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Minnesota Kelly posted in the group Kelly’s ”Time Machine” Shop
Some not so deep thoughts on a Sunday night.
August has arrived and it means that I’m starting to make some noises about getting my project painting done. The first step in setting up my “paint booth” is to move some sleds into the house garage to give me some room to paint.
I don’t normally see most of these sleds on a regular basis a…Read More
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this is more true than you would believe.
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Minnesota Kelly posted in the group Kelly’s ”Time Machine” Shop
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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![Profile picture of Neenah Gary]()
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.
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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…Read More
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![Profile picture of Neenah Gary]()
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”.
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handlebars remind me of John Deere snowmobile handle bars
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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!
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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…Read More
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I found this photo over on Bookface. Not much for graphics is there?
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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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Minnesota Kelly posted in the group General Discussion
Really enjoying Gary’s event photos, amazing stuff! You Arctic Cat guys also have to be lovin’ this. The new ZR White Tiger. Awesome looking sled!
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![Profile picture of Hermie]()
You ask me one of the best if not the best color combos for MY27. I will be keeping an eye on cat to see if there quality gets better and perhaps a new updated rear suspension.
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![Profile picture of Neenah Gary]()
One of my earlier sleds had an unpainted tunnel, just polished aluminum. Scuff marks from my boots were evident and impossible to remove. I’m wondering if the same occurs with this AC. But, yes, that’s a really sharp looking machine, very much so!
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Minnesota Kelly posted in the group General Discussion
Wow, that is some thick smoke! Don’t breath! But seriously, be careful. Jon, I don’t know about the Circle Flies. We have our share of fly varieties but I don’t think we have those.
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![Profile picture of jr37]()
🤣🤣You must be a great guy then. Circle flies circle around a horse’s ass. It must just be a problem for me. 🤣🤣
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Minnesota Kelly posted in the group Kelly’s ”Time Machine” Shop
Brian, I’m adding a post with another photo of the rear suspension to give you a little different angle. As you said, there is really no shock dampening on the front swing arm.
The curious thing is how it all really works. The coil-over provides all the springing on the rear of the suspension by pushing against a fixed shaft that is only c…Read More
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Paul Clark and
Minnesota Kelly are now friends
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Minnesota Kelly posted in the group General Discussion
I doubt anyone else does this but I find that if I put a couple of squirts of Klotz in the lawn tractor gas tank when I fill it, I get a whiff of winter every time I fire it up. It really helps me get motivated to cut the grass
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![Profile picture of euphoric1]()
LOL!! Had some mixed gas with Klotz in it once and put it in my forklift could smell it for months after that LOL
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![Profile picture of jr37]()
I use Klotz in my weed wacker and leaf blower. Sometimes have to turn the exhaust towards me and inhale deeply a couple times. I’ve got a Klotz candle, but I can only burn it when my wife isn’t around.
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I put it in my chainsaw but I only use that a couple of times a summer. A friend of mine also has the candle. His wife is not a fan.
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![Profile picture of Minnesota Kelly]()
Minnesota Kelly posted in the group Kelly’s ”Time Machine” Shop
On the Kawasaki “Kawa-Bunga” project.
Hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend. Decided to create some fireworks of my own Saturday night (at least from a vocabulary perspective) and tear down the rear suspension.
There’s a lot not to like about the condition of the suspension. Some stuff is OK but I don’t think some parts can be…Read More
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![Profile picture of euphoric1]()
That is an interesting suspension, I take it the front swing arm is used only as an anchor for the rear shock? doesn’t seem like there would be enough movement in the front arm to really change positioning of the shock, when you put it back together would be interesting to see more how the rear arm actuates the shock, just doesn’t seem like the…Read More
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Minnesota Kelly posted in the group The Picture Page
Brian, you keep getting those grandkids out there. In what will seem like no time at all, they’ll be this age and loving fishing.
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![Profile picture of euphoric1]()
That’s my hope Kelly! and let me clear something up…this is NOT the first time I wanted to take them up north or fishing…it WAS the first time I was able to and now not only is it about forging relationships but exposing them to the outdoors and fishing, want to do this while it is cool so that when they are that age they will still love it.…Read More
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Minnesota Kelly posted in the group Kelly’s ”Time Machine” Shop
The Kawasaki “Kawa-Bunga” Project:
As hot as it is, why not think sleds
, so we’re talking egged-out suspension holes, caused by years of pounding.
There are a number of solutions, depending on the mounting design, including welding/brazing. Not having the ability to do either, I have to find other means. This will take a couple of post…Read More -
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Minnesota Kelly posted in the group Kelly’s ”Time Machine” Shop
The Kawasaki had two different solutions for the front and rear. The rear of the suspension is mounted to 1/16” plates that are replaceable. I was able to find a good right one on a spare chassis and a good left one on another chassis. Drill the out the rivets and replace the plates with the good ones. The first photo shows the hole d…Read More
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Minnesota Kelly posted in the group Kelly’s ”Time Machine” Shop
The damaged hole is drilled out to the size of the bushing. After checking the bushing fit, I shim it just enough to be perfectly even with the inside tunnel surface. Done!
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Minnesota Kelly posted in the group Kelly’s ”Time Machine” Shop
Co-worker gave me this shirt today. Apparently I”ve established a reputation.
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euphoric1 and
Minnesota Kelly are now friends
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Minnesota Kelly posted in the group Kelly’s ”Time Machine” Shop
The Kawasaki “Kawa-Bunga” Project:
Got the steel parts of the chassis blasted and painted. Also did a little polishing on the aluminum. Haven’t decided the level of polishing I’ll settle on but the tunnel isn’t perfect enough to go crazy. Maybe just give it a little brighter look.
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Minnesota Kelly posted in the group Kelly’s ”Time Machine” Shop
Summers are busy! It’s hard to find time for the project but I try to find some time now and then to keep it moving forward. One of the shots shows how the repairs to the back of the hood came out. Hood is ready for paint.
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Minnesota Kelly posted in the group Kelly’s ”Time Machine” Shop
I figured I’d really kick this page off with a few photos to bring everyone up to speed on my current restoration project, a 1980 Kawasaki Intruder.
After I bought this last fall, I got it running and actually rode it a little last winter but as these things often go, it had a LOT of issues – missing parts, broken parts, worn parts, and ass…Read More
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3 Comments-
![Profile picture of jr37]()
I look forward to retirement and the time to do stuff like this. I have an entirely disassembled Sidewinder just waiting to be brought back to life, but I just don’t have the time yet. Looking forward to seeing your progress, Kelly , and anything else that anyone has brewing out there.
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![Profile picture of Minnesota Kelly]()
You’ll get it done JR, I have faith. They only get better with time.
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![Profile picture of euphoric1]()
Kelly, as usual the master at his craft! chassis looks GREAT!!! as well as the hood work, really like the progression post, pretty neat!!
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