Old Guy Paramotoring-replacing The Atom 80 Starter Cord

[@sirrabo8804]

Excellent video and explanation. Perfect editing with close up shots, animated graphics (arrows, circles, etc.), and audio. And I don’t even have an Atom 80, I have Miniplane Top 80.

[@loums52]

Thanks so much!

[@mikescap]

Thanks for the helpful video Lou! I just changed my starter cord after the cord snapped on me with 120hrs on my Atom. A key thing I wanted to mention is not to remove the bolt in the center of the starter assembly. I was thinking that had to come out before removing it from the engine, but it doesn't need to be touched. Also, I used a cheap pick set I got at harbor freight for keeping the spring in place and putting everything back together. Gotta be very carful it doesn't come out while pulling the cord housing apart as I had mine grab while I was pulling it apart even though the spring had no tension on it.

[@loums52]

Thank you for your suggestions and ideas. I hope to never have to replace another starter cord but with these 2 stroke engines (with manual or e-start) you never know what may be around the corner.

[@flyshacker]

You made that repair look easy. Nice job. Happy flying!

[@loums52]

Always nice when the repair goes well and the engine actually starts! Thanks for watching!

[@loums52]

UPDATE...no problems after MANY pulls and 2 flights. Have been paragliding more as it has been very hot inland with smoke from nearby fires. Looking forward to the fall and winter and more flights on the Eclipse.

[@wednesdaykartingflyingclub8164]

Great video Lou. Thanks for making it. 👍🏼

[@loums52]

Glad it was helpful!

[@flierbill]

Great video ! My next engine will be an Atom 80. I still like my old Top 80.

[@loums52]

Thanks! Yes, the Atom 80 is like a Top 80 v. 2.0. My Top 80 also was very nice.

[@juanrosales2785]

Awesome video! Very helpful

[@FlyBabyFlyPPG]

My man good to do that video I did mine too atom 80

[@loums52]

Thanks...always an adventure with repair but it went very well.

[@WillFly]

Thanks for the awesome video Lou! Question, were there any special tools required for the disassembly?

[@loums52]

Thanks! Fortunately, no special tools needed. Just go slow and I like to take lots of photos to make sure I remember how everything goes back together!

[@JamesWilson-ry7gw]

Hi Lou, I’m glad to see you are back to the paramotoring. I may set up a Paramotor sales company...you could keep me in business on your own 😂. What is it with Paramotor pull starts? I’m always having issues with mine. My lawn mower has a pull start but it never fails and the engine always starts easily but for some reason with the Paramotor the cord breaks, the spring breaks or it just jams up! Plus they are so awkward and fiddly to get to. You were very unlucky to have that issue on a brand new machine. I’d have been tempted to send it back! Happy flying buddy! Cheers Jim

[@loums52]

I swear this is the last paramotor for some time...really! I never had a cord break after my first paramotor in 2014 but that engine never started and I went through the lifetime of that cord in about 2 weeks. So far no issues so hope that it was just a defective cord and not something in the design...but my last Atom 80 had no issues, not the Top 80. Thanks for watching!

[@loums52]

The replacement pull rope has been working very well and I have to think the original cord breaking was a fluke and just a bad cord. Will see. My last Top 80 and Atom 80 never broke a cord so fingers crossed.

[@shannonwhitaker9630]

I've done a lot of pulling on small two stroke Ultralight engines. I've found it doesn't get much better than the quailty pull rope you can get from your local Stihl dealer. Hardware store white pull rope is garbage.

[@kcrowe8211]

Lou, You inspire confidence! As a PPG pilot, you gotta be willing to tinker with all parts. I think in another video you said your favorite throttle was the Vittorazi throttle. Can’t you move it to the Atom 80?

[@loums52]

Yes, I could make the change BUT I have really come to like the Fly Products throttle. It looks VERY basic and almost homemade but very light and so far I love it. I'm staying with it. Thanks for watching!

[@johncpescod]

Hello Lou. Could you tell me the exact procedure you use to start your Atom 80? Do you leave rest fuel in the tank between flights? When you are ready for a flight do you pump the black bulb? Push the spring-loaded primer button in, on the side of the carb? I've seen someone with the engine on his back first slowly pull the starter cord "to prime" the engine and only then pull harder to get the ignition to fire. I understand you use no throttle when starting as the carb will flood quickly. In a word, the full description of your starting procedure. Thanks in advance.

