BEST Vintage Snowmobile Recommendations - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

WhistlePig · 02-23-2009, 05:04 PM

My son and I watched a TV show this weekend about the Fish Lake vintage snowmobile ride near Duluth, MN. My son is 10 years old and probably ready to drive his own snowmobile pretty soon.

I am thinking a couple of vantage snowmobiles are the answer. My Dad had a big Arctic Cat (74 Panther? I think), and later a Rupp 440 when I was a kid. That Rupp really flew if you didn't have to turn.

I could always get those things going, but he beat the heck out of them driving around to deer feeders back in the 70s and 80s, so they are long gone. He later got a massive single-ski Ski Doo (anyone know the name of the single-ski Ski Doo model?) and finally settled on a Ski Doo Skandic that my brother now owns.

So, I know a little about keep old snowmobiles running, but I do not know much about the models. I do not want to spend all my time working on the engines. I do not mind doing a rebuild with my son. I want parts that are fairly easy to find. And, of course, I want to keep it inexpensive.

What would be some good choices for two vintage sleds? I've only driven big snowmobiles. Is there a smaller vintage snowmobile that would be perfect for my kids and my wife?

gbryanton · 02-23-2009, 07:36 PM

The one sli ski-doo you refer to is the ski-doo alpine ,twin tracks and came with 440&640 engines.Agood sled for your son at his age would be a yamaha enticer 250-340 light and lots fast!

articcatbill · 02-23-2009, 08:44 PM

There will be a lot of personal preference in the machine choices. Everyone has their favorite. One suggestion if you are buying 2 machines (or more

) is stick to the same make and relatively the same years. That way what you learn on one sled as you go along often transfers to the other sled. People often like a certain style or look of a sled.

I like the older Arctic Cats with the Kawasaki motors, pre 75. The cleated tracks are nice and hold up well if maintained. Since we have 5 of them, like I said what I learn on one transfers to the other. The older (71-73) lynx with the 1-cylinder 292's are nice little sleds. They are light and easy to toss around, not a ton of top end but lot's of torque. My son is 6'1" and 215 and still rides a 292 lynx around so they can haul anyone. My daughter and wife have no problem handling the sled. Our 292's (we have 2 lynx 292s) have really been dependable and start pretty easy when tuned up right. I really like my 74 Cheetah 440.

But the actual choice of sleds is a lot of personal preference. being willing to learn and being able to work on them is really important to doing this economically. Vintage means different things to different people also, early 70's versus early 80's makes a difference in choice also...

98 xc 600 · 02-23-2009, 10:31 PM

You should check into a ski-doo Blizzard. we bought one a few years back, rebuilt the engine and now were fine. The only bad part is that the rear end is so light it can barly push the front through any snow, but it is nice on packed snow. All togeather including cost of sledd we probably have about 5 to 6 hundred stuck into it. It is a very nice ride.

98 xc 600 · 02-23-2009, 10:32 PM

oh and ours is a 81 5500 mx

WhistlePig · 02-23-2009, 11:00 PM

Thanks guys. Great info.

Would an early 80s model of, say a Ski Doo or an Arctic Cat be significantly easier to keep going than an early 70s model?

I like the ideas so far. I had not thought of a Yamaha, but that Enticer does look pretty cool and still retro, keep your favorite old sleds rolling in!

My son likes the Arctic Cat leopard-print seats.

P.S. Pictures would be cool.

articcatbill · 02-24-2009, 09:07 AM

OK pics, here are the 2 lynx 292's we have. Bought the pair of them for 400 (we have a personal 200$ limit/sled). They have never really given us any problems. When we got them I really didn't realize the value of all the parts the guy keep loading in the back of my truck at the same time. He gave us piles of parts that we have used over and over. I bet I could have sold the parts on ebay for the 400 I spent, easily. We keep them though and use them to keep the old Arctic cats running.

Next is a cheetah 440 I bought last year, I got a pair of them for around 200 for both. I have the one running super and rode it a lot this winter. It really didn't take much, carb cleaning, crank seals, a little clutch work (still needs a little more). The other I am getting close to having it running, still have some spark issue, I hope I have it figured out, just need some time to wrench. Was going to just use one for a parts sled, but thought I would give them both a shot to get running.

The last pic is a 72 AC panther my oldest son bought for about 185 on ebay. Again carb cleaning, tank cleaning, new crank seals and it was running super. It is a 399 and I just love the sound of that engine. It will sit and idle all day and just take off, it runs sweet.

BTW you made your first step towards enjoying your future vintage sleds, no matter which you choose. That is joining this forum, it is really a super forum with a lot of great advice available. The moderators do a great job keeping it clean and making sure all the questions get answered. This forum has been so much help to me in getting and keeping these sleds running.

Zeb · 02-24-2009, 10:51 AM

wistlepig, My boys 10 and12 just started to ride and started with a 80's Panther and Yamaha Excel 3. Both sled were really cheap used and sound running. Last weekend they hit one another and caused damage to both. Both boys were alright, but they're mad because the sled are down until they can help fix em' up! Should teach them a lesson sanding fiberglass!

WhistlePig · 02-24-2009, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeb

wistlepig, My boys 10 and12 just started to ride and started with a 80's Panther and Yamaha Excel 3. Both sled were really cheap used and sound running. Last weekend they hit one another and caused damage to both. Both boys were alright, but they're mad because the sled are down until they can help fix em' up! Should teach them a lesson sanding fiberglass!

Zeb -- HA! Glad they are OK. And learning how to work fiberglass.

That's actually a good point though. Maybe I should just start out with one sled to reduce the number of moving targets. My kids can switch off driving.

