polaris driveline swap

This is where you can post the story & photos of your John Deere Snowmobile project.
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yamadeere
Posts: 27
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2010 8:56 am
Location: wisconsin

polaris driveline swap

Post by yamadeere »

Guys, just got back from our annual vintage ride in Elcho Wisconsin, my 78 cyclone ran flawlessly after a few years
of fighting gremlins. It runs out good for a 340 fanner and fits a 6foot 2 275lb guy well. I have a 76 440 liquifre that
is my next project. I had it running and the prestolite cdi gremlin popped up, then it went to the barn. My thought in
the truck on the way home was make a custom out of a indy 500 i have as a parts sled. I could update to better skid
and rubber track, then i thought indy chaincase with juice brake then i took it one step farther and thought why not
the industructable 500 mill? anyone do this? I know some people are all about original but a dependable nice riding
vintage trail rider means more than getting the crap kicked out of me and having the finicky kioritz and ignition let me
down. Any thoughts? I also have a txl skid I could use instead but I think they are close in design. I would like to make
the trip to st germain for the challenge some year and think this would be an awsome custom.
thoughts welcome. Thanks yamadeere :beers;
sledhead16
Posts: 1386
Joined: Sat Dec 14, 2013 3:39 pm
Real Name: Allan Campbell
Location: Saint Peter MN

Re: polaris driveline swap

Post by sledhead16 »

I feel you will find most opinions here to say do not screw with the vintage sleds unless your going to race them, If you want a dependable rider, completely restore one flawlessly or go by a newer sled. In My opinion, These sleds will try your patience, give you frustration, only give you one good day of riding after you spent many fixing, but there is something that can't take your smile away when it was your hard work that kept these old deeres on the trails after all these years.
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***
Jd sled rider
Posts: 204
Joined: Mon Dec 30, 2013 8:03 pm
Real Name: Lincoln Huffman
Location: Michigan

Re: polaris driveline swap

Post by Jd sled rider »

I agree with the sense of pride and the smile after a long day of riding an old Deere. The but kickin helps you remember for a few days after that! Lincoln
2015 vintage challenge finisher on 81 liquifire
2016 vintage challenge finisher on a wounded 83 Liquifire
ljm
Posts: 705
Joined: Tue Jan 26, 2010 10:05 am
Real Name: Lloyd
Location: near Port Elgin, Ontario

Re: polaris driveline swap

Post by ljm »

It would be relative easy to do. You shouldn't have to changes the tunnel. Just the suspention, Drive sprockets and track. It has been done lots of times.
Several Deere's
Several Kawasaki's

ACSCC #1534
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