I already have way to many sleds and they are all 70,s. Now an interest in another era??? I aint right in the head and think i need counseling. PLEASE HELP.
Ugly 80,s Liquifires
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I500
- Posts: 1264
- Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2005 1:00 am
- Real Name: Chuck Moser
- Location: Wyoming Minnesota
Ugly 80,s Liquifires
I always thought that the 80,s Liquifiers were ugly sleds compared to the 70,s versions. But after seeing some very nice restored and darn nice originals and not to mention Carlsons. Enns and Osters sleds i feel that i,m being drawn in to the darkside. How do i fight this as i,m feeling compelled to purchase an 83 Liquifire. To make things worse i was contacted by a member that has one for sale at a good price near me.
I already have way to many sleds and they are all 70,s. Now an interest in another era??? I aint right in the head and think i need counseling. PLEASE HELP.
I already have way to many sleds and they are all 70,s. Now an interest in another era??? I aint right in the head and think i need counseling. PLEASE HELP.
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400brian
- Posts: 5654
- Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:00 am
- Real Name: James T. Kirk
- Location: South Central Wisconsin
Re: Ugly 80,s Liquifires
You are correct Chuck. The '78 styling was the pinnacle, it was down hill after that.
Oh ya, and those icky Kawasakis!
Oh ya, and those icky Kawasakis!
'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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JoeRainville
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Re: Ugly 80,s Liquifires
Hi Chuck,
The only therapy I can think of is to come to the dark side and buy the 83! I really think that is the best looking decal package of the 80-84 sleds. Although my 76 Liquifire was really my first Deere love, I looked at the newer generation as a step up. I first saw one up close at a dealer back in the winter of 84/85. After I got out of collage in 94, the first sled I purchased was a 1980 Liquifire. It darn near became my I-500 sled, but I decided to piece that one together instead.
Pro's include light weight, oil injection (I hate mixing, but do it all the time), tough rubber track and a reasonable amount of suspension. And no Presto-lite ignitions either. But, the Kawi 440 is not it's strong point. I hope to have addressed the shortcomings of the Kawi motors with a Jerome Kretzman crank rebuild, and we had the jugs nicasiled with Ti-nitrided rings. I expect improved durrability over the chrome bores.
Welcome to the dark side Chuck:>) And you are catching some of my problem with Deere sleds, I love them all! Everything from my 72 400 to my 84 Liquifire is a beautiful sled to me...
-Joe
The only therapy I can think of is to come to the dark side and buy the 83! I really think that is the best looking decal package of the 80-84 sleds. Although my 76 Liquifire was really my first Deere love, I looked at the newer generation as a step up. I first saw one up close at a dealer back in the winter of 84/85. After I got out of collage in 94, the first sled I purchased was a 1980 Liquifire. It darn near became my I-500 sled, but I decided to piece that one together instead.
Pro's include light weight, oil injection (I hate mixing, but do it all the time), tough rubber track and a reasonable amount of suspension. And no Presto-lite ignitions either. But, the Kawi 440 is not it's strong point. I hope to have addressed the shortcomings of the Kawi motors with a Jerome Kretzman crank rebuild, and we had the jugs nicasiled with Ti-nitrided rings. I expect improved durrability over the chrome bores.
Welcome to the dark side Chuck:>) And you are catching some of my problem with Deere sleds, I love them all! Everything from my 72 400 to my 84 Liquifire is a beautiful sled to me...
-Joe
Honorary Tech Editor
Chuck Norris doesn't get frost bite. He bites the frost.
Chuck Norris doesn't get frost bite. He bites the frost.
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AirborneX4Special
- Posts: 1450
- Joined: Sat Jan 30, 2010 10:54 am
- Real Name: Pat
- Location: N. IL
Re: Ugly 80,s Liquifires
Chuck
Buy it. If you don't like it, call me. I can find a home for it! I'll gladly take the ten hour ride to pick it up.
Odds are you will like the Kawasucky junk crank seals Dark SIde. Misery loves more company......
Pat
Buy it. If you don't like it, call me. I can find a home for it! I'll gladly take the ten hour ride to pick it up.
Odds are you will like the Kawasucky junk crank seals Dark SIde. Misery loves more company......
