Snagged the "Triplefire 500"

General topics related to John Deere Snowmobiles
Post Reply
User avatar
JoeRainville
Posts: 4355
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: "John Deere Joe"
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Contact:
Contact JoeRainville

Snagged the "Triplefire 500"

Post by JoeRainville »

I thought I would share my latest Deere find, and the story behind it as I know it...

Sometime around 5 or 6 years ago the Watersboy calls me all exited about a Polaris/Deere prototype sled he found for sale on line. I did not believe it was a genuine artical, so I never even called on it. Kenny was pretty sure about it, as I think he spoke to the owner. (Watersboy, feel free to add more the story!)

Turns out, unlike Linder or Bob Amber, the Watersboy outsmarted me. I found that out when JRC purchased the sled. Rats, but at least Jon let me look at it and post a few pic's on this site about it. JRC took it on the 2nd Vintage Challenge back in 2010, you can see him standing next to it in the background of pic's Larry Preston took of the crew heading out:

Image

Unfortunately, she muched a few motor parts on the ride, but I did get a short ride on her at the fuel stop before she called it a day. The sled was put up for sale some time after, but due to gap in employment, I was unable to move on it.

A well known Ski-Doo collector purchased her due to the unique history behind the sled. She was totally rebuilt and set next to some very nice Ski-Doo and Moto-Ski machines. Once again, I got to look at her and casually mentioned that if it comes up for sale down the road, I might be interested...
Honorary Tech Editor

Chuck Norris doesn't get frost bite. He bites the frost.
Top
User avatar
JoeRainville
Posts: 4355
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: "John Deere Joe"
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Contact:
Contact JoeRainville

Re: Snagged the "Triplefire 500"

Post by JoeRainville »

Earlier this summer, I recieved a PM from the owner, and let me know it was going up for sale, and I had first dibbs. While this was not a good time to buy a high dollar sled, I could manage it and we came to terms quickly. I quietly sold a few sleds, and booked a hauling trip to Hay Days to pick it up along with one of my Cat's.

Brock and I made the trip out to Hay Days a few weeks ago,and had a great time. He got to see the sled the same time I did when we picked it up. Here is Brock checking it out at the sellers place on Sunday of Hay Days:

Image

Once back in NY, I brought it out to the small Sleds of Stafford Show about 15 minutes down the road from my house in NY. While in display, she was a crowd pleaser with folks asking lots of questions:

Image

I have no idea how many of these hybred Polaris/Deere's were built, but I believe this one was brought around to the Deere dealers to show them what the 1985 Liquifire would be like:

Image

Since Polaris purchased rights to manufacture the former John Deere sled line up, they were to be branded Polaris products. This was outlined in a dealer letter from Feb of 1984. Polaris was also going to switch motor suppliers from Kawi to Fuji too. If I have my story straight, this was to be the 1985 Polaris Liquifire 500. I am working to document the story and history of this sled, but in the mean time I am very pleased to be it's owner.

Thanks,
-Joe
Last edited by JoeRainville on Sun Sep 23, 2012 6:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Honorary Tech Editor

Chuck Norris doesn't get frost bite. He bites the frost.
Top
lwb140
Posts: 1807
Joined: Fri May 08, 2009 11:34 pm
Real Name: Wade bennett
Location: linden IN

Re: Snagged the "Triplefire 500"

Post by lwb140 »

nice acquisition joe wade
certificate recipiant of the 12 vintage challenge !! on a 78 liquifre 440,
certificate recipiant of the 13 vintage challenge !! on a 340/s
certificate recipient of the 14 vintage challenge !! on a 78 liquifire 440
joe forgot the certificates for the 2015 vintage challenge
crossed the start/finish line twice at the 2013 and 2014 I500 on a 78 liquifire 440
Top
User avatar
400brian
Posts: 5621
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: James T. Kirk
Location: South Central Wisconsin

Re: Snagged the "Triplefire 500"

Post by 400brian »

Hey Bob

He sure talks smart for a guy who has parts sitting in my basement, with the idea that I may work on them....

I don't know why he bought this sled, he's going to have to purchase a horse and a Suburban soon.

I'd toss cowboy boots in there too, but I understand Texans no longer wear them,..they don't want to look like truck drivers! :bonk:
Last edited by 400brian on Sat Sep 22, 2012 3:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.

'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.
Top
DeereKid9
Posts: 1172
Joined: Wed Jan 31, 2007 1:00 am
Real Name: Bob Amber
Location: Churubusco Indiana

Re: Snagged the "Triplefire 500"

Post by DeereKid9 »

:wall:
Last edited by DeereKid9 on Sat Sep 22, 2012 1:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Always remember-Any parts leftover is money in your pocket.
1976 Liquidator - I 500 raced by Jim Zimmer
1980 Spitfire
1982 Liquifire-Last sled my son helped me work on. He did most of the motor work.
1984 Trailfire
2007 Ski Doo GSX 500SS
Top
SKNOWCAT
Posts: 146
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2007 12:00 am
Location: St.Louis Park,Mn.

