Skiroule update

[400brian]

As discussed earlier, I'm looking for a very nice RTX 440.

I've got a couple of low mileage candidates I'm considering.

The interesting thing is how many replies I've received recently.

I put a post on "Iron Dogs Snowmobile Swapmeet" page back in April, got a couple of replies, but not from anyone who actually had a sled.

In early July, I posted it again, and have received a bunch of replies. Here's the kicker, last weekend I traveled through Northern Indiana and IL, since I returned, I've been contacted by a guy in N. Indiana, and a guy between Rockford and Paul File in IL.

I could have looked at each of these sleds if they had contacted me a week sooner, AARRRGGG!

Why do you suppose all the replies now?

Anyway, the mint RTX I posted the photo of earlier, is the one on deck right now.

[WinnipegStPaul9]

Brian, let me know where the one in Northern Indiana is and maybe I can go take a look at it and send you pictures. I'll be out of town until Thursday the 27th but will check email when possible. Don

[400brian]

Thanks for the offer Don.

The sled in Indiana I have seen a photo of. It is a pretty decent looking sled, but has 3600 miles on it, that is high miles to me.

The sled in IL, was described as a beater sled.

I'm not real interested in either of those, I'm looking for a low mileage, cosmetically mint RTX.

I'm considering two in MN, one is in St Paul, haven't seen any photos of that one.

At this point, I'm thinking I want to spend the money up front and get a nice sled.
My X300 was purchased for $60, but I have stuck several hundred in it , and haven't done anything cosmetic yet.

[400brian]

Yeah Rich, I saw that, LOL!

I believe I saw that sled written up on the NH site last winter.

Very cool, but a bit outside the mission I had in mind. If it sells, a very serious collector will have to dig deep.

I could be wrong, but my thinking was that those were handmade sleds, the factory had no official involvement.

[400brian]

Well, I bought the RTX I posted the photo of earlier. I couldn't find time to go up to Duluth to get it, and a buddy was taking a couple of his kids to UW Superior last weekend, so..., I reluctantly had them bring it home. I would have prefered to inspect it myself before money changed hands.

So it is sitting in my shop tonight. The seller described it acurately, no complaints on that. It is a nice sled, but it isn't a RTX 440

Despite the 440 badges on the tunnel, it is a mid mount, and RT 440s and RTX 440s and 447s were forward mounts. RTX 300s and 340s were midmounts.
I can't figure out how to remove the engine cover, no fasteners visible besides a couple of clips in front of the seat. I was looking for a tag on the engine to prove my point.
No tag on the chassis either, just what appears to be a serial number stamped into the side of the tunnel.

I'm a little bummed that it's not a 440, but it's still a nice sled.

[400brian]

OOPs, It appears I was wrong, ( not the first time ).

The sled is indeed a RTX 440. The problem is in the original Skiroule brochure I was using for reference. It lists RTX 440s as having the forward mounted engine.

My seller says that is not correct, and a quick check to SkirouleCentral.com shows that he is correct. My brochure was printed wrong.

RT 440s and RTX 447s were the forward mounts, All the other RTXs were mid mounts.

Live and learn I guess.

[400brian]

Here is a photo of the RTX sitting in my shop along side my '74 JDX8.

The Skiroule needs new decals, new rear track idlers, and a dimmer switch.
( that's what I've decided so far, LOL! )

[400brian]

Brian....there is a "decent" 1976 Sno Pro Skiroule on ebay...you might even call it "mint". How deep are your pockets?

-Rich

Rich

Did you see on the VSCA site recently, who bought the sled we were talking about here?

"skiroule Pete" Purych, up in Ontario.

[Liquifire 4/6]

Nice Skiroule you have there, Brian. I know it's been awhile since this post was active, but if you have found the front mount engined Skiroule you were looking for and need a seat for it, I have 2 NOS Skiroule seats for the front engine sleds (they're a couple inches longer than the seats on the mid mount). One is for the 15" track model and the other is for the 17 1/2" 447 models. The seats I have are apparently for the 1977 model Skiroules that never got built. They're pretty much identical to the 76's except that they have a nicer tailight. I paid 250 each for them and would let them go for what I paid. Regarding removing the console, I think there are two screws on each side of the console located directly above the footrests. There might be some somewhere else too, but I can't remember for sure.

Pete

[400brian]

Thanks for the compliment Pete.

I have resigned myself to owning mid-mount sleds

"Skiroule Pete" gave me the instructions on removing the cover, first you remove the seat!

I haven't touched this sled yet, or heard it run. When the word about the HOF ride came up last fall, I decided to get the '74 X8 that I'd had for 3 years up and running, and take it north, and I did!

[Liquifire 4/6]

That Skiroule Pete sure does know his stuff about Roules. You didn't indicate if he told you how to remove the seat. It was a real mystery to me when I restored a 300 RTX a few years ago. I couldn't find any bolts on the underside of the tunnel nor any on top. Turns out Skiroule uses the hitch mounting pin to secure the seat. Just pull the pin out and the seat slips right off. A really great idea, but not what one would expect.

Pete

[400brian]

Yup, that's how the Skiroule seat is retained.
There aren't a lot of fasteners on these sleds, a lot of stuff kinda snaps together.
It makes me nervous when you are messing with 35 year old plastic components.
Like the '72 CCWs, you have to split the case to replace the seals on the Sachs engine too.