To buy or Not to Buy: 85' SS440

F

fat-tire

New member
Joined
Sep 18, 2015
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Location
Chicago
Hey all,

I'm new to the forum and would love to get your expert advise. I am thinking about buy a 85' SS440 with only 1,500 miles on it. I haven't seen it in person but my brother has. He said it is so clean you can eat off of it and it starts on the first pull. The asking price is $500 but my brother believes we may be able to get it for $400. Is this a good deal? What things should I be looking for? I appreciate your help.

Here is a picture of the sled.85 SS440.jpg

Blessings
 
$500 is a deal! I would be happy to give that guy $500...if it starts on first pull and it's that clean you shouldn't have to look for much, especially with only 1500 miles. Just ride it man!
 
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Yea, that's a nice deal. If my silver/blue 83 SS440 ever gives up I'll be looking for a black one to replace it. I've easily put $500 into rebuilding my engine, track, skis etc.

I see you're in Chicago, where you at? I'm in Crete which is ~45min South of downtown. I can take a look at it with you if you wanted.
 
Thanks for the replies. Sounds like I'd be dumb not to jump in this.

Chad- I'm in Elgin. Thanks for the generous offer. I'd take you up on it however, the sled is in michigan, which is why I haven't seen it. My brother, along with most of my family, lives in Michigan. He has several sleds of his own and is pretty knowledgeable. I would also be storing it and riding it there.

So, based on what you all said, along with my brother, I'll tell him to pull the trigger.

There's no doubt I'll be returning back to this forum to tap into the knowledge base here. I'll also add reports of this upcoming adventure.
 
You won't regret the purchase that's for sure! Where I live in Ontario, those can be hard to find in that condition. IF you can find one in that shape your Gona pay for it. $500 gets you a POS that usually has been ridin hard and put away wet...
 
Well, we now have a new toy. I still haven't seen it but it is now sitting in my brothers garage. The guy wouldn't budge off the price but, based on your comments, it was a good price to begin with. Can't wait for the snow to fly.85 SS440 2.jpg
 
I made it to michigan this weekend. The sled is a lot cleaner than I thought. It starts up on the 1st pull. The engine looks like it just came off the show room floor. Hard to believe this is original and 30 years old.
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Man that is really nice! You scored on that! Keep that way and if you ever decide to sell, let me know please!!! I wonder why the airbox is gone though...
 
Nice sled!! Bulletproof in stock form.

Get the correct air box on it and get rid of that blue line. OEM line only.

Those carbs need the air box to properly deliver fuel. OEM line is best. That blue stuff won't last a year.

Been down this road many times.

opsled
 
I noticed the air filter was exposed. I actually thought it was just an aftermarket filter. I guess I need to find an air box. I noticed one on eBay for around $40. It looks like you have to remove the seat and gas tank to put it on. Here are a few more pics. Please let me know if you see any other concerns.
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fat-tire said:
I noticed the air filter was exposed. I actually thought it was just an aftermarket filter. I guess I need to find an air box. I noticed one on eBay for around $40. It looks like you have to remove the seat and gas tank to put it on. Here are a few more pics. Please let me know if you see any other concerns.
Click to expand...

I have had a pair of 82 SS440's for nearly 30 years now. You really can't kill these sleds.

Yours is VERY clean under the hood and it all looks pretty good underneath too. The slides look like they are about done but thats easy stuff. Do all the wheels spin freely?

It would be a good idea to pull the skid out and clean/lube all the shafts as these old sleds don't have any grease fittings. I have added fittings to mine over the years so I dont have to pull the whole thing apart just to grease them.

Would you be willing to measure the outside diameter of the collar inside of your front springs for me? its inside the box in this picture:Spring collar.jpg


I need to add these springs to mine I was able to get the springs but the collars are no longer available. If I can get the measurements I can machine up my own.

Thanks in advance and congrats on the great buy to got there.;)!
 
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Cooper0809 said:
You shouldn't have to remove gas tank or seat to put airbox on, it should just slide right in beside steering column
Click to expand...
The air box on my 82's require my to remove the gas tank to get it out because the steering shaft is in the way from pulling it forward.

Srv560 said:
Nice, does that have a round slide carb on it?
Sent from my iPhone
Click to expand...
His pics show the standard keihin butterfly carb
 
I thought there was enough room, but looking at my 540 I realize there's not. Wonder if unbolting the steering column would work...hmmm
 
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