stangflyer
I like 'em "BIG"!
I know many of you have been interested in getting more information about the Bull Engine BE 124 twin, as there hasn't been much on the motor as of yet. So, I figured...why not pull the trigger on something new? I have always been up for a challenge and though there are times those challenges have not proved to be too fruitful, sometimes...just sometimes you run across something that is worth mentioning.
I spoke with Frank from BE Engines a couple of weeks ago. After some lengthy discussions I was set on giving this motor a shot. To be absolutely honest, I had my reservations and stated so in another thread. But after talking with Frank...{awesome guy by the way} those reservations soon turned into curiosity. Now I am liking doing different things, but my 107" Pilot Edge is asking me...."When are ya just going to leave a motor on me so I can get used to it?" LOL. After all, it started out with a DLA 128 four cylinder, went to the DLE 111 with Bowman rings, then to the RCGF 120 twin.
I received the BE 124 on Friday afternoon and by bedtime Friday evening, it was mounted and ready for a trial run. I have to admit, when I opened the box, {which was in absolutely pristine condition considering it made the trip from China to my door step in a day and a half} I was very pleased to see what was inside. As with most any other motor, you get the documentation up front. The packaging is nice and everything is well protected. I just had to lay my hands on that 124cc twin. Everything else pushed off to the side...{literally} I picked up the motor and was immediately amazed of the tooling and workmanship of this motor. In my opinion, something you would see with a motor not of this caliber. The billet CNC machined case is very nicely done. I couldn't really find anything wrong with it. The cylinders almost reminded me of my 3w 170 cylinders. They have these massive transfer port bumps on 3 sides of each cylinder. Oh heck, I was just aching to see how this thing was going to run. The cylinders themselves have very beafy cooling fins. But the motor itself does not reflect the robustness of this motor. It actually weighs less than the RCGF 120. And I soon found out just how much lighter. First test flight, my elevators on that Edge were so much more responsive than I ever remembered them being. But we'll get to that.
Lets take a little tour of the BE 124 shall we? I might add, I am open to discussion and will answer anyone's questions regarding this motor. I am going to post this thread on another site and I do not wish to re-hash any drama. I wish only to reach out to EVERYONE in a fair manner. So please, lets keep the discussion about the motor ok? Thanks...
Not sure about the rumor mill, but some or maybe most of what has been discussed is here for you to see with your own eyes. The reeds are in fact not metal. They have been upgraded to fiberglass. Frank reminds me of Tony Tan of Pilot RC. People didn't like the metal reeds, so Frank listened and changed them. At first I didn't think I would like the metal heli-coils in the cylinder heads. But if you think about it, less chance to strip out an aluminum thread. Also, spark plugs will not seize in the cylinders. I see no reason the heli-coils will not do their job quite sufficiently. I feel Frank "really" payed attention to detail on this motor. Not unlike the BE 62 single. Heck, he has insured that it sports a genuine WJ 71 Walbro carb and...get this.... genuine NGK CM6 spark plugs. He warranties the motor for 3 years with the first 30 days as "No questions asked" full purchase price refund if not satisfied. He also warranties the stock mufflers. And they are pretty decent if you ask me. Now who else does this? All this is certainly something to consider when pondering what quality Frank intended for his motor line. Round exhaust ports so any DA 60 muffler or header will fit the motor. Genuine Rcexl ignition, quality Japanese bearings, and a very beafy rear mounting plate. Nearly twice the thickness of the RCGF and DLE motors. Oh and almost forgot. Frank includes a real nice custom throttle arm for the Walbro. Standoffs were not included, but Frank assures me that he will address this as time goes on. It didn't hinder my install one bit. In fact, it turned out I didn't even need them. Just a couple of chromed steel washers under the back plate and she was on.
