Strange or Not ??

[Sledshack]

I was out at the local snowmobile junk-yard and ran across an '80 LF with a bare aluminum tunnel (un-painted). Is that common or not ? Just curious.

[WinnipegStPaul9]

[Matt]

That is strange. Replacement tunnel that someone actually stamped like they were supposed to?

[ChickenRat]

I think it should be investigated.

Robb

[Norton]

At the Deere Horicon snowmobile show almost 2 years ago now, a Deere engineer was talking about the trouble he went through to get an "unpainted tunnel" off the line for testing and making possible changes for the 81 models. Maybe this is one???

keith

[WinnipegStPaul9]

Keith, I remember that story!! Didn't the story go something like John Deere did not want an "unpainted" tunnel but workers liked the look so they ran one down the line and it received high marks? Ed K how did the story go for sure??

DA

[Wildfire II]

Don't remember that story. I realy think that one was made up. Test sleds could have been built unpainted. Location of the scrap pile that was mentioned would be a big help!! If you don't want to disclose the location email me. ekruel57@gmail.com Remember!! we tested sleds one year or more before they were released for production. Sometimes changes were made at just before production.

[nick80lf]

Looking at the serial number, wouldn't this be very close to the end of the 80 model year? Am I correct in thinking that the last 80 model would have a s/n somewhere close to 129,000?

[Wildfire II]

test sleds in Alaska were painted

[WinnipegStPaul9]

Looking at the serial number, wouldn't this be very close to the end of the 80 model year? Am I correct in thinking that the last 80 model would have a s/n somewhere close to 129,000?

Nick you could be right. While the serial number range for 80 was 120,000-155,001 it runs in my mind that the production number was something like 8000.

DA

[WinnipegStPaul9]

At the Deere Horicon snowmobile show almost 2 years ago now, a Deere engineer was talking about the trouble he went through to get an "unpainted tunnel" off the line for testing and making possible changes for the 81 models. Maybe this is one???

keith

Keith, I honestly thought it was Ed that was telling us the story but I guess not. I definately remember hearing it.

DA

[DeereKid9]

It was not Ed, but I don't remember who. The story was as close as you described though. They thought that it looked good unpainted and a "Vote" or something was taken and out came the "Silver/Aluminum" tunnel.

Edit this Rainville, I dare you!

[4EverDeere]

Edit this Rainville, I dare you![/quote]


Oh, don’t worry Rainville only edits his own post….Unless?????

[Matt]

OK, back to the topic.

Disclaimer: Rainville has no mod power here.

[harleysportster]

It was not Ed, but I don't remember who. The story was as close as you described though. They thought that it looked good unpainted and a "Vote" or something was taken and out came the "Silver/Aluminum" tunnel.

Edit this Rainville, I dare you!

I believe the story was told by the older gentleman who has repair shop across the street from the Union-Hall in Horicon.
Here is a picture of the inside.