Why would someone do this?

[jayb]

I was tinkering on a blue XL-12 today. I always thought it was odd that someone notched the front of the air cleaner cover. Then today I noticed someone drilled into the air cleaner chamber behind where the notch is. Any thoughts as to why someone would do this?

[edju1958]

Maybe they were running a dirty air filter & thought it needed more air?As for drilling the hole,it must've been loading up with fuel & they were not aware of the hole with the washer & cotter pin in there already just under the choke lever?These are only guesses on my part.

[bdm53ent]

I cant tell in the picture but does it line up with the idle adjustment? With these old saws there is always a "why in the world did someone do that"

[blythkd]

Looks like you could run a wire through there and hook onto the throttle linkage. Not sure exactly why you would want to do that unless you wanted the option to pull the throttle with your left hand maybe? Maybe somebody was missing fingers on their right hand? Just spit balling here. LOL

[charles]

My guess was someone was going to try to use the powerhead on a go-cart or mini-bike !

Charles

[jayb]

Thanks for the responses. Upon further inspection I noticed another small notch at the rear of the air box where the filter sits. It can be seen in my second picture. So with the air filter removed I can look straight through, the notches and hole are all aligned above the throttle linkage. The air filter blocks the rear notch when installed. It's just bizarre. I picked up the saw at a yard sale for $40. It was complete and shows barely any wear on it at all. Guess I'll just plug the drilled hole so it doesn't suck dirt in. The clutch shoes where barely warn but one did have a crack in it. Maybe Charles is right and someone was trying to power something else with it.