Rupp Collector
Active member
Mine is a 75 with a 440. Actually picked it up in Iowa along with a 76 250cc Snowtwister. For not being Rupp's they're both very neat.
Kawa-Bunga! A Project Sled for 27
- Thread starter skiroule
- Start date
mezz
Well-known member
A little bit of information I just stumbled across regarding Kawasaki. They apparently abruptly ended their snowmobile program in 1982 after their prototype sleds were being reviewed by Snowwest. They were to introduce the Invader 440 fan cooled when they decided to stop production. Here is an ad that never came to be, too bad the good times ended there.
skiroule
Well-known member
A 440 Brut and a Snowtwister in one shot is an impressive score. "For not being Rupp's", I like how you think.
Yes, it's interesting how quickly some of these companies ended their run and the timing of the decision. When they were out, they were out. Chaparral did a similar thing in that the production line was set up for the 75 models when corporate turned out the lights.
My plan is to use something close to the color of the sled in the ad and the graphics are available. Very sharp combination.
skiroule
Well-known member
Small Town (Friday) Night 
Probable overkill on the detail here but I thought it necessary.
With the hood repair work finished, it was time to sand off most of the spray-can paint job. Don’t get me wrong, you can do some amazing work with spray cans these days. This hood job was not one of those jobs and the color choice didn’t help.
I was never a fan of the plastic hood vent, thought it kind of clunky and it didn’t fit well. So, I decided to go with the old tried and true frame and hex screen vent concept, which is much thinner and less bulky looking. First step was to make a template of the opening, using the proper template material.
Then, using the old frame as a pattern, cut the outside of the frame out of a sheet of aluminum. Finally, “carefully” mark the opening, adjusting the cut marks to allow for a lip for fastening the screen.
I’m not sure how it happens, but it eventually comes out looking like a frame.
This is the finished product. The frame will be painted to match the hood, giving it a more integrated look. All that for a little vent cover.
Probable overkill on the detail here but I thought it necessary.
With the hood repair work finished, it was time to sand off most of the spray-can paint job. Don’t get me wrong, you can do some amazing work with spray cans these days. This hood job was not one of those jobs and the color choice didn’t help.
I was never a fan of the plastic hood vent, thought it kind of clunky and it didn’t fit well. So, I decided to go with the old tried and true frame and hex screen vent concept, which is much thinner and less bulky looking. First step was to make a template of the opening, using the proper template material.
Then, using the old frame as a pattern, cut the outside of the frame out of a sheet of aluminum. Finally, “carefully” mark the opening, adjusting the cut marks to allow for a lip for fastening the screen.
I’m not sure how it happens, but it eventually comes out looking like a frame.
This is the finished product. The frame will be painted to match the hood, giving it a more integrated look. All that for a little vent cover.
X1000!!You knew it was going to come out looking nice having the Hamms box as a template. As always, Thank you for the detail and pictures!
skiroule
Well-known member
The water jet/CNC guys are probably looking at this and chuckling a bit. I suspect they could knock this out in about 5 minutes, but I guess I'm stubborn and like to do things myself when I can. I figure there's always something to be learned. Besides, I'm retired after all and supposed to have all the time in the world 
. Who came up with that idea? Wrong!
I was lucky on the last two projects and didn't have to outsource any work so I only had myself to answer to when it came to getting things done. My hope is that will be the case with the Kawasaki.
. Who came up with that idea? Wrong!I was lucky on the last two projects and didn't have to outsource any work so I only had myself to answer to when it came to getting things done. My hope is that will be the case with the Kawasaki.
skiroule
Well-known member
This is what I love about the vintage sledding world. Had a great conversation today with the guy that bought the 250 TX. Even though I’ve never met the guy in person, he had a friend from Roseau (a test rider for Polaris) pick up the sled, we’ve become good friends.
On a loosely related note, today I managed score a 1980 Kawasaki Drifter 340 Free Air. This was a one-year build sled and one of the last free air sleds. Very cool sled. A nice young fellow agreed to all of my sale conditions and I’ll be picking it up later this summer.
Hoping to start this project next spring and have it completed in time to ride it in the 2028 riding season. Look for full project details on SnowTrailsUSA!
On a loosely related note, today I managed score a 1980 Kawasaki Drifter 340 Free Air. This was a one-year build sled and one of the last free air sleds. Very cool sled. A nice young fellow agreed to all of my sale conditions and I’ll be picking it up later this summer.
Hoping to start this project next spring and have it completed in time to ride it in the 2028 riding season. Look for full project details on SnowTrailsUSA!
Cant say I have EVER seen one of those! has the looks of multiple Kawasaki models all wound up in one. What I also find cool is for all the barn finds people happen to by chance come across.... how many are still out there to be found? and at same time surprising that they are still out there. I enjoy taking back roads whenever possible, enjoy all the small towns, old buildings, old family farms and roaming antique stores as my wife and I are avid antique collectors, but what intrigues me more is what's behind those old barn or buildings doors. Pretty cool Kelly! nice find! looking forward to witnessing its resurrection! without resurrectionists like yourself these things would likely end up in the junk and or forgotten about.
mezz
Well-known member
That appears to be in pretty nice condition. Nice find!
skiroule
Well-known member
"Multiple models rolled into one" is almost a perfect description. It's so goofy looking, it's cool. It continues to amaze me that these things just seem to fall into my lap when I least expect it. A guy that wasn't even selling it shared the ad because it was a Kawasaki and close to where he lived. Hadn't really decided what I might try to get for another project but when I saw it, I said "That's it!"
In spite of all the people out there scouring the countryside for vintage sleds, I agree that there are many still undiscovered gems gathering dust in garages, barns, and sheds. After all, they built hundreds of thousands of them back in the day.
It's pretty dang nice for the price. Supposedly has new paint and graphics on the hood. Guess I'll be the judge when I see it in person and can decide if it's up to the standards of a master painter such as myself. According to the seller, motor may need to be resealed and I'm thinking it may also need a center seal. Seat is cool, very much a racing style seat. I'm sure it will need some foam work and I've already ordered a seat cover just so I have it in inventory.
In spite of all the people out there scouring the countryside for vintage sleds, I agree that there are many still undiscovered gems gathering dust in garages, barns, and sheds. After all, they built hundreds of thousands of them back in the day.
That appears to be in pretty nice condition. Nice find!
It's pretty dang nice for the price. Supposedly has new paint and graphics on the hood. Guess I'll be the judge when I see it in person and can decide if it's up to the standards of a master painter such as myself
. According to the seller, motor may need to be resealed and I'm thinking it may also need a center seal. Seat is cool, very much a racing style seat. I'm sure it will need some foam work and I've already ordered a seat cover just so I have it in inventory.