Cyclones!!!

This is where you can post the story & photos of your John Deere Snowmobile project.
Post Reply
User avatar
400brian
Posts: 5610
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: James T. Kirk
Location: South Central Wisconsin

Re: Cyclones!!!

Post by 400brian »

So I did a little diagnosis on the tail light before putting the seat on. The bulb was non-functional and the contacts in the socket were corroded. For the moment at least it seems to be good.

The seat has been installed for good I hope. I removed the snow flap for a deep cleaning.
Attachments
thumbnail - 2022-12-16T225646.290.jpg
thumbnail - 2022-12-16T225635.930.jpg

'09 Vintage Challenge Survivor, and I wasn't late for supper!
'10, '11, '12, '13,'14,'15,'16,'17, '18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Vintage Challenge Survivor !
72 400 restored, Father bought new in '71
73 X8 restored
'74 340 green machine
'74 X8 9 time VC finisher
'78 Spitfire in progress
2 '75 340S 1 running, one on deck
'78 LF 440 future CC clone
'73 Skiroule RTX 440, 500 mi.
User avatar
400brian
Posts: 5610
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: James T. Kirk
Location: South Central Wisconsin

Re: Cyclones!!!

Post by 400brian »

The snow flap is in pretty decent shape. Most of the yellow is still on it, so I saw no reason not to use it . But, it needed cleaning. I dug around in the garage and found a spray can of tire cleaner. It didn't say what is in it, but it smells to me like lye. It sprays on as a foam, then liquifies and runs off. I did scrub it with a toothbrush a little, and I gave it two treatments.

I thought it cleaned up pretty decent.
Attachments
thumbnail - 2022-12-19T005122.304.jpg

'09 Vintage Challenge Survivor, and I wasn't late for supper!
'10, '11, '12, '13,'14,'15,'16,'17, '18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Vintage Challenge Survivor !
72 400 restored, Father bought new in '71
73 X8 restored
'74 340 green machine
'74 X8 9 time VC finisher
'78 Spitfire in progress
2 '75 340S 1 running, one on deck
'78 LF 440 future CC clone
'73 Skiroule RTX 440, 500 mi.
User avatar
nick80lf
Posts: 1111
Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2010 10:45 pm
Real Name: Nick
Location: The snow free zone of Ohio

Re: Cyclones!!!

Post by nick80lf »

Didn't know if you were aware of this but you can get replacement guts for the 1157 bulb sockets if it continues to be a problem.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NW_7871 ... lsrc=aw.ds&
80 Liquifire (purchased 1996 ~ Running)
80 Liquifire (purchased 2010 ~ Running....Now)
80 Liquifire (purchased 2011 ~ Not running - I officially have a problem now)
83 Snowfire (purchased 2014 father/son restoration project)
78 Spitfire ~ sold (should have been shot for this)
User avatar
400brian
Posts: 5610
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: James T. Kirk
Location: South Central Wisconsin

Re: Cyclones!!!

Post by 400brian »

Thanks for the heads up Nick, I hadn't thought of that.

'09 Vintage Challenge Survivor, and I wasn't late for supper!
'10, '11, '12, '13,'14,'15,'16,'17, '18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Vintage Challenge Survivor !
72 400 restored, Father bought new in '71
73 X8 restored
'74 340 green machine
'74 X8 9 time VC finisher
'78 Spitfire in progress
2 '75 340S 1 running, one on deck
'78 LF 440 future CC clone
'73 Skiroule RTX 440, 500 mi.
User avatar
400brian
Posts: 5610
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: James T. Kirk
Location: South Central Wisconsin

Re: Cyclones!!!

Post by 400brian »

Continuing to tie up loose ends.

The cleaned up flap is re-installed with new hardware. With a coating of snow dust on it, it will look fine.

The flap support is a bit beat up, I'm pondering how I want to proceed with that.

The grab bar is reasonably straight, so I gave it a quick coat of fresh paint.

I finally bit the bullet and put oil in the chain case, so I am waiting to see if it holds.

