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Minnesota Kelly

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    Minnesota Kelly posted in the group Kelly’s ”Time Machine” Shop

    2 weeks, 1 day ago

    A little project diversion here. Finally picked up this little beauty today. Looks like the 2027 project is locked in. Long drive, but it was worth it. Nothing like that new sled smell. Gotta love the free-air sleds.

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    • A couple of questions here; What Is It? Without graphics, I can’t tell. Those handlebars look awkward, kinda like those on the bicycles of the 70’s. Anyway, glad to see you’ve got something to keep your head in the game for another year and congratulations on a new member of the family! We hope the Mrs. approves of another “rescue” at the table.

      • Sorry Gary, i guess I was a little short on details. It’s a 1980 Kawasaki 340 Drifter F/A, a one-year build sled and the only free air sled Kawasaki ever produced. The bars probably do look a little goofy but they feel right when you’re sitting on the sled. Kawasaki did take a page out of the bicycle book though and mounted the bars in a block that could be loosened to change the angle of the bars. My wife’s reaction was a little surprising. She didn’t really seem surprised, which made me suspicious, then she said “Well, it’s what you do.”. OK, now I’m really suspicious. Who is this woman? I think she now views vintage sleds as the lesser of many evils.

        • Tell your Mrs. all of us on SnowTrails appreciates her support. For you to rescue an old snowmobile that’s been abused and left alone in an old barn is admirable on your part. A little TLC, and a case of Hamm’s will go along way in bringing her up to speed on “Kelly Time”.

      • handlebars remind me of John Deere snowmobile handle bars

    • It’s in pretty decent shape! 2 Kaw’s in a row, you’ll be in the groove when it’s this ones turn. Nice!

      • Yeah it’s weird, considering Kawasaki wasn’t even on my radar a year ago and now I have two. The Drifter F/A is a unique animal. I’m thinking the windshield was an option. The shop manual I got with the sled shows it without one. Personally, I like it better without. I don’t think I’m even going to have to touch the hood, unless I want to add the “Drifter F/A” decals, which are missing. The fellow i bought it from used to work in a body shop and he painted it and applied the stripes while he worked there. There’s no way I could do a better job. Now I just have to avoid scratching it up too much.

        • I found this photo over on Bookface. Not much for graphics is there?

          • No, just a tiny “Drifter F/A” decal on the side. I think I mentioned this before, but it’s interesting that a windshield must have been optional. I’ve seen several photos now of this sled without one, including the cover of the shop manual.

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