My father bought a 1978 Liquifire new. He replaced his ‘76 Liquifire because he liked the addition of the radiator to the cooling system as well as the lighter skid.
With basic maintenance (bearings, plugs, belts) he rode that machine until 1993, when he decided to buy a newer machine with easier access to parts.
I went off to University and my brother used that Liquifire while I was gone. One day it disappeared. I asked my brother about it… all he said when I asked where it had gone was “You don’t want to know.” I was never able to track that machine down.
Fast forward to 2017. I was working a job where I often had time on my hands and started thinking about that old Liquifire. In a fit of interest, I placed an ad on Kijiji just stating that I was interested in a ‘78 Liquifire, any condition.
I received 1 reply. The gentleman (2nd owner of this particular sled) said he had one in near mint condition that I was more than welcome to have a look at. He sent me pics and I was super impressed! I arranged to go look at it and it was even better in person than I had hoped.
The only problem was price. The owner knew what he had and was asking a fair, if high-ish price. With three kids, soon headed off to university I knew I couldn’t afford it. He told me that the sled really wasn’t for sale, but that when I was ready it would be there for me.
I took some pics, shook his hand and thought “Well that’s that.”
Fast forward again to this past Friday. I had never stopped thinking about the sled I had looked at. Life had moved on, as it always does, and I was in a better position to take on the challenge of the Liquifire.
Thinking that anything could have happened, he may have sold it, it had been destroyed in a fire, it had been stolen, given away to a family member… I dug out the phone number for the owner.
I reminded him who I was, asked about the sled. He still had it! Was he willing to part with it? After about a 10 minute conversation we came to a deal we both liked and now I am the VERY proud owner of Liquifire #971.
If I had to describe the sled in a few words it would be “used but not abused”. Engine has already been redone with new seals. Carbs are tuned. It starts with about half a pull on the rope.
There is work to be done… my headlight and tail lights are not working but I have a brake light. The skid will need to be pulled and greased (nothing is stuck, just stiff). Track is really good, but if a rubber one came my way…
It still has the original round shaft, not the hex one that was retrofitted (the original owner must have missed that memo).
Sorry for the long post, but I’m excited! Bring on the snow!
1978 Liquifire 440
-
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2017 7:45 pm
- Real Name: Doug
- Location: Miramichi, New Brunswick
-
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2017 7:45 pm
- Real Name: Doug
- Location: Miramichi, New Brunswick
-
- Posts: 1450
- Joined: Sat Jan 30, 2010 10:54 am
- Real Name: Pat
- Location: N. IL
Re: 1978 Liquifire 440
Congratulations! That looks like a very nice sled.
You might consider refreshing the crank seals if they've not been done in some time, which is likely.
You might consider refreshing the crank seals if they've not been done in some time, which is likely.
-
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2017 7:45 pm
- Real Name: Doug
- Location: Miramichi, New Brunswick
Re: 1978 Liquifire 440
That was going to be my first question to the previous owner. Before I could ask he told me they had been done about 2 years ago. The previous owner didn’t use it much, but wanted it ready to go when he wanted to use it. From the look of some of his other toys, he takes good care of his stuff!
- 400brian
- Posts: 5620
- Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:00 am
- Real Name: James T. Kirk
- Location: South Central Wisconsin
Re: 1978 Liquifire 440
All there and in running condition is always a plus. A good candidate for whatever you want to do with it. Congrats!
'09 Vintage Challenge Survivor, and I wasn't late for supper!
'10, '11, '12, '13,'14,'15,'16,'17, '18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Vintage Challenge Survivor !
72 400 restored, Father bought new in '71
73 X8 restored
'74 340 green machine
'74 X8 9 time VC finisher
'78 Spitfire in progress
2 '75 340S 1 running, one on deck
'78 LF 440 future CC clone
'73 Skiroule RTX 440, 500 mi.
Re: 1978 Liquifire 440
Congratulation! That one is in great shape for it's age. I always liked the look of that year.
I rode with a guy that had one back in the late 80's. It had over 10K miles on it. Other than normal maintenance and a few bearings, he just rode it.
Yours will clean up nice.
I rode with a guy that had one back in the late 80's. It had over 10K miles on it. Other than normal maintenance and a few bearings, he just rode it.
Yours will clean up nice.
Dan
1981 Liquifire
1984 Sportfire
1984 Trailfire LX
1996 Yamaha V Max Mountain Max
2018 Ski Doo Summit Sport
2021 Ski Doo Grand Touring Sport
1981 Liquifire
1984 Sportfire
1984 Trailfire LX
1996 Yamaha V Max Mountain Max
2018 Ski Doo Summit Sport
2021 Ski Doo Grand Touring Sport
-
- Posts: 289
- Joined: Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:00 am
- Real Name: Keith Bylin
- Location: NE North Dakota
Re: 1978 Liquifire 440
In my opinion the best model (with 440 motor) and year Deere made. Course others may argue that point.
Friend near Regina has 14 (if I remember right) 78 Liquifire's. I have the CC version with rubber track. Enjoy your new find. Looks GREAT in Pics.
Friend near Regina has 14 (if I remember right) 78 Liquifire's. I have the CC version with rubber track. Enjoy your new find. Looks GREAT in Pics.
- WinnipegStPaul9
- Posts: 5577
- Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2005 12:00 am
- Real Name: Don Amber
- Location: Churubusco, IN
Re: 1978 Liquifire 440
Keith Bylin it's great to hear from you. We must get together one of these days!!!
Feel free to check out our website www.buscobullet.com for restorations or parts.