Pat
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ICCSF 108
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- Real Name: Kenny Heins, AKA Grumpy
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Re: Ugly 80,s Liquifires
Go a head Chuck buy it, it'll just be another one your wife will call me about..
Kenny
Kenny
AKA: Kenny, Grumpy, Mr. Richard Head
"I Hunt For it, Purchase it, Haul it, Sometimes Repair it, Sometimes Break it, Then Fix it Again, Label it, Warehouse it, Talk About it, So NOW, HOW Can I Take Any Less $$ For It?"
"God I love the smell of KLOTZ in the morning, That smell, you know that Gasoline/Oil Smell, MAKES the whole place SMELL like.. LIKE VICTORY. You know someday the 2 strokers are gonna end..."
Do Anti-War Protesters have reunions? If so what do they TALK about?
"I Hunt For it, Purchase it, Haul it, Sometimes Repair it, Sometimes Break it, Then Fix it Again, Label it, Warehouse it, Talk About it, So NOW, HOW Can I Take Any Less $$ For It?"
"God I love the smell of KLOTZ in the morning, That smell, you know that Gasoline/Oil Smell, MAKES the whole place SMELL like.. LIKE VICTORY. You know someday the 2 strokers are gonna end..."
Do Anti-War Protesters have reunions? If so what do they TALK about?
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AirborneX4Special
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guitardude081
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- Real Name: Jack Durand
- Location: Brainerd, MN
Re: Ugly 80,s Liquifires
After years of coaxing, he's finally starting to wane over to the dark side. Trust your feelings Chuck, you know them to be true. MWAHHHHAAHAAHAAH Remember, you don't have enough JD sleds until you have them all!
~Jack
~Jack
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Owner, Durand Motorsports
1980 Trailfire 340 (Grandpa bought new)
1983 Trailfire LX
1982 Spitfire (Grandpa bought new)
(3)1974 295/S
1975 340/S
2020 Polaris Indy 600 XC 129 40th Anniversary Edition
1980 Trailfire 340 (Grandpa bought new)
1983 Trailfire LX
1982 Spitfire (Grandpa bought new)
(3)1974 295/S
1975 340/S
2020 Polaris Indy 600 XC 129 40th Anniversary Edition
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75greenmachine
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2010 9:06 pm
- Location: High River, Alberta
Re: Ugly 80,s Liquifires
I love those sleds, in fact after seeing an '81 Liquifire for the first time I decided that I needed to own a JD sled. But they would be even better if they didn't have a Kawasaki.
1975 JD300
2008 Polaris RMK 600
2008 Polaris RMK 600
Re: Ugly 80,s Liquifires
Just keep telling yourself it is not a Kawwy, it is a Fireburst.
Todd Schrupp
Milbank SD
Milbank SD
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JD_Sledder68
- Posts: 229
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 11:43 pm
- Location: Fletcher, OH
Re: Ugly 80,s Liquifires
I like both generations of Liquifire sleds, but I am starting to like the 78 one more and more each time I take it out. It just handles so much smoother on turns and the seat is ssooooooooooooooo comfy too! Ya git a liqui-gasm just sittin' on it.
Brian Redick
1982 John Deere Trailfire LX 440
1978 John Deere Liquifire 340
1982 John Deere Trailfire LX 440
1978 John Deere Liquifire 340
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JoeRainville
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Re: Ugly 80,s Liquifires
Chuck,
Here is the last ride the Watersboy and I took last year on our Liquifires in Letchworth State Park south of Rochester, NY.
The dark side is calling...
Here is the last ride the Watersboy and I took last year on our Liquifires in Letchworth State Park south of Rochester, NY.
The dark side is calling...
Honorary Tech Editor
Chuck Norris doesn't get frost bite. He bites the frost.
Chuck Norris doesn't get frost bite. He bites the frost.
