78 Spitfire project

This is where you can post the story & photos of your John Deere Snowmobile project.
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400brian
Posts: 5894
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: James T. Kirk
Location: South Central Wisconsin

Re: 78 Spitfire project

Post by 400brian »

It looks like a sled!

We installed the gauges, put the new decal on the hood, attached the hood to the sled, and installed the skis. We have the Kimpex windshield on with 4 screws, but the ones around the headlight do not line up well enough. After the Baraboo Show we will have to re-visit that. It was a good day!
Attachments
Spitfire gauges.jpg
Spitfire done.jpg

'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.
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SS440-80
Posts: 275
Joined: Tue Jan 07, 2014 5:00 pm
Real Name: Robert
Location: SWEDEN

Re: 78 Spitfire project

Post by SS440-80 »

Looks amazing! Well done :clap:
Sleds...
2xJOHN DEERE SPRINTFIRE 1983.
YAMAHA GP292b 1973
OCKELBO Trioman 1975
YAMAHA SRV 1982 (shrinked)
YAMAHA SRV 1990
YAMAHA SRV 1991
LYNX Rave 600ACE 2013
LYNX BOONDOCKER RE 3700 850 ETEC 2018
User avatar
400brian
Posts: 5894
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: James T. Kirk
Location: South Central Wisconsin

Re: 78 Spitfire project

Post by 400brian »

Lowering of the lift, the first test sit, and the first sled show.
Attachments
Spitfire sitting Galen.jpg
Spitfire Galen off the lift.jpg
Spitfire Galen sitting.jpg
SAG Galen.jpg

'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.
User avatar
400brian
Posts: 5894
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: James T. Kirk
Location: South Central Wisconsin

Re: 78 Spitfire project

Post by 400brian »

So after the big push to finish the Spitfire before the Badger Steam and Gas Show, I am looking to take a breather for a bit. I just went through this back in February with finishing the 78 LF before we left for the Ride with the Champs. I will say: " if you want to get something done you have to have a deadline", but it does take a bit out of you.

The grandson and I had planned to do some fishing this summer while he was off from school, but with the total focus on the sled, it never happened.
So I guess you could say compromises were made. There was also some mission creep, in the beginning I thought we were going to put a Spitfire together for him to ride this winter, somehow that morphed into a restoration. He is quite proud of the sled, he attended all three days of the show, and was happy to show it off and answer questions put to him by friends and family that stopped by the show that knew what the deal with it was.

We still have a few details to finish up on the sled before it is truly finished, and I will be expected to make it run for real. He is very much looking forward to riding it. So the story isn't over yet, I hope we have made some good memories that we can carry forward from here. :beers;
Attachments
SAG Friday group.jpg
SAG crew.jpg

'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.
bradski12
Posts: 43
Joined: Mon Dec 14, 2020 7:51 pm
Real Name: Brad

Re: 78 Spitfire project

Post by bradski12 »

400brian wrote: ↑Thu Apr 09, 2026 8:47 pm Today I finished up a small modification that I may or may not use, it remains to be seen how this will work out in the end.

But with the fragility of the direct drive track in mind, I cut the lugs off one of the old drivers, smoothed it up and paired it with a pair of steel lock collars. The intention is to install them in-between the drivers to support the center of the track.
Love the idea of this mod. Great idea and will be curious on your feedback as the snow flies!
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