polarisrider1
New member
I'm thinking the poo in the pics. is next! looking great guys.
Make-A-Wish sled restoration project.
- Thread starter snoluver1
- Start date
skiroule
Well-known member
Thanks for the words of encouragement everyone! I know it's helped me dig a little harder on more than one occasion.
And thanks for covering me on the skid, snoluver1. I'll play for your team any day.
It looks like you've put some effort into cleaning up the handlebar pad. If you haven't got too much into it and you're interested, I found one on the last outing that is in a little better shape. It still has some sun stress but no big tears. Maybe your upholstery connection or a thread viewer knows of some kind of vinyl spray that can gloss it up. I used to use something to change the color of vinyl interiors (think it was called Vinyl Bond). Maybe there is something like that still around. Also have an extra tach that I can send just in case the one you have doesn't work.
I seem to end up with this stuff because I just can't pass up what I think are usable parts. I look like a squirrel preparing for winter every time I come out of the yard.
And thanks for covering me on the skid, snoluver1. I'll play for your team any day.
It looks like you've put some effort into cleaning up the handlebar pad. If you haven't got too much into it and you're interested, I found one on the last outing that is in a little better shape. It still has some sun stress but no big tears. Maybe your upholstery connection or a thread viewer knows of some kind of vinyl spray that can gloss it up. I used to use something to change the color of vinyl interiors (think it was called Vinyl Bond). Maybe there is something like that still around. Also have an extra tach that I can send just in case the one you have doesn't work.
I seem to end up with this stuff because I just can't pass up what I think are usable parts. I look like a squirrel preparing for winter every time I come out of the yard.
skiroule
Well-known member
My thought exactly!!
polarisrider1
New member
I never did get back with you. My brother would not part with his Skiroule patch collection. He claims most of them are replicas.
skiroule
Well-known member
Fair enough - I did find a really cool RTX shirt on Ebay. Of course I won't wear it for fear of getting it dirty.
I tell ya Skiroule, when I put that pad on there, I think I threw up in my mouth a little! Even though its better than the one I had, it still just really takes away from the rest of the sled. To compound the problem, its a major focal point which would be hard to ignore when your sitting on the machine.
I also had the thought of asking the upholstery guy if there is anything he can do with it, but I'm not sure there is really anything that can be done.
If you have a better one yet, I would sure like to try it.
Maybe someone can give us some ideas on what we can do with it? Its just the rubber is so deteriorated I don't know that spraying something over it would help any.
I now have the doo, a poo, and a kitty in the garage. I think the next one might have to be a yami--eh?
I also had the thought of asking the upholstery guy if there is anything he can do with it, but I'm not sure there is really anything that can be done.
If you have a better one yet, I would sure like to try it.
Maybe someone can give us some ideas on what we can do with it? Its just the rubber is so deteriorated I don't know that spraying something over it would help any.
I now have the doo, a poo, and a kitty in the garage. I think the next one might have to be a yami--eh?
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Also, with the tach, I noticed the other day that its a little different from my speedo. Mine has a chrome trim ring and is quite a bit thinner than the tach you gave me. I wonder if it would be worth trying to find a matching speedo, or is the second tach you have more in line with what I have?
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phazerpilot
New member
skiroule, if it just suffering from sun fade i can spray it with interior paint we use on dashboards and vinyl trim parts.
skiroule
Well-known member
Tell you what guys, I'll send it down and if anything can be done with it, great. My hunch is that it is too deteriorated and if so, I'm with you on the fact that it looks much better without the pad. After all, a lot of the late models don't worry about hiding the wiring and I really like the chopper style handlebars without any trim.
No squirrel jokes, but I just went out to the shed and I see that I have a matching tach and speedo. These both have gun metal grey trim. They were in one of the hoods I picked up.
No squirrel jokes, but I just went out to the shed and I see that I have a matching tach and speedo. These both have gun metal grey trim. They were in one of the hoods I picked up.
