Where do we go from here?

[skiroule]

The trails around here are bare in a lot of spots and barring a good 10 – 12” dump, we’re done for the year.

Already thinking about what next year will bring. The real question is whether or not, I’m up to taking on another major project, both physically and financially, because I won’t start one if I don’t intend to finish it.

The logical choice would be the Kawasaki and although it looks decent in photos, it’s very, very rough when you see it up close. The list of things to do would be long. But it does run and is rideable so that’s a start.

I haven’t typically started any threads on these projects until the fall or later in the summer, after I’ve been at them for a while, so the projects seem to move along a little quicker. If I decide to do this one, I’m wondering about documenting it right from the start in real time. Summers are busy and with spending most of our time at the cabin, it would definitely stretch out the duration of the thread. One benefit would be that it would let me tell the story in a little more detail and include a lot more photos, since the pace would be slower.

What do you guys think? Even with the slower pace, would it be something that would have enough interest over the summer for people to check in occasionally.

 

[J.Glenn]

Skiroule - As mentioned in the past, I follow along, but from the sidelines. I truly enjoy watching you bringing the old iron back to life, so to speak. From a viewership standpoint, I would be following along, no matter the season. Whatever pace you choose to work and provide updates is fine with me (it shouldn't matter to anyone really, since you're the one doing the work!). If you end up deciding not to pursue your next project, whether that be due to physical or financial reasons, I totally get it. Only you can make that decision, regardless of what us viewers want to you to do. Best of luck as you navigate the decision process!

 

[C W]

I hope you do it!!

 

[heckler56]

Kelly, you know we all will tell you to go for it. However I don’t want to push you financially. That said I suspect if there is a unit in your fleet you would part with that would provide some space and funds to move forward.

If you could only do one more sled, what would that be? What sled from the past excites you? Your dream sled?

 

[gary_in_neenah]

What sled from the past excites you? Your dream sled?

Watching these machines come together for the last dozen of years or so has been special for us as well. That recent photo of them all lined up in the snow is a testament to his skill set. Amazing stuff really!

If Time Travel were possible you'd be looking at it right now.



​

 

[euphoric1]

Slower pace? documenting it from the start? When do we begin???? LOL!! I really enjoy your projects and postings and fully understand your reasonings and hesitation. I'm sure I'm not the only one when I say...I've been anxiously awaiting your next project

 

[garageguy]

Yes, please!!!

 

[wiscrev]

Do whatever your fav is.

 

[skiroule]

I knew I could count on you guys for good feedback. Some of my favorite things about these projects have become the conversations that occur along the way and the interest that has been shown in the sleds of yesteryear.

I hope the website continues to operate because it has provided a unique forum that has made it so easy to document these projects and for people to follow along. No doubt projects would get done without the web logs but I’ll be honest, it would seem like something is missing.

I guess I’ve tried to put a new angle on these projects from year to year and I do like the idea of maybe carrying one over the summer as a change from previous projects.

Kelly, you know we all will tell you to go for it. However I don’t want to push you financially. That said I suspect if there is a unit in your fleet you would part with that would provide some space and funds to move forward.

If you could only do one more sled, what would that be? What sled from the past excites you? Your dream sled?

This is a tough question David. I’ve been able to obtain a lot of the sleds that I wish I had been able to own when they were new. I do have a soft spot for the Scorpion TK’s and the 74 Sno Jet SST. Who knows, I might see something for sale and say “That’s the sled!”.

In the grand scheme of things, I suppose these projects don’t cost all that much, but the funding for vintage sleds has a pretty low priority in the family budget. It’s quite a coincidence that the question came up about selling one of the current fleet to fund other projects. I spent part of the day today making a new wood seat base and putting a new seat cover on the 250 TX seat, just in case I decide to move it for that very reason.

 

[mnsledder]

I knew I could count on you guys for good feedback. Some of my favorite things about these projects have become the conversations that occur along the way and the interest that has been shown in the sleds of yesteryear.