There are always lots of details to finish, but I think I am getting there.
Attachments
thumbnail - 2022-12-19T233132.021.jpg
thumbnail - 2022-12-19T233113.678.jpg

'09 Vintage Challenge Survivor, and I wasn't late for supper!
'10, '11, '12, '13,'14,'15,'16,'17, '18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Vintage Challenge Survivor !
72 400 restored, Father bought new in '71
73 X8 restored
'74 340 green machine
'74 X8 9 time VC finisher
'78 Spitfire in progress
2 '75 340S 1 running, one on deck
'78 LF 440 future CC clone
'73 Skiroule RTX 440, 500 mi.
AirborneX4Special
Posts: 1450
Joined: Sat Jan 30, 2010 10:54 am
Real Name: Pat
Location: N. IL

Re: Cyclones!!!

Post by AirborneX4Special »

:popcorn:
User avatar
400brian
Posts: 5610
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: James T. Kirk
Location: South Central Wisconsin

Re: Cyclones!!!

Post by 400brian »

So I put an NOS flap support on. My brother tells me that this flap is not original, in fact he tells me he got it from me. So I guess I must have bought two flaps from Joe Wanie 15 years ago or so. One went on my 340/S and apparent my brother got the other.

The re-painted grab bar has been installed, I like to use stainless button heads as I think it gives a cleaner look than the hex head bolts.

If this sled runs and works out as well as I am hoping, I may have to revisit the chassis to do a bit of paint touch up.
Attachments
thumbnail - 2022-12-20T232634.207.jpg
thumbnail - 2022-12-20T232648.606.jpg
thumbnail - 2022-12-21T013340.090.jpg

'09 Vintage Challenge Survivor, and I wasn't late for supper!
'10, '11, '12, '13,'14,'15,'16,'17, '18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Vintage Challenge Survivor !
72 400 restored, Father bought new in '71
73 X8 restored
'74 340 green machine
'74 X8 9 time VC finisher
'78 Spitfire in progress
2 '75 340S 1 running, one on deck
'78 LF 440 future CC clone
'73 Skiroule RTX 440, 500 mi.
User avatar
400brian
Posts: 5610
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: James T. Kirk
Location: South Central Wisconsin

Re: Cyclones!!!

Post by 400brian »

Another little detail...keeping the mice out of the airbox.

I put a short section of tube into the intake hose, formed a piece of 1/4" hardware cloth to cover the end of the hose, Then added a clamp to hold it all in place.

Anti mouse device engaged!
Attachments
thumbnail - 2022-12-26T232224.258.jpg
thumbnail - 2022-12-26T232210.449.jpg

'09 Vintage Challenge Survivor, and I wasn't late for supper!
'10, '11, '12, '13,'14,'15,'16,'17, '18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Vintage Challenge Survivor !
72 400 restored, Father bought new in '71
73 X8 restored
'74 340 green machine
'74 X8 9 time VC finisher
'78 Spitfire in progress
2 '75 340S 1 running, one on deck
'78 LF 440 future CC clone
'73 Skiroule RTX 440, 500 mi.
User avatar
SS440-80
Posts: 260
Joined: Tue Jan 07, 2014 5:00 pm
Real Name: Robert
Location: SWEDEN

Re: Cyclones!!!

Post by SS440-80 »

really smart :clap:

But is it a big problem with mice building nest in the air box in the US?
I can't recall that I have heard anyone having that problem here in Sweden.
Sleds...
2xJOHN DEERE SPRINTFIRE 1983.
YAMAHA GP292b 1973
OCKELBO Trioman 1975
YAMAHA SRV 1982 (shrinked)
YAMAHA SRV 1990
YAMAHA SRV 1991
LYNX Rave 600ACE 2013
LYNX BOONDOCKER RE 3700 850 ETEC 2018
AirborneX4Special
Posts: 1450
Joined: Sat Jan 30, 2010 10:54 am
Real Name: Pat
Location: N. IL

Re: Cyclones!!!

Post by AirborneX4Special »

Big problem. The exhaust is also a phylum rodentia fan favorite.
User avatar
SS440-80
Posts: 260
Joined: Tue Jan 07, 2014 5:00 pm
Real Name: Robert
Location: SWEDEN

Re: Cyclones!!!