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skiroule
Well-known member
Tachometer & speedometer shipped out today and will get there Thurs. They're actually in pretty good shape - just need a light cleanup. Let's hope they're both functional. I’m not using “speedo” anymore. I know some of you out there were turning purple fighting off the urge to make a comment about me having a “matching speedo”. Not a pretty image.
Took a long look at the handlebar pad this morning and decided it just wasn’t good enough to make it look like new again and that isn’t consistent with everything else on this sled. I’m still voting for the “clean” look with the bare bars. Members, any thoughts?
Hyfax will get there tomorrow. I think I mentioned it but the pre-drilled holes are different on each end. Very important to use the correct set – I’m not saying how I know. I just know.
Took a long look at the handlebar pad this morning and decided it just wasn’t good enough to make it look like new again and that isn’t consistent with everything else on this sled. I’m still voting for the “clean” look with the bare bars. Members, any thoughts?
Hyfax will get there tomorrow. I think I mentioned it but the pre-drilled holes are different on each end. Very important to use the correct set – I’m not saying how I know. I just know.
You guys ROCK !!!!!!! That thing looks amazing !!!.. I looked at the Pic's in the first post and its incredible what you've done to the old girl.
As far as the Handlebar pad.... Leave it off.....But give it to the LUCKY SOB who endss up with that Beauty and let them decide weather or not they want it on.
Nice job Gentlemen !!!!!!!!!!!!...........!!!!!!!!!!!
As far as the Handlebar pad.... Leave it off.....But give it to the LUCKY SOB who endss up with that Beauty and let them decide weather or not they want it on.
Nice job Gentlemen !!!!!!!!!!!!...........!!!!!!!!!!!
I got the skid back in. A little tip for anyone out there that might be headed down this road with a vintage machine, you can NOT get the skid in with the limiter strap hooked up. I finally figured that out after a half a day of messing around, scratching my head, measuring components, and making up new swear words! Once it dawned on me to unbolt the limiter strap, I had the thing mounted in about 10 minutes! Another live and learn moment I guess.
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I also got the rat's nest of wiring straighted out and looking pretty. I went through everything, repaired any problem areas, and got the harness installed.
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I'm really not sure what looked worse, the handle bar pad or the exposed wiring. I noticed when I was doing the tear down, that anywhere the factory used a zip tie, there was a wrap of electrical tape underneath. I did the same, but I'm not sure about the looks. Here is the view from the bars. Let me know what you guys think?
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I also got the rat's nest of wiring straighted out and looking pretty. I went through everything, repaired any problem areas, and got the harness installed.
I'm really not sure what looked worse, the handle bar pad or the exposed wiring. I noticed when I was doing the tear down, that anywhere the factory used a zip tie, there was a wrap of electrical tape underneath. I did the same, but I'm not sure about the looks. Here is the view from the bars. Let me know what you guys think?
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sledboy482
Member
I would stay with it without the pad for now. Who's to say that a pad for this machine won't just drop in your lap sometime? Or in the lap of whoever the lucky new owner is? This machine is really looking great- can't imagine all you guys have been through and learned on this project. This is one you guys c an tell the grand-kids about.
skiroule
Well-known member
Snoluver1, as usual, it's top notch work. It had been a little quiet so I knew you were up to something. The suspension/track setup looks so good.
I hate to rub salt in the wounds but you need to check your email. I think you'll find one in there from a few days back about unhooking the limiter strap
I think the wiring looks fine, but then I'm probably prejudiced. One thing I noticed when you had the hood on is that you can see the gauges so much better with the pad off if you're cruising in easy rider mode.
Won't be long now til' it's on its feet.
I hate to rub salt in the wounds but you need to check your email. I think you'll find one in there from a few days back about unhooking the limiter strap
I think the wiring looks fine, but then I'm probably prejudiced. One thing I noticed when you had the hood on is that you can see the gauges so much better with the pad off if you're cruising in easy rider mode.
Won't be long now til' it's on its feet.
skiroule
Well-known member
I hate to rub salt in the wounds but you need to check your email. I think you'll find one in there from a few days back about unhooking the limiter strap
This is coming from the guy that had the wrong suspension. How soon he forgets.