Installing it on the Edge was pretty straight forward with very little modifications. Same foot print as all your 100/120 cc size motors. Same prop bolt pattern. Heck, the only thing I had to do to retrofit was to turn the fuel inlet nipple around to make it easier for fuel line installation. I really hate cutting on cowls, but since I had already cut the cowl on the Edge to allow for the RCGF, I was not too dismayed by this task. But oh hey, I discovered that the cylinders are reverse of the RCGF. Same arrangement as the DLE 111. So, the BE 124 nestled quite nicely down in the cowl. The only revision to that was the small opening I made to allow for the left side spark plug. I had cut this open for the RCGF. I only need to extend it about 1/4". It actually lined up perfectly.
Take a look at the photos. This motor is no slouch by any stretch of the imagination. So, what about running and testing? Well, first start up was very easy. Dry out of the box, choke on...5 flips of the Falcon CF 28x10 prop and the girl barked. 7 without and she was running. Pretty throaty sound from those stock mufflers. I do have a short video of the first start up. I will need to get it posted for you all. First rpm readings were just over 6400 static. Second run she was up to 6500 almost 6600. Last and final run before putting the cowl on? DAYMN......6770. Hey, that is not bad at all.
Now as for flight video? Not yet. Only got one flight on it last night. It was superb. I have a 3w 157cs on my 40% 260. When I put that girl into a 1" off the deck hover and mash the gas, she launches straight up and it aint slow believe me. Well, yes...I did put the BE 124 twin powered Edge into a similar hover after about 6 minutes into the flight. Nothing stressing.... just a real quick test. Ummm....yup, 3w pull out on that Edge.
I will be posting more information and videos to this thread as time goes on. But I can truthfully say, this motor has impressed the crap out of me.
Think about it.... a 120cc sized twin that looks pretty, has 3w power and is economically priced.... who wouldn't want one? Now some of you are wondering about durability and longevity? This I can not answer as I am sure no one can yet. But, if the motor lasts and performs as well as its first impressions lay to, I would say it's possible that we have a new winner on the block to compete with DLE or any other motor for that fact.
Mind you all, these are my first impressions and experiences with this motor. My hope is that it will in fact go the distance and serve me {us} well for many years to come.View attachment 83775
I spoke with Frank from BE Engines a couple of weeks ago. After some lengthy discussions I was set on giving this motor a shot. To be absolutely honest, I had my reservations and stated so in another thread. But after talking with Frank...{awesome guy by the way} those reservations soon turned into curiosity. Now I am liking doing different things, but my 107" Pilot Edge is asking me...."When are ya just going to leave a motor on me so I can get used to it?" LOL. After all, it started out with a DLA 128 four cylinder, went to the DLE 111 with Bowman rings, then to the RCGF 120 twin.
I received the BE 124 on Friday afternoon and by bedtime Friday evening, it was mounted and ready for a trial run. I have to admit, when I opened the box, {which was in absolutely pristine condition considering it made the trip from China to my door step in a day and a half} I was very pleased to see what was inside. As with most any other motor, you get the documentation up front. The packaging is nice and everything is well protected. I just had to lay my hands on that 124cc twin. Everything else pushed off to the side...{literally} I picked up the motor and was immediately amazed of the tooling and workmanship of this motor. In my opinion, something you would see with a motor not of this caliber. The billet CNC machined case is very nicely done. I couldn't really find anything wrong with it. The cylinders almost reminded me of my 3w 170 cylinders. They have these massive transfer port bumps on 3 sides of each cylinder. Oh heck, I was just aching to see how this thing was going to run. The cylinders themselves have very beafy cooling fins. But the motor itself does not reflect the robustness of this motor. It actually weighs less than the RCGF 120. And I soon found out just how much lighter. First test flight, my elevators on that Edge were so much more responsive than I ever remembered them being. But we'll get to that.
Lets take a little tour of the BE 124 shall we? I might add, I am open to discussion and will answer anyone's questions regarding this motor. I am going to post this thread on another site and I do not wish to re-hash any drama. I wish only to reach out to EVERYONE in a fair manner. So please, lets keep the discussion about the motor ok? Thanks...
