Restoration or Cheap Power?

jerryswiss · Post by **jerryswiss** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 6:36 pm

Just curious who is into restoration and who is just into getting sleds running and not too concerned about what they look like.

As for me. I have bought sleds with the full intent of doing restoration, they tend to be sleds that are pre-1970. I have also bought sleds with no intention of restoration, Cheap Power, something to ride. These tend to be sleds of opportunity, the ones you stumble across for free or a cheap price. Thoughts?

S_Kyle · Post by **S_Kyle** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:23 pm

I started riding the "old" sleds because me and my friends couldn't afford the new ones. Now I ride the relics out of choice and plan on doing some restoration this summer. I don't think mine will ever be award worthy just real nice riders.

Scott

400brian · Post by **400brian** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:33 am

The folks here tend to lean more toward keeping things stock and restoring.

But, there is a wide range of restorations. They range from taking a part every nut and bolt restorations, to "mop and glow" restorations.

There are guys here who have both restorations, and beater riders, it's all good.

JDX-8 · Post by **JDX-8** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:27 pm

S_Kyle wrote: I started riding the "old" sleds because me and my friends couldn't afford the new ones. Now I ride the relics out of choice and plan on doing some restoration this summer. I don't think mine will ever be award worthy just real nice riders.

Scott

yea im with you.. i sure as heck could not afford a new sled anytime soon... and this is how im getting into it.... got me a JDX8 for cheap... and im rebuilding it form the ground up... not to do a show worthy restore or anything... but just a nice looking sled that will turn a few heads....., kelly

Mr. Deere · Post by **Mr. Deere** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:36 pm

My dad used to ride doos because he couldn't afford anything else. He told me he used see the Deers and they were like Polaris'. Top of the line and expensive. BOB

twinkies · Post by **twinkies** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 10:38 pm

This is an excellent question, I have both, I have restored sleds that I do not want to ride anymore, that is a shame, they are to enjoy, so I do ride them, it hurts at first, But I must say I get the biggest enjoyment out of watching the old unrestored sleds run, At Waconia, my eye was constantly watching the older sleds that looked like they were riiden for many years and put away. I enjoy watching people tinker with them and get them running. Brian

JDFanPa · Post by **JDFanPa** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 2:45 am

I love to see the showroom restos but it isnt for me. I generally get my sleds running maybe paint up some rusted things like skis etc seat covers from john are on a few. What I do however is since I have quite a few parts sleds and multiples of some running sleds I will usally put the most decent parts like hoods,bumpers grab bars etc on 1 sled to try and have it the nicest looking but all original parts and put the other peices back on the donor sled if it was a runner. Funny thing about doing this is with all the sleds Im messing with the spare used parts on the shelf is getting low and pilling up with rusty or damaged peices. Heres an example I drove 2.5 hrs 1 way a cpl months ago to get a hood for my 500 that was pretty decent and had original 500 decals in good shape. For the money I spent on gas I could have repainted the other hood and bought a decal set. But it would have been silly in my book to have a new looking hood on an old looking sled. I think things would be different if I actually had a garage to work in however.