PhatboyC
New member
Sled Trivia
Snowmobile Trivia
Name a Pink snowmobile...
1972, Scorpion introduced the Stingerette, a sled marketed towards the female rider. Besides the standard model colors of the day, the color line up for this sled included metallic purple and Pink! Engines were 290cc CCW.
What year did Arctic Cat change to model names instead of numbers?
1962 through 1965 AC had numerical designations, the Panther was introduced in 1966 changing that trend.
What does a new sled cost these days? (model year 2007)
- no mountain sleds included -
Three categories: (of which I made up)
Cheap trail: 2 stroke only, average of 11 sleds, $5450.00
Cheap trail: 2 and 4 stroke, average of 16 sleds, $5965.00
High performance trail: 2 and 4 stroke: average of 40 sleds, $9400.00
Most expensive: $11,900 Arctic Cat F1000 SP
If you cut a 100 lb spring in half, what rate will you have?
200 lbs.
Where did Skiroule get its name?
Rejean Houle, working out of his fathers farm equipment business in Wickham Quebec, started production in 1966. The origin of the Skiroule name: SKI Rejean hOULE. Production lasted for 10 years.
What are you supposed to do with used motor oil?
According to the 1972 Motorcycle Repair Manual (Lubrication: 2 stroke & 4 stroke by Pete Estrada - Motorcyclist Magazine) for disposal of old oil: A "sanitary fill" in some dark corner of the yard, or along the side of the house to keep termites away, is the best place for this mess. Wow!
What is the longest snowmobile race in the world?
The Tesoro IronDog race in Alaska is the longest snowmobile race in the world which usually runs about 2000 miles. Very little about this race makes it to the lower 48 which has been run continuously since 1984 (cancelled once) and takes 3 days to run. Teams of 2 riders/sleds make up each entry. A major accomplishment to win, or even finish this one.
What is the world water-speed record?
Another non-snowmobile trivia bit but we are mostly gear heads so here goes: 317 mph set Ken Warby in the Spirit of Australia in 1978. (yep, 197
How much does a shock cost if all the parts are purchased separately?
A shock from "a major manufacturer" which listed for $290.00 came in at $727.00 if each item was purchased individually at retail prices.
What was the last production free-air sled?
The 1984 John Deere Snowfire was the last sled with a free-air engine. Its cousin, the Sprintfire, featured a liquid cooled 340cc Kawasaki engine. Both were direct drive. These were the last sleds with the Deere nameplate.
Name 4 "firsts" on the 1972 Blizzard...
1. First use of a Rotary Valve induction on a Ski-Doo
2. First front mounted engine on a Ski-Doo
3. First jack shaft mounted driven pulley on a Ski-Doo
4. First use of a hydraulic brake on a Ski-Doo
What year did Yamaha introduce the TSS suspension?
Yamaha introduced the Telescopic Strut Suspension on the SRV (the "V" means "5") in 1981. They claimed it was "Space-age Technology" Best we can tell it lasted until about 1996 when they introduced a trailing arm front suspension. That's 15 years of progress folks.
"We build them tough because we've seen you drive"
An ad from Scorpion in 1980 claimed this. Also in fine print it says "Jumping not recommended" - go figure.
Who is the world's third largest producer of commercial aircraft? And what does this have to do with snowmobiling?
Bombardier Inc, makers of Ski-Doo snowmobiles.
Who is Ralph Plaisted?
The first scientifically verified overland arrival at the Pole was made by four amateur explorers led by Ralph Plaisted in 1968 but they were not the first to visit the North Pole, this belongs to four men from the Soviet Union in 1948 according to the Guinness World Records.
Using Ski-Doo Olympique snowmobiles these men became the first to reach the Pole by motorized surface travel. This arrival at the Pole was verified through the use of a U.S. Air Force weather plane which recorded their trip.
Name 3 things the 1970 Polaris TX was notable for.
