Thanks Jeff. I'm not in a position to grab up anything at this point in time, but the wheels are turnning for sure. I'm kind of saving myself for a 72 tnt 440 when I find one thats decent.
Summer Vintage Projects 2013
- Thread starter skiroule
- Start date
Thanks Jeff. I'm not in a position to grab up anything at this point in time, but the wheels are turnning for sure. I'm kind of saving myself for a 72 tnt 440 when I find one thats decent.
Adam, They are a good sled to restore as a rider, A, because there are alot of them out there B, Parts are plentiful both orginal and aftermarket C, they were kind of a working mans race sled back in the day, easy to work on easy to fix and light. I think the 78/79 years were the best looking of the lot, but they were the best of dying breed with air cooling starting to be a thing of the past and liquids taking over. I have a 440 also but I don't know if I want to do a stock rebuild or do a custom that is a project for next summer, I'm still waiting on parts so I can start on engine reassembly, I found another gas tank in Idaho that should be here the 1st part of the week.
Jeff, I like those pic's alot better, its really hard to resist setting the hood on to see what it will look like, sure would be nice to get them all together this winter for a picture in the snow, would be like stepping back in time 35 years!
Bradzooo
Jeff, I like those pic's alot better, its really hard to resist setting the hood on to see what it will look like, sure would be nice to get them all together this winter for a picture in the snow, would be like stepping back in time 35 years!
Bradzooo
skiroule
Well-known member
Man! I'm "off the grid" for a day or so and a lot happens
Personally I think the “patina” is a sign of experience. Engine looks awesome, just looking at the cylinder walls, it will be one rippin’ motor.
Can’t really explain it myself – as you know I was fully prepared to wring out my 75 T’NT and ride it for the winter until I got the TX bug. Thinking back, I can’t really recall when it hit me but it was pretty much permanent. Sled looks excellent by the way!
Of course.
The 72 T’NT is a great machine. I probably shouldn’t tell you that they do show up on occasion in the Vintage Sled classifieds. Just a word of warning though, spend too much time around us and the TX lineup and you’re hooked,
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Wouldn’t it be great if we got them all together this winter? It really would be like a step back in time.
I think you’re dead on about the rider experience. Granted, we might look back now with some sarcasm, but these sleds fit the rider remarkably well and I still find the rider position to be very comfortable. You don't feel like you're sitting on the snow and everything feels right. Let’s not forget about performance. For their size and horsepower, it seems like these things overachieve.
Personally I think the “patina” is a sign of experience. Engine looks awesome, just looking at the cylinder walls, it will be one rippin’ motor.
Can’t really explain it myself – as you know I was fully prepared to wring out my 75 T’NT and ride it for the winter until I got the TX bug. Thinking back, I can’t really recall when it hit me but it was pretty much permanent. Sled looks excellent by the way!
snoluver1;3381s11 said:
Of course.
The 72 T’NT is a great machine. I probably shouldn’t tell you that they do show up on occasion in the Vintage Sled classifieds. Just a word of warning though, spend too much time around us and the TX lineup and you’re hooked,
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Wouldn’t it be great if we got them all together this winter? It really would be like a step back in time.
I think you’re dead on about the rider experience. Granted, we might look back now with some sarcasm, but these sleds fit the rider remarkably well and I still find the rider position to be very comfortable. You don't feel like you're sitting on the snow and everything feels right. Let’s not forget about performance. For their size and horsepower, it seems like these things overachieve.
skiroule
Well-known member
Gear Jammin'
I may be old but I'm not.....Well actually I am old AND slow (but I'm steady - like a big flywheel).
Put some stuff back together tonight and Brad is right, putting things back together is more fun. It's really too "blue" right now and needs some contrast. That will happen next, I hope.
I may be old but I'm not.....Well actually I am old AND slow (but I'm steady - like a big flywheel).
Put some stuff back together tonight and Brad is right, putting things back together is more fun. It's really too "blue" right now and needs some contrast. That will happen next, I hope.
WooooooHooooooo lookin good Kelly!! Man lookin at your post time your kinda pullin some long hours there aren't ya. Got my rings and speedo insert yesterday in the mail, so tonite I will spend putting the rest of my engine back together, then onto the track and drive shaft, guess its time to order the decals. Spoke with Don he won't have the windshield trim until January and ideas?
