1982 Trailfire Special (Canadian Special)

[JDBraze]

Thanks for showing this, very awesome. I thought this was a 1981 thing, now I'll have to check my 1982 tunnels. I hope one is there. And like others say, thanks for showing pictures.

Kelly

[JDT]

Great posts/pics and thanks for all your follow up.

Congrats on this rare find.

[TOYMECH]

Kelly, Thanks for the kind words - I still haven't digested the fact that i found one since i had relegated myself to the fact that i didn't think i would ever see one let alone have one. Backs up the saying "never say never". I have been asking anyone i know from Deere up here that worked for corporate or worked for a dealer back in the "sled era" about them and am only able to get tiny little bits of information about them that i have shared in my posts. One of the things i enjoy most about the sleds is thier history from thier initial concept and design all the way through to when us board members find them and tell stories about them. I am still uncovering information about this one which lived it's life only 45 minutes from me and as mentioned before - i have known the original selling dealer for over 30 years. Seems Deere offered them for 3 years going by the parts listing which i have attached. Hope you find one in your bunch!

Todd, Thanks! I'm always glad to share information - that way we all learn!

Lloyd, Thanks! Looking forward to visting with you guys at the next show! If You happen to be in the area at the dealership, drop in and say Hi!

Greg

[JoeRainville]

Greg,

Again, thanks for sharing this cool find. Great to see pic's outside of the parts manual. That skid looks interesting, part Liquifire, part Trailfire maybe. I have you covered on the hitch plate. Funny that I have some of the special parts for that sled, but no sled for them:>)

-Joe

[JDT]

Joe I am sure there are a few of these CS's down in the Lone Star State.
Keep pounding the sage brush and you will find one.

[cledussnow77]

Awsome find Greg.

[Deerenuts]

I know of at least one in the great lake state.

[82_Liquifire]

Could this be another one? I found this on craigslist last summer.


Choke and headlight switch


Serial looks right


Helper axle


Chain adjuster and fuel shut off

[Matt]

Sure looks like it!

[TOYMECH]

82_Liquifire,

Wow! for sure you have the same thing! Awsome!

J=Family of Machine (Snowmobile)
34S=340 Special Trailfire
L= Model year (1982)

It would be interesting to know if the machine was sold new in the USA or Canada. Thanks for sharing!

cledussnow77 - Thanks!

[82_Liquifire]

If the hood is correct, which I think it is. The machine has a round headlight. Looking at the sales brochure the headlight looks round. Also, the dash plate says the machine was bought in Hastings, MN.

Is there any production number information?

When I told my wife, he first response was "Does that mean I can't ride it anymore?"

I'll post more pictures after work. Thank you guys for posting the info!

[liquitisplit80]

82-Liquifire,
According to JD parts catalog they list a different PN for the hood so something must be different. (Look it over carefully, extra heat shield??)They also list a different PN for the dash. Perhaps because of the headlight switch?? Also check the PN on the engine thats different too. (higher compression??)
Congratulations on your find! It's always nice to discover you have a rare one!

[mike817o]

How many of these did they make in 1982??

[82_Liquifire]

Here are a few pics. I'm embarrassed to admit, we removed the primer, trailer hitch and the original dash, we still have all the original parts. We used a dash that we could install the NOS speedo and tach on.

These were the pics from the craigslist ad. I was the first and only one to call on the sled. It was on c-list for a month. Suspension was NOT seized!











Engine bay before, mike817o doing all the hard work while I was taking pictures



Engine bay after




Engine, new seals and bearings, reinstalled:




Suspension, removed, primed and painted. (No after picture)


First time back on the snow since who knows how long, Johns Upholstery seat, not yet installed.


First official ride


With the rest of the herd



Future plans for the machine will be; reinstall primer, dash, and trailer hitch. Also I will add the (ugly) trail windshield. And ride, ride, ride...

P.S. As we were refurbishing this machine, we noted the variations but had nothing to compare them too. It makes sense now!

[TOYMECH]

If the hood is correct, which I think it is. The machine has a round headlight. Looking at the sales brochure the headlight looks round. Also, the dash plate says the machine was bought in Hastings, MN.

Is there any production number information?

When I told my wife, he first response was "Does that mean I can't ride it anymore?"

I'll post more pictures after work. Thank you guys for posting the info!

Having a look at the parts listing as well as the brochure, a round headlamp looks to be the correct one for the Special by the looks of it.
It would be interesting to know how many they made.
You had better let your wife keep riding it or you might get shown the doorway to the doghouse!