I have to disagree with what Mr. Doug Welch has to say concerning sealed and unsealed Rotax engines. First of all, Seth and I have a unsealed Rotax FR125 engine that is unsealed because our engine was torn down in the CSC series and I didn’t see the need to have it resealed as we were going to the Nations Cup, where if we won or placed in the top 3 I knew our engine would be torn down again. I figured since they broke our seal which was a seal put on by SSC, the Rotax Importer, then why should I pay the additional money to have it resealed when Superkarts USA doesn’t honor the seal anyway. Second, I personally keep all my receipts for parts as well as any labor I’ve had done to our Rotax’s so there is a very good paper trail on what has been done to our motors. I also keep very accurate records of the number of hours on our engines, as well as the number of hours on our clutch’s and pipes. I also keep track of when I replaced the packing in the exhausts and when I’ve replaced the clutch. I feel that if a person does this religiously, then there is no danger in purchasing a unsealed Rotax FR125 engine. I certainly haven’t seen it decrease the value of our engines.
Third, Here at S.A.C. Motorsports we sell unsealed Rotax Tag engines that are brand new and have all the same documentation that any other Rotax FR125 comes with including the Passport. The only thing that they don’t have is the “Seal”. Personally, I think there are some advantages to not having a sealed motor. (1) You can work on it yourself if you feel comfortable and are somewhat knowledgeable about 2 stroke motors. (2) On Bombardiers website you can download a repair manual that has all the specs that the motor has to fall within, and it even tells you in great details of what specs. the piston clearance has to fall within as well as the end gap on the ring. The manual also gives you the different size pistons that are available for certain size cylinders. Everything is included in this manual. There are some specialty tools that are needed if your gonna go further than the top end. Most motorcycle shops around town would press or pull you cases apart if you were wanting to get into the bottom end of the motor, which I personally would’t recommend.
Anyway, the point to all I have said is that just because you don’t have a seal makes your motor worth less money I think is ludicrous. If you keep good records and receipts I don’t think it makes a darn bit of difference what your engine is worth. Granted, those buying the unsealed TAG Rotax FR125 motors from us can’t race in any R/Max Challenge event, but they can certainly race them in any TAG Series across America without the fear of having there sealed Rotax engine being torn down and then having to pay the additional expense of having it resealed.
I’m personally a big fan of the R/Max Challenge Series and understand the need for the “Seal”, but it is certainly not necessary if your only racing in the TAG Series that are all over the United States. It’s not required in W.K.A., Superkarts U.S.A. or I.K.F., the seal is not honored as proof of your engine being legal in any of the aformentioned series.
Sincerely,
Tim George
S.A.C. Motorsports, LLC
HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY ONE AND ALL FROM MIKE, TIM AND SETH