1984 Sportfire

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Liquifried
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1984 Sportfire

Post by Liquifried »

Well persistence pays off! I am now the proud owner of a 1984 Sportfire #273 of 371. :roll: :beers;

Three years ago almost to the day, I was surfing craigslist late at night. I started looking at odd states, out west, midwest and I stumbled onto an ad that had an 84 Sportfire, 80 Liquifire and Trailer as a package deal in Nebraska. I called on the seller, but they would not break up the package. I didn't need another trailer and already have an 80 Liquifire. I contemplated buying it all and spining them off, but didn't have the money or room. So, I filed the email and forgot about it. In August of this year, I began getting ready for the snow season. In doing so, I came across the ad for the 84 Sportfire. I called the guy up, left a message that basically said we talked 3 years ago, do you still have the sled? I never heard back.

I received a voicemail last week that was returning my call from August. They sled was still there and they would indeed break up the package. I asked to see more pictues and upon receipt I immediately pulled the trigger on this sled. I live in Chicago and the sled was located about and hour and a half south of Omaha on a farm. 1208 miles and 23 hours later, the sled is now sitting in my garage.

The sled was used to reach the cattle when the snow got deep. They purchased sled from original owner, who was a Deere employee at STUTHEIT IMPLEMENT CO. in Syracuse, NE. Sled has 2630 miles on it. Factory trailer hitch, tachometer, hand warmers and trail flag. Most parts/bolts are very very clean. Skis, belly pen, and parts of suspension are still nicely powder coated. Sled last ran two years ago and was serviced and stored by a John Deere Dealer. Tank is empty and carb is fogged. Not going to take to much to get it ready. A good degreasing and power wash will make this thing pop!

Enjoy the pix!

Click Link Below:

http://www.visualtour.com/show.asp?t=26 ... 0003&sk=29
74 Evinrude Skimmer 400
79 Kawasaki Invader 440 (Factory Power Up Kit w/ Twin Pipes)
80 Liquifire with 83 Set Up (Electric Start / Plastic Ski Setup)
82 Trailfire LX
82 Sportfire (Electric Start)
83 Trailfire 440 LX (Electric Start)
83 Sportfire (Original Owner)
83 Liquifire
84 Sportfire
97 Indy 500 Liquid
2002 Polaris Classic 600 Indy Touring
(2) 2013 Polaris Shift 550 (Retro TXL Grahphics)
(2) 1996 Polaris Indy 500 Touring ( under 300 mi each)
1996 Polaris XLT Touring
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DeereSledHeadFarmer
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Location: Central New York

Re: 1984 Sportfire

Post by DeereSledHeadFarmer »

Awesome find and great story!
-Matthew

-1974 JD 300
-1981 JD Spitfire
-2005 Polaris XCSP 500
-2012 Polaris Switchback Pro R 600
Matt
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Re: 1984 Sportfire

Post by Matt »

Nice work!
:usa: Matt - JDsleds.com Administrator
cledussnow77
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Real Name: Ed Jones
Location: northwest ohio

Re: 1984 Sportfire

Post by cledussnow77 »

Thats a cool story and a good lookin sled. :beers; :dance: :clap: :usa:
Nothing Runs Like A Deere
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Sprailfire340
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Location: Rockford, MN

Re: 1984 Sportfire

Post by Sprailfire340 »

Nice. The '84 Sporty color combo makes it one of my favorite Deere sleds. So much so I couldn't say no when this cherry sled became available from another member here. I smile every time I pull the cover off her. It also helps that my wife likes to drive this one. It's a small price to pay to get the family out on the trail.
DSC01350.JPG
:sled: ME
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acesillini06
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Real Name: Matt Cappel
Location: Rochelle, IL

Re: 1984 Sportfire

Post by acesillini06 »

Most defiantly worth the trip to Nebraska. You don't find many people who will store sleds properly like that anymore, that is key! Real Niiiiice!
1983 Liquifire 2-1983 Sprintfire's original owner
1983 Trailfire LX 1983 Sportfire and 1976 Liquidator #170
1982 Sprintfire 1982 Liquifire/Intruder "white hood" 1975 340/s #179
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Liquifried
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Re: 1984 Sportfire

Post by Liquifried »

Thanks guys! I am very stoked. I started with JD sleds as the original owner of an 83 Sportfire, so the 84 is my Holy Grail. Now, just need to find an 84 Liquifire! There is still a very nice 1980 Liquifire in Nebraska!
74 Evinrude Skimmer 400
79 Kawasaki Invader 440 (Factory Power Up Kit w/ Twin Pipes)
80 Liquifire with 83 Set Up (Electric Start / Plastic Ski Setup)
82 Trailfire LX
82 Sportfire (Electric Start)
83 Trailfire 440 LX (Electric Start)
83 Sportfire (Original Owner)
83 Liquifire
84 Sportfire
97 Indy 500 Liquid
2002 Polaris Classic 600 Indy Touring
(2) 2013 Polaris Shift 550 (Retro TXL Grahphics)
(2) 1996 Polaris Indy 500 Touring ( under 300 mi each)
1996 Polaris XLT Touring
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Liquifried
Posts: 476
Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2008 12:00 am
Location: IL / WI Border - Arbor Vitae, WI
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Re: 1984 Sportfire

Post by Liquifried »

WOW! Sprailfire you sled is Cherry! How many miles? Is it original or restored?

