Kawasaki Time
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Kawasaki Time
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.
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.
Matt - JDsleds.com Administrator
Re: Kawasaki Time
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
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
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Re: Kawasaki Time
Ahhhh....I see you come to the dark side.
You'll enjoy the liquid cooling and duel carbs.
You'll enjoy the liquid cooling and duel carbs.
80 Liquifire (purchased 1996 ~ Running)
80 Liquifire (purchased 2010 ~ Running....Now)
80 Liquifire (purchased 2011 ~ Not running - I officially have a problem now)
83 Snowfire (purchased 2014 father/son restoration project)
78 Spitfire ~ sold (should have been shot for this)
80 Liquifire (purchased 2010 ~ Running....Now)
80 Liquifire (purchased 2011 ~ Not running - I officially have a problem now)
83 Snowfire (purchased 2014 father/son restoration project)
78 Spitfire ~ sold (should have been shot for this)
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Re: Kawasaki Time
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
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Re: Kawasaki Time
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.
The sled looks like its in pretty good shape. It will be fun.
80 Liquifire (purchased 1996 ~ Running)
80 Liquifire (purchased 2010 ~ Running....Now)
80 Liquifire (purchased 2011 ~ Not running - I officially have a problem now)
83 Snowfire (purchased 2014 father/son restoration project)
78 Spitfire ~ sold (should have been shot for this)
80 Liquifire (purchased 2010 ~ Running....Now)
80 Liquifire (purchased 2011 ~ Not running - I officially have a problem now)
83 Snowfire (purchased 2014 father/son restoration project)
78 Spitfire ~ sold (should have been shot for this)
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- Real Name: Lloyd
- Location: near Port Elgin, Ontario
Re: Kawasaki Time
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
Enjoy the Liquifire cousin
I have both Liquifires and Invaders.
Invaders are a touch quicker but the Liquifire handles a bit better.
Lloyd
Several Deere's
Several Kawasaki's
ACSCC #1534
Several Kawasaki's
ACSCC #1534
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Re: Kawasaki Time
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.
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.
Matt - JDsleds.com Administrator
- jdrob
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- Real Name: Rob
- Location: Pennsylvania/OHIO border
Re: Kawasaki Time
Matt MAtt what in the world did you get yourself into ?
Jdrob
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." AE
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." AE
Re: Kawasaki Time
I can tell you from working on one (and dragging it around the shop), that it is significantly heavier than a fire series sled....Matt wrote: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.
DE
Dustin Elder
Salem, OH
Midmounts.... Lots and lots of midmounts...
"Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege."
Salem, OH
Midmounts.... Lots and lots of midmounts...
"Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege."
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Re: Kawasaki Time
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
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
Several Deere's
Several Kawasaki's
ACSCC #1534
Several Kawasaki's
ACSCC #1534
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- Real Name: Brad Wheelock (wheel)
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Re: Kawasaki Time
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.
I buy sell and service all brands. Contact me and i might be able to help. sleds 2-liquidators, 75 340/S, 80 liquifire, 78 440 liquifire, 75 jd 300, 83 9700 skidoo blizzard, 86 skidoo formula plus, 79 motoski super sonic, 91 skidoo mach 1 x, 92 formula plus x, 95 mxz 440, 3 toni hiakonen edition mxz's, 98 mxzx, 97 mxzx, 77 skidoo rv cross coutry, 77 skidoo Rv 340, 75 skidoo tnt 340FA, 97skidoo formula3LT, 06 800 skidoo summit, 08 skidoo tnt full trail mod with nos
Re: Kawasaki Time
I like the silver/black paint work.
Keep us posted when you find the issues.
Keep us posted when you find the issues.
Todd Schrupp
Milbank SD
Milbank SD
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Re: Kawasaki Time
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.
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
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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Re: Kawasaki Time
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.
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Re: Kawasaki Time
He's come down with Mad Kawi disease lol.jdrob wrote:Matt MAtt what in the world did you get yourself into ?