Getting more out of a 80LF

[motoXman]

I'm ok leaving it with the auto tensioner.. Unless someone here tells me they fail ?

[Ryker Carruthers]

Dont know the reason why the liquifire was different but I bet there was a reason. When you hit the brake that tensioner will give out, eventually the spring will wear out or the teflon will. Somebodh else ought to know why though.
Ryker

[motoXman]

Are you sure the 68 pitch chain is correct for my gearing? We're would I find one, not sure if another deere shared that longer chain? If anyone has lone msg me, I can notice the chain slap so it's obvious the tensioner isn't up for the abuse of the Kawasaki 440

[JoeRainville]

Hi Guys,

I just wanted to mention that the 21:39 ratio from the Trailfire is also the same as the 82-84 Liquifire stock ratio. That is the same ratio I run in my I-500 Liquifire. The only thing you will loose is the 85 mph top end, but I agree with you guys that the 80 LF is geared pretty steep from the factory. You should still be able to purchase new 68 pitch chains that are 11 plates wide.

For you guys racing your sleds, I would suggest going up to 13 plate wide gears and chains. I used 15 plate wide Cat gears and a Polaris 68 pitch chain in my sled, but you have to clearance a few things. I think the 13 plate would be stronger than stock without the clearance issues of the wider set.

As for using the Trailfire chain tensioner, as long as you are abusing the sled to much, it should be OK. However, the original roller set up is much better as it was developed for racing in the 70's.

I hope this helps,
-Joe Rainville

[JoeRainville]

Also, I will see if I have any Sportfire helix's down here, as I thing I left most of them in NY still.

-Joe

[ljm]

You can get new chains from Royal distributing

[JoeRainville]

I'm ok leaving it with the auto tensioner.. Unless someone here tells me they fail ?

MotoX,

The roller tensioner was developed to keep a constant tension on the drive chain. With the spring tensioners, going from throttle to brake to throttle again causes the slack side of the chain to go from the back side to the front side and back again. Under hard riding or racing, this can cause the chain to fail. For example, I have a 78 CC Liquifire that didn't make it to the first fuel stop of the I-500 due to a broken chain. There was a roller kit available for 78, but it was not used on this sled.

For general trail riding, the spring tensioner should be ok, but may not be strong enough to keep the chain tight at high speeds.

-Joe

[motoXman]

Thx for that info guys. Btw, can I run a stock trailfire secondary in place of my stock liquifire? They look the same, even has the same color spring. I noticed today my secondary was "hopping" like a blown out jack shaft bearing... It's not the bearing though but what I did find is my ramps, the plastic ones are worn out and melted so its all uneven. I just want this thing snow ready for this big storm coming tonight. I've been waiting to get a good ride on this for 2 years and I'm hoping tomorrow is it!

I also noticed today I lost my speedo, the cable is not turning. Are these available new anywhere? Or even worse my speedo drive may have failed?

As for Royal distributing, that store has nothing listed for the liquifire. They used to have a lot of parts at one time but they have dropped everything.

[JoeRainville]

Moto,

You can use the Trailfire secondary, but I would switch to the LF 44 deg helix. Speedo failure could be the angle drive, the spring pin in the drive axle or most likely a drive axle bearing has gone out on that side. There are lots of NOS Trailfire speedo kits around, and they have the same parts as your LF set up.

-Joe

[ljm]

Royal does not have a chain listed for a Liquifire

But the chains are almost all the same. Pick the pitch and the number of plates you want and go.

[ljm]

I would check the bearing on the left end of the drive axle. That could be the source of your noise and the cause of your speedo drive breaking

[motoXman]

I just went out and tried to see if I could feel any play in the drive, it's tight. The suspension and bearings were gone through about 150 kms ago. I will order a chain this week. Is the speedo drive cable available anywhere? Does everyone have there sleds ready for this winter storm?? We don't get much snow here so this should be the first real snow for me.

[That Girl Racing]

Usually it is the short stub shaft that goes between the right angle drive and driveshaft that fails. Most of the time a failed drive shaft bearing causes it.

[JDT]

Matt has this part, Speedo drive key, on NBP for cheap..

[Matt]

I can special order whatever size chain & gears are needed as well.