuilding or not??

what are they worth?

What's the asking price of both?

I'm not sure I buy the story of the engine claim of "not being run" and having a damaged prop. Fishy.
Bensen blades are not a good reason to buy a gyro.
I don't like buying things sight unseen (or traveling long distance). Get more pics if you can.


My opinion: Buy #1 and get the parts to complete it. If it only needs rotors and a good make-over.
Give us the asking price for #1 and we can judge from there.

Jon

[Kid]

thanks guys,

GYROPLANES-got any idea what a re drive would cost?? need power-- FAT BOY ZONE HERE

MASTER RODA--price is $3,800 for both-- he bought the #2 for the blades and lost his job so wanting to get out of both. Say's #2 motor not locked up on the mac. also felt #2 was a rebuilder itself-- set for 10 years and never rotated the prop--- yes new blades for #1 more than likely

#2 also has been n numbered--- #1 has not

WHY--- well I am down to about 214lbs from 259lbs last year

the training opportunity will take care of it's self later in the year, So just looking around at what is out there to get the ball rolling in the machinery department. Not wanting to jump head first or anything thats why I am here !!

Would not mind getting them both going if the monies are right-- got a cousin who is a bit interested also but hey I will take both

I do have a little aviation experience from the Army reserve-- 68d-- helicopter power train repair--- certainly by far no expert in anything

I appreciate the input guy's-- I am all ears !!

[WHY]

Kid

The one gyro with the EA-81 looks just like the gyro B.J. Taylor made, BJ was in the 200 lb class and his gyro was real marginal until he burned off 1/2 tank of gas and then it seemed to become a different machine, at least that is what he told me. The direct drive conversion looks like a "sweet and simple" conversion that I designed way back in the early 90's. The rear engine "T" mount is for sure a BJ Taylor design.

Is that a "modified" intake manifold with dual carbs or is that a "dual carb" EA-81, if it is a genuine "dual carb" EA-81 it is much more powerful that the stock EA-81 and should not need a re-drive .

Tony

[Kid]

WHY--The guy who currently has them is shuttling an LSA across the U.S. at the moment so unavailable to ask questions--- I do know HE bought the gyro's and did not build them

I am 5'7" 214 at the moment--- I was 185 in high school--- just a stub I guess-- with my upper body being so thick--- getting down to BELOW 200lbs Polly ain't gonna happen

[Heron]

You will have to design a project around this!
Start with the math, look what you have in parts and build your machine taylored to your body.
Discard what is not useable an see what you are buying, the price is good!
Heron

[Mike484]

Building is very enjoyable and in the end very rewarding. But, nothing is cheap. Even with what you have here, when you get one built you will probably find that you have more money invested in it that what it would have cost you to buy one that is already flying. The biggest difference is you will have what you want when you are done. If you buy a flying machine you have what someone else wanted and more than likely will be making some changes to make it the way you want it. It's a coin toss on what to do but if you enjoy building and are willing to put forth the money then this should be a good buy for you.

[Doug Riley]

Something that may or may not matter to you: direct-drive Subarus are really LOUD. You can wear earplugs but your neighbors on the ground can't.

Either gyro will need a real horizontal stabilizer to be safe. The old stock units down on the keel don't work.

The Bensen-style rigid axle is fine for paved runways, as long as you diligently practice your landings. Not so great for the average grass strip with a few bumps and ruts.

[WHY]

The long exhaust pipes on the EA-81 would have to be changed, or safetied, just waiting to crack and go into the prop. Doug is right, gonna need quite a bit of updating for safety and performance. But that would not stop me, I like to build.

Tony

[Kid]

Originally Posted by WHY

Kid

The one gyro with the EA-81 looks just like the gyro B.J. Taylor made, BJ was in the 200 lb class and his gyro was real marginal until he burned off 1/2 tank of gas and then it seemed to become a different machine, at least that is what he told me. The direct drive conversion looks like a "sweet and simple" conversion that I designed way back in the early 90's. The rear engine "T" mount is for sure a BJ Taylor design.

Is that a "modified" intake manifold with dual carbs or is that a "dual carb" EA-81, if it is a genuine "dual carb" EA-81 it is much more powerful that the stock EA-81 and should not need a re-drive .Tony

nugget of info right there-- It would make the deal more attractive for sure.

[Kid]

Originally Posted by Mike484

Building is very enjoyable and in the end very rewarding. But, nothing is cheap. Even with what you have here, when you get one built you will probably find that you have more money invested in it that what it would have cost you to buy one that is already flying. The biggest difference is you will have what you want when you are done. If you buy a flying machine you have what someone else wanted and more than likely will be making some changes to make it the way you want it. It's a coin toss on what to do but if you enjoy building and are willing to put forth the money then this should be a good buy for you.

well I kinda figured blades and hub? for the gyro #1-- wasn't counting on a redrive.

DOUG RILEY--absolutely knew either gyro will need stabilizers-- those i think I can make --aircraft metal supplier about 3 miles away from the house

I can weld but don't have a welder--- but 3 miles in the other direction is the guy I have used on other projects-- has break and can weld aluminum

hehe, about 3 miles in the other direction is a machine shop that can make about anything-- if ya got the MONEY !!

I know I really should be looking for a tandem cuz I have a 7 yr old daddies girl that ain't gonna look real kindly of leavin her behind on the ground !!!

But, until my skill levels reach a certain quality-- thats exactly where she will be.

[WHY]

Hi KId

There were not many of the "dual carb" EA-81's around and they were highly sought after, rated at 100 hp instead of 80 hp. Got most of the extra hp from the different valve arrangement and a lot higher rpm, to high to run direct drive at that rpm, so had to run at a lower rpm thus less hp but still more than a single carb EA-81. A good cam re-grind that would maybe lower the hp a little but RAISE the torque curve significantly would really be a good move. Don't know of anyone that did this on a dual carb EA-81 though, shortly after the dual carb EA-81 showed up so did the EJ-22, the rest is history.

Tony