TOPIC: 1968 Hydrocycle

So, moving forward:

I'm about to pull the hydrocycle out of my parents garage and had a question for anyone willing to chime in.

The motor is a 73 20hp merc. It has no controls at all and no external controls. They were trashed.

My plan is to hook a motorcycle throttle to it and I'm sure I can get one of those... but I"m interested on how many out there have done this type of hook up? The throttle on the motor doesn't seem to have a return spring. Any thoughts?

I'm sure I can use a traditional setup... but then I'll not be holding on with both hands.

THanks in advance,

Kelly

I think it would be safest to hook up a thumb throttle similar to a jetski or a snowmobile.

You could also add a return spring to the throttle arm on the motor. My concern would be in the event that fails then you are stuck on that thing with a wide open throttle.

The thumb throttles have a built in shutoff. It is wired so that if the throttle sticks it kills the ignition.

Kelly- We have been looking into this same question for the cycle we are building for my son (and myself!!). The biggest safety question I see is how to kill the motor if you fall off. A modern jetski does not have a transmission and if you fall goes to into a idle spin. The throttle return gets it slowed if you fall off but not stopped. I think it would be easy to add a light spring on the steering that would get it into a spin if you are not on board, but if it does not kill the motor you have a prop to deal with trying to get back on! We have floated ours and it would take quite a bit to flip it, but falling off is always a concern.

Here is the one we are restoring this winter. Any help with an ID would be great. The front looks more like an Aqua Looper from Canada, but the hull looks more like Hydrocycle. Not sure what we have, but it will be fun!

Nice looker there. I think that's a later Aqua loop. Del VanEmerik has one I think.

I was thinking of running a kill switch wrist band from the kill switch on the motor to the handle bars. Fall off = Motor dies. It shouldn't skip too far I'd assume without me on it.

I dunno

I think I'd look into an atv or snowmobile thumb throttle. Look and see what hook-up might work better. With a spring it would return to idle if left go of it. Best to put a clip kill switch on it.

I am not sure how it is where you are but here in Alabama you MUST have a engine kill lanyard. I got a ticket on the 1968 clipper becasue it did not have one. I was under the impression that if it did not come with one, you did not need it.

$250 fine later I was proven wrong by the Game wardens, Alabama Marine police and A Circuit Judge. If it's a boat less than 24' it has to have a kill lanyard in Alabama and all PWC must have one.

Check the rules in your state.

I have two Hydrocycles that need a good home. One was "firebrand" metalflake and one is silver metalflake. Both are original. They were inside their whole lives until 2006. Now they need help. There are no motors. I have been working on these for 25 years and am very familiar with the inner workings.

The best part--THEY ARE FREE!!!

Come get them and don't delay. They MUST be gone in two weeks. I am an hour south of Chicago. There are no trailers. Sold the house and they can't come with me. If you are serious about taking them, I can provide pics.

Yes, they are 100% FREE!!!

Rob
call 815~926~2193

Ill give you a call tomorrow... Im betting your pretty close. If nothing else I can store them until another wants to restore them (or my wife has her head turned)

Rob,
Left you a message today.
Paul
312-933-0600

I used a brake lever from a BMX bike. I put a reurn spring that pulls the magneto back to idle and also in stall a deadman lanyard. It works perfect.