Fix up??

400brian · Post by **400brian** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 4:16 pm

Hey Rich

Just for the sake of argument, can the LF jugs be re-sleeved like the aircooled ones can?

BombThreat · Post by **BombThreat** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 7:09 pm

Ouch, then why are there pistons avalible that are overbore?

Post by **JRC ETD** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 8:47 pm

This is a great thread and the true essence of our sport, I have a set of 80 LF cylinders with 13 miles on them that I will donate if needed....the techical experience on this site is unblievable...Thanks all, this is a awesome culture with commited members! Best Jon

Danzig · Post by **Danzig** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 8:50 pm

Eric use the motor I gave you, it ran fine and compression last checked was dead on.

BombThreat · Post by **BombThreat** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 9:39 pm

TakeItToTheLimit wrote: To clarify...we are talking about the LF with the Kawasaki Engine...not the Kioritz. The Kioritz was a cast sleeve and could be bored .010" & .020"

-Rich

yes it has the kawi engine

Mean Green · Post by **Mean Green** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 2:01 am

Wait, what's the serial number on this sled? It has the early dash and bracket with the separate coil and CDI. Also the non textured, smooth seat. Also, it appears to have the "wide" bottom front shocks with the spacer in the bottom shim. Appears to be an '80 with a polished tunnel and a decal update. This matters a lot as the value of these two sleds is quite different favouring the '83. Bottom line, it's complete, DK has a new batch-O-parts coming in, and of course, it's a vintage top of the line John Deere. I'd sit on it for a while and let time decide. You will never lose money by sitting on it, and parts are very inexpensive if you have the patience to collect what it needs over time instead of buying everything at once. Your sled, your decision. I'd wait.

Tracy

Mean Green · Post by **Mean Green** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 2:07 am

PS: The reason I suspect it's an 80 with a polished tunnel is the VIN decal and the white blahblah decal are missing from the rear of the tunnel. I'm almost 100% this is an early sled.

Tracy

427cobra · Post by **427cobra** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 1:01 pm

hey,

Well after taking a look at the serial # found out that it was a 80. (good eye Tracy...I'm impressed)

But it does have the updated hood (vents accross top are filled in). Also Rev limiter is mounted under dash, square headlight, black handle bars, and has the TR-800 clutch.

Serial # J44LJ 123649M
Engine # TC440A C202

There is no black paint anywhere on the tunnel. I would expect to see some areas with paint still visible. Such as corners, bends, where tunnel meets the bulk head, etc. Areas not so easy to remove the paint.

What are your thoughts on this sled??

Eric

deere abby · Post by **deere abby** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 1:42 pm

hey eric,now i see your post.not an 83 huh.oh well.one of those sleds i told you of is definitely an 83,tunnel pretty nice too.could still build a 83 with all those nice parts.Earl

Mean Green · Post by **Mean Green** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 1:21 am

Hey there Eric,
Sorry it took awhile to get back. You have a sled that slipped through the toughest critics as an 83. The differences other than cosmetics aren't all that great. Someone obviously put a lot of love into updating the appearance of this one, so since the hard part is done, why not take it all the way? Since you asked, my opinion is to wait and try and find an 82 up engine and/or TR-800 clutch. Ideally find a newer LF that is rough and snag the guts out of it to complete yours. Or even get an Invader engine on eBay and throw it in with a properly set up 102c. The secondary is sprung/ramped differently on the newer TR-800 sleds, and the gearing is different. Since SOMEONE on this sight has been EXTREMELY generous in supplying me with obscure NOS stuff, I am forced to pass it along. If you are keeping the sled and waiting for a deal to complete it, I will send you a NOS choke cable set complete if you PM me. Seriously, for about $200.00 more than you have in it, you'll have a clean looking 83 runner that will turn a lot of heads. Or I suppose you could always just ebay it year unknown.....

Tracy

427cobra · Post by **427cobra** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 1:39 am

And the restoration begins!! Took A LOT of elbow grease to get 6 yrs of grime off this sled. Also a pressure washer comes in handy...ha

I found that a pressure washer that heats the water works great to clean out a dirty gas tank!!

I also updated my signature!!

427cobra · Post by **427cobra** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 12:50 am

Tracy... got the cables, thanks!!

Well so far I have been through the entire suspension. Taken every piece apart cleaned and lubricated everything. Now it actually springs back when you put weight on it!!

I cut new wood for the seat. It had the panel of wood under the seat...not the two runners like in my other 80 LF. This made replacing the wood easy.

I have the entire engine torn down right now. I am cleaning everything up. I did notice on the center of the crankshaft two rubber o-rings. One of which is boken. How do I replace these? Where can I find replacements? Or can I just use some silicone to to keep o-rings in place?

Also I noticed I should probably replace the lower coolant hose (runs from pump to heat exchanger)

Anyone have a nice used one they want to get rid of. I would appreciate any help locating one of these.

Slowy but surely getting this thing back together!!

JDGuy · Post by **JDGuy** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 11:01 am

Lower Coolant Hose: The only source I know of is Image. He had a run reproduced? I bought one from him, the only problem is he wants/gets big $ for them.

427cobra · Post by **427cobra** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 9:10 pm

yeah i was aware of Image. I spent $50.00 for the hose on my other LF. I was hoping to find a good used one.

Any thoughts on those O-ring in the center of the crankshaft?

Thanks!

427cobra · Post by **427cobra** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 11:05 pm

Front View of the cleaned up sled