1. The first twin & triple Fuji engines
2. The introduction of the "as we know it now" Polaris clutch
3. The use of a fiberglass slide rail, aka "Power Slide"
A Sears and Roebuck snowmobile?
You bet. Starting in the mid 60's, Sears sold sleds manufactured by Scorpion, AMF, OMC, & Polaris under their own name. Not to be outdone, JCPenney and Wards also offered sleds. 1972 was the last year sleds were sold by the catalog retailers.
What was the first sled to crack the 100mph barrier?
On March 14, 1968, a specially prepared Trade Winds Cheetah with a 594cc opposed-twin JLO motor recorded 101 mph. The record was set on White Lake near Manawa, Wisconsin. Trade Winds made the Evinrude Bobcat and Johnson Challenger for OMC for the 1969 model year. 1970 was the last year sleds were made by Trade Winds under the Gilson name.
What snowmobile did Elvis Presley own?
A Jetstar (early 70s?) made by Hellstar of Wahoo, Nebraska. The sled featured a primitive IFS system, much like the Yamaha strut system except with an external coil spring. Reportedly on display at Graceland.
Name the 4-stroke sled that Arctic Cat had in the 70's?
In 1975 Arctic Cat makes the Trail Cat. This sled is powered by a 10hp Briggs & Stratton Engine. It features a 13" wide track and electric start. Limited production, it is now considered a collectors item. Cost? $700.00
Arctic Cat also made a limited production in 1971 of an 8 hp 4-stroke Lynx. This was powered by a Kohler engine. Also made was a 1972 Panther with the same engine. Another bit; Arctic's first 2 stroke engine was for the 1965 season.
How many miles of snowmobile trails in Minnesota?
About 18,000 miles. This is nearly 2/3 around the circumference of the world!
Name 2 sleds that used a hydraulic torque converter?
The 1974 and 1975 Yamaha TL433F and the 1974 and 1975 Arctic Cat VIP both used a hydraulic torque converter, just like your Buick - no drive belt.
What does "EXT" stand for?
When the first Arctic Cat EXT Special was introduced in the 70's, the EXT stood for "exterminator". Pretty intimidating don't you think? Another bit: Pantera is Italian for Panther.
"Then we back up every Ski-Doo snowmobile with a warranty. Oh, it may be a little complicated to read, but all good warranties are couched in legal terms. If you have a problem, ask your dealer and he'll sort it out."
A quote from an ad for the 1972 Ski-Doo's. A little complicated? All manufacturers should be so honest.
What was the first production sled to be fitted with Fox internal floating piston gas shocks?
The 1990 Arctic Cat EXT Special.
In 1968 Ski-Doo introduced the T'NT series. What does T'NT stand for?
'Track N Trails' The 68 T'NT had a 600cc fan cooled vertical twin with two carbs in a " V" shape. The 600cc engine was the first engine Rotax made specificaly for a Ski-Doo. The 68 T'NT is a very rare sled because Bombardier only produced 125 of these Ski-Doo. Two models were produced for 1969, a 399cc and a 669cc machine. In 1970 the line was expanded to 5 models. Also, an optional slide suspension was offered for an additional $20.00. 1978 was the last year for the T'NT.
How many versions of the Polaris Indy Trail were offered for the 1989 season?
Of course the venerable Trail is not with us anymore but in 1989 five versions were available - the standard Trail, the Trail Deluxe with 2 up seat, the Trail ES with electric start (duh!), the Trail SP with a 38" ski stance, and the Trail SKS with a 133" track.
Snowmobile Trivia
Name a Pink snowmobile...
1972, Scorpion introduced the Stingerette, a sled marketed towards the female rider. Besides the standard model colors of the day, the color line up for this sled included metallic purple and Pink! Engines were 290cc CCW.
What year did Arctic Cat change to model names instead of numbers?
1962 through 1965 AC had numerical designations, the Panther was introduced in 1966 changing that trend.
