My new machine. Restore project??

This is where you can post the story & photos of your John Deere Snowmobile project.
motoXman
Posts: 219
Joined: Sat Oct 13, 2012 6:01 pm
Location: Ontario

My new machine. Restore project??

Post by motoXman »

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Been looking for a few years patiently. What to do with this machine? It's pretty clean but not clean enough. It's rideable and winter is coming... Hmmmm :D
1980 Liquifre 440 survivor
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nick80lf
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Real Name: Nick
Location: The snow free zone of Ohio

Re: My new machine. Restore project??

Post by nick80lf »

Not bad.....what's up with the rear bumper?
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)
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WinnipegStPaul9
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Real Name: Don Amber
Location: Churubusco, IN

Re: My new machine. Restore project??

Post by WinnipegStPaul9 »

Looks clean to me. Rear bumper?? Looks like it's been "cutdown". Nice find.

DA
Feel free to check out our website www.buscobullet.com for restorations or parts.
motoXman
Posts: 219
Joined: Sat Oct 13, 2012 6:01 pm
Location: Ontario

Re: My new machine. Restore project??

Post by motoXman »

Here's a short story on this sled. Basically it's a barn find. I didn't find it myself, the previous owner did and said it was sitting for almost 20 years. Here cleaned all the goop gas out of the tank and carbs, replaced the fuel lines and filter to get it running. That's pretty much all he did and now it's my turn to actually
Make it run like it should.


I'm not sure what's up with the bumper, I think it's the wrong one. I took a few more pics today after I power washed all the gunk out.

The machine is missing on the stator side (maybe a bad coil)

The dash has a small crack at the rivots

The underside is pretty good minus the small hole in the plastic at the ski area

Compression is even @ 135psi each side.

Track is good all the way around.. But missing a clip here and there.
1980 Liquifre 440 survivor
motoXman
Posts: 219
Joined: Sat Oct 13, 2012 6:01 pm
Location: Ontario

Re: My new machine. Restore project??

Post by motoXman »

Here's a few more pics of the sled and it's overall condition:

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1980 Liquifre 440 survivor
motoXman
Posts: 219
Joined: Sat Oct 13, 2012 6:01 pm
Location: Ontario

Re: My new machine. Restore project??

Post by motoXman »

So here's some bad. Feel free to give advice it's appreciated!

Wrong bumper?

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Why is there a hole drilled in the bottom right?

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There's my broken dash. Maybe there's some good NOS ones around? I hope

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This is unfortunate

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I had to scrape off all the old rotting foam. Is there replacement foam for this? And have a look under my windshield, am I missing something there?

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Thanks for looking guys appreciate your advise.
1980 Liquifre 440 survivor
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JD600
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Re: My new machine. Restore project??

Post by JD600 »

Are those aluminum skis?

DE
Dustin Elder
Salem, OH


Midmounts.... Lots and lots of midmounts...

"Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege."
motoXman
Posts: 219
Joined: Sat Oct 13, 2012 6:01 pm
Location: Ontario

Re: My new machine. Restore project??

Post by motoXman »

JD600 wrote:Are those aluminum skis?

DE

Nope. Just chromed.
1980 Liquifre 440 survivor
TASKY
Posts: 732
Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2005 1:00 am
Location: Duluth MN

Re: My new machine. Restore project??

Post by TASKY »

Looks like a 76/77 Cyclone, Liquifire Rear Bumper. Later on there was a Hood Vent block off kit. I believe 82-84 had these vents molded shot. Overall very nice find.
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WinnipegStPaul9
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Re: My new machine. Restore project??

Post by WinnipegStPaul9 »

Yep, earlier I thought it was nice. Now I know it's nice. That said it's still an 80 and a bizillion were made. Nice Find!
Feel free to check out our website www.buscobullet.com for restorations or parts.
motoXman
Posts: 219
Joined: Sat Oct 13, 2012 6:01 pm
Location: Ontario

Re: My new machine. Restore project??

Post by motoXman »

Yes there were alot of 1980 machines produced, BUT in my neck of the woods not too many original survivors! 1980 Liquifire was important to me since it was the first machine I grew up with... Learned alot, it made me walk alot and overall pissed me off alot! LOL but I liked it. I didn't know enough when I was 10 years old to keep it running.. And my mother didn't know a thing and dad wasn't around. I just remember getting her to hold the plug wire so I could Check for spark. She said "this isn't going to shock me IS IT???". I replied "nope shouldn't" LOL man I got in so much trouble.... Its still a good laugh today haha.

Anyways.. I really want this restored MINT. Im willing to put some money into this over time. I want the tunnel powder coated and the hood repainted to start. Go over the engine and detail every singe part. :mrgreen: I wonder what the wife thinks about this?? Lol.
1980 Liquifre 440 survivor
Matt
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Re: My new machine. Restore project??

Post by Matt »

Wow, that's in great shape as is. A seat that nice is very rare.
:usa: Matt - JDsleds.com Administrator
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mwking
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Location: Southwestern Ontario

Re: My new machine. Restore project??

Post by mwking »

The seat looks really good with the exception of the hole on the right side. The guys that do vinyl repairs can make that disappear though, definately worth repairing if the vinyl is not dried out and cracking. The extra hole in the dash was for the handlebar heater switch. The mileage is low and it shows in the condition of the machine. It looks like the spark plug connector was replaced on the mag side, I wonder if that has anything to do with the miss?
'84 Liquifire,'84 Sportfire, '83 Sprintfire, '82 Spitfire, '82 Trailfire LX, '80 Liquifire (2), '80 Sportfire,'80 340 Trailfire, '79 Spitfire
motoXman
Posts: 219
Joined: Sat Oct 13, 2012 6:01 pm
Location: Ontario

Re: My new machine. Restore project??

Post by motoXman »

I actually replaced that connector today, good eye ;) I haven't had time yet to properly diagnose, cold be a carb issue too. Many tomorrow I will switch the carbs and see if the other side fouls out ir misses... That should give me a better idea whats up here. Theres a few wires need gone over too.... But if I'm taking the machine down I'm likely just wastIng my time playing :D
1980 Liquifre 440 survivor
Mr. Deere
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Re: My new machine. Restore project??

Post by Mr. Deere »

You treat the dash? Looks really shiny! I like the skis and the rear bar too! Looks good short. I'd leave that originall and find another one in worse shape.
BOB From MASS
OWN: 1 1983 JOHN DEERE LIQUIFIRE 440
1 1973 JOHN DEERE JDX8 440
1 1982 JOHN DEERE SPORTFIRE 440
1 2000 SKIDOO MXZ 600
GOTTA LOVE THAT TWO STROKE SMELL
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