new idea to solve old problem

[Cheapinri]

hi , I just got a project chaparral from early 70's in the hope I can get it running well enough to climb a 12 to 15 % grade as measured by incline o meter about 100' long . not looking for pretty ,just to carry me up the hill and down as safe as possible. is this machine capable ? where can I get a manual on this machine? thank you

[Mike]

It should be capable of carrying you up that grade. What motor is in your Chaparral?

Check out the beginning of this video. While they aren't Chaparrals, depending on the motor you have, you should be able to get similar performance. The blue machine has a 30HP 4 stroke and the red machine has a 2 stroke motor. The sound was disabled years ago during the Youtube vs the Music Industry issues:

[eddieb1965]

I have had 3 ,The biggest downfall has to be the weak ABS bodys.They used a proven T-20 trans., nice frame and hefty axles.Driver location was good for climbing hills,but rear passenger seat was almost useless.Back in the day these were one of the brands that toured the circuit and did very well.One of my machines was factory original white and had a perfect body (should of kept it).The other 2 needed major fiberglassing to get them where they could be used in semi watery conditions.Other than brittle bodys these were pretty well designed and reliable machine. Hope you like yours....

[Cheapinri]

thank you for vid number eo . so far all i know is motor is a 2 cycle rockwell haven't had time to search for serial number. any idea on where or who would have a manual?

[jpswift1]

Here you go..........

It's a big file.

http://www.czmartin.com/jpw/JLO_ServiceManual.pdf

[eddieb1965]

2 of mine had the 20 hp single Rockwell and 1 was a 400 or 440, the twin was pretty scary at top speed.

[Cheapinri]

hi eddie1965 this one has a single cylinder engine in it , will have to lift and put water in it to see where leaks are and patch it before I try going down hill with it . hill I need it for has a 15 to 20 foot flat area at bottom then another 20' slope to pond so being able to float would be good but hopefully not nessary .

[ARGOJIM]

Personally I don't think it is feasible with a 15-20' take off area to ask a single cylinder 2 stroke that is rated about 20 hp at near full rpm to climb that 100' 15% grade. With a longer take off area to wind the engine up some it would probably do it, with 20' your probably only able to use about 6-8hp with next to no torque.
We road with a couple for years with a twin cylinder 340 2 stroke and at one particular hill the husband would stop, and to the wife politely say get out, he would climb and she'd return. Eventually this became second nature and she'd either hike up or catch a ride in a 4stoke to the top.

4 stroke it and you should be fine like the machines Mike referred to, even from a dead stop at the bottom with some.

[Cheapinri]

argojim 4 stroke of about how much hp ? new clutch too?

[Cheapinri]

eddieb1965 looking this thing and wondering where the brakes are . what I thought was a brake pedal is more like a emergency brake !!! can't wait to get tires on this thing and putt around the yard . long learning curve before I try going up hill and even more before I try going down hill . merry Christmas and thank you to all

[eddieb1965]

The only brakes you have are inside the T-20 trans.Both of my 20hp machines did everything I expected them to do,but they are about a light of machine as they come(heavier drive,but lightweight body and aluminum gas tank).

[Cheapinri]

czmartin .com no longer exists

[eddieb1965]

One of my old photos shows a Chapparral racer with a single cage and a very neat expansion chamber coming thru the hood,It is the white body and has a #50 on it.No clue as to where or who it was.

[1963 pengor penguin]

it should with a motor with around 14-16 hp easy

[Cheapinri]

dug into it more and it seems motor is a 340 not a 295 which gives it a couple more horse power according to what I have read . thinking chains for more traction . do I do 2 front tires or rear ? would four or 6 tires using chains be better?