What does a new sled cost these days? (model year 2007)
- no mountain sleds included -
Three categories: (of which I made up)
Cheap trail: 2 stroke only, average of 11 sleds, $5450.00
Cheap trail: 2 and 4 stroke, average of 16 sleds, $5965.00
High performance trail: 2 and 4 stroke: average of 40 sleds, $9400.00
Most expensive: $11,900 Arctic Cat F1000 SP
If you cut a 100 lb spring in half, what rate will you have?
200 lbs.
Where did Skiroule get its name?
Rejean Houle, working out of his fathers farm equipment business in Wickham Quebec, started production in 1966. The origin of the Skiroule name: SKI Rejean hOULE. Production lasted for 10 years.
What are you supposed to do with used motor oil?
According to the 1972 Motorcycle Repair Manual (Lubrication: 2 stroke & 4 stroke by Pete Estrada - Motorcyclist Magazine) for disposal of old oil: A "sanitary fill" in some dark corner of the yard, or along the side of the house to keep termites away, is the best place for this mess. Wow!
What is the longest snowmobile race in the world?
The Tesoro IronDog race in Alaska is the longest snowmobile race in the world which usually runs about 2000 miles. Very little about this race makes it to the lower 48 which has been run continuously since 1984 (cancelled once) and takes 3 days to run. Teams of 2 riders/sleds make up each entry. A major accomplishment to win, or even finish this one.
What is the world water-speed record?
Another non-snowmobile trivia bit but we are mostly gear heads so here goes: 317 mph set Ken Warby in the Spirit of Australia in 1978. (yep, 197
How much does a shock cost if all the parts are purchased separately?
A shock from "a major manufacturer" which listed for $290.00 came in at $727.00 if each item was purchased individually at retail prices.
What was the last production free-air sled?
The 1984 John Deere Snowfire was the last sled with a free-air engine. Its cousin, the Sprintfire, featured a liquid cooled 340cc Kawasaki engine. Both were direct drive. These were the last sleds with the Deere nameplate.
Name 4 "firsts" on the 1972 Blizzard...
1. First use of a Rotary Valve induction on a Ski-Doo
2. First front mounted engine on a Ski-Doo
3. First jack shaft mounted driven pulley on a Ski-Doo
4. First use of a hydraulic brake on a Ski-Doo
What year did Yamaha introduce the TSS suspension?
Yamaha introduced the Telescopic Strut Suspension on the SRV (the "V" means "5") in 1981. They claimed it was "Space-age Technology" Best we can tell it lasted until about 1996 when they introduced a trailing arm front suspension. That's 15 years of progress folks.
"We build them tough because we've seen you drive"
An ad from Scorpion in 1980 claimed this. Also in fine print it says "Jumping not recommended" - go figure.
Who is the world's third largest producer of commercial aircraft? And what does this have to do with snowmobiling?
Bombardier Inc, makers of Ski-Doo snowmobiles.
Who is Ralph Plaisted?
The first scientifically verified overland arrival at the Pole was made by four amateur explorers led by Ralph Plaisted in 1968 but they were not the first to visit the North Pole, this belongs to four men from the Soviet Union in 1948 according to the Guinness World Records.
Using Ski-Doo Olympique snowmobiles these men became the first to reach the Pole by motorized surface travel. This arrival at the Pole was verified through the use of a U.S. Air Force weather plane which recorded their trip.
Name 3 things the 1970 Polaris TX was notable for.
1. The first twin & triple Fuji engines
2. The introduction of the "as we know it now" Polaris clutch
3. The use of a fiberglass slide rail, aka "Power Slide"
A Sears and Roebuck snowmobile?
You bet. Starting in the mid 60's, Sears sold sleds manufactured by Scorpion, AMF, OMC, & Polaris under their own name. Not to be outdone, JCPenney and Wards also offered sleds. 1972 was the last year sleds were sold by the catalog retailers.
What was the first sled to crack the 100mph barrier?