We really have to get all these together this winter!
Bradzooooooo
We really have to get all these together this winter!
Bradzooooooo
D
Deleted member 10829
Guest
Looking great Skiroule!
skiroule
Well-known member
Thanks Boys - Moral support is the name of the game.
It does get pretty late sometimes (like tonight) but with long work days you have to burn the midnight oil sometimes to get anything done. Unfortunately I can't make any claims of real progress tonight. Spent about 3 hours fiddling with one bumper and then another to try to get one to fit the way I wanted. Not luck, still don't like the fit on either one. Maybe tomorrow. They never did fit very well so maybe my expectations are a little unrealistic. At least the decals arrived today.
Brad, as far as windshield trim, you can have this little gem if you want it. I'm sure its been fabricated but it actually fits the factory holes in the hood and is somewhat pre-formed. There are a couple of options: Paint it and use it until some better quality trim is available or try get a little heavier vinyl and use it as a pattern.
It does get pretty late sometimes (like tonight) but with long work days you have to burn the midnight oil sometimes to get anything done. Unfortunately I can't make any claims of real progress tonight. Spent about 3 hours fiddling with one bumper and then another to try to get one to fit the way I wanted. Not luck, still don't like the fit on either one. Maybe tomorrow. They never did fit very well so maybe my expectations are a little unrealistic. At least the decals arrived today.
Brad, as far as windshield trim, you can have this little gem if you want it. I'm sure its been fabricated but it actually fits the factory holes in the hood and is somewhat pre-formed. There are a couple of options: Paint it and use it until some better quality trim is available or try get a little heavier vinyl and use it as a pattern.
Well Skiroule, I got home at a decent time tonight and had every intention of putting your motor back together. Didn't quite work out the way I planned though. I started looking at the ports and man there was some rough casting in there! I figure there was at least a couple ponys in there just screaming to be let out to play! That turned into about four hours of deburing and polishing with the old dremal. Not a full blown port and polish job, just cleaning things up a bit. A little bit of a set back, but I just couldn't leave those poor little horsies sitting in there. I think you'll be happy with the end result.
skiroule
Well-known member
"One Lunger" Bradzooooo, it's a good thing I didn't read your post before I got started tonight or I might have taken the same approach and just kicked back with a cold one or ten. I'll try to get the trim sent out early next week.
I did get the evil bumper shaped about as good as I can manage and tried to straighten it a little. I ended up using the original instead of the one I bought because the mounting holes just lined up better. It's not perfect but when I started I didn't think it was even usable. There's one pretty big nick that I'll have to just live with but with the horsepower Snoluver1 is making with the engine, it will just be a blur anyway. I'm pretty fired up about this motor. The 440's seem a little harder to come by and the fact that he's making this one better than new is pretty cool.
Speaking of fired up, here's something to look forward to: The decal set - these guys do such nice work, top notch outfit.
I did get the evil bumper shaped about as good as I can manage and tried to straighten it a little. I ended up using the original instead of the one I bought because the mounting holes just lined up better. It's not perfect but when I started I didn't think it was even usable. There's one pretty big nick that I'll have to just live with but with the horsepower Snoluver1 is making with the engine, it will just be a blur anyway. I'm pretty fired up about this motor. The 440's seem a little harder to come by and the fact that he's making this one better than new is pretty cool.
Speaking of fired up, here's something to look forward to: The decal set - these guys do such nice work, top notch outfit.
Well I just been pidderin around with putting stuff back on and still waiting for 2 key parts to get here, the gas tank and the piston ring that I only ordered one of instead of 2. I got the drive shaft and track in and the chain and gears on, finally put the new hifax on the skid and the scags on the ski's, plus I got the seat cover and got it installed on the seat, so I am making a little progress while waiting.
still a one lunger Bradzooooo
still a one lunger Bradzooooo
Thought the TX boys would get a kick out of this. The intro is pretty cool, the rest of it gets a little monotonous after a while.
http://m.youtube.com/user/LoserFilmsLtd
If your on a mobile you can view it here.
http://backcountryrebels.com/showthread.php?t=29802
http://m.youtube.com/user/LoserFilmsLtd
If your on a mobile you can view it here.
http://backcountryrebels.com/showthread.php?t=29802
skiroule
Well-known member
Actually I thought the whole thing was pretty cool (incredible mountain riding) and I liked the concept behind the video but the intro was special. The whole home movie quality just adds to the effect. This was shot back when Off-Trail was the norm and it was fun to see them riding those TX's off-trail. Maybe we'll put on our flannel shirts sometime this winter and get some TX-rated footage.
