skiroule
Well-known member
I hope you ‘all are up for one more vintage go-around. I’m probably pushing my luck on whether I can finish this project but what the heck? I guess the worst that can happen is that I don’t get it done and I spend my last years in shame.
I originally thought the title of this thread should be “How to Get Started on a Vintage Sled Project in 10 Years or Less” but it seemed a little wordy.
This latest effort involves my 76 John Deere Cyclone 340 and here’s a bit of history on this sled: Looking at some old photos, I couldn’t believe it has been 10 years since I bought it. I picked the sled up from a guy who lived west of Spooner WI (Mark S. might even know the guy, as he said he lived on or very near a snowmobile trail).
The sled had all the requirements of a true barn find; tucked away in a corner, covered with dust, and the standard cat paw tracks on the hood.
We dragged it out and the fellow said “If I shoot a little gas in the cylinders, it will probably fire right up.” On the first pull, the starter rope handle broke off in his hand, Unfazed, he grabbed the rope stub and gave it another yank. Sure enough, it did fire up.
I think he bought it new and had a sentimental attachment to the sled so he told me to grab it and go before he changed his mind.
After I got it home, I gave it a hose-down and after adding some fresh fuel, it was making a nice cloud of blue smoke.
I had intended to restore it years ago but it seems like it was always taking a back seat to other projects. In the meantime, it has been one of my most reliable vintage riders.
There will be changes made to the sled, some mandatory and some optional, that hopefully will add some interest to the project. As it seems with every project I’ve attempted, this one is starting on a slow roll, but I have set a target completion date of New Year’s Eve 2024. We’ll see how that works out.
I originally thought the title of this thread should be “How to Get Started on a Vintage Sled Project in 10 Years or Less” but it seemed a little wordy.
This latest effort involves my 76 John Deere Cyclone 340 and here’s a bit of history on this sled: Looking at some old photos, I couldn’t believe it has been 10 years since I bought it. I picked the sled up from a guy who lived west of Spooner WI (Mark S. might even know the guy, as he said he lived on or very near a snowmobile trail).
The sled had all the requirements of a true barn find; tucked away in a corner, covered with dust, and the standard cat paw tracks on the hood.
![John_Deere_Cyclone_1.jpg John_Deere_Cyclone_1.jpg](https://johndeeforum.com/data/attachments/32/32279-dab1ea77a920011d2a18f04d198020cf.jpg)
We dragged it out and the fellow said “If I shoot a little gas in the cylinders, it will probably fire right up.” On the first pull, the starter rope handle broke off in his hand, Unfazed, he grabbed the rope stub and gave it another yank. Sure enough, it did fire up.
I think he bought it new and had a sentimental attachment to the sled so he told me to grab it and go before he changed his mind.
After I got it home, I gave it a hose-down and after adding some fresh fuel, it was making a nice cloud of blue smoke.
![DSC_0155_1.jpg DSC_0155_1.jpg](https://johndeeforum.com/data/attachments/32/32280-3f5de2520b294a9b9dae4b745b3364bb.jpg)
![DSC_0158_1.jpg DSC_0158_1.jpg](https://johndeeforum.com/data/attachments/32/32282-7668965a58c9e906556687f7edac1b4f.jpg)
I had intended to restore it years ago but it seems like it was always taking a back seat to other projects. In the meantime, it has been one of my most reliable vintage riders.
There will be changes made to the sled, some mandatory and some optional, that hopefully will add some interest to the project. As it seems with every project I’ve attempted, this one is starting on a slow roll, but I have set a target completion date of New Year’s Eve 2024. We’ll see how that works out.