Can't exactly call them "Barn Finds".

[BlazinC5]

Like the subject line says. They really ain't a barn find. They came out of an old chicken coupe and I knew where they were my whole life.

These 2 sleds were my grandpa's. He bought both of them together winter of 75.

The 75 JDX8 was new and the 72 500 was used. I was not around till 1977. So, yes I have a lot of memories surrounding these 2 sleds. I also have alot of work ahead to get them running again.

Last time was 1996 and both didn't want to stay running so they got parked and left to time. Looks like I found a good place to learn how to fix these sleds up on here too.

[JDT]

Nice haul Devin. The 75X8 is a very cool machine.

After sitting for 20 years you will find many fun hours of repairs.

[BlazinC5]

So, these sleds,,,, they are true farm owned, operated and abused snowmobiles. They have the bailing wire and duct tape to prove it. Honestly I am surprised they ran as long as they did with what they got as treatment. They came to my possession from my older brother, who is still back home there running the farm. I managed to talk them out of him last spring and went and picked them up 2 weeks ago. Dang farmers don't want to let go of anything.

I got bit by the snowmobile bug again last winter on new years day. My cousins just south of Spokane Wa (where I am at) called a few days beforehand and asked me to come riding with them on their old 78 and 79 kawasaki's. I couldn't say no. I hadn't been on a snowmobile since the JDX8 decided it didn't want to run anymore in 1996. But just getting out there and riding those old sleds made me want my own.
Pics of new years day riding.

We met a few groups out riding very new sleds that day. They could hardly believe what we were riding. And able to keep running. That's kinda when I decided I wanted to go vintage. Just make people wonder how and why.

One of the little co-pilots went down too.

It was priceless taking a break from riding, getting some scenery pics a watching her head bob closer and closer to the handlbars.. So much fun that day. Cold too. -5 F. At the warmest part of the day.

[BlazinC5]

Oops double posted

[BlazinC5]

Now, to get back on track here. It took time for me to get my shop built and ready for the items to fill it with. But I got them JD sleds home. This is the farthest they have been from the old farm since they were new. And that is only 100 miles away. I had the 20 year old layer of dirt blown off mostly on the way home. But a pressure wash was in order too. With the outsides cleaned up some, time to welcome them home in a nice comfy spot.

As for my goals with these sleds, I am just looking to get them running again. Carb cleaning and gaskets, cleaning the fuel tanks, new lines, and crank seals just to start. The X8 is first up for the treatment. Its in the best shape and only has 1409 miles. The track was replaced around 1984-85. I do believe it has less than 500 miles on it. I think my luck of getting it going for this year is best. The 500 has about 2300 miles and a bit worse for wear. I rolled it in the winter 92-93. I learned the hard way as usual that physics can suck. And being a dang dumb kid gooseing the throttle to fishtail the back end on an iced over road, can lead to you going backwards and hooking the snow berm where there is no forgivness. I was sore for a week, bruises all across my back from sliding across the road and frozen ice balls for about 25 yards. I figured I was gunna be dead meat for messing up that 500.. Guess Dad, and Grandpa figured I got what I deserved. They never really said much about it. So,, there it is. I will start work on the X8 and posting questions soon. Thanks in advance.

[BlazinC5]

Nice haul Devin. The 75X8 is a very cool machine.

After sitting for 20 years you will find many fun hours of repairs.

Thanks Todd, these machines have always been on my mind. One way or another. Now that they are in my possession, they will actually get treated right. No more getting rode hard for the season and put up wet so to speek. They always got parked and left with however much gas in the tanks and left after the snow melted.. honestly, knowing what I know now. It makes me wretch thinking about that.

[sledhead16]

Great stories lol. Love your guys's trail systems out there just beautiful! Those sleds will need a lot of work, and when you dump time and money into them it's hard to sell them! And you'll want more! Anyone can ride the newer stuff, but to keep the vintage going...that's the real fun rewarding ride.

[BlazinC5]

I'm really hoping to explore those hills alot more this winter. I don't figure to awful much in money will be needed to get that X8 up and going. Eventually I may attempt a restoration on it. But, I dunno yet. That's alot of money and time that selling would have no return. Though I prolly never will sell. I finally got to taking a few things apart before I order some parts. I am now into the the other 20 years of dirt too. lol

I discovered the drive belt of course is almost shot. And the air box is full of crud. But carb is open and free moving.

No telling though how long this lil guy has been in there. For all I know, he coulda been gassed 20 years ago since the exhaust is loose at the manifold and leaked bad from the bailing wire stretching.

Anyone know how to tell if the ignition got the update that I keep reading about?

[BlazinC5]

Did a comp. test on the X8. I put a few drops of 2 stroke oil in each cyl. and made 145lbs. On clutch side, and 140lbs. On fan side. Sounds like a win win to me.

[JDXspec]

Yes you have the ignition update on the X8. Just by the pics you have the cdi ignition which is the update from the original points setup. the big silver box upper left is the giveaway next to the coils.

[Cabindweller]

awesome! Love the pictures,

[BlazinC5]

I guess I must have misunderstood the posts where I read about the updated ignition. I had thought they just swapped in a different better box. lol. Oh well. I have good spark out of the coils any how. I even got a lil foggy and put a few drips of some mixed fuel in each cyl. And put the plugs back in. Pulled the cord and she came alive....... for 2 seconds.. good to hear that thing run after so many years. Even if it was so short lived. Pulled the drive belt too. I was thinking limp home belt. But, looks like it would shred instantly.

Speaking about the belt. I found the former one all over under the hood. The guard is missing so I can only assume the old belt took it out and the lower mount is bent down at the tank. Looks like I will fab somthing up for this guard. Don't wanna take out my tank. Anyone know if the guards used on the 00's the same as JDX8?

[BlazinC5]

I have been tearing down the sled for the past couple days. And finding many things to address. I'm going to have to attempt to fix the exhaust manifold. It seems that it was rattling around so much because of the bailing wire was loose,,, it actually broke the end a bit apart,

If my attempt at fixing don't work I'll have find another one. Oh well. Yes, springs will be used when I put this back together...