The Leopard Engine and how it all began, from it's inception to one of the most popular 125cc engines in the world today...

THE LEOPARD ENGINE - HOW IT BEGAN
By Paul Conde' - IAME Head Technical Engineer

More than 10 years ago, when IAME conceived its first engines for the new TaG (Touch and Go) Classes, our goals were to design and manufacture a new generation of engines which had to be long lasting, low cost, reliable and with a performance level to be adequate to the classes where these engines had to be raced.

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During the design of these engines IAME adopted the technical solutions already in use for the 100cc high performance engines racing in the CIK International races.

This was done in order to guarantee the highest reliability and the long life of the mechanical components.

The Parilla Leopard engine is fully representative of this philosophy.

In 2001, we assembled the first batch of Leopard engines and since then many thousands of engines have been manufactured and sold all over the world.

This engine has been introduced in Canada, the USA and most of European countries: (France, Spain, Italy, Australia etc.) and of course Far East, racing both in Spec. Classes and in TAG multi brand Classes.

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Most of the local Federations have chosen this engine for their TaG Classes because IAME’s philosophy was to never modify the engine in order to guarantee the stability of the classes, this was the intent with which the engine had been designed. When deemed necessary only modifications aimed to increase the engine reliability and life were introduced.

The Parilla Leopard engine is, as all of IAME engines are, fully manufactured in the IAME facilities, located in Zingonia, Italy, at approx. 50km east of Milan.

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All parts are machined with latest generation CNC machining centres whose advanced technology enables self control machining of the high precision components, i.e. crankcases, cylinders, crankshafts and con-rods within ± 0,005 tolerance limits. These are the tightest tolerances of ‘any’ manufacturer in the world to work within for a production engine, thus, no need to blueprint or re-machine your Leopard Engine. Each engine component is then submitted to a strict technological and dimensional full quality control.  Our Quality Control Department is also able to perform all the necessary heat treatment analyses and radiological checks, thus fulfilling the most restrictive international standards.

At the end, out of every 20 engines coming from the assembly line, 1 engine is submitted to running-in and is tested on the static acceleration bench (Dyno) to prove the constant performance repeatability and conformity with the requested specification.

IAME is proud to state that its Top quality is not just a matter of chance; it is the result of diligent work by skilled specialists, piece by piece, engine after engine to achieve the best possible quality.

Coming now to the specific Leopard engine, we can now put in evidence its main characteristics, as already described in the USER MANUAL which is included with every sold engine.

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This Leopard 125cc engine is a water-cooled engine and the cylinder and the crankcase are in aluminium alloy.

The pressed in liner is made of centrifugated cast iron, fully machined to guarantee the best possible stability and matching with the cylinder.

The head is separated from the cylinder and secured by studs.

The crankshaft is built and supported by two ball-bearings. The crankshaft is of steel alloy, hardened and tempered, as is the connecting rod, machined from the full, and which runs on roller bearings.

The digital ignition, specially designed for this series of engines, with capacitive discharge is fed by a magneto, which generates the spark energy for starting the engine, supplies the advance timing through an integrated pick-up and recharges the battery.

The ignition includes a digital electronic unit, the stator rotor, the stator relay, the H.T. coil, the switch key assembly and the wiring harness.

The electronic unit controls the advance, the RPM limitation and the engine start/stop logic.

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The spark is generated also without a battery: it is therefore possible, in case of emergencies, to start the engine with an external starter unit.

The engine is provided with an automatic dry centrifugal clutch with low maintenance and with interchangeable sprocket.

The carburettor is a diaphragm carburettor with integral fuel pump filter and all position mounting capability.

The engine package includes everything necessary for the installation on the kart and for an immediate start and go, (complete exhaust, battery, water-cooling system etc;).

To conclude, we would like to give a few suggestions for the best maintenance of the Leopard engine. These recommendations are again an abstract from the USER MANUAL supplied with your Leopard Engine, but they are always good to remember in order to guarantee the long life and best performance of the engine:

Before use always check:

* the exhaust components (flexible, springs etc;),

* the engine sprocket wear and alignment ,

* the battery charge, the cables and connectors,

* the good grounding of the engine,

* the engine mount and clamps,

* Last but not least remember to always control and oil the chain and sprocket.

* After use, disconnect the battery, check the chain tension again and externally clean the engine.

* Every 5 to 10 hours check and clean the starter countershaft, the exhaust, the engine head and the clutch.

* Every 20 hours check the piston and con-rod assembly, the crankshaft, the ball-bearings and replace worn parts.

Again by following these few suggestions, you will guarantee that your engine is always at its top performance.

As a conclusion we say:   Enjoy your Leopard engine!!

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