1980 Liquifire Project

[johnnycyclone]

Haven't been working on this one much, I have another one (arctic cat) that I have been working on also. That one is done, so now we can get back on this one. Been working on a few different things over the last few weeks when I get some time. CDI, and the new coils have been installed. I added some red plug wire covers to give them some contrast, the black ones just blended in with the engine. Picked up the seat yesterday from the upholstery shop, they did a pretty nice job. It would have been better if I had prepped the foam a little better, it still looks pretty good. Also been working on the hood, decals are on, now I am working on putting the grille in with the headlight assembly. I hope to have it mounted back on the sled before the weekend. Decided to change out the snow flap also, the one on the Sportfire I picked up was in better shape. We are shooting for finishing this up by the first of the year, the only hold up will be the exhaust, that's still at the coaters and won't be finished until maybe late next week. Anyway here is a couple of pics on the progress, enjoy....Terre

[JDGuy]

Beyond words.........you do far better than great work!!!

[WinnipegStPaul9]

Beyond words.........you do far better than great work!!!

YEP!! What Guy said

DA

[cledussnow77]

Looking super excellent there Terre , maybe you could bring it to the Feb 2nd show at Luckies in Oregon, OH or maybe the Winterfest in North Webster, IN.

[johnnycyclone]

Thanks for the compliments, but it's not without it flaws, I will work on those next summer. Looking forward to finishing it up and taking it for a ride.

Ed, I hope to be at the show in Oregon, but remember I don't have an enclosed trailer, so it will be weather dependent.

Terre

[Danzig]

In one picture the carbs were black, the last picture they look like new carbs. What did you change ?

[johnnycyclone]

I painted them black originally because I thought they would look good with the chrome cap and bowl. But after installing them the black just blended in with everything else on the sled and you couldn't even see them. So I put them back in carb cleaner, stripped the black off and repainted them with an automotive grade silver. I left off the clear so they would look more like clean aluminum. Now they stick out more and look pretty good, I just don't know how the paint will hold up. We will see soon.

[Danzig]

looking excellent...feeding off your ideas and loving it...I got an 82 coming my way real soon...so we will stay tuned to your adventures...

[motoXman]

Is that the seat cover I see on ebay for $99?? I'd like go recover mine before anything bad happens to the foam

[johnnycyclone]

Is that the seat cover I see on ebay for $99?? I'd like go recover mine before anything bad happens to the foam

I have done a couple of covers from Ebay, but this is not one of them. The biggest problem that I have seen with the pre-made covers is fit, or lack of proper fit. They work fine if you want to just throw on a cover, but for a little more cash I was able to have one custom made at an upholstery shop that fits the foam. Foam over time shrinks, so for mine I had to add an inch to the front so it would look right, and not have a huge gap between the tank and the seat. I think the quality of the material is a little better also. This is only the second JD seat that they have done, so there is a small learning curve. I will probably this one back this summer and have it tweaked a little.

Terre

[motoXman]

I want my seat perfect. For a $99 cover I'd expect that. Maybe I will look for some custom work but around here good workmanship is scarce... That's why I usually just do everything myself.

[nick80lf]

I want my seat perfect. For a $99 cover I'd expect that. Maybe I will look for some custom work but around here good workmanship is scarce... That's why I usually just do everything myself.

Two words.......John's Upholstery

[johnnycyclone]

If you want perfect then I wouldn't buy a cover from Ebay, most likely it was made from a seat foam that has shrunk, at least that was my experience. I would work on the foam and get it where you want it, and then have a cover made to fit the foam.

[motoXman]

Was this one done at Johns Upholestry? Anyone have the contact info? I'd rather ship the whole thing away and get it done right.

[johnnycyclone]

Was this one done at Johns Upholestry? Anyone have the contact info? I'd rather ship the whole thing away and get it done right.

Seat was done by my local upholstery shop, they do a lot of marine, motorcycle and car upholstery. They did a great job and the price was very reasonable. Johns Upholstery is one of the site sponsors, his contact info pops up in the banner section on top once in awhile.

This one is winding down fast now. I added the fluids this week, oil, chaincase oil, coolant, and some fuel. Picked up the exhaust this past weekend, after having it bead blasted and ceramic coated, looks really sharp. I ran into a little issue with the hood, couldn't open it without it hitting the bumper. A few members on here pointed out a possible solution, so I ran up to the hardware store to pick up some spacers, 1/2" length. The bumper is back on, but I haven't tried to fit the hood, that's tomorrow nights project. Should be done by the weekend, at least that is what I am shooting for.