Post by SS440-80 »

Then I understand that you have to seal the in- and out-let of the engines during summer 😄
Sleds...
2xJOHN DEERE SPRINTFIRE 1983.
YAMAHA GP292b 1973
OCKELBO Trioman 1975
YAMAHA SRV 1982 (shrinked)
YAMAHA SRV 1990
YAMAHA SRV 1991
LYNX Rave 600ACE 2013
LYNX BOONDOCKER RE 3700 850 ETEC 2018
Popcorn popper
Posts: 220
Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2020 6:21 pm
Real Name: Steve

Re: Cyclones!!!

Post by Popcorn popper »

I notice some jd sleds have yellow shocks while others are black. Was there a reason why?
Popcorn popper
Posts: 220
Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2020 6:21 pm
Real Name: Steve

Re: Cyclones!!!

Post by Popcorn popper »

400brian wrote: Sun Apr 25, 2021 12:15 am My brother decided that he wanted to clear out his garage, and was looking for a new home for 3 Cyclones he had acquired some years ago. The first machine he had purchased was a 76 440 that our Uncle had purchased new after deciding to part with his 295/S. After owning it for many years, he eventually sold it to a local farmer about our age. For some reason he later left it in an orchard near the farm buildings that they had young stock pasturing in, and the cattle pretty much depreciated the sled. I hauled that one to my brothers's house along with a huge chunk of frozen ground that had remained frozen to the machine when they dug it out of the ground with the skidloader with a pallet fork on it. But, that is a story for another day.

After buying the 440, my brother then bought 4 more Cyclones, all 340s. My belief is that these 340s survived because they were wive's sleds, as several had electric start, and unlike the husbands sleds, they hadn't been trashed and blown up. He parted 2 of these sleds out, and kept the other 2, which are pictured here. Both are in running condition more or less.

I decided to add these to the herd because I am nuts. I did want to see our late Uncle's 440 put back in running condition, but it will be a project as it is in rough condition because of the sitting outside for years. Katy and I brought the 340s home today, and she observed that these weren't half as junky as most I start with!

She has an eye on one of these, as she thought the Cyclones looked lower and wider than the mid-mounts she has been riding, and keeps flopping on their sides and breaking windshields off of. So yeah, I think I will freshen one of these up as a rider for her.

It never ends!
Look like new. Very nice.
User avatar
400brian
Posts: 5610
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: James T. Kirk
Location: South Central Wisconsin

Re: Cyclones!!!

Post by 400brian »

Popcorn popper wrote: Mon Jan 02, 2023 10:37 pm I notice some jd sleds have yellow shocks while others are black. Was there a reason why?
The yellow ones were aftermarket.

'09 Vintage Challenge Survivor, and I wasn't late for supper!
'10, '11, '12, '13,'14,'15,'16,'17, '18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Vintage Challenge Survivor !
72 400 restored, Father bought new in '71
73 X8 restored
'74 340 green machine
'74 X8 9 time VC finisher
'78 Spitfire in progress
2 '75 340S 1 running, one on deck
'78 LF 440 future CC clone
'73 Skiroule RTX 440, 500 mi.
User avatar
400brian
Posts: 5610
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: James T. Kirk
Location: South Central Wisconsin

Re: Cyclones!!!

Post by 400brian »

Cyclone build update. The hood hinge was bent, warped, rusty and stiff. It was also loose on the hood, that was the main reason I removed it. I massaged it with a hammer and got it looking better, then hit it with a coat of semi gloss black. I re-installed it it with aircraft grade hardware, which of course is fine thread and has a shank length that comes in 1/16" increments.

The hood on my 74 JDX8 also had come loose after years of pounding the crap out of it running the SHOF Vintage Challenge ride. I made the same type of repair on it some years ago, and it has stayed tight since.
Attachments
thumbnail.jpg
thumbnail (1).jpg
thumbnail (2).jpg

'09 Vintage Challenge Survivor, and I wasn't late for supper!
'10, '11, '12, '13,'14,'15,'16,'17, '18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Vintage Challenge Survivor !
72 400 restored, Father bought new in '71
73 X8 restored
'74 340 green machine
'74 X8 9 time VC finisher
'78 Spitfire in progress
2 '75 340S 1 running, one on deck
'78 LF 440 future CC clone
'73 Skiroule RTX 440, 500 mi.
Post Reply