I hope the website continues to operate because it has provided a unique forum that has made it so easy to document these projects and for people to follow along. No doubt projects would get done without the web logs but I’ll be honest, it would seem like something is missing.

I guess I’ve tried to put a new angle on these projects from year to year and I do like the idea of maybe carrying one over the summer as a change from previous projects.


This is a tough question David. I’ve been able to obtain a lot of the sleds that I wish I had been able to own when they were new. I do have a soft spot for the Scorpion TK’s and the 74 Sno Jet SST. Who knows, I might see something for sale and say “That’s the sled!”.

In the grand scheme of things, I suppose these projects don’t cost all that much, but the funding for vintage sleds has a pretty low priority in the family budget. It’s quite a coincidence that the question came up about selling one of the current fleet to fund other projects. I spent part of the day today making a new wood seat base and putting a new seat cover on the 250 TX seat, just in case I decide to move it for that very reason.

View attachment 72121

I for one would be interested in your 250 TX !

 

[Airman68]

Doing these kinds of restorations is what I would like to do when I retire. It's funny, like you said, you look for sleds you wanted to buy when they were new. That's exactly what I look for too!

If you choose to move forward, I'll be tuned in!

 

[mezz]

Without a doubt I would follow this build regardless of the time of year. I look forward to it.

 

[heckler56]

When I saw you had two sleds of interest, I immediately had to look them up! A Sno Jet (77 restored) is right in my town! I always pasted over the ad because it was a light blue and I mistakenly thought it was a Suzuki. There is a guy about 50 miles from me that has a field of Suzukis (I think over 100) that people keep asking “who owns all those?”. The Sno Jet is a cool sled.

There are several Scorpion TKs in Mi that need resto.. The TK aka Trail King gives it a macho demeanor. What great choices.

 

[cougarrand]

I have a 1991 Formula Mach one if anyone is intrested in. Might be too new.

 

[Airman68]

I have a 1991 Formula Mach one if anyone is intrested in. Might be too new.

I'm a big fan of the early 90's sleds. That was my heyday. I wasn't married and rode the most miles of my life. Even went to Wyoming for a trip.

 

[skiroule]

I for one would be interested in your 250 TX !

I haven't said much about this sled on the site over the years so I will message you some info on it.

Doing these kinds of restorations is what I would like to do when I retire. It's funny, like you said, you look for sleds you wanted to buy when they were new. That's exactly what I look for too!

If you choose to move forward, I'll be tuned in!

Exactly. I don't see anything wrong with finally getting a sled you dreamed about, 50 years late . And if you do get it restored, it's like having a brand new one. My advice would be that if you see something now you would like to work on and it's affordable, grab it now and start building that inventory for retirement.

When I saw you had two sleds of interest, I immediately had to look them up! A Sno Jet (77 restored) is right in my town! I always pasted over the ad because it was a light blue and I mistakenly thought it was a Suzuki. There is a guy about 50 miles from me that has a field of Suzukis (I think over 100) that people keep asking “who owns all those?”. The Sno Jet is a cool sled.

There are several Scorpion TKs in Mi that need resto.. The TK aka Trail King gives it a macho demeanor. What great choices.

See, this is what I like about these threads, we both learned a little something. I had no idea that TK stood for Trail King. Knowing this, it seems like I should have one. There was a guy in Nekoosa, WI that has three of them for sale for $300. Two TK'S and one TKX, which must be really special .. They're rough, but it looks like one could build one good sled out of the three. 2 1/2 hours from our son's house in the cities. Dang!

 

[skiroule]

I'm a big fan of the early 90's sleds. That was my heyday. I wasn't married and rode the most miles of my life. Even went to Wyoming for a trip.

I wouldn't mind having a mid-late 90's Polaris triple in some form, maybe an XCR, XLT or Ultra. Lot's of them available yet at some good prices. I have to stop checking Marketplace. I'm like a kid in a candy store.

 

[garageguy]

Yes, put a nice longer track on it