Yet another Dator saved from a barn

[80spitfire]

Well here's the thing, If it was exactly like it was as it was raced, I wouldn't paint it. The problem is, is that the previous owner smashed up the original tunnel and put the sled back togethor on a Cyclone tunnel that's painted mean green. So I don't really have any choice. I would really like to get an original tunnel though. My plans as of now are, keep everything that was added for racing and repaint it all. However dumb stuff like the homemade bumper and the liquifire seat, will all be replaced with Dator parts

[smitfire]

Im sure the smashed tunnel got junked? That would be a find haha

[80spitfire]

Yeah that's what I was told by the previous owner atleast.

[80spitfire]

I was looking at my Dator today and I was noticing how corroded the CDI looked and I was wondering, all the electronics should swao right out with first gen Liquifire or Cyclone right? Just as long as it's a prestolite right?

[400brian]

The 3 Prestolite CDI boxes interchange, just connect to the stator with different style plugs.

[80spitfire]

Excellant that's a relief to hear that.

[MARK S]

Brian, did that sled come from the Ormsby Mn area?? Mark.....

[80spitfire]

I'm not totaly sure. i bought it from a fellow board member in New Ulm that bought it from a farmer in Truman. This would be really cool though if you know some of the history of my sled. Some of the interesting characteristics that might help you out are, there was a bracket made to relocate the electronics for easier access and the hood has the number 87 on it. Also it has the aluminum Dator-lite suspension. If you look at other parts of the thread there's pictures of all of those things.

Thanks,
Brian

[MARK S]

Brian, that's the sled...I sold the NOS pistons to the guy a year or two ago..Other than the tunnel "cyclone" that sled ran the I-500,The governors cup and several others.I know the original owner well!! I also saw that sled going over and over and over again.."new tunnel" The original owner was looking for it several years ago but couldn't find it,he found and purchased another nice dater to ride and rides it every winter..When I talked to the guy that purchased the pistons the puzzle started to come together..I believe I have the VIN# that your motor/suspension was in..It's funny that sled has stayed around home all these years...Mark

[80spitfire]

That's incredible!! Definitely pm me his name and number and the VIN. I would love to meet the guy who raced that baby. I can't believe it raced the I 500!

[80spitfire]

I washed up the hood tonight and you guys gotta check her out. I even found some vintage pinstripping on it.

Notice the extra hood straps added when they raced it

Check out the original cover I got with the sled, could possibley use a wash though lol

[80spitfire]

If anybody on here has any more info on this sled, ie racing history or knows the original owner, I would love to talk to you.

Thanks,
Brian

[fast823]

I am on the road for work so I will show pics to Dad when I get home but I don't remember him being 87. If he sees the pis he will know if it was his or not and if it was his we need to talk. Please don't tear it all a part and paint it yet.

[80spitfire]

Ok sounds good man. I talked to Mark and he was pretty confident that this is his sled so I guess we'll find out for sure once your dad see the pictures.

[fast823]

I am sure he will know once he sees the pics as he spent a lot of time on it.