just bought a 1997 700 RMK - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

spinandsmoke · 06-22-2008, 09:19 PM

Hello snowmobile fanatics, it might be a little early to talk snow but I just bought a 97 rmk with a fuji engine, it a little rough around the edges but for $800.00 I couldnt resist, it runs great and most everything is stock except for the exhaust can that goes straight down and a new clutch, there is a mirror style plate that says indy in front of the handlebars and a emblem below the headlight that reads polaris 35 years, does anybody know if there are any quirks or advice for this sled? Thanks

BC_Dan · 06-23-2008, 09:30 AM

If it's a stock 700, it's got a US (Liberty) engine in it. The Fuji engine in the RMK that year was an XLT 600. (Polaris didn't call the engine a "Liberty" until later years)

Here's a web site for specs for Polaris sleds

Find the ATV Polaris part or Polaris snowmobile part you need, new ,used, OEM, aftermarket and performance parts, Polaris ATV Forums

The 97 700 had great power, and for the year, a long track (136"). It became one of the better mountain climbers for the era. The Xtra-10 suspension was a lot better than the earlier suspensions. The engine has Kiehen carbs, which had an issue with low speed burbling that can be solved with the addition of a boost bottle and SLP's "Power Packs". Kiehen's are not rebuildable, when they start showing wear, there's not much you can do but replace 'em. If you go to a "rack" style Mikuni system, you will find some problems with the steering colum interfering with the mag side carb water trap hose and fitting.

Polaris - SLP Power Pack for Keihin 39mm D-Slide Carbs - Starting Line Products

The cylinders are the "220" cylinders, which flow a bit more air than the later model "824" cylinders. The 220 engines make a bit more power, but because of the shape and design of the porting, port bridges in the 220 castings are more prone to cracking and breaking, especially across the port bridges. (the 220 and 824 numbers are the last three numbers of the Polaris part for the cylinder, and are cast into the cylinder)

One other quirk in the engine is the oiler; check the belt width for the drive belt for the water pump (it's under the recoil housing). When the belt fails, the water pump and the oil pump both stop working. The oil pump has 3 outlets, one to each side of the crankshaft, the third goes to the fuel pump, so you are always "behind" with oil delivery as the oil is introduced into the fuel pump instead of the carbs. If you go to a mikuni system, going to a 4-outlet pump from a later sled will solve that issue, as the Mikuni carbs have oil injection ports on them.

Compared to the new sleds, it rides like a tank and is heavy, but very dependable and goes where you point it. I regeared mine from stock to 20/40, added a set of PSI twins, and the Mikuni rack carbs, and it ran like a scalded dog! For the price you paid, you got a deal, have fun with it! Congrats on your purchase!

Skligmund · 06-23-2008, 12:14 PM

My bet is it is a 1996 Polaris Indy Ultra RMK.

The only Fuji 700 was the Ultra 697 for the years surrounding 1997.

If this is so, keep up with the maintenance on the engine. I guess the Ultra was a helluva maintenance hog. best bet is to get the maintenance manual for it as well, as I found most things on the Ultras are a little different compared to everything else.

The 35th Anniversary emblem on the hood is from 1989 I might add.

Post pictures of the sled and the engine in the gallery!

spinandsmoke · 06-23-2008, 01:55 PM

Thanks for the detailed info. I am pretty sure it is a 700 Liberty or Fuji? on top of the two cylinders it says made in USA and the casting # on the bottom of cyl,s reads 5131220, the newer engines read 600,700,800 etc. on top. I will see if I can get some shots posted. I think the ultra engine was a tripple and a gas guzzling can of worms, as far as the hood now I am really confused, it looks to be original with 4 rubber stretch holddowns, this sled might be the first 97 rmk batch made.

BC_Dan · 06-23-2008, 03:28 PM

If it's a 700 and a twin, it's a US engine. The 220 number I referred to is the last 3 digits of the casting number 5131220. The original US (Liberty) 700 had a purple head and did not say Liberty. The Ultra was definitely a triple made by Fuji.

Skligmund · 06-24-2008, 11:47 AM

Yup, same sled I have. First edition of the 700 RMK.

Get a photo of the hood for sure.

spinandsmoke · 06-24-2008, 11:23 PM

Ok guys here are the pics, I dont know if these were the original decals from the factory but I,m sure this thing can haul a** up the mountain and only make one trip

,polaris knew what they were doing in 97 if your going to haul some weight you had better have some horsepower, when people asked for a double and "SUPERSIZE IT" Polaris delivered!! to bad the triple was such a pig, now if only they had a muff pot that could hold a big mac with a side of fries!!
[ATTACH]

[/ATTACH]

Skligmund · 06-25-2008, 10:54 AM

Yup, 700 RMK.

The hood is an older hood. he probably rolled it and destroyed the original, got an older one for cheap, painted and installed it.

The shiney tag near the gauges is a custom thing. I think I saw some on eBay once.

If you want to have more power, you can always throw some SLP twin pipes on the bugger. Lots of tuning and careful attention to mixtures and you can get some real power out of those motors.

I ended up putting EGT's on mine. Found the hot spot and it hasn't blown up since...

This is mine:

Original hood

Twin SLP pipes

spinandsmoke · 06-25-2008, 09:57 PM

Very nice shots Sklig! now I know what a new 97 model is supposed to look like, can I borrow it and let my girlfrind ride it? she only weighs 300 lbs, she could use the extra horsepower!!.....I now have two sleds one 98 700 rmk and this 97 700 rmk

,

I had so much fun last winter with the 98 I had to get another one and share, its really not that expensive, I would rather have two or three older sleds then one newer one, it will just be more maintenance until the quirks are worked out, as long as no one flies off a cliff with a bottle of Jack

it should be fun!

BTW your garage is much more clean and organized then mine.