Kevin's Liquifire

[nick80lf]

Last fall we started reassembly. Things started to come together rather quickly but then I allowed the TPR panels to sideline the project for several months.

Both panels had issues. The bottom of the right panel was torn at the chain case bump and the left panel had a small tear that was repaired with an aluminum plate and several rives. This was one of those deals where the repair caused more damage than the original issue. I did a bunch of research on plastic repair but eventually purchased a pair of better TPR panels. Several months were lost to my stagnation.

It was about this time it occurred to me that spring was quickly approaching. The significance here was that Larry was graduating high school. I knew that I need to put as much of the sled back together before the commander took it upon herself to "clean" out the shop for the big graduation party. I would have liked to have been a little further along but at least we had a rolling chassis before the commander stepped in and scattered parts all over the loft area of the shop. I have yet to recover from this and have a few other projects that are going to take precedence. This is a photo of where the project is today.

[400brian]

Looking good!

[nick80lf]

Been slowly plugging away at this thing when I can find time and thought I would toss out another photo. My initial thought was that I haven't done a lot but putting it in writing there were a lot of little items. Tunnel decals installed. Hitch, snow flap, bumper installed. Recoil restored and installed. Throttle block and all switches on the block cleaned / repaired. Carb flanges / carbs installed. Oil tank installed / plumbed and initially bled. Throttle cable adjusted.

[Mark633CSi]

Impressive! Keep it up and keep the pics coming!

The term “Commander” had me dying laughing. I have recently moved mine up from Colonel to General. She’s not as impressed as I thought she’d be with her recent promotion!

[nick80lf]

Thought I would toss out a few more photos (yes the dimple in the exhaust is bothering me). I have been running the motor and have uncovered an issue. Unfortunately the motor is back out and on the "healing bench" as I write this for a little water pump TLC. Against my better judgment I did not rebuild the water pump. When I picked up this sled the radiator was completely full. I did check the bearings and they seemed to be OK so I took a gamble and it didn't work out. So the pump will get a new seal and bearings. With a little luck my intention is to have the engine back in the sled by next weekend.

[nick80lf]

In typical fashion one week turned into a month. Anyway the motor is back in the sled. Took a little time this weekend and cracked open the TR-800. This is new territory for me. First one of these I have been into. Still trying to assess the situation and comeup with a plan. The arms and rollers were tied up (mostly due to the thrust washers). Polished most of the parts and those are freed up now. The thrust washers are toast but the rest looks like it still has life. Don't have photos to share at this time.

[Vader440]

Pretty neat. I love it!

[nick80lf]

Thought I would toss out a few photos. Progress is slow with this TR800 but it is still moving forward slowly. There was a fair amount of rust / corrosion on this clutch. The thrust washers are toast and the pivot pins should be replaced. The rest of the parts and bushings have cleaned up well.

Spent quite some time vasolating about the thrust washers. Over the years working on the 102Cs I have noticed that back in the day the thrust washers were metal with some sort of slippery plastic (I'm assuming these may have been Duralon thrust washers?). Most of these seem to de-laminate as time passes. If you purchase a Comet repair kit today these thrust washers are plastic. I found reference to them being made of Vespel. I priced a piece of 3/4" x 12" Vespel round but really don't want to go into debt for a few thrust washer.....wow.....they are very proud of the stuff. Next up I made a few washers out of a sheet of Turcite as a test. The stuff I had was intended to be glued to machine ways so I had 2 washers with the slippery sides out. In the end I didn't like the stack thickness (probably could have scraped them to the proper thickness but I wasn't keen on the idea of these from the start). Finally I made them out of Delrin. We will see how this works out.

Last week I spent some time re-plating some of the parts and fasteners but once again my indecisiveness is holding back progress. I've switch back and forth a few times about replacing the dowel pins (because of rust pits). I've finally decided they will be replaced but I'd like to check the hardness of the original pins before ordering new pins (hoping I accomplish this tomorrow).

Anyway, tonight I took a few minutes and assembled the rollers on the arms. At least these are ready to go.

[Popcorn popper]

I see you had your handle bars completely dismantled. Is it possible to buy factory style grips or were you able to get off?

[nick80lf]

I see you had your handle bars completely dismantled. Is it possible to buy factory style grips or were you able to get off?

So far I have had pretty good luck removing grips. Most of the time they come off using a rubber tipped blow gun. I push the rubber tip against the hole in the end of the grip with one hand. Other hand, I reach across the bar and grab the other grip, cover the hole with my index finger, then apply air pressure. Generally you will feel the grip inflate at the tip of the bar. Keep applying air and maybe some gentle twisting. You will feel it progressively inflate. Once it's free they literally pop off the bar.

To get the other side I put the removed grip back on, and repeat the process.

On stubborn grips I have warmed them up, rag soaked in hot water and wrap it around the grip, or heat gun.

One word of caution....I have had rusty junk come flying out of the handle bars at warp speed. Feels like sticking your bare hand in front of a sand blaster.

[Popcorn popper]

Thank you. Very nice project just started one also. My bars have the chrome plating that’s peeling and i like the look of yours. Did the tr800 come on all the 82 and up sleds or only certain models.Im primarily a skidoo guy and yes that clutch is very similar to tra.

[snowmoer]

The TR800 only came on the 82 and up Liquifire. The 80/81 Liquifire, and all years of the Trailfire and Sportfire used the 102C.

[nick80lf]

Yep....82 and up came from the factory with the TR800. In the back of my mind I seem to remember there were a few late production 81's which I believe shipped with the TR800 (reported to be 107). These 107 sleds will have an "A" following the date of MFG. According to this post viewtopic.php?p=70339&hilit=1981+tr800#p70339

In addition to that Deere offered owners of earlier Liquifire's special pricing for the TR800 and there was a dealers program to install the tr800 on left over sleds.

Rumor has it the engineer that designed the TR800 worked for Arctic Cat, Deere and Skidoo. If you look at the Arctic Hex, Deere TR800 and the TRA there are definitely similarities. I recently discovered a company called TAPP clutch. They make a billet 4 arm clutch that is very similar to the TR800.

[nick80lf]

I see you had your handle bars completely dismantled. Is it possible to buy factory style grips or were you able to get off?

Sorry....I just noticed I forgot to address your question about factory grips. You can get reproduction grips from www.newbreedparts.com & www.buscobullet.com

[Popcorn popper]

I tried your trick worked perfectly. Thank you!!
Do any of you guys know where to get chain case gears and chain? Did polaris use same?