***1979 Spitfire for sale***

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Steve's/440Trailfire
Posts: 44
Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2011 9:54 am
Location: Granger, Ia

***1979 Spitfire for sale***

Post by Steve's/440Trailfire »

Thinking about selling a 79 Spitfire. This is an all original survivor that is unrestored and runs very good. Great candidate for a restore or can be used as-is to run to the vintage rides or ice hut!
It was stored, covered on a trailer, behind a local farmer's barn for several years when we found it this fall. No mice nests anywhere! The track and tunnel looked great and it pulled over easy and felt like it had excellent compression in both cylinders. Almost felt like there was still oil in it! We tested both jugs and got just over 100 psi on each one. It did not have spark when we got it.
We've gone through the entire fuel system, replaced the pick-up and all lines, re-built the fuel pump, and cleaned the carb. The carb actually still had liquid oil in the bowl that ran out when I opened it! It was VERY clean and not varnished up at all! The only major component that we replaced was the CDI, which was the cause of our "no spark" condition. It now starts right up in 1 or 2 pulls when warm and maybe 5-10 when cold(first start of the day when sitting outside). It runs quite well and we have put about 30-50 miles on it since getting it going. The choke cable barrel is broken at the carb but choke still works. Throttle cable is brand new. It has the original butterfly carb which i went through and accounted for all parts, including a brand new bowl gasket with one extra. The carb really works well when you're "on the pipe" but we have had trouble getting it to idle. Usually have to choke it to start it. These free-air machines were not meant to sit and idle so maybe that's why? I have a fine-tune manual that has this carb in it and it says nothing about adjusting the idle. There is an idle air screw but it doesn't seem to do much? I know most of these carbs have been switched out for round slides and are very rare! It's kinda cool to have one in running condition with the original equipment!
The hood is original and has a few cracks in it. One fairly large one on the front left corner. They have been repaired from the inside with fiberglass to prevent further cracking but would need to be repaired/re-painted to be really nice. It has a new windshield. The seat has been recovered at one time but is torn in a few spots. It's taped up and usable but really needs to have new vinyl.
The track is in good condition with no cleats missing or tears that I can see. The suspension and slide rails are in good condition but needs the limiter straps replaced. The steering is VERY tight and feels as if it has very few miles. I mean, there is absolutely no play in the front steering! If I were to guess how many miles are on this sled I would say maybe 500? Absolutely no more than 1000.
When I saw this sled, I thought it might be a sweet sled for the kids, but to be honest, this thing is a bit of a "wild child" and really gets with it once you come off idle! I mean, without the limiter straps on the slide-rail it wants to pull the skis off the snow! This is the main reason I am considering letting it go. It is a blast to ride but I have a couple Trailfires that I think will be more well suited for the kids.
Asking $600. If anyone is interested, let me know and we can talk! It will have a current Ia. registration. Thanks, Steve
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1979 Spitfire
1979 Trailfire 340
1980 Trailfire 340
1980 Trailfire 440
1982 Liquifire
1983 Trailfire 440 LX
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