1981 Trailfire project

This is where you can post the story & photos of your John Deere Snowmobile project.
christoner2002
Posts: 37
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 3:44 pm
Real Name: Chris Toner
Location: Peru, Illinois

1981 Trailfire project

Post by christoner2002 »

Well, I purchased a 1981 Trailfire in the middle of October 2014, and decided I wanted to make it a Project. My first snowmobile was a 1981 Trailfire I purchased in 1995. Many snowmobiles have passed since then, but something about that Trailfire was always with me. The looks I got when I hauled it 6 hours north and rode it in Minocqua for my first two trips to the Northwoods. The way it felt to have my own first snowmobile. I rebuilt a convertible I own about 4 years ago, and enjoy it, knowing all the work that was put into it. So, the sled has been totally torn apart. To date, I have stripped it down to the bare chassis. Fully disassembled the engine, checked the bearings, the cylinders, replaced all the O-rings on the crank, and put new crank seals and gaskets in the engine. The carb has been cleaned, checked, and all gaskets replaced. Hoping to have it all back together by Christmas.
Stripped down
Stripped down
The way it looked the day I bought it
The way it looked the day I bought it
Attachments
Chassis mocked up, with engine sitting back in it
Chassis mocked up, with engine sitting back in it
Easiest way I have found to remove graphics
Easiest way I have found to remove graphics
Last edited by christoner2002 on Fri Nov 21, 2014 12:13 am, edited 1 time in total.
2012 Polaris Rush 600, my main trail rider
1981 John Deere Trailfire 440, restored.
christoner2002
Posts: 37
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 3:44 pm
Real Name: Chris Toner
Location: Peru, Illinois

Re: 1981 Trailfire project

Post by christoner2002 »

The paint on the hood was lifting in many spots, and of course when removing the graphics, a lot of the paint came with. Quite a bit of time with the pressure washer ending up taking most of the paint off. Edges were feathered out, and first coat of PPG Filler primer was shot on tonight.
Attachments
4974A3FF-5BA0-497B-8D7B-7F432E3C659F_zpsjmnlscr0[1].jpg
727A2E41-CF89-4E18-ACFD-5A40857D852E_zps6wyvowjl[1].jpg
11B26AE5-F2CE-4BA6-8BC1-AE6F8884EFD4_zps0h86xnpy[1].jpg
C98E9E2B-CDAA-40A8-AD82-E9229EB7E329_zpsizwm5q3p[1].jpg
2012 Polaris Rush 600, my main trail rider
1981 John Deere Trailfire 440, restored.
christoner2002
Posts: 37
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 3:44 pm
Real Name: Chris Toner
Location: Peru, Illinois

Re: 1981 Trailfire project

Post by christoner2002 »

Got the hood painted today. Used the Case I-H Silver in a quart can. Added the hardener and thinner, and it sprayed out really nice, for a single stage paint. Pretty happy with it. As it is drying, it seems to be a tiny bit lighter then the Winterfrost 2 paint. Ordered my graphics from jdsleddecals on Friday. Can't wait to put them on it.
Attachments
A9B1F079-8530-4A6A-9C7B-34A7820A1D93_zpsy2t97psz[1].jpg
AD235A14-7FCA-43B1-BDE9-E133B10518B3_zpsmhoy2s0k[1].jpg
DD34F2DF-0A95-4A69-AEFC-F9F4E663EA91_zpsm8ylkowj[1].jpg
6D3F8DF0-56A7-4C09-AE31-8D79CA7F5A28_zpsqebldbex[1].jpg
2012 Polaris Rush 600, my main trail rider
1981 John Deere Trailfire 440, restored.
sledhead16
Posts: 1386
Joined: Sat Dec 14, 2013 3:39 pm
Real Name: Allan Campbell
Location: Saint Peter MN

Re: 1981 Trailfire project

Post by sledhead16 »

looking really really good
1975 340/s Speed Run Sled
1975 340/s I500 #161
1980 Liquifire SN# 4995 From WA Speed Run Sled
1980 Liquifire SN# 4996 From MN
1983 Sportfire
1984 Liquifire Deep Snow Tunnel 4/6 motor
1984 Sprintfire (2)

***Duelling Deere Garage***
User avatar
skoalmint
Posts: 759
Joined: Fri Aug 06, 2010 11:33 pm
Location: Circleville Oh

Re: 1981 Trailfire project

Post by skoalmint »

Looks Great ! :beers; Brock
JDT
Posts: 5561
Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2007 1:00 am
Real Name: Todd
Location: Milbank South Dakota

Re: 1981 Trailfire project

Post by JDT »

Very nice results. :clap:
Todd Schrupp

Milbank SD
buckeyetrailfire
Posts: 241
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 8:26 pm
Real Name: Mark Elliott
Location: Springboro Ohio

Re: 1981 Trailfire project

Post by buckeyetrailfire »

Nice job :beers;

Mark
1979 Trailfire 440
1980 Trailfire 340
1980 sportfire
christoner2002
Posts: 37
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 3:44 pm
Real Name: Chris Toner
Location: Peru, Illinois