On March 14, 1968, a specially prepared Trade Winds Cheetah with a 594cc opposed-twin JLO motor recorded 101 mph. The record was set on White Lake near Manawa, Wisconsin. Trade Winds made the Evinrude Bobcat and Johnson Challenger for OMC for the 1969 model year. 1970 was the last year sleds were made by Trade Winds under the Gilson name.
What snowmobile did Elvis Presley own?
A Jetstar (early 70s?) made by Hellstar of Wahoo, Nebraska. The sled featured a primitive IFS system, much like the Yamaha strut system except with an external coil spring. Reportedly on display at Graceland.
Name the 4-stroke sled that Arctic Cat had in the 70's?
In 1975 Arctic Cat makes the Trail Cat. This sled is powered by a 10hp Briggs & Stratton Engine. It features a 13" wide track and electric start. Limited production, it is now considered a collectors item. Cost? $700.00
Arctic Cat also made a limited production in 1971 of an 8 hp 4-stroke Lynx. This was powered by a Kohler engine. Also made was a 1972 Panther with the same engine. Another bit; Arctic's first 2 stroke engine was for the 1965 season.
How many miles of snowmobile trails in Minnesota?
About 18,000 miles. This is nearly 2/3 around the circumference of the world!
Name 2 sleds that used a hydraulic torque converter?
The 1974 and 1975 Yamaha TL433F and the 1974 and 1975 Arctic Cat VIP both used a hydraulic torque converter, just like your Buick - no drive belt.
What does "EXT" stand for?
When the first Arctic Cat EXT Special was introduced in the 70's, the EXT stood for "exterminator". Pretty intimidating don't you think? Another bit: Pantera is Italian for Panther.
"Then we back up every Ski-Doo snowmobile with a warranty. Oh, it may be a little complicated to read, but all good warranties are couched in legal terms. If you have a problem, ask your dealer and he'll sort it out."
A quote from an ad for the 1972 Ski-Doo's. A little complicated? All manufacturers should be so honest.
What was the first production sled to be fitted with Fox internal floating piston gas shocks?
The 1990 Arctic Cat EXT Special.
In 1968 Ski-Doo introduced the T'NT series. What does T'NT stand for?
'Track N Trails' The 68 T'NT had a 600cc fan cooled vertical twin with two carbs in a " V" shape. The 600cc engine was the first engine Rotax made specificaly for a Ski-Doo. The 68 T'NT is a very rare sled because Bombardier only produced 125 of these Ski-Doo. Two models were produced for 1969, a 399cc and a 669cc machine. In 1970 the line was expanded to 5 models. Also, an optional slide suspension was offered for an additional $20.00. 1978 was the last year for the T'NT.
How many versions of the Polaris Indy Trail were offered for the 1989 season?
Of course the venerable Trail is not with us anymore but in 1989 five versions were available - the standard Trail, the Trail Deluxe with 2 up seat, the Trail ES with electric start (duh!), the Trail SP with a 38" ski stance, and the Trail SKS with a 133" track.
PhatboyC
New member
Ever heard of a product called Analube?
"Is this the perfect lubricant?" A quote from an ad in 1972 for a synthetic, biodegradable, snowmobile oil. Although the product may have been superior, the marketing guys sure blew the name - no more comments.
"A very big deal these days is air pollution, and it must be admitted that the snowmobile at first glance appears to be a terrible offender".
This was from an article called "Air Pollution and the Snowmobile: The Cleanest Act In Town", published in the Jan-Feb 1972 issue of Invitation To Snowmobiling. It goes on to say "From the point of view of ecologists, knowledgeable legislators and a large segment of the public, we are beyond the point in our fight for the environment that we can shrug off any pollution as insignificant". This is the most prophetic article this webmaster has ever seen. I wish there was room (read time) to reprint the entire article. A full 25 years ahead of its time. The original author is unknown.
Note: Two days after DeyCore posted this trivia bit (April 25, 2000), the Department of Interior's issuance of a snowmobile ban in national parks was announced.
