Mid-Mount Madness: "Katy's Bogie Bash" Sleds...

[JoeRainville]

Since we decided to make Wade and Lindner's Friday ride to Bent's Camp the "Bogie Bash" for 2016, I figure I better start working on a sled soon. Brian named the ride in honor of Mrs. Lindner for making it up there and almost back on a JD400. Hope she knows Brian threw her under the bus for naming rights.

I don't have the best reputation for getting an early start on anything, so I best get going on selecting a machine to take on this little 70+ mile adventure. I am generally a front motor only guy, and I prefer the 80-84 sleds for trail riding. But, it seems a few mid-mount sleds have made their way into the collection over the years.

Taking a look out in the storage barn I found I had 4 JD bogie sleds hiding under NOS parts and NOS dust. First up would be the coolest of them to redo, a 1974 JD295/s with bogies. The 295/s was the only Deere with factory optional suspension, slide rails and bogies. On top of that a dealer installed "bogie-Slide" could have replaced either factory suspension. The 295/s is the only Deere drilled for both suspension mounting location, so technially you could install any of the 3 suspension back and forth.



But this sucker is rough. It was a gift from my buddy "Stymie" a few years back, but the chassis is pretty straight. It just needs a motor, handle bars, ski's, front tank, and about 4 man-years of labor...



But she's got bogies, baby, bogies! And dual Mikuni carbs as a bonus, since I generally dislike Walboro or other carbs of the ilk.

[JoeRainville]

In another corner I found the last of the JD mid-mounts; a 1977 JD300...



The 300's were powered by a Kohler K295-2AX motor. They were Deere's entry level sled from 74-77 until the green Spitfire, also Kohler powered, replaced it for 78. I forget who dropped this one off, but I want to blame Sidekick Nick even if it wasn't his fault.



Once again, she is sporting bogies! But, I have no idea were the heck I left the motor. Last time I saw it, it was in a bucket up in NY...

[JDT]

Hey Joe if you need some more power for your 300 I got a Kohler 400-2T with your name on it.

[400brian]

My observation is that the chances of RainDeere building a 300, are about the same as my chances of Kate Upton stopping by to give me the full systems diagnostic.

[sledhead16]

Joe, I would love to have that issue...."Finding sleds and NOS parts in corners lmao". I love the pics though buddy! Bogies are coming back! James, Kate has to swing through MN before heading to the land of Packerville USA

[400brian]

There are reports of mid-mounts being eyed all over the upper tier of states. Mid-mounts may yet have their day! We'll see how many go from the looking stage, to the wrenching stage, to the all important RUNNING stage.

[jep_800]

Once I figure out my ignition issues, I plan to have my 800 running, and start the preparation for the Bogie Bash at RWTC. I'm seriously thinking of changing everything in the system for new, hoping to eliminate a domino effect. Who knows, if it goes well, and is running strong, you may see another 800 on the VC.

jep_800

[mfd1221]

I'm pretty sure I talked my brother in law into bringing his 300 up for the ride. Someone has to bring up the rear. Lol.


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[lwb140]

I worked on dads 400 off and on this weekend [well still am]!! think ive got the electrical system figured out .hope to put a few wet grass miles on it tomorrow. put new bearings in the chain case and drive shaft and rear axle. rear axle was froze up tight. was able to get it freed up with some penetrating oil and a press. a gob of anti seize should keep things moving out back. about down to cosmetics. need to get it polished up. the front bumper isn't perfect. might change it out if I get time, otherwise its about ready for some shakedown miles... next winter

[Wildfire II]

Hey guys...Build um and Ride um hard...they even work in the mountians....remember..thats all we had in 72...enjoy ED....

[JoeRainville]

Ed, thanks for the advice. We plan to give the bogie sleds a good workout.

As mentioned above, I am the proud owner of 4 bogie sleds. So far I posted pic's sled #4, a 74 295/s and sled #3, a 77 Model 300. Sled #2 is one I obtained from Kevin Campbell several years ago: a nice clean 1972 JD Model 400. It's the first year of Deere's sled line up, and the 72's are unique in many small ways. So I kind of like this one:





And of course she's got bogies...

[JoeRainville]

My "#1 sled" is a 1973 JDX-8, Deere's first crack at a performance sled, dispite the fact this sled was a bit of a pain in Deere's side. First, the new case reed CCW, "KEC 440/21" wasn't ready in time to be installed when the X-8's rolled down the assembly line. Deere had to hire school teachers on summer break to install the engines off line. The trouble really started after the sleds hit the dealers. They suffered from fueling issues, vapor lock and poor clutch performance. Deere ended up having to issue several PIP's to fix the sleds, including a vapor lock kit, fuel filter kit, a new clutch bushing to rebuild the Salsbury driver, and finally a complete new clutch set and a muffler kit to update the 73's to the 74 style muffer.





So with all these issues back then, why do I still like the 73 JDX-8's? Easy, it was my first Deere purchased in 1983, when I was 14. Unfortunately, my sled did not survive my teenage years when the track and driven clutch went out. This sled was sold to me by a fellow NYer who wanted me to have it some years ago.

It would be a pretty easy resto so I could "ride it like Lindner" as I have a ton of NOS parts for it including: a hood, dash, grill, ski's, shocks and springs, motor cover and top lid, vapor lock kit, clutch kit, track, backrest kit, electric start kit, motor tin, jugs, heads and pistons, ignition parts, 4/15 bogies, rear axle hardware, grips, speedo kit, tach kit, heavy duty bogie spring kits, bogie tubes, muffer, etc... This should be my bogie bash sled...maybe...

-JDJR

[kwc]

I thought that 400 looked familiar.

Funny story on when I picked that sled up over on the east side of Michigan. The wife and I were on our way to a Fleetwood Mac concert over by Detroit and I talked her into leaving a little early to pick up "something". Only about 2 hours out of our way. Needless to say, but I think we were the only one in the parking lot at the Palace (Auburn Hills, MI) that night with an old JD sled in the back of the truck.

[big jeff]

OK here is my 76 300 I picked her up last June in pieces for $50.00 after lots of hours and about an additional $200.00 in parts and new carb she runs like a (rapped ape)

[sledhead16]

Ed, thanks for the advice. We plan to give the bogie sleds a good workout.

As mentioned above, I am the proud owner of 4 bogie sleds. So far I posted pic's sled #4, a 74 295/s and sled #3, a 77 Model 300. Sled #2 is one I obtained from Kevin Campbell several years ago: a nice clean 1972 JD Model 400. It's the first year of Deere's sled line up, and the 72's are unique in many small ways. So I kind of like this one:





And of course she's got bogies...

Joe that looks like a real nice 84 Trailfire hood in the background