Re: 1981 Trailfire project

Post by christoner2002 »

Got my graphics in today from jdsleddecals and couldn't wait to put them on. Tunnel graphics went really nice. The hood graphics, I think I may have them a little low in the front edges on the sides. But still very happy overall. Can't wait to finish it and get it out in some snow for pics and a ride
Attachments
again, but a closer look
again, but a closer look
This is where I think the front portion of the graphic goes to low on the side, from my own doing
This is where I think the front portion of the graphic goes to low on the side, from my own doing
64A5A71A-1A22-499B-AC2D-CB6CCE26CFD6_zpsibjrcwgu[1].jpg
2FA7FA1A-40E1-4940-9D5F-F296C0B69937_zpsjbcup7nb[1].jpg
45C2C8EE-7EA7-495A-B413-5F0DEA401799_zpszvlqwapn[1].jpg
2012 Polaris Rush 600, my main trail rider
1981 John Deere Trailfire 440, restored.
sledhead16
Posts: 1386
Joined: Sat Dec 14, 2013 3:39 pm
Real Name: Allan Campbell
Location: Saint Peter MN

Re: 1981 Trailfire project

Post by sledhead16 »

new decals always dress it up nicely looks good!
1975 340/s Speed Run Sled
1975 340/s I500 #161
1980 Liquifire SN# 4995 From WA Speed Run Sled
1980 Liquifire SN# 4996 From MN
1983 Sportfire
1984 Liquifire Deep Snow Tunnel 4/6 motor
1984 Sprintfire (2)

***Duelling Deere Garage***
christoner2002
Posts: 37
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 3:44 pm
Real Name: Chris Toner
Location: Peru, Illinois

Re: 1981 Trailfire project

Post by christoner2002 »

Getting pretty close with it now. Need to finish the seat, and get a windshield, and button up the suspension pieces. Also need to paint the muffler. Hopefully soon I can call it done
Attachments
09E14F21-30FA-49D3-A133-91E7FFDD45F5_zpseiwlveqn.jpg
C5532218-67EA-4B56-811F-05AA3B785857_zps0yumhey1.jpg
E4A12DB3-8F32-4BB4-938A-67E3AEA915FF_zps8hgxgxck.jpg
E6372C69-12AE-4CD0-8794-90F6CD095CB9_zpsdl4mofjp.jpg
2012 Polaris Rush 600, my main trail rider
1981 John Deere Trailfire 440, restored.
christoner2002
Posts: 37
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 3:44 pm
Real Name: Chris Toner
Location: Peru, Illinois

Re: 1981 Trailfire project

Post by christoner2002 »

A few more
Attachments
2FA7FA1A-40E1-4940-9D5F-F296C0B69937_zpsjbcup7nb[1].jpg
B5FDB1CC-4F09-4CDD-A83F-7F178FA1719D_zpszfr6oluf.jpg
D3D463F3-386F-47DD-8F9C-8322E872537B_zps3fqgh5qq.jpg
2012 Polaris Rush 600, my main trail rider
1981 John Deere Trailfire 440, restored.
User avatar
Packers29
Posts: 219
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2014 11:28 pm
Real Name: Andrew Engels
Location: Green Bay Wisconsin

Re: 1981 Trailfire project

Post by Packers29 »

looks great good job!
1978 Liquifire 440
1980 340 Trailfire
1981 Sportfire
1984 Liquifire
1984 Sprintfire
1984 Trailfire
1984 Snowfire
1984 Sportfire
User avatar
skoalmint
Posts: 759
Joined: Fri Aug 06, 2010 11:33 pm
Location: Circleville Oh

Re: 1981 Trailfire project

Post by skoalmint »

Nice Job ! Looks GREAT ! Brock
sledhead16
Posts: 1386
Joined: Sat Dec 14, 2013 3:39 pm
Real Name: Allan Campbell
Location: Saint Peter MN

Re: 1981 Trailfire project

Post by sledhead16 »

its looking really sharp! nice job on the tunnel!
1975 340/s Speed Run Sled
1975 340/s I500 #161
1980 Liquifire SN# 4995 From WA Speed Run Sled
1980 Liquifire SN# 4996 From MN
1983 Sportfire
1984 Liquifire Deep Snow Tunnel 4/6 motor
1984 Sprintfire (2)

***Duelling Deere Garage***
christoner2002
Posts: 37
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 3:44 pm
Real Name: Chris Toner
Location: Peru, Illinois

Re: 1981 Trailfire project

Post by christoner2002 »

Was able to mostly button up the Trailfire for this season. Still will need to get a new windshield, and want to get the seat recovered yet. But was able to take it for a victory lap around my yard today.
Attachments
C381D3E3-3F09-4055-B10E-914AB9DDFF17_zpsolv7awcc.jpg
40AFBCD3-BFD5-436E-83F9-DAE93AB71CD0_zpsbu23qtgy.jpg
72838505-840D-4ED6-88C8-6280B0E8D711_zpsfosdrjhq.jpg
2012 Polaris Rush 600, my main trail rider
1981 John Deere Trailfire 440, restored.
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