RJ Carlson sled found

The S Man · Post by **The S Man** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 12:25 am

Everything has a price tag on it, even if they tell you different, it is"just how bad do you want it"!!!

JoeRainville · Post by **JoeRainville** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 7:42 am

Hey Chuck,

After a trip into the "East Beach Warehouse" last night to retrieve a steel Dator suspension, it looks like I could put your chassis together as a complete and correct 78 CC with lots of good used and NOS parts. So I will be willing to take that problem child tunnel off your hands so you don't have to sell your soul looking for all the correct parts.

Just trying to help you out, LOL! Really though, I will try to box up the parts I can spare. Watersboy also has a rough but complete 78 440 LF with a locked motor. I will see if he wants to part with it, as I would kind of like the aluminum suspension. I think there are at least 3 members on the board with extra CC suspensions, so your chances of obtaining one look pretty good.

-Rainville

Post by **ICCSF 108** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 10:49 pm

Chuck are you not reading this or not interested??

Kenny

I500 · Post by **I500** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 5:22 pm

After reading all the replys and the phone calls looking to help me out I am overwhelmed. This sled will definatly live again and it has got me so excited that i almost wet myself.

Joe if you could drag that 78 back west on your next adventure that would be awesome. Kenny, I am most very interested in that suspension and parts. Anybody have a seat foam? I said it before, You guys are the greatest. THANKS THANKS

Attachments:

Post by **JRC ETD** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 8:01 pm

I would be happy to send any piece to Dad and have him sign it and write a note about 1978, he pulled me aside at 10:00PM as I walked into the Winnepeg award presentation in Bloomington MN. I arrived late as Polaris protested my team of Jerome Kretzman, Jim Reyberger and our #58 sled in tear down and lost 8 items of protest on my CC Liquifire winning 4th place delaying us to the trophy and check. I was still in my leathers after 600 miles and 4 straight day of racing. My bride of 3 months, Jan was with me as well as Jerome and Jim. Dad gathered us in a circle and told us we were so very close and it was ours to clinch, but not today! He knew that this was my last Winnepeg and I would retire not having reached my goal although it was time to move on and get serious about a a career more sustainable. He then pulled me aside alone as I was starting to strip of 4 days of race gear off and said " You and Ron Reimer did all you could with the equipment you had: never look back, your racing peers, Deere enginneers and marketing people, dealers and branch personal will reward the company for a long time with these results" JRC ETD

I500 · Post by **I500** » Sun Nov 02, 2008 10:30 am

Very good info Jon. Always believed it is important for the history of these great racers and machines to be shared. Vintage sleds are a small but determined group to keep the memories alive. Past Cross Country racers have often complained about spectators standing in the drive lanes during the race, I know first hand as i was one of these kids. Almost got hit a few times but that was just my courosity. i was there . 30 years later and im, still interested and have questions.

The hood for this liquifire has also ben found. More bundgy cords, The 340 removed with the word Deere in its place and wire lath over the headlight . Have to wonder where this sled has been. Any ideas?

Thanks
Chuck

Post by **JRC ETD** » Sun Nov 02, 2008 11:04 am

Yes! It's my Balsam Lake Racer, ND Governers Cup, and practice sled! The registration must have ended up in dad's name! It had duel fill tanks for Balsam and we cut the track for speed, great find! I did the large Deere lettering with white die cut. Terrific find! Jon

Post by **JRC ETD** » Sun Nov 02, 2008 11:08 am

I guess the thread title has to change now, flip the R and J!!! Exciting! I'll dig for pictures, and have a full, perfect CC for doner!

JoeRainville · Post by **JoeRainville** » Sun Nov 02, 2008 11:49 am

Chuck,

You DOG! That sled find just keeps getting better. Contrats. OK, I am now feeling guilted into helping to supply you with parts. I will starting putting together a care package for your sled. See you the weekend of November 14th-16th.

Jon,

Any way to tell if my 78 CC was ever raced by the S/N considering it's known history?

-Rainville

I500 · Post by **I500** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 12:52 pm

Great info Jon.. It would be very nice to see the pics. so i wish you the best of luck on that one. I know that was 30 years ago and things get altered, changed or lost through the years but somebody took a torch to this sled and removed the steering and gauge support. Was this done to install the dual tank or did it get butchered up through the years?
When you say dual tank are we talking about the 340/s dual? When i first saw this tunnel i did think about this as the location of one of the bundgy cords.

For each question answered it get replaced by a few more. Sorry

Joe .. Hope this care package is a big one. Going to need a little help on this one.

Thanks Guys

Post by **JRC ETD** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 1:53 pm

Chuck.....Check your PM, I've got you covered! I hope the Jeromes 340's dual fill set up was later modified by someone else as the installation first class when he did it. No worries on questions....what fun! Jon

HoosierDeereMan · Post by **HoosierDeereMan** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:13 pm

Jon,

Is this a photo of the sled Chuck just found?

Attachments:

Jon_Carlsons_340_Liquifier.jpg (157.82 KB)

Post by **JRC ETD** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 4:21 pm

Nope.....1978 CC...close though!

ekvallcr · Post by **ekvallcr** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 5:31 pm

I'll try to post a picture of the hood later tonight.

Post by **JRC ETD** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 8:23 pm

Craig...looking forward to it, I will comment as soon as I see it! JRC