My Third (and Fourth) vintage sled projects..... 1979 Polaris TXL 340 @ Centurion 500

[kirk600]

So I have made some pretty good progress on the Centurion, just didn't have any time to post pictures. I got the rear skid mostly completed, just waiting on rear shock and hyfax. Drained all the cooling system and had to replace the hose that went from upper water manifold to water pump. Had to get a formed hose and cut it to fit. The Dayco hose 71788 was the perfect fit, and would I have screwed up and needed another there is another 90* bend waiting...... All went well so I have a spare! Had bought 6 each #12 & #16 clamps, so I could replace the old ones. Still need a small piece of hose, that goes from water pump to thermostat housing. Also removed the fuel pump, (which was a chore as one bolt was stripped and had to be cut off) and disassembled it, cleaned it out and installed new fuel lines and pulse line, and installed it back on the sled.
Hopefully you all had a Merry Christmas!

 

[kirk600]

Here's the rear skid, waiting for the rear shock......

 

[kirk600]

Well I have a few more pictures, spent today working on the Centurion. I mentioned earlier in the thread I was unable to get spark, well the problem was, this sled had a tether but I didn't have the cord or the bulb that pushed the button in to make contact. I figured this out a while ago, and was hoping to find a tether cord that fit but so far I haven't had any luck. I had a bear of a time separating the wires to bypass the tether, but after a few soakings with PB Blaster I was successful.
Last night I cleaned up the air box and today I installed it along with the carbs and exhaust. First I put the recoil on and verify that I have spark! Another great day!
Hopefully you enjoy the updates, but I would rather be sledding........

 

[Deleted member 10829]

It is looking very good!

 

[euphoric1]

looking really nice kirk600!!

 

[kirk600]

Thanks Mspease and euphoric1, I appreciate the support!

 

[skiroule]

Yeah Kirk, this baby’s really coming along! There’s a lot to take in on each update. I especially like that you’re improvising things where needed, like finding a cooling hose and making it function and look like it belongs on the sled. This kind of stuff is often necessary on a 40+ year-old sled and isn’t all that easy to pull off.

Now that you have sparky-spark, there’s no question in my mind that it will fire up.

I love this sled. I think that, in a way, it paved the way for Polaris to sell a ton of triples in the 80’s and 90’s.

Like others, I’m really enjoying seeing the progress and look forward to each update to see what you have done. Quality work for sure!

 

[kirk600]

Yeah Kirk, this baby’s really coming along! There’s a lot to take in on each update. I especially like that you’re improvising things where needed, like finding a cooling hose and making it function and look like it belongs on the sled. This kind of stuff is often necessary on a 40+ year-old sled and isn’t all that easy to pull off.

Now that you have sparky-spark, there’s no question in my mind that it will fire up.

I love this sled. I think that, in a way, it paved the way for Polaris to sell a ton of triples in the 80’s and 90’s.

Like others, I’m really enjoying seeing the progress and look forward to each update to see what you have done. Quality work for sure!

You're getting farther along than me, so I am putting in extra hours Kelly! I have been on vacation, was supposed to go to my sisters in Denver but those plans got derailed by her new job. So I have had some time to catch up on sled projects. Both my switchbacks are ready to go whenever the weather cooperates....... but on New Years Eve it's back to work for me.......
I apologize if I am bouncing around, but using my phone to type a long description is easier said than done, so I have, no doubt, resorted to short and sweet!!!
Another thing that I did, as previously mentioned in my first TXL project, is I put a mid 90's Indy 650 recoil on this centurion. It is a bolt on deal, and so much simpler with a single moving pawl to engage the starter cup.... not three like the factory TX/TXL/Centurion ones.
I had put a spacer of 1/4" on my first TXL under the starter cup, and then I had to notch the holes in the cup to use the 650 recoil. I always wondered if it would fit as is, and at least on the centurion the answer is yes! And you can replace the rope and not remove the recoil spring just a better deal all around.
Sometimes I think the TX free airs are what the smart people want....... less parts to find or replace and less to clean too.

I bought my first triple in 1996 brand new, almost bought it back last winter but I didn't have time for another project! Whoops I got that wrong.........

