Differences between '72 - '73

Technical topics related to machines powered by Kioritz/CCW & Kohler motors.
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400brian
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Re: Differences between '72 - '73

Post by 400brian »

I disagree with most of what Rodimus Prime wrote, ( nothing new there ).
satin black from plasticote is a semi gloss black which matches original paint. i have mixed paints before so i go with gloss , semi gloss or flat black which is more common terms.

im surprised no one mentions the seats themselves.. 72 almost straight and flat 73 raised in back straight .. 74 75 has the dip up the back of seat not much but its there.

the shocks were mounted outside of skis up to mid 74 when they changed to center of skis..

the skis themselves are same but the shock bumpers are different. the low profile with lbracket windshield wasnt standard on jdx some came with regular windshield.

the 73 jdx has a steel tunnel the others were aluminum. the belt guard changes from model to model .. i have seen plastic on early jdx and steel on 75 300

73 models had the comet clutch as secondary salsbury clutch was used previous to that but again not every sled had them some already had comets.

most steel tanks are silver cadium plated however some got sprayed with sled color which is more of a factory error than a standard.

There are two seats; the molded and the straight. The difference between the 72 molded and the 73 on up, is the size of the hole for the tail light. The straight seat was used on the 73 X4 and the 74 300.

As we all know, 72 skis are unique to 72. The springs seem to have less arch, the rubber bumper is smaller.

Shocks; outside in 73, inside in 74. ( or at mechanics discretion ) 340/S was the first with shock on top.

73s came with Salsbury clutching. There was an update program to convert to Comet.

72s have green gas tanks, all the rest were silver.




Troy mentioned the heat shield, I think that came in '74.

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JD600
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Re: Differences between '72 - '73

Post by JD600 »

My 73 600 has the heat shield Brian (not to be confrontational), and it was my understanding that the 72 sleds didn't have shocks? I've seen a few NOS shock kits that had the side mount shocks, all the brackets and bolts, and i just assumed thats what they were produced for.

DE
Dustin Elder
Salem, OH


Midmounts.... Lots and lots of midmounts...

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75rat
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Re: Differences between '72 - '73

Post by 75rat »

Just a few comments regarding some of the previous statements:

"satin black from plasticote is a semi gloss black which matches original paint. i have mixed paints before so i go with gloss , semi gloss or flat black which is more common terms."
I don't understand all the confusion regarding what black was used on these early JD sleds. Pretty much everything JD painted black was JD Blitz Black (ie; skis, suspensions, JDX hoods, etc.). Not gloss black, not semi-gloss black, not flat black. A good quality satin black is a good substitute if you can't find any JD Blitz Black. And yes, semi-gloss black is different than satin black. Take it from an old painter.

"There are two seats; the molded and the straight. The difference between the 72 molded and the 73 on up, is the size of the hole for the tail light. The straight seat was used on the 73 X4 and the 74 300."
A good, and most importantly, an accurate explaination of early JD seats.

"Shocks; outside in 73, inside in 74. ( or at mechanics discretion )..."
When installing shock kits back in the day, shocks were always put on the inside.....no matter what year the machine was. You could put them on the outside of the spring, but it was considered the wrong way.

"...340/S was the first with shock on top."
You might want to take a look at a 295/S....

One difference often missed on the 72 models was the shape of the rolled bead on the edge of the running board. The 72 to has an angled shape, everything else has a rounded edge.

Hope this helps,
Jim
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jeffreyrempel
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Re: Differences between '72 - '73

Post by jeffreyrempel »

I love what I am reading- Who r u supposed to believe :roll:
:canadasmile:
I wanted to write something witty here.... but I got nothing.
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80spitfire
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Re: Differences between '72 - '73

Post by 80spitfire »

Just out of curiosity, have any of you guys noticed that this is a almost 4 year old thread? lol I just bumped it because 400brian mentioned it the other day. It is a very good thread and there is some pretty good info on it,some is false however, but keep in mind that some of the people that posted on this thread aren't even members anymore.
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400brian
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Re: Differences between '72 - '73

Post by 400brian »

jeffreyrempel wrote:I love what I am reading- Who r u supposed to believe :roll:
:canadasmile:
This is the web, we are all right! :laugh:

75 Rat, thanks for the correction on the 295/S shock location, I figured I'd get burned on that :laugh:
On the shocks, the inside has always seemed correct to me, but a former authority here claimed outside in 73 ( if I remember correctly ). BTW, I don't think Jim has posted here in some time, good to see we could get you stirred up Jim! :usa:

OK, on the heat deflectors: I have a '73 X8 that does not have one. However, that is not what I was going by. I have a '74 Service Textbook that shows all the improvements between '73 and '74. It says: 1) "heat deflector added to isolate carb and air intake from engine heat" 2) filter added to air intake hose 3) fuel lines insulated to protect fuel lines from engine heat.

So I took that to mean the whole heat shield deal. But, if you look it up on JDParts.com, its obvious that the shields were used on sleds 11000 up. In other words..73s. There may have been an extra shield added in '74 that bolted between the carb and manifold, to help seal the shield.

Troy also confirmed his 73s have the shield, so I'm willing to say that was indeed a change from 72.

Ski shocks were an option in '72.

The '72 battery box is unique, as is the original starter motor.

'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
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'78 LF 440 future CC clone
'73 Skiroule RTX 440, 500 mi.
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75rat
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Re: Differences between '72 - '73

Post by 75rat »

Brian,

I've been pretty busy lately, but like to check in now and then to see what's happening.

Jim
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Re: Differences between '72 - '73

Post by JDT »

72 were painted British Racing Green. :silenced:





:popcorn:
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80spitfire
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Re: Differences between '72 - '73

Post by 80spitfire »

JDT wrote:72 were painted British Racing Green. :silenced:





:popcorn:


I always thought it looked more like Kawasaki Slime green lol

Gotta love implement green though :usa:
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Re: Differences between '72 - '73

Post by lwb140 »

was the straight wedge type seat used on the 74 jdx 4 mine had one on it when i got it so i assumed it was original equipment maybe not ?? wade
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Re: Differences between '72 - '73

Post by JDT »

Correct Wade, the 74 X4 seat is a staight wedge. With seams at no charge.


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Re: Differences between '72 - '73

Post by HoosierDeereMan »

I'm relying on memory, which is dangerous I know. On the 72's isn't the outer edge of the belly pan where the hood rests straight? Then in '73 they went to a lip edge?

Troy
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Re: Differences between '72 - '73

Post by HoosierDeereMan »

Here is a picture of the '72 gauges.

Troy
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Re: Differences between '72 - '73

Post by JoeRainville »

Hi Guys,

Here are a few more small things: First, the front frame that holds the spindles, fuel tank, and bar mounts is one piece in 72, and it's steel. I believe the 73's were aluminum and the rear bar support was separted from the spindle and tank mounting piece.

Also, I have 3 or so NOS motor heat shield kits. I will have to look a the instructions to see what year they were for, but I thought it was a PIP for the 73 sleds to combat vapor lock. They also have the updated motor cover lid with two vent holes facing the driver.

Did anyone mention that the motor covers were unique for 72, and top lid is much shorter than the 73's? Looks like most of the other major points were covered already :beers;

Later Liquidator,
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Re: Differences between '72 - '73

Post by JDT »

Correct, the 72 shroud access panel is lsquare.
Todd Schrupp

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