Well, I got to take my first maiden ride w/ my 1980 JD Sportfire 440 I recently bought from Don Amber. This is the same sled I've been bugging you guys' with all the questions around here lately, as I've been working on it for the last week to dial it in - fine tune it just the way I like it.
I named her Wilma... She's a blast!
We rode for approx. 33 miles and Wilma ran flawlessly all day! I got to take her through wooded trails, open field trails and then to some flat-out, smooth-as-glass flat track trails where I could really open this sucker up to stretch her legs- just see what she's made of.. She pulls hard to redline and lifts the skis lightly, to where once she makes the shift.....get the Hell out of the way, 'cause she's commin' on FAST!!!!
Wow, is this vintage sled fun to ride! Around 57 MPH or so on the flat-track, I called uncle; but she was still accelerating hard and willing to go faster. Even though she wanted to go farther/faster, I really didn't feel the need to work her that hard at her age- she proved her point! Plus, she hadn't really seen the light of day in 20+ years and she needed a "shake-down" ride to brush the cob-webs out.
I've got her back in the shop for a post-ride inspection and adjustments this week and it's back off to the trails this coming weekend at our local Vintage Sled Ride put on by Don Amber and the great guys in Hoagland, IN.
Anyway, we had a great time and Wilma still performs as sexy as she did when new! I'm very proud of that machine and its JD engineering to stand the test of time by performing this good **29 YEARS** after she was first minted!
Cheers!
PJ
First long ride w/ the Sportfire!
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- Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana
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First long ride w/ the Sportfire!
That's great, how about some pics.
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- Posts: 221
- Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 1:00 am
- Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana
First long ride w/ the Sportfire!
Sure, here are 5 of them I have. :-)
pj
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pj
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First long ride w/ the Sportfire!
Nice shop!
Scott Kyle,
Liquifire: 77 (440) (2), 600: 73,74,75
Massey Whirlwind: 76 440 (2)
Mercury Hurricane 644: 72,73
OMC Snowcruiser: 66,68,70
Rupp: 70 34 Sprint
Allouettte Super Brute: 74 (5)
OTC Deere sled dyno
Liquifire: 77 (440) (2), 600: 73,74,75
Massey Whirlwind: 76 440 (2)
Mercury Hurricane 644: 72,73
OMC Snowcruiser: 66,68,70
Rupp: 70 34 Sprint
Allouettte Super Brute: 74 (5)
OTC Deere sled dyno
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- Posts: 221
- Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 1:00 am
- Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana
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- Posts: 221
- Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 1:00 am
- Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana