jdsleds.com -> Racing -> 1973 500 Factory Racer
   (Click on the images for a larger version)
 
    Photo credit: Race & Rally/SnowTech Magazine
    In fall of 1972, Deere VP Robert Carlson recognized that to sell snowmobiles, they must be proven at the races.  He chose cross-country racing, to prove that the company's long standing tradition of building tough, reliable equipment is being upheld in their new line of snowmobiles.  The John Deere factory race team was assembled.  The engineers teamed up with drivers and mechanics representing dealerships across the snow belt.  They knew it would be a challenge, and it was.  The result was a new strategy that that would lead team Deere to win the Winnipeg-St. Paul International 500 only 3 years later.

    As of the writing of this article, this 1973 500 is the only known survivor of the first race team.  It was built by Ed Kruel and raced by John Orvis in the I-500 in 1973, number 263.  Twelve machines were built like this one.  Only two JD machines finished that race.  John Orvis in 52nd place, and Jeff Larkin in 42nd place on a JDX4.
   
    You will see many features on this machine that went on to the limited production 295/S such as the dual Mikuni carburetors, CDI ignition, and aluminum bumper.  In 1973, the I500 race instituted the 300cc limit.  Deere's only 295cc at the time was a Kohler in the JDX4, which had only been proven in testing and not in the field.  Instead, the team started with a model 500, with it's 440cc CCW, and re-sleeved it down to 295cc.  This would give them a strong power plant that would be able to handle the extra performance upgrades, and survive the long, difficult race.  

    Many other modifications were made to these machines to make the long distance runs, and make the driver as comfortable as possible in the frozen conditions.  Most of these changes were also carried over to the factory team 295/S.

Fuel: The original 5-gallon fuel tank was cut in half and raised to accommodate 6 gallons.  This required cutting the grill fuel door to make clearance for the fuel gauge and cap.  A second fuel tank was installed in the belly pan, where the exhaust normally is in the 500.  A transfer pipe connected them.  The center of the belly pan was removable and reinforced to install the second tank.  A plastic gas can was also carried strapped to the console.
Controls: A twist-grip throttle and handlebar warmers to avoid rider fatigue. 
Rear Trunk: The trunk contains a spare parts box, and covers a set of springs for the seat suspension.
Running boards: Raised foot rests, stirrups, and rivets for grip were all added to keep the rider in position. 
Exhaust: The tuned pipes were custom built for the factory team and the CCW.  Twelve sets were built, and only three are known to exist currently.  A gauge was mounted on the handlebars to monitor exhaust gas temperature. 

    The rebuild was done by Jim and Steve Tradup.  They would like to thank Jon Carlson & John Orvis for the opprutunity to bring this machine back to life.  It soon be on display at the Snowmobile Hall of Fame in St. Germain, WI. 

    Note that the sled is still 100% original.  It was rebuilt to pre-race condition.  Jim filled the two hood cut-outs with sections from a donor hood, but nothing was repainted and all the lettering and decals are original.  After it's racing career was over, some 295/S parts were installed for general use, which you see in these first pictures:


As found: 1. The original hood with extra cut-outs for cooling and grill removed, sitting on top of a replacement hood. 
2. Seat and tool box still intact.  3. Tool box, with I500 decal still intact.  4. The pipes had been replaced with a 295/S style exhaust.


1. Serial Tag  2. Engine Tag  3. Dual fuel tanks  4. Engine


1. Dual Mikuni carbs  2. Carbs, fuel pump & CDI  3. Salsbury 850 clutch  4. Dual custom exhaust


1-3. Tuned Pipes, note the thermocouples for the dual exhaust gas temp gauge.  4. Fuel Filter


1. Gauges, notice the custom "John Orvis" tach.  The fuse and switch are for hand warmers, tether instead of key. 
2. Exhaust temp gauge  3. Twist grip throttle, kill switch from a '72 model.
  4. Grill cut to fit fuel tank and pipes, note the lack of a headlight - not required at this point.


1. Foot grips, notice the rivets sticking through to grab boots  2. Bogie suspension  3. Additional rear shocks, studded rubber track.


1. Tool Box  2. Opened to show seat springs  3. Spare parts including "Holiday" gas can, Salsbury clutch, belt.  Note the experimental drive belt.  Part number: X999V0156. 4. Custom seat


1. Seat to console cover  2. Hood: notice the large hole and aluminum plate added to make more clearance for the pipes.  The triangle cut-outs are for additional cooling.  3. Power supply for heated goggles.  4. During the rebuild


Also be sure to check out the 1973 race photos from the collection of Ed Kruel, including many pictures of this sled.

Racing  Home