What was Yamaha's first race sled?
The 1970 SS396. According to a 1975 Yamaha newsletter about the SS396: "The first high performance machine in the world, it was far beyond the level of other snowmobiles at the time".
In what year did Polaris and Arctic Cat almost merge?
In 1981 Polaris and Arctic Cat signed a letter of intent whereby Polaris would purchase the snowmobile operations of Arctic Cat. 1983 was set as the introduction of the "PolCats". Of course this never happened as Arctic Cat became Artco and the deal never went through.
What snowmobile introduced the slide rail suspension?
That's easy, its the 1967 Arctic Cat Panther. The Panther also holds the longest running nameplate in snowmobiling (except when AC went "fishing" in 1981). Nearly 55,000 Panthers were sold in 1970 alone.
"We do not see any big push to develop a 200 pound snowmobile. But then, you can't make a 500 pound snowmobile either"
A reprint from Race & Rally, fall 1980, in an article titled "Snowmobiles of the Future - Where Will the Big Changes Be?" The quote was from Chuck Baxter, the V.P. of Engineering from Polaris. We all know how far that went.
What major snowmobile manufacturer produced their own trail groomer?
Arctic Cat made what was in essence a personal trail groomer called the Arctic Quadtrac. It was introduced in the fall of 1977. It featured an articulated chassis and was powered by a 500cc Suzuki engine and was fitted with a 60" grooming attachment
What does a Subaru Legacy and a 1990 Polaris 650 have in common?
They used some of the same fuel injection components. The 650 Polaris TXL was the first mass produced fuel-injected snowmobile. Fuji Industries, of course, makes both snowmobile engines and Subaru automobiles. According to a company news release, the RXL "is recommended for experienced riders".
When did Honda make their first sled?
Actually kind of a trick question because of course Honda never had a production snowmobile. But they did have a prototype and that was introduced via a press release in 1971. It was a fairly conventional looking sled powered by a four stroke engine. Then in 1974, a few prototypes of a rear engined scooter type sled emerged called the White Fox. There are a few (2-3?) floating around amongst collectors in the USA. A few years ago one was actually for sale at the Haydays snowmobile swap meet in MN. You can get more info on this sled from the Vintage Snowmobile Club of America.
FAST was the acronym for what?
Fast Inc, makers of the Blade 7x2, claimed to be the Fast Action Support Team.
How many manufacturer's offered sleds for the 1972 season?
According to the October 1971 issue of Snow Goer, 63 manufacturer's were represented offering almost 500 models.
Name the biggest (2 stroke) Cat.
The Thundercat of course. Introduced in 1993 as a 900cc triple, it wowed the snowmobile world with its massive motor. Comet clutches, triple exhaust, AWS3 chassis, an "incredible 8 1/2" of progressive-rate (rear) travel" and ski carbides. The last incarnation occurred for the 2002 model year and the TCat has grown to 999cc. By this time it sports the AWS5 chassis, reverse, 13.5" travel rear suspension with Torque Sensing Link, and the AC Smart-Ride shock system. "It's always had a rocket for an engine. Now it has new landing gear" claims the '02 brochure.
What does the "SC" stand for if you own a Ski-Doo?
In 1996 Ski-Doo introduces the SC-10 rear suspension which means "Super Comfort, ten inches of travel." 1997 saw 5 different versions of the SC-10. It has progressed through the SC2, SC3, and for 2005, the SC4.
How much does the average trail sled cost these days?
Of the 38 single seat liquid-cooled models for 2005:
Average = $7900
A high of $9650 for a Ski Doo REV X 800
A low of $5500 for a Polaris Indy 500
Of the 11 single seat fan-cooled models for 2005:
Average = $5018
A high of $5700 for a Arctic Cat Z570LX
A low of $4000 for a Arctic Cat Z370
prices are, of course, suggested retail
What is the worlds watercross distance?
