1972 - 400 questions

[rtraut1964]

1. What type of seat cover was on the original ? smooth or pleated

2. Did the original skis have shocks ?

3. Was the original grab bar on the back black or chrome ?

Thank you

[JoeRainville]

Not sure about the seat, but I think it was pleated? (Guys let me know if I am full of it...)
Ski's did not have shocks.
The 72 400 grab bar was black, the 500 was chrome.

I hope this helps,
-Joe

[80spitfire]

Rainville is correct. The seat isn't like a sewn in pleat though it's more of a molded pleat. But still a pleat nonetheless!

-Brian

[JD600]

All Deere seats were a one-piece vacuum formed seat. the 72's did have a pattern in the top portion of the seat though.

DE

[JoeRainville]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for adding info about the seat. One thing Dustin, the 73 JDX-4 had a flat, stitched seat from the factory. And if memory serves me right, early Tralifire seats had stitched seats that were otherwise smooth.

-Joe

[400brian]

The 73 X4 and the 300s had the smooth stitched seam seat. No hump at the rear, and the cover was not bonded to the foam.

The 72 seat appears the same as the rest with the hump at the rear, it had the molded-in lines across the seat.
However, the 72 seat is unique in that it has a smaller opening at the rear for the unique 72 tail light, and the 72 didn't use clips at the front to retain the seat. The 72 seat is held on by 1/4" screws, two in front, two in back.

[JD600]

Thanks for the corrections guys. i forgot about those little steel tunnel abortions, and i haven't aquired the 300 to complete the '75 set yet. its the only one i'm missing....

DE

[rtraut1964]

Thanks for the information

Is it possible to find or have an original seat cover made ?
estimated cost for a cover ?

Looking for a good kill switch cover & light switch cover ( Rubber covers )

Thanks

[JDT]

Any relation to the Traut Bros from Motley?

[rtraut1964]

Not sure, Most of the relation is in the St. Cloud, MN area. One never knows