The one thing that continues to strike me about this sled is the extra effort that is going into making it as close to perfect as possible. I've seen some high-buck restorations this winter and I can't say they have an edge on this sled.
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I hate to rub salt in the wounds but you need to check your email. I think you'll find one in there from a few days back about unhooking the limiter strap
Sorry Skiroule, I didn't see an e-mail from you recently. Unless it inadvertently got erased, the last one I had was when you said you had shipped the switches. Are you saying you tried to forewarn me of this blunder I found myself in for several hours??
I fought that thing like a bull. I had so much rigging out you would think I was trying to sail a scooner... ratchet straps, floor jacks, screw jacks, blocks of wood, 2x4's. I was even thinking about breaking out the block and tackle-LOL. I finally took a step back and decided to sit and stare at it for a while. After about 2 "sodas" worth of staring and trying to regain my composure, the light bulb finally went off. "Hey dummy, you can't get that arm up cuz the limiter is working against you"!! LOL
Its been a long time since I've had to go through and old Tillotson, but once I got her opened up, it all came roaring back to me. I was having flashbacks of blowing on fuel lines to get her primed up, one piece snowsuits getting sucked into air horns, and going through three sets of plugs before you even made it out of the yard.
I was a bit disappointed in the "overhaul kit" I purchased. Turns out you get your parts for an American made carburetor from frigging Taiwan! Needless to say, I opted to clean and reuse more of the original hardware than I replaced with new. I basically only replaced what I had no choice over.
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I did discover a little mystery during the rebuild. I'm curious if there are any Tillotson guru's out there that can help shed some light. There are two spacers on the mounting flange. One thick plastic, and one thinner steal. The steal one has a gap cut out of it. Its obvious that someone took the time to carefully cut this gap, and its purpose is to be a "metered" air leak. The thing is, I can't find any reference to, or pictures of this spacer with a gap cut out. I dug into some old manuals and checked a condensed service data table that lists every Ski-doo's original carb part number from 1962 to 1982.
This machine originally came with a HD148-A Tillotson. Mine is a HD27-A. Not one Ski-Doo is listed for this carb as original equipment. So I'm wondering if this gap was a "MOD" needed to install this carb on the sled? It just makes me a little nervous seeing an air leak that will lean the air fuel ratio. I know the sled ran before with this spacer installed, but it also had a partially blown head gasket, slightly scored piston and signs of detonation on the old piston. Not uncommon issues for a 35 year old air cooled engine, but like I said it just makes me nervous that I can't find any info on it. Anybody seen this before?
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I was a bit disappointed in the "overhaul kit" I purchased. Turns out you get your parts for an American made carburetor from frigging Taiwan! Needless to say, I opted to clean and reuse more of the original hardware than I replaced with new. I basically only replaced what I had no choice over.
I did discover a little mystery during the rebuild. I'm curious if there are any Tillotson guru's out there that can help shed some light. There are two spacers on the mounting flange. One thick plastic, and one thinner steal. The steal one has a gap cut out of it. Its obvious that someone took the time to carefully cut this gap, and its purpose is to be a "metered" air leak. The thing is, I can't find any reference to, or pictures of this spacer with a gap cut out. I dug into some old manuals and checked a condensed service data table that lists every Ski-doo's original carb part number from 1962 to 1982.
This machine originally came with a HD148-A Tillotson. Mine is a HD27-A. Not one Ski-Doo is listed for this carb as original equipment. So I'm wondering if this gap was a "MOD" needed to install this carb on the sled? It just makes me a little nervous seeing an air leak that will lean the air fuel ratio. I know the sled ran before with this spacer installed, but it also had a partially blown head gasket, slightly scored piston and signs of detonation on the old piston. Not uncommon issues for a 35 year old air cooled engine, but like I said it just makes me nervous that I can't find any info on it. Anybody seen this before?
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polarismike
Member
I have never seen anything like that, but if you think the gap was cut in the spacer after the fact, I would try to get another spacer or have one cut at a machine shop without the gap and try that first. What is the order in which all this goes together? How many gaskets are involved here?