Charity Sled Fatigue...

[JoeRainville]

Hi Guys,

Over the last 10 years I have had the good, and not so good, fortune to be involved with several charity sleds for both Waconia and the Hall of Fame. The demands and the deadlines can be pretty stressful, but rewarding when it comes together in the end.

The 78 Liquifire 440 Brock Weber restored is a good example of how a hulk that I donated to the cause was turned onto a work of art by Brock and the members here. That sled attracted about $13,500 in raffle ticket sales for the Hall of Fame, an excellent accomplishment! I think it took about 1.5 to 2.5 years from the time Matt kicked off the project until the sled was delivered to the Hall by the Brockster.

Although I have donated NOS parts, crankshafts, tracks, transportation and cash to the 340/s, Rupp, Kawi and Liquifire sleds, I have yet to lead a project...so "IF" and that is a BIG "IF"...I was to lose my mind and take on a charity sled project in the future, I was wondering what Deere you guys might like to see done this time. So I created a poll to get your opinions. I left off a few options, such as 1st gen Liquifires, as Brock just did one reciently. I also left off the Liquidator, because, well, no. While I love 295 and 340/s sleds, I think they are pretty challenging to round up hard to find parts and resources for.

My vote is for a 1980 or at least an 80's Liquifire... Why may you ask? Well, I have a bunch of them down here and a ton of NOS parts for them. My I-500 racer is a 1980, and it looked amazing when it was fresh out of powder coating. And parts availability is also a serious consideration. Kawi motor parts are easy to get. Kill and dimmer switches are not unobtainium, etc.

Part two of this: should I want to do this, do you guys want to take part?

Please, feel free to share your thoughts on the poll and in responses below!

Thanks for reading,
-Joe Rainville
HoF Board Member
"Vintage Challenge" Guide
"Bogie Bash" Basher

[T White]

I'd like to submit a write in ballot for a 1984 Sportfire.

Tom

[WinnipegStPaul9]

I think that to be successful you'd have to create a more desirable sled. If you're doing an 80's LF it should be an 84. If you want to take on this project, consider restoring the 340/S that's been donated for that reason. Just my humble opinion.

[JDT]

Call me odd, and I know many do, but I like to see Deere's that are not seen so much.

Maybe a 75 600 or 75 800. Or any Snowfire Model.

[WinnipegStPaul9]

I guess I should ask, what is the charity that would receive the money? I asked because if we create a charity sled and keep it in the John Deere family any sled would be fine. However, if it's donated to the SHOF then I feel the sled has to be one that folks from all brands would want to win enough to buy tickets. I have spent a lot of hours selling raffle tickets for both the SHOF new sled and vintage sled. I think we should start by deciding where funds would go. DA

[400brian]

Don, what is the status of the 340/S project?

I seem to recall that a pair of sleds were donated, but since then there hasn't been any discussion about it that I can recall. Have I missed something?

As it takes a while to get a sled restored, and the SHOF raffles one off yearly, you need a couple in the pipeline to keep it all going. I think that is where Joe is coming from on this thread.

[WinnipegStPaul9]

Brian, hopefully I fully explained it to you in your email to me.
DA

[JoeRainville]

Hello folks and thanks for the feedback thus far.

Tom, thanks for the write in, but Deere only built 371 Sportfire's for 84, so they are sort of hard to find. And I have about a millions reasons I why I don't want to restore one...

Todd, interesting point on choosing a unique Deere like an 800 or Snowfire. Thinking back to Lindner's very nice 72 JD400 and Brocks Liquifire resto, I think the quality of the resto helps to attract ticket sales as much as sled chosen. I do think a Snow or Sprintfire might be a good future choice as they are unique, and I see a Sprintfire even got a few votes.

Don, thanks for sharing your thoughts, but I will politely decline your offer to consider the 340/s project. The Waconia Make-A-Wish sled back in 2009 was in a similar state, and I think they absorbed all the available 340/s charity we had and then some. Many of us gave hard to find parts, plus fab'd pieces and time for what seemed like little recognition or thanks. Aside from the challanges of restoring a complete one, I think the charity well is dried up on that model.

To the topic at hand, I would like to reiterate my original questions:

1) "IF" I did a charity sled resto, what sled would you guys prefer to see? (I was suggesting an 80's Liquifire, which is currently leading)
2) Would our fellow collectors like to take part with donations toward another charity sled? (not so much feedback here guys, it's OK to say "no thanks")

Thanks for the responses here, plus all the calls and texts. The feedback is appreciated!
-Joe Rainville

[sledhead16]

I'll say an 80 Liquifire is perfect. Yes many were made, but I can't tell you how many times guy's tell me the 80 Liquifire was the best looking one! Second, age of raffle buyers are in the fire series years by now. Also the Liquifire was the 80s performance model Deere. Parts are everywhere and more guys have parts to donate to help. I think a cool serial number would help. I'll start by offering up tunnel #250 to the build. Things to consider to boost raffle buyers, HSR ignition, electric start, Tr800. But stock ignition and clutching is fine too.

[WinnipegStPaul9]

I guess one of my points were missed. What "charity" will we build for? I think it's a valid question.

