2020 RWTC

[340sracer]

Excellent weekend lots of snow and got in some good riding starting with the Bogie Bash to Lake Tomahawk 34mi.
They let me slide in with the 340/s with the slider suspension. Good company and good food with Joe picking up the tab.
Thanks Joe

[jep_800]

The only trouble I had on the 800 was the return trip from Lake Tomahawk on Thursday's practice run. Right before we got to the Hall of Fame, it would die at intersections. I could get it started again, but would take off right away which indicated a clutch problem of some sort. Then about 2 miles from our cabin at Fath's it quit and I could not even pull the rope. Looking under the hood, the belt was halfway down the secondary, and the primary was closed and would not open to let go of the belt. We loaded it on David's trailer and got it back to work on it. David had an impact, so we took off the primary, and found out that somehow the moveable face bushing worked its way out, and I was able to pull the locking ring out as it was just hanging there. I have no idea how that could jump out of the recess in the face, but this caused it to lock in high gear and not let go. So that clutch was shot. Luckily Wade was done using his 400 for the trip, so we pulled the Comet off his and onto my 800. It worked good, and seemed to shift nearly the same, so the spring and weights must have been similar. Got me back on the trail anyway.

The first picture is where the sled died about 2 miles from the cabin.

[jep_800]

The good news is I believe all the issues I've had with this engine seem to have been alleviated for the most part, as it has been running cooler on the trail... I don't believe I'm fighting any more air leaks, and I took a photo when we popped the clutch off, which shows a very clean seal, and not a drop of oil anywhere. I think the rebuild and sealing the engine was a success.

[340sracer]

Decided to stay a couple extra days at St Germaine seeing as we are 1160 miles from home and 1900 miles from Phoenix which we left the warm weather to precipitate in some snowmobile events which started in Elk River. Because of the excellent snow conditions and favourable weather for snowmobiling wanted to get in some extra riding , Because everyone else is gone home and couldn’t find anyone else to ride with decided to take the chance of not getting lost or breaking down while riding alone.Feb 17/20 Eagle river was the Destination to check out the race track. Wanted to stay as close as possible to the highway so I took the southern route starting out on the powerline trail. Made a wrong turn if I remember right it was on the bohemian loop trail and ended up back in St Germaine. No big deal but appreciated even more when following someone Who basically know where they are going and where to turn. Eventually made it to Eagle River and racetrack and saw a Payloader preparing the infield of the solid ice track for the up-and-coming Races February 29 -March 1. Checked online to see what kind of races they would be running and was surprised to see that as young as six-year-olds would be racing Snowmobiles with Briggs and Stratton engines.
Also running would be 600 cc Modern sleds with every other vintage machines of all configurations in between.
Took the Route North of the highway on the way back ending up on a dead end in a subdivision, Found my way out of there and back to Whitetail Lodge (44 miles).

[AirborneX4Special]

Awesome Glen. Just some great stuff.

[340sracer]

Feb 18/20 tue feeling brave again I went on another Lone Ranger ride believe it or not on a skidoo,I have never ever in my life put that many miles on a yellow one in all the years and miles of riding snowmobiles.It was Maynard’s which we took for a spare in case one of the five John Deeres broke down but none ever did. So Maynard suggested that I take it for a ride and it was a pleasure to take him up on the offer to ride the newest most powerful snowmobile I’ve ever driven.
This time headed west around Woodruff and towards Arbor Vitae then back to St. Germain (42mi). Got better at reading the map and knowing the intersection numbers helped to know that you were turning at the right corner.
Even got Edna to ride with me a couple times on the Ski Doo And she said because you’re sitting up higher it was more comfortable than 340/s (That Hurt)

[AirborneX4Special]

[400brian]

Glen, glad to see you had a good time in Wisconsin. That loop trail is great, it just doesn't go anywhere! Sounds like you ran the route to Eagle River that we ran in '19, pre-riding for the Bogie Bash. St Germain is about half way between Minocqua and Eagle River by road, but it sure seems to take a lot longer to ride to Eagle River.

It is great to see that 340/S out on the trail!