Not sure about the rumor mill, but some or maybe most of what has been discussed is here for you to see with your own eyes. The reeds are in fact not metal. They have been upgraded to fiberglass. Frank reminds me of Tony Tan of Pilot RC. People didn't like the metal reeds, so Frank listened and changed them. At first I didn't think I would like the metal heli-coils in the cylinder heads. But if you think about it, less chance to strip out an aluminum thread. Also, spark plugs will not seize in the cylinders. I see no reason the heli-coils will not do their job quite sufficiently. I feel Frank "really" payed attention to detail on this motor. Not unlike the BE 62 single. Heck, he has insured that it sports a genuine WJ 71 Walbro carb and...get this.... genuine NGK CM6 spark plugs. He warranties the motor for 3 years with the first 30 days as "No questions asked" full purchase price refund if not satisfied. He also warranties the stock mufflers. And they are pretty decent if you ask me. Now who else does this? All this is certainly something to consider when pondering what quality Frank intended for his motor line. Round exhaust ports so any DA 60 muffler or header will fit the motor. Genuine Rcexl ignition, quality Japanese bearings, and a very beafy rear mounting plate. Nearly twice the thickness of the RCGF and DLE motors. Oh and almost forgot. Frank includes a real nice custom throttle arm for the Walbro. Standoffs were not included, but Frank assures me that he will address this as time goes on. It didn't hinder my install one bit. In fact, it turned out I didn't even need them. Just a couple of chromed steel washers under the back plate and she was on.
Installing it on the Edge was pretty straight forward with very little modifications. Same foot print as all your 100/120 cc size motors. Same prop bolt pattern. Heck, the only thing I had to do to retrofit was to turn the fuel inlet nipple around to make it easier for fuel line installation. I really hate cutting on cowls, but since I had already cut the cowl on the Edge to allow for the RCGF, I was not too dismayed by this task. But oh hey, I discovered that the cylinders are reverse of the RCGF. Same arrangement as the DLE 111. So, the BE 124 nestled quite nicely down in the cowl. The only revision to that was the small opening I made to allow for the left side spark plug. I had cut this open for the RCGF. I only need to extend it about 1/4". It actually lined up perfectly.
Take a look at the photos. This motor is no slouch by any stretch of the imagination. So, what about running and testing? Well, first start up was very easy. Dry out of the box, choke on...5 flips of the Falcon CF 28x10 prop and the girl barked. 7 without and she was running. Pretty throaty sound from those stock mufflers. I do have a short video of the first start up. I will need to get it posted for you all. First rpm readings were just over 6400 static. Second run she was up to 6500 almost 6600. Last and final run before putting the cowl on? DAYMN......6770. Hey, that is not bad at all.
Now as for flight video? Not yet. Only got one flight on it last night. It was superb. I have a 3w 157cs on my 40% 260. When I put that girl into a 1" off the deck hover and mash the gas, she launches straight up and it aint slow believe me. Well, yes...I did put the BE 124 twin powered Edge into a similar hover after about 6 minutes into the flight. Nothing stressing.... just a real quick test. Ummm....yup, 3w pull out on that Edge.
I will be posting more information and videos to this thread as time goes on. But I can truthfully say, this motor has impressed the crap out of me.
Think about it.... a 120cc sized twin that looks pretty, has 3w power and is economically priced.... who wouldn't want one? Now some of you are wondering about durability and longevity? This I can not answer as I am sure no one can yet. But, if the motor lasts and performs as well as its first impressions lay to, I would say it's possible that we have a new winner on the block to compete with DLE or any other motor for that fact.
Mind you all, these are my first impressions and experiences with this motor. My hope is that it will in fact go the distance and serve me {us} well for many years to come.View attachment 83775
. NO! It was not your DA 70 I was running! lol
.