Sounds like the engine build is going well. I'm up here pushing as hard as ever. Speaking of which, my beverage is empty. Gotta run - carry on...
Sounds like the engine build is going well. I'm up here pushing as hard as ever. Speaking of which, my beverage is empty. Gotta run - carry on...
Maybe my assessment was a little harsh. I think I spend way too much time armchair snowmobiling. I'm a little numb to some of that stuff, lol.
Just rolled in the door from work. Have to be back downtown @ 5 am. Looks like I lied to you again!
Its basically done. Just have to clean up and install those rubber dinguses between the cooling fins.
skiroule
Well-known member
Does your armchair have a mountain bar, or at least a bar? Both can serve a purpose.
Your post makes an important point that might prove an inspiration to others who might be thinking about a vintage project: Bradzooo, Renten, you, me, and a lot of vintage sled junkies, we’re all just working stiffs. It’s not like we get up in the morning and ask “which carriage bolt should I polish today?” There are bills to pay and other distractions but giving a sled a new lease on life can be addictive. Seriously, I haven’t turned on the TV since August and I haven’t missed it a bit. I’m much happier out polishing that carriage bolt
By the Way, did you watch the last 30 seconds of the video. If not, you have to watch it. I'm sorry but that was hilarious. We've all been there.
Your post makes an important point that might prove an inspiration to others who might be thinking about a vintage project: Bradzooo, Renten, you, me, and a lot of vintage sled junkies, we’re all just working stiffs. It’s not like we get up in the morning and ask “which carriage bolt should I polish today?” There are bills to pay and other distractions but giving a sled a new lease on life can be addictive. Seriously, I haven’t turned on the TV since August and I haven’t missed it a bit. I’m much happier out polishing that carriage bolt
By the Way, did you watch the last 30 seconds of the video. If not, you have to watch it. I'm sorry but that was hilarious. We've all been there.
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Nice find Adam, I really liked watching the Vintage stuff as well as the new stuff, I think it was really put together very well for a non professional group. I have to say whoever was riding that Centurion must have also owned my TX and hit the same tree with it becasue the damage was in the same place!!
I guess I better post some pic's before I get accused of slacking, my gas tank finally made got delivered and unfortunately I had to paint it, it was almost white from fading, so paint it I did. My piston ring and new gas cap/gauge also got delivered yesterday, so now I'm back to beathing out of both lungs. I did run into a minor snag the other night and got flustrated, I was mounting the seat and the gas tank, as Kelly knows about this I suspect he is still chuckling. I slid the gas tank into place installed the hold down bracket between the tank and the seat then installed the seat, this is when I noticed I had a larger gap in between the seat and the tank than I thought I should have. So I pulled the seat back off made sure nothing was in the way put it back on gap was still there, this went on for a couple more trys before I got flustrated and gave up for the night and emailed Kelly for advice. He gave me great advice with pictues but the problem turned out to be the tank instead of the seat, when said accident in the 1st paragraph must have happened it bent the front tank mounting bracket allowing the tank to slide too far forward but not enough for it to come completely out of the rear bracket, so here I was cussing the seat and for no reason. Then Kelly was kind enough to tell me he noticed it in one of my earlier pic's because his was bent the same way.
Any way I got to spend the whole evening yesterday working on the sled alot can happen when you get 4-5 hours of time on it, I got the engine all the way together, the clutch on and the engine installed, I cleaned the carbs the other day which was a job getting 15-20 year old varnish out of them, I also took apart the fuel pump checked the diaphragms and cleaned the varnish out of it. I also got the engine in the sled all the electrical hooked up, the throttle and choke cables hooked up and the exhaust on. Unfortunately I will have cut another exit hole in the belly pan for the exhaust.
