1980 Liquifire Project

[johnnycyclone]

Wow it's hard to believe its been 7 months since I touched this project, but were ready to get back on this thing, and maybe it might make it to the Toledo show this year. Yea, I know, that's what I said last year.

Ordered some parts for the suspension this week, so I can finally finish that up and get the track under it. While I'm waiting on those, I brought the hood into the shop so I can start prepping it for paint. Over all it's in excellent shape, only one area that needs repair, the right rear corner has a pretty nice crack in it, so we will get that repaired and then finish prepping for paint.

I am looking for a set of bumper bolts, I can't find the ones that came off the sled, so if anyone has a set let me know.

We hope to keep steady progress on this one now until it's finished.

Terre

[johnnycyclone]

Work continues on the hood, in the meantime the final part I needed to finish up the suspension came in, so that is finally done. I ran into a little problem over the weekend when I tried to install the shock. The shock mounting holes on the upper arm were oblong, so I had to cut out some metal, weld some in and re-drill the holes. It turned out good and now I don't have any extra play in the shock. Now we can see if we can get the track under it this weekend.

[cledussnow77]

Looking good Terre, keep the pics coming . You know we love pics on here .

[johnnycyclone]

Did a little more work on the hood today, not ready to paint yet, but hopefully next weekend. Worked on prepping some more parts, chaincase, drivers, and the jackshaft. Getting ready to put the track in maybe this week if I can get out in the garage some. Finished up the day by installing hand warmers and some of the controls. Just got the one pic for today, more later.....Terre

Has anyone come up with the material used to line the bottom of the tool box, on the fire series sleds? If not I will have to look into that, it must be some kind of foam?

Yes, I know, I need a new fuel gauge. As soon as I sell some parts I will be placing an order with New Breed Parts for one.

[johnnycyclone]

Work continues, a little slow, but it's still forward progress. Got the cracks in the hood repaired, wet sanded and it's first coat of primer. I have a few minor imperfections to address, then more primer, block sanding and then ready for paint. I think I'm about 2 weeks out on painting, mainly because I will be out of town most of next weekend. So not much to see, just the hood in primer.

[johnnycyclone]

Another short update. Track, and suspension are in. Still working on the hood getting ready for paint. Stay tuned for more later.

[johnnycyclone]

Had a request today for another update on the project, and not much has been done. I have been busy parting out a Jet ski and doing some house projects. I did purchase a secondary for it this past week, which takes one more part of the list of needed parts. I guess I am being pretty anal on the hood, and I am still working on some of the minor imperfections. But the paint job will only be as good as the prep work so I want to be perfect. The goal this week is to finish it up, and paint on Saturday, so we will see how that one goes. Check back on Sunday and hopefully we will have the hood in black.....Terre

We also sold a few parts this weekend, so we turned around and promptly spent it. Isn't that what we all do? I have a new gas cap coming and some of Matt's new suspension bearings, thanks to New Breed Parts.

[johnnycyclone]

The new cap arrived from New Breed Parts, along with 2 sets of suspension bearings, thanks Matt. Not much to see this week, just another picture of the hood in primer. This time though it's finally done and ready for paint. We are hoping to have it covered in black by this weekend, the weather still looks good for painted, so I need to get this part done. Look for an update at the end of this weekend.

[johnnycyclone]

Well, time for another update on the project. The first two pics show what happens when you forget something. In my haste to get the suspension in along with the track I forgot the fasteners for the tail light wiring and the oil line. So out came the suspension, track and drive shaft. As you can see the wiring and the oil line are now secured, so they won't be rubbing on the jack shaft. This also gave me the opportunity to install Matt's new front spring bearings, and they fit like the originals, great job Matt. So the drive shaft, track and suspension are back in the sled.

[johnnycyclone]

Next up is the jack shaft, and secondary clutch. I ended having to buy these, as I didn't have any here. I disassembled the secondary and have the parts, along with a couple of starter covers and the brake arm at the platers getting renewed. I should have them back this Friday. The jack shaft was stripped, repainted and has been installed with the, brake disc, and chain case. The gears have also been installed, but I still need to get the bottom gear shimmed, chain installed, and the tensioner installed. I also need a gasket, so I will be putting another order in with New Breed Parts soon.

[johnnycyclone]

Finally, the hood has some color, along with some clear. It looks pretty good, but it will be wet sanded smooth and buffed out before applying the decals and the rest of the trim.

[smitfire]

Nothing looks better than a fresh painted black hood. Nice work, the chain case sticks out to me too!

[JDT]

Ditto on that. Looks mighty fine indeed.

[johnnycyclone]

Nothing looks better than a fresh painted black hood. Nice work, the chain case sticks out to me too!

I like the look of the chain case in black with the contrasting aluminum fins. I think it looks pretty cool, and if it gets dirty you can easily clean it. With bead blasted aluminum, it can still get dirty and you can't clean it as easy.

[johnnycyclone]

Small update. I spent about an hour in the garage after work and polished up the brake cable bracket. I installed the brake pads, caliper and bracket. That's probably it for the week, I doubt I will get back to it until the weekend. Enjoy the pic.....Terre