'Bout time you got the utility bug, you've been lurking on that MXZ for too long

 

I'm shocked that it took this long , I had almost forgotten your search for a groomer . I'll look forward to seeing a different utility sled worked over here

 

This is just the start for me. This is really the club sled but there are only 5-6 real club memebers and 2 of them are my dad and I. This groomer will be kept at my house but if I like it I am going to buy another one. Skandic's are hard to come by in my area so I am looking at more VK's I think I am going to look at this one when I figure out if I like this one.

http://nh.craigslist.org/rvs/2015100032.html

 

Here are some pictures I snapped. Can you see the frost!

 

More

 

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I will try to keep this thread updated with pictures but here is the link to my photobucket account where you can view them all.

http://s286.photobucket.com/albums/ll104/Ncyr/Groomer/

 

That's a real original, that's for sure, there were a lot of those around these parts once upon a time but less these days. The VK540II in your link to Craigslist is in pretty good shape for $1200 and steers/handles a lot better with the wider front stance.

One of my riding buddies is the King of VK's, I'll ask him what to look out for on these. I should know myself, but I'm drawing a blank here now other than front engine mounts, drive axle brgs, jackshaft brgs and chaincase brgs, but these are all standard fare items that you should check on any sled, especially after being used as a groomer.

 

I had a good chat with my friend and he laughed when I asked what the old first gen VK's needed... his only answer was "GAS!". Apparently the first-gens were bullet proof to say the least.

The original VK had the YPV clutch, similar to what is used on the Bravo, and wasn't prone to clutch component wear like the II/III's with the YXRC primary. Chaincase-wise, they were also ridiculously tough and hardly ever dropped a chain, gear or tensioner. About the only thing to look out for in the rear skid is the bushings in the upper part of the rear flip-up section as apparently those could wear out prematurely.

The VKII/III is a better sled for its ability to haul harder, hit higher speeds, shift more precisely and be more comfortable, but the regular VK540 had its strong points as well by the looks of things.

 

I would like to be able to find a Alpine but those are also hard to come by also in this area. It's going to be a while before I can really start working on this thing I think. Our garage is full right now. So its going to be one of those take stuff out and work on it for a while then put the Vette and Sportsman back in and put this thing back on the trailer. Its going to be an interesting build.

 

The Alpine and Alpine II is not what it's cracked up to be.

You're much better off with your VK540's, you're not missing anything.

 

Update: Its off the trailer and on a sheet of plywood. Only because I needed the trailer to move the Sportsman.

 

Boo... hiss.

Get at that thing, if you just pick at it, it will drive you nuts, trust me.

 

Well its just about done. Will post pics tomorrow.

 

So after a lot of cleaning up we got it outside and rode it around a little, covered it up and waited for snow. Well last night and today we got some

. So I go to ride it today and it won't start and when it does it fouls plugs one after another. Well we figure it was a gummed up carb but after some searching we found it was water in the gas. So after some draining and cleaning of the carb we took the air box of and found a mice nest.

Well after some more cleaning we get it all put back together and fueled up, I back it out of the garage ride it across the field and what do you know a grinding noise coming from the back end.

I park it in the driveway, look at the back suspension and it looked like there was a polar bear sitting on. The suspension was sucked right up underneath it and the grinding was the picks hitting the tunnel.

I parked it and said it can wait until tomorrow.

 

Another question I was looking at this sled. Its needs a lot of cosmetic stuff which is easy but is it really worth 1500? I know the gear boxes are worth a lot.

http://maine.craigslist.org/rvs/2130585486.html

 

You do realize this guy has posted this sled in the Skandic forum today right?

 

No but now I do! Thanks LB.

 

That's a really good bulletproof gearbox, but the linkage is kind of a pain down there.

 

Got the suspension fixed. A limiter strap broke in the rear end and flipped the torsions, bent the shock etc. Shes all fixed now. Hooked it up to the drag and drove it around. It needs some steering work that's all I have to say. I think it has a worse turning radius then a tractor trailer. Take off the drag and its not much better. Anyone have any ideas without putting any money into it? I was thinking ski spacers.

 

Well we finally got some good snow here in Maine about 16". I got the thing fired up and started riding it around the field. I fell in love, these 20" wide track sleds are amazing in the snow. They float perfect. But as I was riding something else broke. I don't know what yet but I think it was something in the drivetrain. It takes a lot to get it moving like its stuck then it clugs along. Like its something in the cogs. If you get even moving more then a walking speed the gearbox starts making noise like a clanking. I really like the sled but all I have been having is issues with it. I mean I know its 23 years old but last year it was fine and now its just one thing after another. I just left it outside and figured I would take a look at it tomorrow.