Re: Snagged the "Triplefire 500"

Post by SKNOWCAT »

Don't ya just love those Ambers, what a handle on reality they possess. It takes a group effort to keep Mr. Rainbird from hurdling free of earth's gravitational pull.
Steve T.
Top
DeereKid9
Posts: 1172
Joined: Wed Jan 31, 2007 1:00 am
Real Name: Bob Amber
Location: Churubusco Indiana

Re: Snagged the "Triplefire 500"

Post by DeereKid9 »

I get your point Steve. Please accept my appologies. I was just responding to being called out by Joe.
Always remember-Any parts leftover is money in your pocket.
1976 Liquidator - I 500 raced by Jim Zimmer
1980 Spitfire
1982 Liquifire-Last sled my son helped me work on. He did most of the motor work.
1984 Trailfire
2007 Ski Doo GSX 500SS
Top
User avatar
WinnipegStPaul9
Posts: 5577
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: Don Amber
Location: Churubusco, IN

Re: Snagged the "Triplefire 500"

Post by WinnipegStPaul9 »

Ummmm, nope. I got nothin here.

DA
Feel free to check out our website www.buscobullet.com for restorations or parts.
Top
User avatar
JoeRainville
Posts: 4355
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: "John Deere Joe"
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Contact:
Contact JoeRainville

Re: Snagged the "Triplefire 500"

Post by JoeRainville »

Bob,

No need to delete that post, it was one of your better ones, LOL! I am sorry if I made fun of you, since you never would take a shot at me on thread posts or a classified ad :bonk:

Linder, enough belly-ache'in, are my idlers restored to perfection yet? And for the record, I already wear cowboy boots. Even had a pair on when I suckered Cari into walking down the isle with me :dance:

Hope you guys like the sled, I asked the Watersboy to ad his side of the story, since he was the one that found it in MI originally.

Later Liquidator,
-Joe
Honorary Tech Editor

Chuck Norris doesn't get frost bite. He bites the frost.
Top
User avatar
Den
Posts: 284
Joined: Mon Apr 27, 2009 1:24 pm
Location: Shawano WI

Re: Snagged the "Triplefire 500"

Post by Den »

That is a beauty!
Polaris cluth?
Studded?
That thing would have to out-corner (out trail ride) anything before '98
(Not that anyone in their right mind would beat on that rare of a sled)

Wow!

(As if most people I know are in their right mind when it comes to sleds!)
:beers;
Top
User avatar
Danzig
Posts: 4431
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: Paul File
Location: Van Orin, Illinois

Re: Snagged the "Triplefire 500"

Post by Danzig »

Image
1973 JDX8
1978 Liquifire 340
1980 Liquifire 440 CC Racer
1980 Liquifire 440
1982 Liquifire 440


"Gotta Lick It Before You Stick It"
Top
User avatar
Danzig
Posts: 4431
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: Paul File
Location: Van Orin, Illinois

Re: Snagged the "Triplefire 500"

Post by Danzig »

Image
1973 JDX8
1978 Liquifire 340
1980 Liquifire 440 CC Racer
1980 Liquifire 440
1982 Liquifire 440


"Gotta Lick It Before You Stick It"
Top
User avatar
Danzig
Posts: 4431
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: Paul File
Location: Van Orin, Illinois

Re: Snagged the "Triplefire 500"

Post by Danzig »

Image
1973 JDX8
1978 Liquifire 340
1980 Liquifire 440 CC Racer
1980 Liquifire 440
1982 Liquifire 440


"Gotta Lick It Before You Stick It"
Top
User avatar
Danzig
Posts: 4431
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: Paul File
Location: Van Orin, Illinois

Re: Snagged the "Triplefire 500"

Post by Danzig »

Image
1973 JDX8
1978 Liquifire 340
1980 Liquifire 440 CC Racer
1980 Liquifire 440
1982 Liquifire 440


"Gotta Lick It Before You Stick It"
Top
User avatar
Danzig
Posts: 4431
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: Paul File
Location: Van Orin, Illinois

Re: Snagged the "Triplefire 500"

Post by Danzig »

Image
1973 JDX8
1978 Liquifire 340
1980 Liquifire 440 CC Racer
1980 Liquifire 440
1982 Liquifire 440


"Gotta Lick It Before You Stick It"
Top
Post Reply

Return to “General Talk”