Bradzoooooo
I guess I better post some pic's before I get accused of slacking, my gas tank finally made got delivered and unfortunately I had to paint it, it was almost white from fading, so paint it I did. My piston ring and new gas cap/gauge also got delivered yesterday, so now I'm back to beathing out of both lungs. I did run into a minor snag the other night and got flustrated, I was mounting the seat and the gas tank, as Kelly knows about this I suspect he is still chuckling. I slid the gas tank into place installed the hold down bracket between the tank and the seat then installed the seat, this is when I noticed I had a larger gap in between the seat and the tank than I thought I should have. So I pulled the seat back off made sure nothing was in the way put it back on gap was still there, this went on for a couple more trys before I got flustrated and gave up for the night and emailed Kelly for advice. He gave me great advice with pictues but the problem turned out to be the tank instead of the seat, when said accident in the 1st paragraph must have happened it bent the front tank mounting bracket allowing the tank to slide too far forward but not enough for it to come completely out of the rear bracket, so here I was cussing the seat and for no reason. Then Kelly was kind enough to tell me he noticed it in one of my earlier pic's because his was bent the same way.
Any way I got to spend the whole evening yesterday working on the sled alot can happen when you get 4-5 hours of time on it, I got the engine all the way together, the clutch on and the engine installed, I cleaned the carbs the other day which was a job getting 15-20 year old varnish out of them, I also took apart the fuel pump checked the diaphragms and cleaned the varnish out of it. I also got the engine in the sled all the electrical hooked up, the throttle and choke cables hooked up and the exhaust on. Unfortunately I will have cut another exit hole in the belly pan for the exhaust.
Bradzoooooo
D
Deleted member 10829
Guest
Coming together very nicely bradzoo! Looking good. 
Definitely some nice progress there Brad. Looking great!
Speaking of progress, I finally got Skiroule's motor buttoned up.
I don't know about the rest of you fellas, but I think these free air TX motors just scream "cool"!
Trued and welded crank, cylinders replated with nikasil, new slugs, ports cleaned up. Ready to rock for another 35 years Skiroule!!!
Speaking of progress, I finally got Skiroule's motor buttoned up.
I don't know about the rest of you fellas, but I think these free air TX motors just scream "cool"!
Trued and welded crank, cylinders replated with nikasil, new slugs, ports cleaned up. Ready to rock for another 35 years Skiroule!!!
D
Deleted member 10829
Guest
I agree! Those engines looked so good peeking out of the hood. I had a 1976 TX 250 and loved it.
skiroule
Well-known member
WOW! For once I’m almost without words (which has to be a relief for many people).
You guys have done some incredible things in short order.
I swear, Brad is oh-so-close to just adding fuel and lighting his up. What he has accomplished is nothing short of amazing. Equally important, people need to know how important he has been in helping me and keeping me motivated. There’s no doubt that I would have any chance of finishing my project this year without his support.
As Clint would say “A man’s got to know his limitations” and this is where Adam figures into the equation. In my dreams I couldn’t build the engine he has built for me. From day one he was the “go to” guy for the engine and he delivered in spades. Cool factor? Just look at that engine and Brad’s engine and tell me otherwise.
It’s pretty funny. I got to spend some time on the sled today and thought I put in a pretty good effort. When I came in, I saw all the new photos posted. I went right back out to the garage.
You guys have done some incredible things in short order.
I swear, Brad is oh-so-close to just adding fuel and lighting his up. What he has accomplished is nothing short of amazing. Equally important, people need to know how important he has been in helping me and keeping me motivated. There’s no doubt that I would have any chance of finishing my project this year without his support.
As Clint would say “A man’s got to know his limitations” and this is where Adam figures into the equation. In my dreams I couldn’t build the engine he has built for me. From day one he was the “go to” guy for the engine and he delivered in spades. Cool factor? Just look at that engine and Brad’s engine and tell me otherwise.
It’s pretty funny. I got to spend some time on the sled today and thought I put in a pretty good effort. When I came in, I saw all the new photos posted. I went right back out to the garage.