COOKING UP A cracke

Reed or disc

There are many different types of engine under the Rotax banner but for our SWM features these will be restricted to two basic types and differentiated by induction method. Smaller models of Rotax two stroke – those around 250cc tend to be disc valve models, that is the carburettor feeds directly into the crankcase and instead of the piston opening and closing the ports a spinning disc allows the fuel into the crankcase. For the bigger engines such as the 370 and 440 the induction is via a reed valve.

When Michael Simmons talked to Philippe about a big MXer the suggestion Philippe came back with was ‘why not an SWM 440 TF4MC?’ and with Michael’s MX background featuring KX500s, CR500s and YZ465s the idea of a 440 was met with approval. Except the 440 isn’t exactly common, especially the late models such as this 1983 version as the factory was on the way out by then. Still, Philippe Vanderwalle is not the sort of person to let minor details like that get in the way of providing what a customer/friend requires to go motocrossing…

It does