Opinions on too restore or not to restore

[robtan88]

Hello All. Just thought I would start a new topic on if a nice survivor sled is found, would you guys restore it, partially restore it, just toch up the rust spots, or leave it alone. Is anyone in the "KNOW" of what is allowed for judging if a sled where shown. My old Snowfire needs the hood painted as the silver paint on it has flaked off and decals are faded. Going to start some work on it shortly but undecided how I want to approach this one. I love the look of polished tunnels and in my opinion once polished, seem way easier to look after and keep clean. Doesn,t seem to tarnish up once cleaned. Now however, this now achieves a look different than factory intended it to be. Is this de-facing the sled, or damaging any potential future value of the machine? Interested in what you fellows thoughts are on this topic. I can,t forsee ever placing my Snowfire in any competions, but a lot of water passes under the bridge. Please let me know your thoughts...Rob.

[80spitfire]

I can't speak for other shows other than Waconia, but I am quite familiar with the rules for there as I have judged many times there. The Survivor class is by far the most strict class. My understanding has always been that practically nothing cosmetic can be done to the sled with the exception of a windshield because who among us hasn't cracked a windshield before. Mechanically, parts can be replaced that are needed to keep it in running condition, for instance fuel lines, drive belt and other minor things. The things you can't do are paint the skis, recover the seat, polish the tunnel, or any touch up paint of any kind. Like I said this is a VERY strict class and the people who judge it are looking at every part on the sled. Now unrestored, is a little easier, but still fairly strict. You are allowed to do all of the things you can do to the survivor sleds and you are also allowed to use touch up paint and clean the tunnel up a bit with some polish as well. You can't fully polish the tunnel to a mirror finish and you also can't fully repaint anything on the sled including the skis. The last rule with unrestored classes that is also the most controversial is the rule related to recovered seats. You cannot recover a seat and enter it in an unrestored class. It must be entered as a restored sled even if nothing else is restored on it. In the restored class it's pretty simple. You can obviously repaint everything and replace any parts you want as long as the sled is in correct as it left the factory condition. Exceptions would be dealer installed options like our Deere have though. The last class I'll touch on is restored race. I think this is the coolest class in the show and it's definitely one of the most competitive. In restored race you can restore the sled to exact as raced condition. You don't have to bring it back to factory specs to be able to have it judged. So for instance I was able to repaint the numbers and pin stripes on my Dator and have it still be judged, had I done that to a trail sled and tried to enter it as restored in the regular restored classes, it would not be allowed because it didn't leave the factory like that. If a sled like that shows up, if must be entered as a custom. There are a few more classes like mini sled, custom, cutter, and a few more that I haven't personally judged so I won't touch on, but hopefully this helps you and a few other out.

Thanks,
Brian

[WinnipegStPaul9]

Rob, the owner of any sled should be allowed to do anything they want to do with a sled. You only need to worry about how other folks feel if you are going to show the sled in competition. Then of course the rules must be followed. I always try to discuss restoration objectives with my customers as I only do what they want me to do. Bottom line is just do what you want to do to your sled.

DA

[robtan88]

Brian and Don. This is exactly the start of a good discussion over this topic and the things I am wanting to hear. So with what Brian mentioned if I understand this correctly, is that the ONLY thing that is allowable to be not origional in a survivor sled cosmetically is the windshield? This is allowed to be after market? Don, do you think polishing a tunnel up to mirror finish will affect the value of a sled to a collector or in your honest opinion, defacing its authenticity? I don,t have any factual proof that a desired RESTORED machine, is worth any more or less than a survivor sled.

[80spitfire]

You're correct on the windshield. Like I said at Waconia they're very strict on the survivor sleds with only a handful of sleds being able to compete in that class. Other shows may be a bit different on the requirements though. As far as polishing the tunnel, if you don't plan on trying to show it as a survivor, which you wouldn't be able to if you repainted the hood like you mentioned, I say go for it. As long is its what you like then go for it. My favorite kind of sled is what I call a kinda half a$% restoration. Meaning not restored to show winning quality but cleaned up, repainted, and gone through mechanically. When you build a sled like this and don't go overboard like on a full restore it makes it so much easier to ride it because you don't have as much fear of scratching it up. I have a 340/S and 77 Liquifire like that which I ride the living heck out of because if they get a scratch or two from riding no big deal! I still love my three restored Deere, but I definitely have more fun on my half restored riders.

-Brian

[JDT]

Another option would be to find a NOS hood and swap them out. Still original than.

Over polishing was once admired but that has changed in recent years and is now frowned upon on any sled other than those in the custom, modified, or cloned classes.

But like a couple of guys said it is yours to do with what you want.
If you want it to look pristine and unique go for it.

[robtan88]

Thanks guys. Awesome tips and advice. Many things to consider! If a snowmobile where to be entered as a "survivor", is it allowable to remove the likes of clutches to remove the black debris that builds up on them. Is the likes of this frowned upon in a serious judging competition? Also under the hood all removed of any oily residue? What about all the hood foam pieces that always dry out and crumble. Can this be replaced, or is this a no no. Thank you...Rob.

[80spitfire]

I would say you're good to go on cleaning up that kind of stuff. Survivors just can't be "over cleaned" which basically refers to polishing the tunnel or touch up paint. I would say probably no on the hood foam, but I'm not 100 percent sure on that. Keep in mind that at some shows, Waconia at least, the hoods stay closed during judging. Even judges are not allowed to just walk up to a sled and pop the hood open. If the owner is close by and we'd like to see under the hood, we can request them to open it we just can't do it ourself. I think this is mostly because if liability or damage concerns.

-Brian