1983 Yamaha Excel III

[EricR]

Uff-da! I have fixed some pretty rusty stuff, BUT... you many be better finding another sled with a blown or missing engine and a much more solid bulkhead/pan.

It's a shame, those steel pan or chassis machines when left in the elements often rot out in the base. Especially if they are with the nose downward. Or pine needles and leaves get in.

[Vintagesleds.com]

[Snowman02]

I pulled the motor out for better access from the top. Then I made some patches and riveted them in. I cut them out of a hood from a wrecked Suzuki, so now I have Suzuki sheet metal on my Yamaha. The belly pan is rotted much worse than I originally thought. It will need to be replaced or patched properly eventually, but it will be ok for now.

[Snowman02]

Uff-da! I have fixed some pretty rusty stuff, BUT... you many be better finding another sled with a blown or missing engine and a much more solid bulkhead/pan.

It's a shame, those steel pan or chassis machines when left in the elements often rot out in the base. Especially if they are with the nose downward. Or pine needles and leaves get in.

I was thinking of finding another one, but the problem is the parts machines are rotted just as bad, and the nice ones are too much money or too far away. I’m not afraid to try fixing this one, but it will be a lot of work, probably more than this is worth. As you can see in my next post after yours, it was full of acorns and pine needles. The patches I put in won’t last forever, but should hold until I decide what I’m going to do with it.

[EricR]

Agreed, the good chassis are hard to find. You did a good job patching that one! If you look at my Elan built from parts thread you'll see how much I had to patch on that thing.

[Snowman02]

Agreed, the good chassis are hard to find. You did a good job patching that one! If you look at my Elan built from parts thread you'll see how much I had to patch on that thing.

Thanks. I'm not sure how long it will hold up, the metal is pretty thin around the edge of the patches in some places. It was only meant to last the rest of this season and possibly next season until I can fix it right. I'll take a look at that thread when I get a chance.

[Snowman02]

After that was done, I put it all back together and finished it up for now. I got the electric start working and put in a new choke cable. It starts easy and runs good. Now that it’s mechanically done, it is time to finish making it pretty. I polished the footrests and bumper. There is some pitting in spots, but for the most part, they cleaned up good. I also redid the hood. I still need to find a nicer seat, or recover this one. At this point, it is done until I tear into the suspension, but that probably won’t be for a while.

[Snowman02]

More pictures

[Snowman02]

Even more pictures

[Skier76]

Lookin good! A lot different from when it was sitting.

[Snowman02]

Lookin good! A lot different from when it was sitting.

Thanks. It’s hard to believe it is the same sled.

[hotdoo]

I fixed up one of those a couple of years ago,have to admit I had more to work with ! lol My biggest trouble was the coils for that particular year, made only one year from what I found out,managed to get one from MT Pleasant salvage yard, after that parts guys told me the track was also a one year deal! I fixed it up for a friend of mine,he wanted for his grand son. He drove it for two years and the friend moved from Gaylord and gave it away to someone else! Good move, I didn't want it back! lol hotdoo

[Snowman02]

I have been back to work on this project, time for an update. I pulled the suspension out and replaced the rear springs, shock, and slides. I didn’t replace the front springs, but they look easy enough to do later if I decide they need to be changed. I knocked the heavy rust off with a wire brush and brushed a coat of rustoleum on. Now it’s back together and ready for some snow. I still have to get a seat cover, but this project is pretty much done now besides some small odds and ends, at least until something else breaks. Here’s a few pictures:

[Snowman02]

A few more pictures: