Here’s another great chainsaw restoration from Chris Goldman: it’s the rare STIHL Contra Lightning S, the massive 137cc, 12 HP version of the Contra, which later became the STIHL 090.
Check out all the after, durning, and before photos below!
Here’s the post Chris made on FB:
CONTRA LIGHTNING S after and before pictures. NOT FOR SALE.
A special thanks to my good friend Brad Seals for coming through with this Chainsaw — The Contra Lightning S (137cc) is finally ready.
STIHL’s first true factory hot‑rod. A saw built in tiny numbers, tuned hotter than the 070 and 090, and carrying the DNA that shaped both.
This one features:
- 137cc big‑block displacement
- Aggressive factory port timing
- Hotter ignition curve
- Larger carburetor & freer‑flowing exhaust
- Rev‑happy 070 chassis with 090‑level airflow
- Prototype‑era engineering that bridged two generations
This saw wasn’t built for the average logger. It was built for the guys who wanted more — more RPM, more bite, more attitude.
A true Lightning S is one of the rarest pieces in the Contra lineage, and restoring one is an honor.
Thanks for following along on this journey. This one’s special.