[@loums52]

Rather than try to explain it...I think I'll do a short video on that. Stay tuned!

[@ripmanridin7092]

Send it Lou!!!

[@iosullysammy]

Hi. Love your vids. Maybe you can help. My atom 80 idles too slow but my idle pin is screwed fully clockwise so I cannot increase idle due to that. Any suggestions?? Thanks

[@loums52]

If you cannot do any more the adjustment with the idle screw, I would look to see if there is any adjustment on the end of the throttle cable where it is secured to the carb/engine housing . Perhaps an adjustment on the hand throttle itself? If not I am thinking you might loosen the cable where it attaches to the carb throttle and perhaps pull the wire more taught to where it is engaging the throttle a bit more. That's what I am thinking off hand and unfortunately you have to do this with the engine OFF and then experiment BUT be careful not to have too much throttle and be ready with the kill switch when you start it up (on your back!). Disclaimer! I am not a 2 stroke mechanic and perhaps someone "listening" has a better idea. Facebook has a couple of Atom 80 and/or Vittorazi owners group and perhaps someone there has some good info. Best of luck!!!

[@cardcounter21]

I'm thinking about getting into paramotoring and, as I'm approaching my mid 50's, the Maverick with Atom 80 looks the perfect package for exploring and sightseeing (not interested in acrobatics). The new electric paramotors (especially the fold up 4 prop X4) are tempting but the current one hour max battery life (probably not even that) is a real drawback. New battery tech such as lithium air promises to dramatically extend this but I doubt it will be in widespread use for at least another 5 years. What are your thoughts on current electric paramotors?

[@loums52]

Thanks for watching. The big problem (for me) still seems to be the energy density and comparative weight issues. There is a new single blade e-PPG (SP140) from the Open Source that looks very nice. The weight is advertised around 53 lbs. (30 minutes of flight) to 69 lbs (60 minutes). 53 lbs. is not too bad but for only 30 minutes may not fulfill many pilots needs. The Eclipse is 41 lbs. empty and with 1 gallon would be around 47 lbs. This would give way more time in the air with reserve fuel AND the gas is also used up as you fly so the landing weight is also much better. I would LOVE to go all electric and that certainly is the future. I personally will wait until the energy density of batteries comes down. And what would I do with my spare time without having to deal with all those wonderful 2 stroke issues! BUT does anyone know of a light longer range e-PPG out there that is reasonably priced??? Also, to date the new starter cord is intact and working as it should. The Atom 80 is so far an easy ONE pull start motor.

[@cardcounter21]

@@loums52 Thanks for the quick reply. I forgot to ask how easy would the Maverick/Eclipse be to transport if you have to rely on trains to get to/from flying destinations? I'm UK based (London) and about medium height and build (150 lbs) and would need to get the paramotor to countryside locations by rail and taxi. In your experience would this be difficult?

[@loums52]

@@cardcounter21 Fly Products does make a "trolley" type carrier. The Eclipse breaks down & assembles very well and since it's pretty light it should transport relatively easily. The carrier always seems in backorder in the states but perhaps it is easier to get in Europe. The swing arms also disassemble very easily making it super compact.The Maverick is also available with a transport bag but I personally did not like the "press on" net assembly. If you take it on and off a lot perhaps it gets more manageable. I don't think the Maverick is quite as compact on disassembly. The Maverick is about 5-6 lbs. heavier. Try flying both and see what you think. The Maverick definitely has the more comfortable harness for XC. The Nirvana F-light was SUPER compact but I did not have good luck with the engine and the backplate had no padding which transferred LOTS of engine vibration to your back. Best wishes!

[@cardcounter21]

@@loums52 Thanks for the advice. I must admit I'm leaning towards electric and the X4 22 with its foldability and 21 lbs raw weight (41 lbs with 20 min battery pack, 61 lbs with 40 min) is becoming ever more tempting (a less tempting thought is the lithium-ion batteries exploding or catching fire mid air - hence the interest in the Maverick). I figure I could use the limited battery life as an aid to climbing and hunting thermals! And maybe more advanced batteries can be substituted at a later date! I'll keep watching your videos to see the workings of 2 stroke before making a decision (: