Chaparral vs John Deere: A Build-Off Challenge

[skiroule]

While it’s New Years eve, I thought the real celebration would be the completion of both sleds but the Chaparral didn’t cooperate.

The SSX was missing the rear shock when I bought it and on a lot of vintage sleds this wouldn’t normally be a big deal but on the this sled, it’s a coil over unit that provides some of the spring loading. Crack the throttle without it and the lack of ski pressure will make you a wheelie legend.

I wasn’t too concerned because I thought I had a line on a stock shock and lower mounting shaft but a week or so ago that deal fell through. The only realistic solution was to try to come up with an alternative shock and mounting setup.

Finding a shock with the right length (ride height) and spring load has been trial and mostly error. I’m basically winging it here since I have no idea of the original shock characteristics, other than a rough length estimate. The first two choices I ordered weren’t right but I’m hoping the third one that should arrive sometime late next week will work.

Originally, I thought the suspension was in good enough shape to leave as is but you know me. Since I had to pull it, I figured I might as well tear it down, do a little cleaning/painting and grease things up.



Anyway, Happy New Year everyone

 

[mezz]

Happy New Year to you too.

 

[skiroule]

New Year’s Day fun.

With the Cyclone only needing a few minor wiring bugs worked out and the Chap waiting for a shock, it seemed only natural that I find another sled to mess with.

You probably remember this gem from last fall. I dragged it into the shop today, put a fuel line on it, and fired it up. After fixing a carb fuel leak, it was time for a few rips through the neighborhood, leaving a trail of tunnel mouse nests and other assorted crap.

I love this sled. It’s not much to look at but it rides really nice and the oil injected 440 winds up pretty good when you get on the throttle. Maybe it has some potential after all.

 

[skiroule]

The rear shock that I hoped to use on the Chaparral arrived yesterday. I guess the third try was the ticket, the length was perfect so it was time to get serious about getting it mounted.

I needed to come up with a lower mounting shaft and I decided to keep it simple. A half-inch grade 8 bolt, flange bushings, some heavy aluminum pipe, and various steel and rubber washers.

I did have to drill out the bushings on the shock to ½ inch to handle the bolts, then made some shaft spacers out of the aluminum pipe, and laid everything out for assembly.



The shock is really for a Harley Davidson motorcycle and it’s probably still a little stiff but it should be fine. I did have to mount it upside down so it would clear the upper track idler shaft. I don’t think the shock knows it’s upside down.

 

[garageguy]

Hope the shock won't drip oil.

 

[euphoric1]

curious... how were you able to find that shock? painstaking research on shock lengths? It also amazes me how quickly you are able to locate parts you need on these resto projects or how quickly you are able to adapt things and make them work whether its aesthetics or mechanical components.

 

[mezz]

Amazing, where there is a will there is a way. That shock should last forever.

 

[skiroule]

Hope the shock won't drip oil.

If the seal is doing its job, it shouldn’t be a problem, or I could just store the sled upside down.

curious... how were you able to find that shock? painstaking research on shock lengths? It also amazes me how quickly you are able to locate parts you need on these resto projects or how quickly you are able to adapt things and make them work whether its aesthetics or mechanical components.

Believe me, sometimes it takes several tries. I figured that a new, motorcycle shock would be easier to find, since there is a wide variety of options and the specs are usually available. I had three major factors to consider: Max load, “ride height” length, and eyelet size.

It was hard to get an accurate length measurement with the skid in the sled and I should have waited until I had it out but haste makes waste, which is partly why the first two weren’t right. Also, I overestimated the amount of max load I could use. So in the spirit of Goldilocks and the three bears, the first shock was way too stiff, the second was too long, and the third was just about right.

I finally found the Harley Davidson shock that had a length of 10.5 inches and a max load of 110 kg (about 242 lbs.).

I figured that no matter what, I’d have to modify the shock eyelets because the motorcycle shock eyelets seem to be usually metric so I wanted a shock that I could drill the eyelets out to 1/2” rather than try to use some kind of conversion bushing. So the 11mm eyelets on the Harley shock would work. Drill those out to 1/2”, reduce the 5/8” mounting eyelets on the skid to 1/2” with brass flange bushings. Done.

By now, you’re probably sorry you asked the question

 

[euphoric1]

If the seal is doing its job, it shouldn’t be a problem, or I could just store the sled upside down.


Believe me, sometimes it takes several tries. I figured that a new, motorcycle shock would be easier to find, since there is a wide variety of options and the specs are usually available. I had three major factors to consider: Max load, “ride height” length, and eyelet size.

It was hard to get an accurate length measurement with the skid in the sled and I should have waited until I had it out but haste makes waste, which is partly why the first two weren’t right. Also, I overestimated the amount of max load I could use. So in the spirit of Goldilocks and the three bears, the first shock was way too stiff, the second was too long, and the third was just about right.

I finally found the Harley Davidson shock that had a length of 10.5 inches and a max load of 110 kg (about 242 lbs.).

I figured that no matter what, I’d have to modify the shock eyelets because the motorcycle shock eyelets seem to be usually metric so I wanted a shock that I could drill the eyelets out to 1/2” rather than try to use some kind of conversion bushing. So the 11mm eyelets on the Harley shock would work. Drill those out to 1/2”, reduce the 5/8” mounting eyelets on the skid to 1/2” with brass flange bushings. Done.

By now, you’re probably sorry you asked the question

not at all

 

[heckler56]

With the shock upside down, is that a cup that will collect debris? (Asking for a friend )

 

[skiroule]

With the shock upside down, is that a cup that will collect debris? (Asking for a friend )

There’s always one in the family.

As Sparky’s father-in-law said in Christmas Vacation: “The little lights are not twinkling.” To which Sparky says: “I know Art, and thanks for noticing.”

That thought did occur to me. So yes, it most likely will collect snow, ice, and debris but it’s not a moving part. I suppose it could freeze the coils enclosed in the cup in a block of ice but this shock only has 2.3622” of compression so I probably wouldn’t be losing much.

Sleds are close and running great. Hoping I can fire off an update late tomorrow.

 

[heckler56]

There’s always one in the family.

As Sparky’s father-in-law said in Christmas Vacation: “The little lights are not twinkling.” To which Sparky says: “I know Art, and thanks for noticing.”

That thought did occur to me. So yes, it most likely will collect snow, ice, and debris but it’s not a moving part. I suppose it could freeze the coils enclosed in the cup in a block of ice but this shock only has 2.3622” of compression so I probably wouldn’t be losing much.

Sleds are close and running great. Hoping I can fire off an update late tomorrow.

Sorry, the question is a flashback of my career asking “what if”. 8 years into retirement just can’t turn it off . Also kind of my life’s karma, “if it could happen - it will”. It takes me 25 minutes to go across town because I will get every red light.

 

[skiroule]

As much as I enjoy the challenge of building these vintage sleds, it seems like there always comes a point at which you’re ready for them to be finished but there is still some work to be done.

Fortunately, the day that they are finished does come and that’s where we’re at with this year’s project sleds: The John Deere Cyclone and the Chaparral SSX. They are ready to go.

Now comes the fun part. The assignment for you out there is to decide which sled you like better. Disregarding the factors that went into the builds (cost, time, effort, etc.), just look at them from the perspective that if you could take one home, which one would it be. Really looking forward to your opinions.

 

[mezz]

Both are gorgeous, nicely done! I like them both, but, of the two, I would have to choose the Chaparral. There is just something about that sled that really appeals to me, the overall design of it not to mention the color. These sleds were really ahead of their time when they were new & still have that look to them today.

 

[rp7x]

are any of them rentals for the ride at omars ? lol