 

[kirk600]

So I appreciate the fact that we have had a little snow here, but I have been busy with work and helping out a friend with his ice oval sled, he's going to be at Eagle River January 6-9, 2022. It's a brand new build so I can share a few pictures! I am hoping to go watch as well.....

Only got about an hour in on the Centurion, installed the rear shock and put the skid back in the sled........

 

[mezz]

Well I have a few more pictures, spent today working on the Centurion. I mentioned earlier in the thread I was unable to get spark, well the problem was, this sled had a tether but I didn't have the cord or the bulb that pushed the button in to make contact. I figured this out a while ago, and was hoping to find a tether cord that fit but so far I haven't had any luck. I had a bear of a time separating the wires to bypass the tether, but after a few soakings with PB Blaster I was successful.
Last night I cleaned up the air box and today I installed it along with the carbs and exhaust. First I put the recoil on and verify that I have spark! Another great day!
Hopefully you enjoy the updates, but I would rather be sledding........

This thing is the Bomb! Nice job! You will have to get a vid of it when you can take it out for a rip. I've alway's loved the sound of a triple, excellent for the trail, or track.

 

[kirk600]

This thing is the Bomb! Nice job! You will have to get a vid of it when you can take it out for a rip. I've alway's loved the sound of a triple, excellent for the trail, or track.

Thanks Mezz, I hope it all works out and I can get it running soon.
I am planning on a video, Skiroule has raised the bar once again with his newest project!
Here's a few more pictures of the track and skid install the track lugs are .750" tall, hopefully it hooks up better than the originals did......

 

[kirk600]

This thing is the Bomb! Nice job! You will have to get a vid of it when you can take it out for a rip. I've alway's loved the sound of a triple, excellent for the trail, or track.

Thanks Mezz, I hope it all works out and I can get it running soon.

 

[kirk600]

Well I have a little progress on the Centurion, got the tank installed and finished up the fuel lines. Put the bolts in the tunnel for the seat/tank mount...... which required me to fish them up thru the tunnel and around the track and skid. I used a couple zip ties, and taped the bolt to the end. Works great as long as you don't have greasy fingers! Hopefully I can get some more time in the next few days.

 

[kirk600]

I also took a few pictures of race sleds at Eagle River Vintage Races. My friend didn't fare too well as he crashed in qualifying and broke the handle bars off so he was done for the weekend. He's okay so with any luck he will be able to race in 2 weeks. Here's a few pictures of different sleds that we're competing....

 

[mike1970]

Great pics, Kirk. Thanks for sharing!

 

[kirk600]

Great pics, Kirk. Thanks for sharing!

No problem Mike glad you liked them.

 

[kirk600]

Funny story my buddy was racing the 22J Polaris in the first racing picture. 3:30pm he was getting ready to go out next heat (440 sport mod final) pulled and pulled but it would not fire. Pulled the plugs and it had no compression on pto cylinder. He told tower not going to race and we pushed it back to the pits, disgusted..... Racing was stopped for plow break and Randy Hazard replaces piston and rings and gets it running right as plow trucks are coming off the ice!! I ran up to the tower and told them 22J is back in and he started his race (after 5pm now) and finished in second place! The piston they took out had a large chunk missing above the ring so it wouldn't build pressure. Talk about lucky timing but as they say that's racing

 

[skiroule]

Pretty cool that your friend made a big comeback, impressive finish for first full race.

Centurion continues to come along nicely. Tank looks awesome on the sled! Like your technique for fishing the bolts through. I'll have to remember that if one of those little clips that hold the bolts on the TX tunnels fall off after I've installed a track and the bolt disappears.

 

[kirk600]

My Vintage Polaris

I I Y Here's the TXL clutch checking. Both clutches the stationary sheave is .400" thick The measurements are .730" for the TXL clutch, ....

kirksvintagepolaris.blogspot.com

Don't know if the video will work, above is the link to a small video of TXL running in the trailer today....

 

[euphoric1]

Nice kirk600!! never forget that sound of round slide carburetors when you goose the throttle a bit. Sounds good!!