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Refurbishing Cagiva Elefant 650 rubber intake parts

Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2018 3:46 pm
by phiba
Hi everyone. I am wondering what is the best way to refurbish the rubber intake manifold parts of my 86 Cagiva Elefant 650. My understanding is the engine is the same as a Pantah, but both carburetors exit between the 2 cylinders (the front one rearward, the rear one forward). Each intake manifold is aluminum and flange-mounts to the head, but has a molded-on rubber boot that hose-clamps onto the carburetor (no flange). Then another two L-shaped rubber boots connect each carb to the air box.

Both these rubber parts are intact but starting to develop serious cracks, some of them penetrating all the way through.

I have searched the internet and it seems replacements are NLA. Not surprising, I guess, given the popularity of this bike (not!)

I did see one post suggesting cleaning the rubber thoroughly, then roughening it up and coating it with Plasti-Dip. That post said that it is effective and lasts a long time. But I am wondering if it really bonds to the rubber.

I was thinking of trying something I have used to make effective waterproof cable splices. 3M makes a flame-retardant adhesive called ScotchKote, and self-amalgamating rubber tape called Scotch Electrical Tape 23. Basically, you slather the ScotchKote on, let it dry, then wrap it with the tape. You can put on multiple layers. Both of these are supposed to be resistant to moisture, abrasion, solvents, alkalis and a variety of acids, and are available on Amazon.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? My top preference would be to find some replacement or alternate parts, or someone who could remake the molded parts on the manifolds. So far, though, I'm drawing a blank.

All suggestions welcome!

Re: Refurbishing Cagiva Elefant 650 rubber intake parts

Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2018 9:18 am
by Craig in France
Welcome to the Forum.

Unfortunately, I can't help you with your question. If no-one else can help out (this being essentially a Forum for Bevel drive Ducrappis ;) ), you might try asking on the Pantah heads e-mail list at Micapeak.

http://lists.micapeak.com/mailman/listinfo/pantaheads

HTH

Craig

Re: Refurbishing Cagiva Elefant 650 rubber intake parts

Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2018 10:38 pm
by ducadini
I've made a repair with some selfvulcanizing tape and reenforcing the filterrubbers so the carbs don't weigh so heavy on the intakes.
Next is some monster-tubes and tigwelding.
Haven't found any straight swaps yet but maybe the smaller injectionbikes have the correct angle and diameter.
Fitting some dell'ortos and ally tubes isn't easy because of the engine struts that are a bit of a pain :evil:
Sadly this is not high on my prioritylist :oops:
Ciao
ducadini