ArticcatBill - Those Arctic Cat Lynx sleds look just about perfect. I like the $200 limit!

Ultrafrozen · 02-24-2009, 12:15 PM

Check this site out for pictures and info: VINTAGE SNOWMOBILE BROCHURES - ON THIS PAGE YOU WILL FIND OVER 400 VINTAGE SNOWMOBILE BROCHURES POSTED.

curtludwig · 02-24-2009, 01:05 PM

For ease of keeping it going forever I'd say a single cylinder Rotax sled, like a bubblenose ('69-'70) Olympique although they used the singles through '72. '71 and '72 Olympiques can be had very inexpensively (I got mine for $50). Its very cheap to completely rebuild the motor assuming its not trashed when you start and replacement running motors can be had for less than $100.
They ride rough though, theres basically no suspension and the motors don't produce a lot of power and are quite tippy. That said my wife and I have put many miles on my '70 Oly many of them riding 2up.

An early Arctic Cat ('69-'72) with a single would be my next choice although I find them harder to throw around than the Ski-Doo. I've got a '71 I'm quite pleased with as a rider, the slide suspension makes it qute a bit more comfortable and I think its a bit more planted and since its front engine it turns better. Its heavier though and I'm not a big fan of the cleated tracks as they're useless on ice.

For rideablity, as in a sled you're actually planning to put some miles on I'd start looking no older than mid-'80s, preferably something with IFS although thats not a requirement. Look for a sled with some rear suspension (the rear end will sit up at rest) which will keep your kidneys from getting smashed on longer rides. I had a Blizzard 5500MX which as the other poster said is a nice sled on groomed trails but horrible in any amount of powder. I also had a TrailCat which I'd avoid as a new owner because of the horrible Mikuni butterfly carb.

A mid to late '80s Jag is a good choice, most of those came with a longer seat so a good sled to take young ones on. A friend got his kid an '87 Yamaha Excel (I think it was anyway) 340cc which has been a good sled.

Theres no one "best" sled, you'll need to try a bunch and see what you like.

**RJ Gleason** · 02-24-2009, 01:55 PM

I will not advocate any particular brand, but I will suggest that you limit the engine size to no larger than 340 to get started.
The smaller engine will have enough power for anything you and the boy want to do to start with and he can learn on a sled that is not too powerful or fast for his safety.
I do suggest that you both take a club sponsored safety course and then whatever sled you get, get a shop manual too.

WhistlePig · 02-24-2009, 05:51 PM

1. 1983 Indy 600 rebuilt engine. He says it runs well. Value ~$600?

2. 1981 Kawasaki Drifter 440. Says he drives it every day. 2500+ miles on rebuilt engine. Value ~$300?

Both of the above are willing to trade for guns I do not use worth about what they are asking. Both are big, but would get us out sledding this weekend.

3. This one below I am more interested in, but I have not hear back from him:

1981 Yamaha Enticer 340. Value ~$475?

I know I shouldn't jump into this so quick, but I would really like to have one this weekend.

4. Also talking to a guy about a 1972 Artic Cat Cheetah. Completely ripped-up seat, broken windshiled. He got it new and it's been in a shed since 1975. Wants to trade for a Winchester 30-30 worth about $450.

What do you think?

alaska_rider_93 · 02-24-2009, 06:39 PM

i learned on a '95 bearcat 340, but i was 14, so maybe something a little lighter would be good for him.

WhistlePig · 02-24-2009, 11:20 PM

Unfortunately, the Yamaha Enticer is off the table. The guy thinks "guns are not safe".

Anyone interested in trading a similar sled - or any of the sleds mentioned above - in Minnesota for a Winchester Model 94 30-30 or a Browning BPS 12ga?

**RJ Gleason** · 02-25-2009, 04:05 AM

I think That I personally would go with the Kawi as the vintage sled.
If you want more suspension, then the Poo is the one.

curtludwig · 02-25-2009, 12:41 PM

The Polaris is a much better rider but too big for a young kid to ride alone, I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with that being a first sled even for a teenager, it'll close in on 100mph top end... Will be quite controlable for a rider with some sense though. I paid $700 for my '94 Ski-Doo Grand Touring 670 which is a bigger 2up sled so $600 is probably a little high, $500 is probably reasonable but it depends on the area.

The Drifter is supposed to be a very good sled, especially for deep snow $300 is a good price. There seem to be lots of $300 sleds around right now though, w/torn seat and gauge missing (or a hole in the dash anyway) I'd try to bring the price down. Make sure nothing looks too messed with under the hood.

That Cheetah sounds trashed, the '72 was fairly unrefined, at least compared to '73 and later, I'd pay no more than $150 in the condition you describe. Its VERY easy to sink a bunch of money into an old sled and have something not worth what you've got into it.

For me a sled bought in haste tends to be a sled I shouldn't have bought. The ones I've taken time to seek out have been generally good buys. Take your time even if it means you miss out riding this season. People will be looking to unload sleds this time of year so you can come across some really nice deals.
Too bad you aren't in New England I'd trade my El Tigre for your Winchester.

74 Lynx · 02-25-2009, 04:57 PM

WhistlePig · 02-25-2009, 05:23 PM

Double Post

WhistlePig · 02-25-2009, 05:25 PM

I picked up the Polaris. Not exactly what I was looking for, but it runs well and should work for me. It reminds me of the Rupp 440 my Dad had when I was a teenager.

I plan to put some sort of governor on the throttle, because it is very fast

I have two more options:

A pair - 1974 John Deere JDX8 and JDX6.

What do you all think?