The restoration of a John Deere legend COMPLETED

This is where you can post the story & photos of your John Deere Snowmobile project.
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80spitfire
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Joined: Tue Aug 31, 2010 6:59 pm
Real Name: Brian Kottke
Location: Southern Minnesota

Re: The restoration of a John Deere legend UPDATED

Post by 80spitfire »

nick80lf wrote:Looks great but.....are you sure it's done......where's the pin striping? LOL

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Look at the top of the hood and the numbers on the sides it's all there :) The sled never had a whole bunch of striping so I just replicated what it had.

-Brian
72' 500 Restored
74' 295/S Unrestored
75' 340/S Rider
76' Liquidator Restored
77' Liquifire Rider
80' Spitfire Restored
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JoeRainville
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Real Name: "John Deere Joe"
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
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Re: The restoration of a John Deere legend UPDATED

Post by JoeRainville »

Congrats and well done Brian. She looks like a beauty! You patience and persistence really paid off turning the rough beast you started with into a show worthy work of art. Enjoy it, but be careful with those darn twist throttles. They do not return to idle automatically and can be a bit of a handful.

-Joe
Honorary Tech Editor

Chuck Norris doesn't get frost bite. He bites the frost.
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nick80lf
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Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2010 10:45 pm
Real Name: Nick
Location: The snow free zone of Ohio

Re: The restoration of a John Deere legend UPDATED

Post by nick80lf »

80spitfire wrote:
nick80lf wrote:Looks great but.....are you sure it's done......where's the pin striping? LOL

Sent from my Motorola RAZR MAXX using Tapatalk
Look at the top of the hood and the numbers on the sides it's all there :) The sled never had a whole bunch of striping so I just replicated what it had.

-Brian

After looking again I do see it. Again looks great.

Sent from my Motorola RAZR MAXX using Tapatalk
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)
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80spitfire
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Joined: Tue Aug 31, 2010 6:59 pm
Real Name: Brian Kottke
Location: Southern Minnesota

Re: The restoration of a John Deere legend UPDATED

Post by 80spitfire »

I didn't have a chance to take a picture and post it Saturday night because I literally finished the sled at about midnight and I had to wake up early to get it to the show the next morning. Then my phone was dead when I got stranded in the blizzard at Waconia so I couldn't post any then either! lol Anyways, the Dator is officially finished and has been to its first show. It almost brought a tear to my eye seeing the sled back on snow after 25 years of sitting in a barn feeling forgotten. To top it off the sled even finished third place in the 74 and newer restored race class! Both my other Deere restorations also placed in their class which made me one proud papa of my sleds. Thanks everyone for being here and watching the restoration. I really appreciate all the words of encouragement throughout the restoration and also the kind words about the after pictures. I know at least a few of you guys got to see the sled yesterday at the show and I hope more of you will get to see it in the future years. With all that being said, here are the final after pictures of the sled.

Thanks,
Brian

ImageImageImage
72' 500 Restored
74' 295/S Unrestored
75' 340/S Rider
76' Liquidator Restored
77' Liquifire Rider
80' Spitfire Restored
JDT
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Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2007 1:00 am
Real Name: Todd
Location: Milbank South Dakota

Re: The restoration of a John Deere legend COMPLETED

Post by JDT »

Congradulations Brian.

I see you and the Dator are in good company. Twister, SSX, Bullwhip, Starfire... But what's up with that Raider?

So what is the featured marque next year?
Todd Schrupp

Milbank SD
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80spitfire
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Joined: Tue Aug 31, 2010 6:59 pm
Real Name: Brian Kottke
Location: Southern Minnesota

Re: The restoration of a John Deere legend COMPLETED

Post by 80spitfire »

Thanks Todd! I wondered the same thing with that Raider! The theme next year is Minnesota Icons which will feature both Minnesota made sleds Cat and Polaris. Should be pretty cool!

-Brian
72' 500 Restored
74' 295/S Unrestored
75' 340/S Rider
76' Liquidator Restored
77' Liquifire Rider
80' Spitfire Restored
JDT
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Real Name: Todd
Location: Milbank South Dakota

Re: The restoration of a John Deere legend COMPLETED

Post by JDT »

Seams I read somewhere that there were 43 brands of sleds built in MN back in the day.

What about all the orphans?
Todd Schrupp

Milbank SD
TASKY
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Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2005 1:00 am
Location: Duluth MN

Re: The restoration of a John Deere legend COMPLETED

Post by TASKY »

Brian to place anywhere at the Show of Shows is something to be proud of. You had the toughest competition that sled will most likely ever see. I will tell you guys personally pictures do not do this sled justice.
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80spitfire
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Real Name: Brian Kottke
Location: Southern Minnesota

Re: The restoration of a John Deere legend COMPLETED

Post by 80spitfire »

Wow Todd I had no clue there were that many built here! I knew there were more than two, but not quite that many.

Thanks for the kind words about the sled Tasky. I would completely agree that that was probably the toughest competition that sled will ever see. That is one tough class! I'm sure the Dator could wipe the floor with those RXL's in the ditch at least :bonk:

-Brian
72' 500 Restored
74' 295/S Unrestored
75' 340/S Rider
76' Liquidator Restored
77' Liquifire Rider
80' Spitfire Restored
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