Reliability

[vtg]

I took in a vintage derby yesterday in Birtle, MB. It wasn't a huge turn out but at 54 vintage machines it was still a decent showing. The trail although a tad rough in some spots, was still very nice and I met some wonderful people there.

The thing that surprised me the most is that I did not see even one broken down sled during the 20 mile ride. I guess that is a testament to how well cared for most of these old sleds are. It seems people maintain them now far better than they ever did back back in the day.

I went to scads of derbies in the late 1970s and early 1980s and it seemed like broken down sleds littered the sides of the trail everywhere. Honestly, it was not at all uncommon for 10% of the entries to need a tow to the nearest road back then......and I remember towing a lot of them. Congrats to all you guys who so capably keep these old machines going!

[Vintagesleds.com]

[Arcticmerc]

My bad I thought this thread was about Yamahas Big Sal

[71SX440]

My bad I thought this thread was about Yamahas Big Sal

I think on most of these rides they have a cutter behind a Polaris full of Yamahahahahs pistons now.

[duane]

My bad I thought this thread was about Yamahas Big Sal

Update I burned it down ..........bad.

[Arcticmerc]

My bad I thought this thread was about Yamahas Big Sal

Update I burned it down ..........bad.

Operator error shut up Duhwayne Big Sal

[Sledded]

I agree about the reliability factor. My nerve endings actually extend to my track so I feel and hear anything out of the ordinary. The only problem I've had on the trail was my track on my Golden Ghost was ratcheting (too much power) which we adjusted on the trail, and I broke a chain on my 67 Johnson last year. (again, just too much power)

[zuknomad]

Good thread topic!

vtg, I'm impressed that not one old sled failed on your ride. I agree with you and Sledded that those serious about this hobby keep on up maintenance and also believe most take it as a matter of pride that their equipment is sound. I did see a few being towed back while on the Relic Ride in the U.P. a couple of weeks ago, but considering how many started the ride, it was still a small percentage.

For one, I ride too much alone not to have my sled in the best possible running condition for it's age and miles (3000). Like many of us that ride something around 40 years old, I'm not unprepared when I go out, carrying tools and spares, tow strap (just in case  ), water, a small bottle of mixed fuel, etc. The Massey's storage box is large.

And it's comforting knowing I've made my snowmobile reliable, the ice can be a pretty desolate place to break down!

[Ski of Plenty]

Good thread topic!

vtg, I'm impressed that not one old sled failed on your ride. I agree with you and Sledded that those serious about this hobby keep on up maintenance and also believe most take it as a matter of pride that their equipment is sound. I did see a few being towed back while on the Relic Ride in the U.P. a couple of weeks ago, but considering how many started the ride, it was still a small percentage.

For one, I ride too much alone not to have my sled in the best possible running condition for it's age and miles (3000). Like many of us that ride something around 40 years old, I'm not unprepared when I go out, carrying tools and spares, tow strap (just in case  ), water, a small bottle of mixed fuel, etc. The Massey's storage box is large.

And it's comforting knowing I've made my snowmobile reliable, the ice can be a pretty desolate place to break down!

Zuk, if you have a reliable Ski-Whiz my hat is off to you! I have absolutely nothing against the Whizzers but EVERY vintage ride I have ever been on that included a Ski-Whiz...well they might as well come with a retractable tow rope in the front end. I almost feel sorry for the guys that ride 'em. Some of us rode this past weekend and you guessed it...the only Ski-Whiz in the bunch had a major engine failure and came home on the hook. I will say this, most of the Ski-Whiz sleds I have seen on vintage rides looked like they could use some professional mechanical preparation before attempting a longer ride. 

[zuknomad]

Ski 'O, not wanting to start another JLO twin thread, I'll just say the engines in those Massey's you've seen break down were likely not checked for plug burn, case, head and seal leaks, etc. prior to taking it on something longer than a spin around the yard, but you might say that about any of them. A proper and consistent fuel mix seems very important with these old engines, as well.

[HYDRAULICYAM]

VTG ... could it also be the riders are also 35 years older and don't abuse the sled over every obstacle
as "we" did when we were 35 years younger  
Ron
guilty as a youngn

[Ski of Plenty]

Ski 'O, not wanting to start another JLO twin thread, I'll just say the engines in those Massey's you've seen break down were likely not checked for plug burn, case, head and seal leaks, etc. prior to taking it on something longer than a spin around the yard, but you might say that about any of them. A proper and consistent fuel mix seems very important with these old engines, as well.

The 'Whiz that went down for us on the last ride had a Rockwell/JLO single in it but either way your point is spot on. My 75 Whip that I rode has a 340 Rockwell twin and is dead reliable...but I have fussed over it meticulously. Another opinion I have on these older Rockwells/JLO's is that ignition timing is absolutely critical...and 91 octane pump gas alone is not good enough for long sustained running...no matter what oil you use.

[stinger440]

I agree with Zuk. After 40 some years people have learned the little tricks to keep a tilly in tune, how to keep fuel flowing, how not to leave them under a pine tree all summer and expect them to be ready to rock come snowfall. Grease on all moveable parts will do more for reliability than any fuel/oil ratio 

[unclebob78]

The only thing zuk forgot in his survival kit was a bottle of advil (or Jack)

[XCRacer440]

Some of us rode this past weekend and you guessed it...the only Ski-Whiz in the bunch had a major

LOL was this the Whiz in front of the bar in Hendrum on the Halstead ride in MN this weekend?

[zuknomad]

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XCRacer440, the above quote in your post does not belong to me. Please fix it. Thank-you.