Kawasaki Time

[Matt]

I had been thinking about picking up one of the Kawasaki counterparts to our new breed models, and this one just showed up on CL close by & cheap enough.

Hood has been painted, but they did a good job on it. You can see the blue underneath where it's been scratched and were the windshield was. The suspension is broken, and the skis are pretty rusty, but might be able to be saved. The motor turns over smoothly, and the sled is all there except the windshield.

The empty hole in the tunnel seems a little odd, is this normal for these? This could be the wrong suspension and I wouldn't know, but everything else looks stock.

[dap574]

Matt
Those Invaders are fast sleds! My son drives a 79 440 in our vintage races. The hole in the tunnel is the stock suspension hole, the plate also had a hole beneath for deep snow(I think). The 81 or 82 had a better suspension and the broken bracket is common. The Kawa site has a way to cure it. Gas shocks are available also. You will have fun until you start to polish the tub! Dave

[nick80lf]

Ahhhh....I see you come to the dark side.


You'll enjoy the liquid cooling and duel carbs.

[Matt]

I'm sure I've said multiple times that I didn't want to mess with a Liquifire because of those reasons, but here I go. I would have been perfectly happy if this was a Intruder or Drifter instead.

[nick80lf]

I even remember you saying @ Rob's (a little more than a month ago) something like you didn't want the added complexity of dual carbs. What happened?


The sled looks like its in pretty good shape. It will be fun.

[ljm]

Hey Matt

Enjoy the Liquifire cousin

I have both Liquifires and Invaders.

Invaders are a touch quicker but the Liquifire handles a bit better.

Lloyd

[Matt]

Nick, it's just the opportunity. It was so close I was able to swing over on my way home from work to get it, and the asking price was actually reasonable for it's condition, unlike most of the junk posted on craigslist.

Lloyd, this thing "feels" a lot bigger then the Liquifire/Sportfire. Is it? I'm pretty sure you sit higher, which is probably why it feels that way.

[jdrob]

Matt MAtt what in the world did you get yourself into ?

[JD600]

this thing "feels" a lot bigger then the Liquifire/Sportfire. Is it? I'm pretty sure you sit higher, which is probably why it feels that way.

I can tell you from working on one (and dragging it around the shop), that it is significantly heavier than a fire series sled....

DE

[ljm]

I think you feel like your sitting up high because the hood is so low on them.' I always feel like I'm sitting too close to the front on them too.
They are also cold compared to a fireseries sleds ( lower windshield)

An Intruder has all the issues (dual carbs etc.) but not the power of the Invader

Drifters are cool sleds I have a 1980 I got new when I was 14 a friend had a 80 Sportfire. The Drifter was better in deep snow and the sportie cornered better. other than that they were a match. We had a ton of fun on them

[sledder670]

i have a suspension for ya i got at haydays last year. And a friend of mine has lots of kawi's i can put you in touch with for parts if you need anything else. they are sharpe sleds.

[JDT]

I like the silver/black paint work.

Keep us posted when you find the issues.

[Liquifried]

Nice find! I picked up a cherry 79 Drifter for $100. Has been stored inside entire life. Already got it cleaned up and ready to ride. I also picked up an 79 Invader with the "Power Up Kit" that includes dual pipes and ported cylinders. Having my guy go through the motor. Really looking to ride this one and compare it to my Liquifires.

[Matt]

Starting work on it. I got the wrong clutch puller the first time so I have to wait for the right one to come in before going any further, otherwise the engine is ready to come out.

[Invader440]

Matt MAtt what in the world did you get yourself into ?

He's come down with Mad Kawi disease lol.