Track replacement question need answered

[robtan88]

Hello fellas. I have been looking high and low for a decsent all rubber track for a spitfire for my son to ride. I stumbled across a beuty of a track that measures 15''x60'' by 1.97'' pitch. When I multiply the pitch x the windows I get like 118'' long track. Do you guys think this is close enough to be made work in the old girl? Fellow who has the track can,t remember what it came out of and he is giving me an quick opertunity to do some homework on fitmit before I obligate on buying it, so I need to answer him soon. Thank you for any help or suggestions. Widening slide rails doesn,t scare me at all...Rob.

[harleysportster]

Rob, I am not sure if there is a direct replacement "all rubber track" that fits the Spitfire. The smaller diameter drive wheels of the spitfire may not be able to handle the rotation of an all-rubber track. Here is info on what does fit.
All "Direct Drive" Spitfire, Snow and Sprintfire 15" cleated tracks interchange with each other. And, the 79-80 Trailfire and 1980 Sportfire track also fits the direct drive sleds. The 81 and up Trail and Sport cleated tracks DO NOT fit the direct drive sleds, as Deere increased the track width about 1/2" that year, and it does not fit into the tunnel of the DD sleds. Approx. dimentions: 116" X 15 with a 2" drive lug pitch.
If you are looking at another brand track, consider the center width of the skid along with the other measurements.

[robtan88]

Thank you for the reply. The fellow that has the track I am hoping will find some numbers and a manufacturers name on it I can cross. What doesn,t make any sents at this time is that he says the track measures 15''x 1.97pitch by 60 windows. I,m o,k with the track pitch at 1.97 as this is very close to the 2'' and should work, but what doesn,t make sents is that when you multiply the pitch x the windows amount totals about 118''? Was there such a track, if so I can,t find it!! I,m suspicious that its out of a skidoo Citation of similar. Would like to find a Kimpex track as stated in another post on here regarding a Polaris/ Kimpex 04-796 cutlass replacement track, but I can,t find one anywhere here in Ontario. Was there such a thing as a 118'' track?...Rob.

[JDT]

Early Rupps used a 15" width 2" pitch 60 hole track that measured 120" in length.

But he may have missed counted the holes. 118" tracks are very common.

The Citation and Cutless tracks are much shorted at 104 and 106.

[robtan88]

Thanks Todd. Still waiting for this fellow to get back to me on his track with more detail as to who made it and maybe some numbers to search. Really hoping it can be made work, but don,t want to put forth the cash toward a dead horse. There is a post on here regarding a 1984 Sprintfire that a member bought that had a really tidy rubber track conversion done to it with a Kimpex track #04-796. I would like todo the same but can,t locate such a track here in southern Ontario, so trying to find something close that could be do-able...Rob.

[sledhead16]

Both my 84 sprints have the kimpex replacement, another member here does use Polaris cutlass tracks on his direct drive sleds

[robtan88]

Thanks Allen. Fellow finally got back to me with the track make and numbers off it and it turned out to be a Quimpex 04-525 track for a Skidoo Elan. So my search continues. Do you know Allen how your Kimpex 04-796 track is working in your sled as some guys had mentioned all rubber tracks affect the performance of the DD sleds. In my opinion though sacrificed performance in these sleds is better than a parked sled!! Looking for options of what we can do to get her back on the snow again...Rob.

[TASKY]

This is how I see it. I have a Sprintfire with a quimpex track. It is a replacement track for a Polaris Cutlass. I did NOT install it so I may miss a few of the details of how it was installed. Remember I am reverse engineering here.

It looks to me like the suspension rails where widened out to fit the track. The front and rear arm shafts where lengthened and spaced out to fit the tunnel. Keeping the suspension centered in the sled. The drivers where reversed from stock the big end facing the other way so they will line up with the drive nubs of the track. I have never rode the sled so I cant say how it affects performance. It is indeed a thicker track.

If the performance loss is too great you could change out the drive sprockets to change the gearing, more teeth / less teeth. Depending on what your sled has you could go either way to more low end or less, you will be affecting your top speed with the inverse. Less low end = more top speed More low end = less top speed.

I have seen lots of conversions even one with a 80 Liquifire track. I cant say how any of them have worked, but the Polaris track looks to be the cleanest conversion. I think that this conversion should work on all direct drive JD sleds Spitfire, Snowfire and Sprintfire.

I have new drivers in both high and low number of teeth if you feel you need to change overall gearing.

TASKY

[sledhead16]

I have not got to ride the sleds yet to report how the track affects them

[robtan88]

Thank you Bill and Allan. Looks like I,m on the hunt for a Polaris Cutlass track then. Really appreciate the help guys. Bill if you weren,t at the other end of the world to me, (southern Ontario) I would be all over your Sprintfire you have for sale I just saw in the classified ads here. Can,t believe someone hasn,t grabbed that one up yet!! Looks very straight and something worth restoring...Rob.

[TOYMECH]

Rob,
If you are around Burford, stop in at Brantford Lawn and Garden (or whatever he is called now) and see John Fink. He is an old Polaris dealer from the 70's/80's/early 90's. Northwest corner of Bishopsgate and Hwy 53 on the east end of town.

[robtan88]

Thank you Greg. Worth a try. Seems like very few Cutlass,s and Stars left in existance around these parts. Nothing comes up on kijiji for parts either...Rob.

[Cabindweller]

What Year Polaris tracks are you looking at?

I have a 85 Star, and a 85 440 SS Both are direct drive.

[robtan88]

Jerry. I have been going by other members successful installations of what they said was a 1981-1986 Polaris Cutlass all rubber track. The Kimpex aftermarket replacement number of this particular track is 04-796. This is the track I guess I need to find for the John Deere direct drive sleds. Haven,t found any as of yet in Ontario or any other options. Exchange rates, and cost of shipping to Ontario Canada right now from the U.S. would be insane, but even at that haven,t located this particular track...Rob.

[TOYMECH]

Rob,

Sent you a PM.