Shindaiwa 488

[alexanderguitar]

Hello all,

I recently inherited a nearly new 488 from my father-in-law. He thought perhaps it already needed a top end or something because he was suspicious of the air filter after only one or two days of use, and it was starting to run poorly. As a veteran motorcycle tech, I thought it sounded like a pretty good deal for me.

Anyhow, it doesn't need a top end, and is just running waaaay slobbery rich on top, and I'll take care of that.

My question is this: Will this thing really handle a 20" bar and will it be able to cut hardwoods at a reasonable rate with the 20"? Also, I just took my first look at this thing two days ago and haven't had a chance to pull the carb yet and fiddle with it. I have read on the "omniscient interweb" that the 488 is a bit low RPM of a machine, and that one could perhaps squeeze another 1000 RPM with modifications. I typically prefer stuff stock (my Ducati even has stock exhaust - and that's saying something), but I'm wondering if guys go nuts hot-rodding these things like folks do motorcycles? I'm just curious, I suppose.

TIA,

Drew

 

[alderman]

13,500 rpm is the recommended no load high speed.

I have 20" bars with .325 chain on mine but find the 18" bar to be better suited to these. It'll cut with a 20" bar but you won't be able to hog down on it much.

I've cut a lot of firewood with 488's and I haven't modded any of them. Maybe not the speed demon other saws are, but easy start and very reliable if not abused.

 

[mbopp]

Depending on when it was made it may or may not have a carb adjustment for high speed. But if yours is running rich it may have a fully adjustable carb already.
And Kyle over at Edge and Engine can fix you up with a flocked filter instead of the fine screen one.
BTW - I run an 18" bar on my 488. It may not be the fastest but it's dead-nuts reliable and starts easily.

 

[JohnnyBoy1986]

The 488 is defenitly an excellent saw and with a good muffler mod it becomes a whole new animal! I kept mine stock for 3 years and then one day got a wild hair to modify it and all I can say is woooooow, the difference is incredible. I always ran an 18" bar, stock it did fine, i've seen them run 20's all the time and do fine as well but modified i would be willing to bet even a 20 wouldnt be so sluggish anymore. defenitly a great chainsaw for around 50cc's. I love mine and would gladdly pick up another.

 

[DSS]

13,500 rpm is the recommended no load high speed.

I have 20" bars with .325 chain on mine but find the 18" bar to be better suited to these. It'll cut with a 20" bar but you won't be able to hog down on it much.

I've cut a lot of firewood with 488's and I haven't modded any of them. Maybe not the speed demon other saws are, but easy start and very reliable if not abused.

Exactly right on all points. They really honk with a 16'' on them.

 

[Bowtie]

Hello all,

I recently inherited a nearly new 488 from my father-in-law. He thought perhaps it already needed a top end or something because he was suspicious of the air filter after only one or two days of use, and it was starting to run poorly. As a veteran motorcycle tech, I thought it sounded like a pretty good deal for me.

Anyhow, it doesn't need a top end, and is just running waaaay slobbery rich on top, and I'll take care of that.

My question is this: Will this thing really handle a 20" bar and will it be able to cut hardwoods at a reasonable rate with the 20"? Also, I just took my first look at this thing two days ago and haven't had a chance to pull the carb yet and fiddle with it. I have read on the "omniscient interweb" that the 488 is a bit low RPM of a machine, and that one could perhaps squeeze another 1000 RPM with modifications. I typically prefer stuff stock (my Ducati even has stock exhaust - and that's saying something), but I'm wondering if guys go nuts hot-rodding these things like folks do motorcycles? I'm just curious, I suppose.

TIA,

Drew

Hey Drew, where u at in Kansas? I modded the muffler on a 488 and it helped noticeably. I live North of Salina.

 

[alexanderguitar]

I'm in KC. Used to live in Salina at one time... Anyhow, what did you do to your muffler? Freeing up the exh should get us some more rpm (hence, hp). I used to use some pretty brutish tactics on 2 stroke scooter mufflers when good aftermarket performance exhaust wasn't available (you haven't lived until you've ridden a 70mph 50cc scooter)... Now you've just jarred loose some real dumb things in my head. I'll have to be careful not to spend too much time on it!