Vintage Challenge Sleds

400brian · Post by **400brian** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 1:35 am

Update:

340S number 1 is at the upholsterer. I wasn't happy with the seat and tank cover fit, so John sent me a set that were un-hemmed, hopefully he can get these to fit.
I gave him a print of Moser's grass dragger, and told him: this is what I want it to look like!

Here's a couple views of 340S number 2. As you can see, I have a ways to go.

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jdsledhead · Post by **jdsledhead** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 8:32 am

Hey brian, at least that tunnel and pan look straight! Are you gonna keep the aluminum pan or fit a glass one?

400brian · Post by **400brian** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 10:02 am

Rainville has not been able to talk me into a glass pan yet! :lol22:

Yes, this one is reasonably straight. Just a few little dings, and the ripples it came from the factory with.

Post by **WinnipegStPaul9** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 11:12 am

That is a nice pan Brian. Much better than anything I had to choose from. DA

HoosierDeereMan · Post by **HoosierDeereMan** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 2:00 pm

Until Brian posted these pictures I didn't know these pans had ribs and a hump for the chain case. I thought they came from the factory with flat bottoms and dents all over them! :lol22:

Nice looking tunnel and belly pan Brian. Hopefully the rest of the sled is in that good of shape.

JDT · Post by **JDT** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 10:17 pm

Wow Brian that is a well preserved example.

Is that front bumper as nice on the top as it is on the bottom?

400brian · Post by **400brian** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 1:56 am

I only have one complaint about the bumper, when they cut off the ends, they cut it straight. It would be more attractive if it had been cut on an angle to match the lines of the pan and hood.

There is a ding at the rear of the tunnel, as if someone rammed a ski in there.

I pulled the suspension apart tonight. It all came apart OK, but I discovered the tube the LH rear spring mounts over has been replaced with a piece of galvanized pipe. Which wouldn't be so bad if it had been welded on straight. :lol22:

Post by **JRC ETD** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 11:20 am

Fiberglass Pan! Original Race Modification!

JoeRainville · Post by **JoeRainville** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 9:10 pm

Hi Guys,

I am with JRC on how nice the glass pan looks over the aluminum. But, they do require the original narrow bumper to fit correctly. I jumped on another 340/s this summer mostly because it had a glass pan and original bumper.

Here are two pic's showing an NOS Deere glass pan vs a beat up original aluminum pan. The glass pan does not cover the bottom of the motor plate, and had handholds (that you should not use), and generally looks pretty good. My aluminum pan is trashed, and looks much worse than Lindners.

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JoeRainville · Post by **JoeRainville** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 9:17 pm

To show the difference from the original narrow bumper to the cut down Cyclone style, here are a few pic's of them side by side. The factory 340/s bumper that fits the ABS and glass pans is a skinnier extrusion that bolts to the outside of the pan. The Cyclone bumper it a T shaped extrusion that bolts to tabs on the pan and to chassis reinforcements.

I hope this helps answer a few questions...

-Rainville

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400brian · Post by **400brian** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 12:08 am

Thanks Joe.

This also explains why Rainville and Jon haven't ben able to get me to switch to the glass pan. I do not have a first series bumper, heck I've never even seen one.

So, unless someone starts reproducing these, or a bunch of them come out of the woodwork, I have to stay with my aluminum pan.

In the 340S race tips, they show a crude sketch of a brace welded up out of tubing, that starts at the front frame member, then loops up around those hand holds Joe was mentioning. This was done to provide the structure so that you could actually use the handholds at the front of the sled to lift it.

HoosierDeereMan · Post by **HoosierDeereMan** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 9:29 pm

Progress has been slow. There have been many obstacles and challenges. Finally I have started assembly.

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HoosierDeereMan · Post by **HoosierDeereMan** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 9:32 pm

These next two are for Rainville. These are the idler wheels he was talking about and sent out to a few of us. Thanks Joe! Second is of the secondary sheave. I hear Joe has a fit if they are the wrong color. :lol22:

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HoosierDeereMan · Post by **HoosierDeereMan** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 9:36 pm

Here is a shot of my refurbished dash. Can you guys tell me if this is the correct tether switch?

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HoosierDeereMan · Post by **HoosierDeereMan** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 9:39 pm

Last one. The Jackshaft is installed and the wiring harness is well just kind of there for now!

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Installed_jackshaft_1.jpg (245.04 KB)