My latest barn find

[HoosierDeereMan]

The good part is parts for these are much easier to find than your '72 400 project. Which by the way was outstanding! I'd look the controls over very closely. The dimmer and kill switches are getting very difficult to find. If these are in good working shape and the handle bar grips aren't cracked through the set screws that is worth alot right there. Almost anything else you would need should be readily available. You can't tell from the pictures but hopefully the front bumper is straight and the belly pan isn't beat up. That's just less work you have to do. I just paid $485 for '78 340 Liquifire with 652 miles on it. It's a running sled and in very nice shape but needs the usual: Crank seals, gas lines & filers, and the seat recovered.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Troy

[JDT]

Last week I received a phone call from a retired dairy farmer 8 miles north of town.
He claimed to have a 73 Scorpion Stinger 440 that he bought brand new with only 214 miles on it.
He said it was in mint condition and the price was $800. He claims that it would do 95 MPH.

At this point alarm bells were going off but I went to check it out anyway.

True it was a 73 Stinger 440 and the speedo showed 214 miles. The chassis looked like it had 1500 miles on it.
He said he saw one on ebay last month sell for $1800 so his price of $800 was a bargain.

(more alarm bells)

While the sled was decent and had a excellent seat it was not worth more than $250 in my book.
This model is one of the most common Scorps.

The reason I posted this is this L-fire appears to have been rode hard and put away wet.
If the milage is acqurite than the above statment is true.

But I bet you will find a broken speedo drive key on it.

If you by it right you got a great project.
But use a keen eye when looking at very low milage machines that are common.

If it was a 78 CC L-fire you snatch it up without a hestiation.

[jeffreyrempel]

True, True, True. I just have a really good feeling about this one. I agree that its probebly not what the owner thinks it is, but I hope its a good project sled. I know its not the one that everyone is looking for, but I guess I am just excited to start on my next project. I am looking forward to working with a liquid cooled JD. Besides.... it comes with a nice cover.

[JD_Sledder68]

It doesn't look like it sat outside (uncovered) for too long, as the silver decals don't appear to be weather checked like I would expect.

Last year I bought a set (76 and 78) of Liquifire 340's for $900.00. Both of them ran good after cleaning carbs and replacing fuel lines and filters and 1 had seat recovered. Both had decent usable tracks on them and engines were showing 145 psi compression.

[Blown 331]

I paid $275 for my running 1980 Liquifire and it all it needed was a throttle cable. I haven't done a thing to it other than that. I would not pay more than that. I'm thinking $150 to $200.

[JDMIKE8100]

This Liquifire looks like a very good canidate to restore.Looks straight with nothing smashed.
With a good clean-up you may want to leave it original.
I would say the milage is correct,the passenger grab handles are still there and the rubber coating on
the light swich is still there.It can get costly if there are electical issues with these machines.
As for price,start low and you can always go up.
Did one of these about 5 yrs ago and enjoyed the project.Was a very smooth running machine.

[jeffreyrempel]

I am now the owner of a 1976 JD Liquifire 340. I decided to offer $300. The previous owner had seen my 1972 400 restoration at the show, so I think that the was happy to know that the sled was going to be in good hands. I attached pics to get some feed-back. I would appreciate any opinions, help and "heads up" if I am missing anything on the sled. I would also like to try and determine if the sled only has 424 miles on it. The sled has been stored inside for 25 years and shows signs of normal wear. The engine turns over. The gentleman that I purchased the sled from is the second owner, and has said that he only put about 50 miles on the sled about 25 years ago. He purchased the sled from his brother-in-law who was the original owner.

I plan on completely disassembling the sled and restoring it. If anyone has any NOS or used parts, I am interested.
Thanks,
Jeff

[jeffreyrempel]

Pics

[jeffreyrempel]

Pics

[jeffreyrempel]

Pics

[jeffreyrempel]

Pics

[JDMIKE8100]

I envy having a rust free sled to work with.That dry western air sure preserves metal compared to Southern Ontario.
Missing hood insulation and rubber on ignition.
Does the zipper still work on the toolbox?Most toolboxes on these are long gone.

[jeffreyrempel]

Toolbox zipper works fine.

[ljm]

I'm jealous I bought a very similar sled in the last summer. I paid almost the same amount but it has more miles and hood is not as good and my handle bar is rusted off (I already had another handle bar) and no cover.

My 2 cents is you have a good sled for a good price.

Have fun with your restoration

Lloyd

[80spitfire]

I'd say you did really really good Jeff. Looks to me like it's a perfect restoration candidate. I hope you have fun with it man!

-Brian