Відео

The Spifire took over the position previously held by the 300, as the entry level / low cost production machine. The 78s had a round slide Mikuni carb that is held in much higher regard than the later butterfly models. The Spitfire was sold in large numbers, off the top of my head, I believe the second highest production numbers of all the Deere machines. The factory put their weight at a light 275 lbs, so an adult can really toss them around. The 78s and 79s had Kohler engines, after that Kawasaki. The consensus seems to be that there was no performance advantage to either engine, but the Kohler seem to be favored. The cylinders were chrome plated so cannot be simply bored oversize, and pistons are hard to come by. The direct drive tracks are thin so as to be flexible, and 50 years later many have deteriorated. New replacements are not available.

I had a '78 a few years ago, A fun little sled for sure.

Bader Brothers John Deere dealer. I remember them

I could have bought one back in the 90s that was mint 400 miles for 500.00. You must be from Minnesota as I see you have no snow.

Looks like you have as much snow as we do in Albany New York

That cover is worth more than sled. Nice!

I can remember all these old sleds back in the day. You could buy these cheap and we ended up buying a Scorpion Super Stinger for a couple hundred bucks.

Hell yes I think all the kids back in the dsy had one I had one of them and a liquid fire they were the ones to have back in the days

I wanted one of those soo bad when I was a kid! We ended up with the 300 that thing wouldn’t die.

Thats in as good of shape as i remember them in the mid 80s. Really nice.

Miss John Deere snowmobiles and the free air 2 strokes.

I had more fun on a spitfire than any other sled I’ve ever ridden

NICE 👍

Make sure to carry some floor dry with there leakers just like the older harley motorcycles

Thank you for posting. My boyhood friend Billy Holmes had this model in the early 70s. Brings back great memories. This was in Pennsyvania. I now live in California and brought this same model for 100 dollars a few years ago. My brother could not believe it at the time because it was about 40 years ago, we last saw Billy's. The snowmobile did not have a motor, gas tank, clutch guard. Installed harbor freight 4 stroke in it. Had it on the snow 2 years ago. Ran pretty poor but was fun and a conversation piece. Altitude issues, clutch issues, motor torque issues. Who knows. I hope to improve it somewhere along the line. Thanks for the memories!!

We had an old Ski Route 45 years ago that had boogie wheels. The fuel tank was in front of the engine. It had a 292 Sach engine.

Gave you a sub from Upstate New York

At least these older ones looked like snowmobiles. A functional windshield

Like the Homelite chain saw, the snow machine makes a good Anchor too!

Same motor as the 440 invader but with Deere's clutches.

Just enjoy it

My service manual says it uses a centryx clutch.

Rare sled. Cool!

That is IMMACULATE CONDITION ! as you say. You are kidding Right--that was a joke I take it. Rough

Need to get rid of the skis cart wheel king

Had a 76 TX440 Great sled Did many of the same things you did Also replaced the stator Sled was a GEM, the only sled I ever regret selling

With a Mikuni and Kohler . You have a nice sled.

They were an awesome sled , then they couldn't compete with the big manufacturers. They just kept adding to the old style chassis

Interesting and entertaining! Thank you for sharing this video ‼️

I remember seeing that one on marketplace, it was a good deal. Those WF carbs are goofy, kind of a cross between a pumper and mikuni. They were used on Scorpions of the same era as well

Super cool piece of snowmobile history

The good old days when I rode sled and enjoyed the vintage stuff. Nice sled.

Never knew they made a Homelite sled...Cool.

Must have been to scary for him.

20 hp?

Looks like a Polaris charger I had

I grew up in the 1960's and we heated out 1836 Stone farmhouse with wood. We had a number of Homelight chainsaws.

Gotta love that old " Tinny " muffler sound from the older sleds.

Friend of mine has the same one. Hasn't been out of the shed probably since the mid 90s. It fricken ripped compared to my artic cat 5000

I had a 74 that I restored and sold

NICE 👍

Thanks for the video 😊

Anyone know where I can get a new track for on of these?

Excellent Video :) I remember my late dad 1969 Bombardier one had 1 cylinders 292 CC type like this one was 5 gallon fuel tank and fit 3 people on ! Windshield was Green also his was Yellow and Black colors! He sold in 1993 for $175.00 and was cool !

👍👍👊

Very nice! I had a 82 Liquifire. Regret selling it

Cool odd ball sled!

Sweet Sled!

Awesome ride! I have restored a 1970 Massey Ferguson Ski Whiz and a 1971 Sno Pony, Mach III

Beautiful machine! I have my grandparents '78 '79 trailfire 440's and looking for a new track for both? We're can a guy find some?