Joe
74 Evinrude Skimmer 400
79 Kawasaki Invader 440 (Factory Power Up Kit w/ Twin Pipes)
80 Liquifire with 83 Set Up (Electric Start / Plastic Ski Setup)
82 Trailfire LX
82 Sportfire (Electric Start)
83 Trailfire 440 LX (Electric Start)
83 Sportfire (Original Owner)
83 Liquifire
84 Sportfire
97 Indy 500 Liquid
2002 Polaris Classic 600 Indy Touring
(2) 2013 Polaris Shift 550 (Retro TXL Grahphics)
(2) 1996 Polaris Indy 500 Touring ( under 300 mi each)
1996 Polaris XLT Touring
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WinnipegStPaul9
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Real Name: Don Amber
Location: Churubusco, IN

Re: 1984 Sportfire

Post by WinnipegStPaul9 »

Congrats Joe !!! The Amber Clan is happy for you !!!!

DA
Feel free to check out our website www.buscobullet.com for restorations or parts.
JDT
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Real Name: Todd
Location: Milbank South Dakota

Re: 1984 Sportfire

Post by JDT »

Nice Nice Nice!

But Missouri? Did you take a side trip?
Todd Schrupp

Milbank SD
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Liquifried
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Re: 1984 Sportfire

Post by Liquifried »

Thanks DA! I'm still pumped. My son walked in the garage as said "Whoa! Where did that come from!" Worth the drive for sure! The Missouri thing caught me off guard too! I took I-80 most of the trip and hit I-29 South at Omaha. I popped into MO for about 15 miles, headed west and was back in NE. Thought I went the wrong way for a bit. Saw some really bad flood areas from the MO River in the Rock Falls area. Every house/building had a mud line about 4 feet up. Looked like a war zone. Not sure when it flooded down there.
74 Evinrude Skimmer 400
79 Kawasaki Invader 440 (Factory Power Up Kit w/ Twin Pipes)
80 Liquifire with 83 Set Up (Electric Start / Plastic Ski Setup)
82 Trailfire LX
82 Sportfire (Electric Start)
83 Trailfire 440 LX (Electric Start)
83 Sportfire (Original Owner)
83 Liquifire
84 Sportfire
97 Indy 500 Liquid
2002 Polaris Classic 600 Indy Touring
(2) 2013 Polaris Shift 550 (Retro TXL Grahphics)
(2) 1996 Polaris Indy 500 Touring ( under 300 mi each)
1996 Polaris XLT Touring
JDT
Posts: 5561
Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2007 1:00 am
Real Name: Todd
Location: Milbank South Dakota

Re: 1984 Sportfire

Post by JDT »

The Big Mo flooded in May and did not receed until July.

It was a huge event that covered three states.
Todd Schrupp

Milbank SD
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JDfanAZ
Posts: 44
Joined: Sat Sep 10, 2011 10:31 pm
Location: Arizona

Re: 1984 Sportfire

Post by JDfanAZ »

Great find and Great story. After 3 years it was meant to be. Awsome looking John Deere.
1980 Trailfire (sold)
1982 Trailfire LX (sold)
1983 Sportfire
1984 Trailfire LX
1984 Liquifire #285159
1984 Liquifire #285160
1973 Raider 44TT
1971 King Kat 800 triple (sold)
Chrysler Sno Runner
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Liquifried
Posts: 476
Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2008 12:00 am
Location: IL / WI Border - Arbor Vitae, WI
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Re: 1984 Sportfire

Post by Liquifried »

Thanks! Hey your the JD Sled guy in AZ! Nice sleds. Never saw a sled and a catus in the same footage before! :roll:
74 Evinrude Skimmer 400
79 Kawasaki Invader 440 (Factory Power Up Kit w/ Twin Pipes)
80 Liquifire with 83 Set Up (Electric Start / Plastic Ski Setup)
82 Trailfire LX
82 Sportfire (Electric Start)
83 Trailfire 440 LX (Electric Start)
83 Sportfire (Original Owner)
83 Liquifire
84 Sportfire
97 Indy 500 Liquid
2002 Polaris Classic 600 Indy Touring
(2) 2013 Polaris Shift 550 (Retro TXL Grahphics)
(2) 1996 Polaris Indy 500 Touring ( under 300 mi each)
1996 Polaris XLT Touring
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