The Sidewinder Project

[Mottsi]

We are going to venture off the deere path for a little bit and try our hand in restoring an 81 Scorpion Sidewinder. I found a pretty good starter project about a half an hour from the house. Waited to see if A1 had anything that I wanted in my price range, a lot of nice sleds but the price was too high or it was too common of a classic. So when Don and I got home I called the owner of the sidewinder. Asked Don if he would go with me and he said yes. Well after a little talking and me lightening my wallet we we brought it home. It needs a handful of things: skis are aftermarket, rear tool box/tail light are busted up, tach says arctic cat, nose cone is missing, seat needs to be repaired/replaced and the hood needs fixed or addressed. We will begin the restore after this years riding season. It fires up and sounds great. I think it is very solid mechanically. Here are some pics:

[JDT]

To make your parts search easier you will find that AC Eltigre parts are the same.

The cool thing about the SW is that it looks way cool with the colors and graphics.
And very few made compared to its black cousin.

[WinnipegStPaul9]

JDT, I thought it was the other way around??? Few Black hoods lot's of gray. It's the other way around?

DA

[JDT]

According to CPC, Tigger's produced in TRF under the 81 model were 7000 units.
Gray sleds bound for Crosby only 1000.

[WinnipegStPaul9]

OK Todd, I see what you mean now. You were comparing to El Tigres. I've been told that the first Sidewinders had black paint on the hood instead of gray and that the black hooded ones are much more rare than the gray hooded ones.

DA

[JDT]

I don't know anything about black Sidewinders.

It is more than just the hood being gray however.
If you were going to use Cat plastics on your Scorp you would need some grey Fusion paint.

[JDT]

Looking at the brochsure it does have a black hood.

Of course we know how far in advance brochures are put together.

I bet the color change was to distance it from it's cousin.

[sledder670]

My buddy rob that comes on rwc is a big eltigre guy. He should have some skis and other parts already blasted and painted

[JDT]

Scorp skis are different than the Cat ones.

[Mottsi]

I have been told the skis are arctic cat skis 80,81 & 84 and scorpion loops from 80 & 81 whips and stings. I think I have located the loops but am still looking for the skis. So Eric if your buddy has some for the years specified I would be very interested. Also, see if he has a tool box too (AC 0106-902).

Thanks!

Sean

[Jekyll]

Sean,

I think you can use Scorpion skis on the springs/shocks that you have or use a Cat spring/shock combo.

For the tool box I'm thinking your best bet may be to locate a Cat (black) version and have some color-match paint made up to replicate the Scorpion version.

Most all of the Sidewinders I've seen have the rear hood vents broken or repaired. Was told the reason is that people grab them to open the hood.

The Scorpion speedo that you have is pretty rare! Keep your eyes open and you'll run across a Scorpion tach in time.

For some reason lots of Sidewinders have had the nose cone removed or never installed. Seems like most of the ones I've seen over the past few years don't have one.

Good luck on the resto, can't wait to see it!

Later,
Roger

[Sprailfire340]

Most all of the Sidewinders I've seen have the rear hood vents broken or repaired. Was told the reason is that people grab them to open the hood...
...For some reason lots of Sidewinders have had the nose cone removed or never installed. Seems like most of the ones I've seen over the past few years don't have one.

Good luck on the resto, can't wait to see it!

Later,
Roger

Welcome to the club. Sidewinders are a ton of fun to drive and always turn heads at the local shows.

Repopped nose cones are available. I believe most are missing as guys grab them to try to move the front end and they bust off - NEED to reach further under the cone to grab bumper. Repopped seats and temp gauges (very nice) are also available. Careful with the speedo....if you let the rope pull snap back too quick the handle inevitably wants to hit the speedo square on....results in a lot of broken glass. X2 on the rear vent. One of mine is missing and the other is busted up. If you close the hood too fast (and/or not square) it catches on the radiator.

[Mottsi]

If you can lead me to where the repopped nose cones and tachs would be at, I would be very appreciative.

Thanks for welcoming me to the club!

[WinnipegStPaul9]

Sean, I think Tom White has access to the nose cones.

DA