Re: Ugly 80,s Liquifires
so the ring deal ,ive got an 81 with new us chrome jugs it ,to clearify i bought a set of pistons 10 over and shipped them to us chrome with a set of core clyinders and they fit them returned them .i went through the motor and had it running several times it makes about 80 pounds of compression both sides and runs that way it has about 2 hours of miserable run time on it .does it have the wrong rings in it i think they are chrome needless to say its buried in the back of the sled shed cause im tired of messing with it but as much time/money as i have in it i really need to see it through any thoughts wadeJoeRainville wrote:Hi Chuck,
The only therapy I can think of is to come to the dark side and buy the 83! I really think that is the best looking decal package of the 80-84 sleds. Although my 76 Liquifire was really my first Deere love, I looked at the newer generation as a step up. I first saw one up close at a dealer back in the winter of 84/85. After I got out of collage in 94, the first sled I purchased was a 1980 Liquifire. It darn near became my I-500 sled, but I decided to piece that one together instead.
Pro's include light weight, oil injection (I hate mixing, but do it all the time), tough rubber track and a reasonable amount of suspension. And no Presto-lite ignitions either. But, the Kawi 440 is not it's strong point. I hope to have addressed the shortcomings of the Kawi motors with a Jerome Kretzman crank rebuild, and we had the jugs nicasiled with Ti-nitrided rings. I expect improved durrability over the chrome bores.
Welcome to the dark side Chuck:>) And you are catching some of my problem with Deere sleds, I love them all! Everything from my 72 400 to my 84 Liquifire is a beautiful sled to me...
-Joe
certificate recipiant of the 12 vintage challenge !! on a 78 liquifre 440,
certificate recipiant of the 13 vintage challenge !! on a 340/s
certificate recipient of the 14 vintage challenge !! on a 78 liquifire 440
joe forgot the certificates for the 2015 vintage challenge
crossed the start/finish line twice at the 2013 and 2014 I500 on a 78 liquifire 440
certificate recipiant of the 13 vintage challenge !! on a 340/s
certificate recipient of the 14 vintage challenge !! on a 78 liquifire 440
joe forgot the certificates for the 2015 vintage challenge
crossed the start/finish line twice at the 2013 and 2014 I500 on a 78 liquifire 440
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deere memorabilia
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ICCSF 108
- Posts: 4369
- Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2005 12:00 am
- Real Name: Kenny Heins, AKA Grumpy
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- Contact:
Re: Ugly 80,s Liquifires
I don't know why you guy's are complaining about the Kawi engines, Look at it this way, they could have a Dator engine in them..
There really wasn't any other engines available at the time, the Kioritz engines were heavy ( steel Liners, where everybody was going Chrome ) etc. & short on HP. the Cuyuna/ Rockwell engines didn't shape up for power, ( If you thought the Dator engines weren't reliable you should have owned a Bull Whip )..
Kenny
There really wasn't any other engines available at the time, the Kioritz engines were heavy ( steel Liners, where everybody was going Chrome ) etc. & short on HP. the Cuyuna/ Rockwell engines didn't shape up for power, ( If you thought the Dator engines weren't reliable you should have owned a Bull Whip )..
Kenny
AKA: Kenny, Grumpy, Mr. Richard Head
"I Hunt For it, Purchase it, Haul it, Sometimes Repair it, Sometimes Break it, Then Fix it Again, Label it, Warehouse it, Talk About it, So NOW, HOW Can I Take Any Less $$ For It?"
"God I love the smell of KLOTZ in the morning, That smell, you know that Gasoline/Oil Smell, MAKES the whole place SMELL like.. LIKE VICTORY. You know someday the 2 strokers are gonna end..."
Do Anti-War Protesters have reunions? If so what do they TALK about?
"I Hunt For it, Purchase it, Haul it, Sometimes Repair it, Sometimes Break it, Then Fix it Again, Label it, Warehouse it, Talk About it, So NOW, HOW Can I Take Any Less $$ For It?"
"God I love the smell of KLOTZ in the morning, That smell, you know that Gasoline/Oil Smell, MAKES the whole place SMELL like.. LIKE VICTORY. You know someday the 2 strokers are gonna end..."
Do Anti-War Protesters have reunions? If so what do they TALK about?
Re: Ugly 80,s Liquifires
Chuck.....They are not the best looking! But according to Sno-gower they are the best handling leafer made, I am partial to the 1980 all black sled, the Kawsaki will come alive with new clutches. I have one that will weigh in at less than 390 with studs. They were never really raced in the ICCSF because we never adapted tthe 340 Invader motor to meet the 340 CC limit.......I have a hunch they will give the competition a real wake up call in 29 days if prep'ed and driven correctly! JRC