John Deere sled??? whos heard of these things?

[weirdarmadillo]

When i think John Deere, i think of tractors.
I had no clue they made sleds!

Anyways, i found a 1972 John Deere 500
From what ive researched, this thing has a twin cylinder, almost 400cc, 2 stroke engine.

I called the guy on it and he said its in great condition, everything is set to go besides the carb, specificaly the fuel pump check valve. Apparently it runs great once started.

Any one know some info on these things? not too much on the internet on this model.

He wants 50 bucks for it, i dont think i can go wrong with that. What do yall think?

 

[weirdarmadillo]

heres a link to the same model im looking at.

http://www.vintagesnowmobiles.50megs.com/A_SLEDS_WORTH_131.html

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

Yup, they made quite a few different models, there was the sportfire, trailfire, liquidfire, cyclone, and a buncha other ones. they stopped making sleds in the early 80s.

Go for it, 50 bucks is a good deal. There neat sleds, not performance machines but would be cool to have.

 

[weirdarmadillo]

haha i just like it cause its john deere. Im picking it up this afternoon hopefully.

 

[weirdarmadillo]

And i figured if i didnt use it as a sled it would turn into another neat project

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

keep it as a sled, trust me it will be worth something someday.

 

[weirdarmadillo]

ya, i guess so, since its vintage...i wonder how it would do in the dunes???

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

lol...sand would be horrible for your sliders/bogies/skis

 

[freakboy]

my freinds kicking himself cause he had 2 trail fires but he sold em bolth.. i was gona buy one but he sold it to quickly...

 

[weirdarmadillo]

so are these things worth anything in good condition? It looks like this 1972 model was the first year they were built.

 

[freakboy]

yeah i guess.

 

[joejoeguns]

Not worth too much as a sled.The ones that get big money are the factory race machines,free air triples and the big bore twins with twin carbs.You'd spend more to restore it than it's worth,it's not worth while to make it cherry unless thats your thing.

 

[weirdarmadillo]

huh, ill probably just keep it as is...but if it sits around long enough ill most likely pull the engine for a kart...but thats unlikely

What kind of clutch do these things use?

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

CVT, like every other full size sled. Couldn't tell you the brand though.

 

[weirdarmadillo]

i figured...well, i couldnt get ahold of the guy today...yesterday he told me hed save it for me till today...so what the heck...ill try tommorow

 

[weirdarmadillo]

he sold it right before i got there!!!!!!

Well, thanks for the info, im smarter than before!!!!!!