DA

[400brian]

This site has a history of supporting the Snowmobile Hall of Fame, and I have NO data that would lead me to think that would not be the destination.

The Sportfire build under Don's fantastic organizational skills and attention to detail, put this group on the map as a group that gets things done! We are still benefiting from that to this day! Brock's effort re-enforced that greatly! My observation is that when we have an idea, or put forth a suggestion, the folks at the Hall are very open to it. Kind of a " hand in hand " relationship, and I don't see that changing at present.

However, I do not speak for Joe. If he does a sled, it is his call.

[400brian]

I could go on about this at great length, but to make a long story short: when we wrapped up the "Make a Wish" 340/S back in 2010, I said I would NEVER get involved with a deal like that again.

The running joke at the time was that the next year we would demand that the SnoJet guys donate a ThunderJet and the parts to restore it, and then we would assemble it and take the credit! The only reason that 340/S got done was because Joe Rainville and Kenny Heins dug WAY deeper than I ever expected anyone would, and donated the parts to get that sled done. It was a parts sled at best, and we had suggested that they not go forward with the effort. However, they were not to be dissuaded.

I spent a fair amount of time working on suspension components for the sled, The idler wheels were as beat up as any I have ever saw, and Troy and I worked on getting a left hand grip fabricated shortly before Waconia. And there were STILL parts missing on the sled, it never was 100% complete.

So, based on that experience, my thoughts come down to this: if someone wants to donate a COMPLETE race sled that just needs paint and polish, GREAT! But if it is a beat up parts sled with stuff missing, no thanks. There are lots of nice production sleds that we can still get parts for that would make a much better choice.

Just my .02

[jep_800]

Great topic and thread guys! I would agree that who the charity goes to is important, and also agree that continued support of the SHOF is worthy of receiving it, to help preserve the history of these sleds which we all love.

I also admire those who have been involved in charity builds. I don't know the full circumstances of the Make a Wish 340s, but it sounds like it may have ended with a somewhat soured taste in the mouth of a few. Understandable if you don't get recognition for the effort. Those sleds are not only rare, but very significant in the sport. In my novice opinion, I would say the 340s launched Deere onto the same level as Polaris and Arctic Cat at the time, and was the basis of the 1st Gen Liquifires and Cyclones which were very successful. When the first Liquifire showed up in my home town, everyone wanted one. So anyone who donated to that effort should have gotten worthy praise at their banquet.

That being said, I think it would NOT go unrecognized at the SHOF. An 80's Liquifire is a fine choice, and I think ticket sales would be more than satisfactory. Having done a couple of ground up restorations myself, I know the long nights it takes to get one done, especially if you're on a tight time-line. Building one for someone else is worth a lot of praise. I have the selfish benefit of seeing mine every time I open the garage door. So all work and parts donations would be worth many thanks in my view, and I think deserved.

Jason

[JoeRainville]

A few things to add: First, thanks for adding more votes and feedback. Much appreciated. Second, I am pretty sure it was Lindner that coined the term "Charity Sled Fatigue" earlier this decade, and boy did it fit.

Finally, what charity would I probably select...well, when Matt kicked off the 78 Liquifire they didn't have a sled or a specific charity in mind, so I didn't think it was a big deal. But as the sled was nearing completion I attended a HoF board meeting (just as a regular member) and the board mentioned that they were in need of a vintage raffle sled for that May. So I mentioned that the jdsleds.com guys had a sled undergoing restoration and then called Matt and Brock to get consensus on the idea to donate it to the HoF.

A little while later Loren invited me to another board meeting when he and JRC retired, and asked me to accept an appointment to the board, which I accepted. We spend two weeks a year in St. Germain for the Classic Sled Roundup and the Ride with the Champs, plus flying up for board meetings when I can, selling raffle tickets at Hay Days, and try to help out around the Hall when time and health allows.

So, if I was to do a charity sled, my first choice would be "Joe Rainville's home for wayward Sleds"...no just kidding...of course the Hall of Fame would be my first choice.

-JDJR

[skoalmint]

Hey Guys ! Been working out of town ! Love all the input on this topic, I will help in any way i can ! . I will build a 340/s engine or any other for that matter. But I agree its going to be hard to get all the parts to make it a great success , just not allot out there!You know the old saying sometimes its hard to make chicken soup outta chicken s##t! I will be happy to donate my time or any parts i may have to help the project along, JUST SAY THE WORD! Like all my other hobbies in the past i somehow always find a way to turn them into another job. LOL.But i LOVE it. It was a great pleasure to be part of one of the best fund raisers for the SHOF. I was just looking at some posters tonight of the JDX sleds, Really COOL, But i think the 83 84 sleds are really hot right now, so it would really probably raise the most $ for whatever we decide! New building, Breast cancer, Scholarships, Ms,Autism, Or whatever, Anyone that loves Vintage snowmobiles and loves the sport as much as i do should be happy to help out. I know its hard to please everyone ! So we just have to make the decision and GET ER DONE ! I think the 78 Liquifire was a great success because it wasn't rushed. So lets take our time and get the best sled we can! Brock