1983 Liquifire

Mottsi · Post by **Mottsi** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 10:58 am

About 5 months ago Don Amber and myself went on an adventure to western Pennsylvania. We actually had a family vacation in Columbus, the family returned home and Don and I were off to see JDRob and pick up my new baby (1983 Liquifire). With the help of JDRob, his boys, Skoalmint (Brock), and JD600 (Dustin) we were able to pick the sled up off the second level of a rack and put it back into our trailer and headed home to Indiana (that is of course with full bellys due to Rob and his family's gracious hospitality).

On the way home Don asked me if I wanted to get it running and leave it the way it is or restore it. After going over costs and desires, I opted for restoring it. The Wife doesn't know how much cost has been involved, but lets say we keep that on the down low. Don has put in more hours than he will admit to me and I have a few other people to thank, like Bob for rebuilding the carbs and Jay Lee for painting my hood and putting on the decals for me.

The sled isn't complete yet, but I thought that I would start showing some of the pictures.

Mottsi · Post by **Mottsi** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 11:14 am

Here are some pics of the hood. If anyone is looking for a painter, Jay Lee is a very good choice. Not only does he paint, he also is a vintage collector. He paints everything from Harleys, snowmobiles, Vettes and Camaros. He is in the Fort Wayne area.

skoalmint · Post by **skoalmint** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 2:43 pm

Lookin good bud! Keep the pics coming.Brock

Mottsi · Post by **Mottsi** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 8:58 pm

We took the suspension out and touched it up a little. I contacted Steve Dey at Deycore and had a custom shock made for it. I bought NOS springs. spring bushings, spacers and all the bolts were replaced with NOS parts. A couple of bogey wheels were a little tight so they were replaced as well. Don sandblasted the suspension and painted it. Almost looks too pretty to hide under the tunnel! I think that my suspension is the deep snow, but I am not sure. If anyone could help me out on if it is or isn't please let me know. Thanks!

skoalmint · Post by **skoalmint** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 11:32 pm

Cool shock!! what do those cost? Brock

Mottsi · Post by **Mottsi** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 11:59 pm

I sent my old shock to him and he custom made one to match its size. Total cost with shipping was just under $200. I can't wait to try it out on the trails. I also have a couple more pieces to add to the suspension. Its a surprise. Got the surprise off an 81 liquifire parts sled that I picked up. DA is having the surprise duplicated. I don't know if its a secret or not, but if it is I don't want to ruin DA's surprise (but feel free to ask him).

427cobra · Post by **427cobra** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 11:54 pm

Nice!

Im very interested in getting more info on that shock set up... Can you PM me their contact information??

The "deep snow" kit would consist of a longer rear arm from a Trailfire or Sportfire. Then you have to drill new holes in the tunnel to accommodate the longer rear arm. The holes should already be drilled in the mounting plate that is attached to the tunnel.

Don,

What suspension secretes are you hiding.....

Mottsi · Post by **Mottsi** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 12:34 am

Eric, PM has been sent. www.deycore.com is the link to the website for the shock. You send them your old shock answer a couple of questions and pretty much they build it for ya. Can't wait to try it out.

johnnycyclone · Post by **johnnycyclone** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 5:27 pm

Hey Sean, it's looking real good so far, keep the pics coming. What did you use for the front spring bearings,(that's what John Deere calls them), it looks like yours are made out of aluminum? I need a set for my project also.

Terre

Mottsi · Post by **Mottsi** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 12:14 am

Terre,

You will have to ask my master suspension re-builder Don. I am thinking they are plastic painted chrome though.

On a side note, while selling the 82 tonight, Santa (well his name is Todd) brought my new composite skis complete with ski bracket adapters. I must of been a good boy. With that being said, we can get back to the rest of the project Friday!

Sean

TOYMECH · Post by **TOYMECH** » Sat Dec 03, 2011 1:00 am

Sean,
Looking pretty cherry

Will be nice to see the final product!

Mottsi · Post by **Mottsi** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 10:20 pm

The skis are on, but need to be aligned. Tomorrow nights project along with putting the suspension back on. Getting closer (thank goodness because it is snowing for the second time).

Thank you everyone for the comments!

Mottsi · Post by **Mottsi** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 11:45 pm

A good day. Front shocks arrived and Don and I muscled in the suspension. It took some good ol Indiana engineering (just a step up from brute force and ignorance), but we got it in. The sled is really coming together nicely. Here are today's pictures.