$100 barn find cyclone

[Garrett_p]

Hello i recently bought a new to me cyclone, it hasn't run in 20 years, is there anything i should know to look for when getting it running? Like common problems? the thing is in mint condition except being covered in dust and packed full of straw mice nests, and it's missing a seat i don't know if anyone would have one it would be great if i could find one for sale, anyway thoughts & concerns would be appreciated, thanks garrett.

[WinnipegStPaul9]

Welcome to the wonderful world of vintage snowmobiles Garrett !! Wonderful but not inexpensive. You have all summer to prepare for next winter so start by replacing the crankshaft seals because if you don't your $100.00 Cyclone will end up a $10.00 pile of scrap. Mice nest = Mice urine a killer for carbs and other items. Be sure to clean it all out good. You've come to the right place for information!! Don

[AirborneX4Special]

What year Cyclone? We like pictures, especially the "as found" types.

[Garrett_p]

it's still in my neighbor's old barn, i'll get pictures of it before we move it, i think it's a 77 or 78? like i said it's in mint condition other than the mice and dust lol, thanks - garrett.

[Ethan6171]

The CDI boxes and stators are known to fail on these year Cyclones and Liquifires. Had a CDI failure on my Liquifire... ran perfectly, then I shutter down on the side of the trail, and it completely lost spark sitting there... You can go to CDIBOX.com, they make an excellent, yet expensive CDI box for these kioritz powered deeres (IMO it's worth the money, my sled runs better than it did with the stock box!), and you can also send your stator out to them to have it rewound. They have information on their website for testing the resistance on your coils and stator if you have/run into issues. Good luck!

[Garrett_p]

Thanks for the replys, I'm gonna pick it up here in the next 2-3 weeks, I'll definitely have to clean the carb and fule tank, considering i could smell varnish 5 feet away when i looked at it, i also forgot to mention it's a 440cc i don't know if that's rare or not, thoughts would be appreciated, thanks garrett.

[AirborneX4Special]

The 78's are more rare. Had the opportunity to own a nice one a few years ago. Passed it up..

[Garrett_p]

i just picked it up yesterday, it's a 1976 john deere cyclone 440 from canada by the looks of it, anyway it has a couple dings in the skid pan also the rear lift bar is broken, i got it running last night the carb didn't even need cleaned wich was amazing, it has 1,780 miles, and it looks like it has been painted before.

[Garrett_p]

also how do you post pictures on here?

[Matt]

Below the text box, there are tabs for Options/Attachments. Click Attachments, then Add files.

[Garrett_p]

thank you matt, and here's the pictures

[Garrett_p]

and more

[Garrett_p]

and more

[400brian]

Looks like a good candidate for a project.

[jep_800]

It's actually a 77' model, even though the build date is probably Aug or Oct 76'. If the SN reads: "J44FE", it's a 76' model, if it says "J44FF" it's a 77'.

I agree with earlier comments... You have low miles, so you should be able to get away with just crank seals for the engine. But, you should address that CDI and probably the Stator. Those ignition items can leave you stranded. It's not much more expensive to replace the ignition coils, so might as well put that on the list.

If you plan to make it a rider, you'll probably want to drop the skid out, freshen it up, and replace the drive bearings. I'd check your rear idler bearings too cause a lot of the time they're crunchy.

Can be a long hard road, but the end result will be satisfying. (Mine is a 76').

Jason