First long ride w/ the Sportfire!

General topics related to John Deere Snowmobiles
Post Reply
pj sportfire
Posts: 221
Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 1:00 am
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana

First long ride w/ the Sportfire!

Post by pj sportfire »

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! :cool:

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!!!! :sled:

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. :smile:

Anyway, we had a great time and Wilma still performs as sexy as she did when new! :whistle: 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
crash
Posts: 38
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:00 am
Location: St. Joseph, MO ( I ride in Shell Lake, WI )

First long ride w/ the Sportfire!

Post by crash »

That's great, how about some pics.
pj sportfire
Posts: 221
Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 1:00 am
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana

First long ride w/ the Sportfire!

Post by pj sportfire »

Sure, here are 5 of them I have. :-)

pj

Attachments:
S_Kyle
Posts: 1351
Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2007 1:00 am
Real Name: Scott Kyle
Location: Roland Manitoba

First long ride w/ the Sportfire!

Post by S_Kyle »

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
pj sportfire
Posts: 221
Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 1:00 am
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana

First long ride w/ the Sportfire!

Post by pj sportfire »

A couple more. :-)

Attachments:
pj sportfire
Posts: 221
Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 1:00 am
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana

First long ride w/ the Sportfire!

Post by pj sportfire »

Last one. :-)

Attachments:
Post Reply