Is This Sled Worth It? - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

AC Man · 08-04-2006, 03:03 PM

My friend got a 1984 polaris ss 340 from a friend for free. Sounds like a good deal, but it's not. His friend said he had just started it the other day. Come to find out there was no possible way he did. The fuel line was cut by the starter cord. Gas that was like 15 years old. Broken spark plug cap that was FOAMED together (dont ask!) and a few more problems. And the carb was so gummed up we had to let it sit in carb cleaner for like 2 days!

He also said he had changed the slides and ski's plus runners. The slides were pieces of junk with giant wear spots close to the rails. The ski's were bent really bad and were very rusty. Plus the wear bars were almost to the ski.

To go on, there was no windsheild, the hood was cracked in like 100 places. The tail light doesnt work. He needs to get a whole new front one. The hood hing is broken off the hood because of a tree incident. The seat is ripped up so bad it is umbeleivable. The whole dash is bent. The runningboards are bent pretty bad too. His friend even said the track was new. Yeah right, it is all weathered and the paddles are all rounded off!

So i was just wondering, is this sled worth it or should he spend his money else where. Like on a different sled. I guess i should mention this is his first sled so that might add some problems.

Personally i think he is crazy for taking on a task like this!

IndianRvrShiver · 08-04-2006, 03:09 PM

It's gotta' be worth every penny he paid!!

Seriously, sounds as if there are way to many parts needed to make it viable; if he parts it out he may make a few bucks to put towards a better one!
Bottom line, tho.....FREE IS GOOD!!

AvroAero · 08-04-2006, 06:09 PM

Not a bad deal, but not a good ide to try to get running IMO. I'd just part it out or see if anyone will just take it.

AC Man · 08-04-2006, 08:56 PM

IT runs now, but it is still a piece of junk. Even after we tuned it it spits and sputters. Plus we adjusted the clutch and idle speed and the track still spins in the air. Now we found out the rear shocks are junk. Just to let you know, this sled is so old it only has leaf springs in the front. The shock that limits how fast the skis rock are also junk!

My friend doesn't want to part it out or sell it or just give it to someone. I mean for the money he is going to have to spend to get it trail ready is far more than what he could spend on a sled that already is in good shape!

sledmaine · 08-04-2006, 11:51 PM

FREE IS ALWAYS GOOD! I don't think you would spend that much. The skis should be fine, r they rusting through? like holes or surface rust?Surface rust is fine. Runners are cheap i got mine for $8 each (not carbide). A windshield isn't that important, i ran this whole last season w/o one. The cracks in the hood, bondo time! Maybe some fiberglass mat if you have to.Then paint it with a good spray paint it will turn out fine. Seat material isn't that much, i saw some online for like $20(enough for a whole seat). There isn't much you can do for that track, unless you can find a used one that is in good shape for a good price.If not that would be the most expensive part. For the engine, did u change the plugs? My track spins in the air sometimes, you just have to adjust the idle speed more. My sled has leaf springs in the front they work good(not compared to new sleds but hey they work) The shocks will probably need to be replaced. Look online at http://www.hiperf.comor other places.I've done a bunch of work to my sled and i got my first sled a year ago and im only 16. Hope any of this helps

**smallengineguy** · 08-05-2006, 07:06 AM

Free is good! As long as it runs, put $50 or so into what is only needed to make it go/turn right then run it!

**RJ Gleason** · 08-05-2006, 09:12 AM

Hammer the skis out and fix what needs to be fixed as cheaply as possible and you have a great beater to learn on. even if he spends a couple of hundred to get it running, it is still a bargain.

AC Man · 08-05-2006, 10:41 AM

We thought it was going to be cheap to fix too. But looking for the parts online, the ones that are cheap are like twice as much as we thought it would be. It will take almost $1000 to make it work. And according to kelly blue book this sled is only worth like $175 in good condition! So just finding another one of these in good condition would probobly be better, right?

skidoorider · 08-05-2006, 12:37 PM

if the sled isn't woth keeping, take the motor, fix it up and make a go-cart or something with it. and you can use parts off the sled for the body/chassis.

**RJ Gleason** · 08-05-2006, 06:37 PM

If you can find another one that is in similar shape but with different needs, you can make one out of them, or use the motor in another frame. The motor will bolt into most models of that decade range.

sledmaine · 08-05-2006, 07:04 PM

1000 bucks? u really think it would cost that much? as long as it runs & goes,it doesnt have to be mint.

SnowRida · 08-05-2006, 07:59 PM

Like IRS said, Free Is GOOD!

**RJ Gleason** · 08-06-2006, 05:33 AM

Don't be afraid to get salvage parts for that sled, it will save a lot and make a good beginner sled for him. Rebuilding it into a good running sled will teach you both a lot and he will appreciate the work when he gets to ride it. He may also deside later that having done what it takes to make it useable again that he wants to go the rest of the way and restore it.

AC Man · 08-08-2006, 09:03 PM

This is pretty much what his sled looks like accept this is a lot nicer and his has a blue stripe on it.

95ZR700/140HP · 08-09-2006, 08:27 PM

ya know what?back in the day,that was the best chasiss on the trail.my old man had a TX-L that looked similar to that sled.L/C 340CC and ill tell ya what......fastest thing in its day.thank you AC Man,for invoking so many great memories of ridin with my Dad.

**RJ Gleason** · 08-09-2006, 08:41 PM

A friend of mine has an '80 Indy 340 TX-L. That little bugger is quick. It can keep up with my '80 Pantera 500F/C

AC Man · 08-09-2006, 08:58 PM

How fast do things go? I heard they only do like 40-45.

Personally, i drove it before my friend did. We had just gotten it running and he went inside for a sec, so his dad told me to take it around the yard. I noticed it engaged at like 3000 rpm. Seems too early, but what the heck, it easily popped the skis off the grond in the grass. So i had a lot of fun that day.

But what i'm worried about is on the trail. It can take off quik, but i usually am riding at 600 mph so i dont think he'll be able to keep up with me.

Do you guys think we could re clutch the thing to get more speed, or will it put too much strain on the mill?

**RJ Gleason** · 08-09-2006, 09:05 PM

80mph

AC Man · 08-09-2006, 09:52 PM

Sorry, i ment 60 mph not 600, my bad.

I dont think the little 340 direct drive will even get close to 80 mph by itself.
i would say more like 45

**RJ Gleason** · 08-10-2006, 10:49 AM

Is that a fan cooled or liquid?