A reported 100.1 mile ride by Henry Bieda in Welland Ontario (9 laps of a 11.1 mile course). Elapsed time of 1 hour and 42 minutes with an average speed of 59 mph using a Ski Doo Formula SS with a 580cc engine. The sled ran out of gas just feet from the finish and sank in 15 feet of water, retrieved, the speedometer showed exactly 100 miles.
When was the "Direct Drive" era?
John Deere introduces the Direct Drive system on the Spitfire for 1977, in other words, no chaincase as we know it - the secondary is attached right to the end of the driveshaft. The last and greatest of its kind is the 440 Polaris SS for 1986. Still a leaf-spring sled, it listed for $2799, optional were handwarmers and thumbwarmer.
Is the Mall of America heated during the winter?
No. The only heat is from the lights and people. The only heaters are at the entrances from the parking ramps and external doors. The MOA (the largest mall in the United States) is located in a suburb of St. Paul Minnesota where temps can reach -20F. Yep, I know this has absolutely nothing to do with sledding, I just found it interesting, JK.
What's a de Carbon type shock?
Basically any single tube high pressure shock with a floating piston. Named after its inventor, Henri de Carbon, virtually every high performance shock works on this principle. Interestingly, a web search for Henri de Carbon comes up zero so I have no additional information on this man - where are you Henri?
"Is this the perfect lubricant?" A quote from an ad in 1972 for a synthetic, biodegradable, snowmobile oil. Although the product may have been superior, the marketing guys sure blew the name - no more comments.
"A very big deal these days is air pollution, and it must be admitted that the snowmobile at first glance appears to be a terrible offender".
This was from an article called "Air Pollution and the Snowmobile: The Cleanest Act In Town", published in the Jan-Feb 1972 issue of Invitation To Snowmobiling. It goes on to say "From the point of view of ecologists, knowledgeable legislators and a large segment of the public, we are beyond the point in our fight for the environment that we can shrug off any pollution as insignificant". This is the most prophetic article this webmaster has ever seen. I wish there was room (read time) to reprint the entire article. A full 25 years ahead of its time. The original author is unknown.
Note: Two days after DeyCore posted this trivia bit (April 25, 2000), the Department of Interior's issuance of a snowmobile ban in national parks was announced.
What was Yamaha's first race sled?
The 1970 SS396. According to a 1975 Yamaha newsletter about the SS396: "The first high performance machine in the world, it was far beyond the level of other snowmobiles at the time".
In what year did Polaris and Arctic Cat almost merge?
In 1981 Polaris and Arctic Cat signed a letter of intent whereby Polaris would purchase the snowmobile operations of Arctic Cat. 1983 was set as the introduction of the "PolCats". Of course this never happened as Arctic Cat became Artco and the deal never went through.
What snowmobile introduced the slide rail suspension?
That's easy, its the 1967 Arctic Cat Panther. The Panther also holds the longest running nameplate in snowmobiling (except when AC went "fishing" in 1981). Nearly 55,000 Panthers were sold in 1970 alone.
"We do not see any big push to develop a 200 pound snowmobile. But then, you can't make a 500 pound snowmobile either"
A reprint from Race & Rally, fall 1980, in an article titled "Snowmobiles of the Future - Where Will the Big Changes Be?" The quote was from Chuck Baxter, the V.P. of Engineering from Polaris. We all know how far that went.
What major snowmobile manufacturer produced their own trail groomer?
Arctic Cat made what was in essence a personal trail groomer called the Arctic Quadtrac. It was introduced in the fall of 1977. It featured an articulated chassis and was powered by a 500cc Suzuki engine and was fitted with a 60" grooming attachment
What does a Subaru Legacy and a 1990 Polaris 650 have in common?
They used some of the same fuel injection components. The 650 Polaris TXL was the first mass produced fuel-injected snowmobile. Fuji Industries, of course, makes both snowmobile engines and Subaru automobiles. According to a company news release, the RXL "is recommended for experienced riders".
When did Honda make their first sled?
Actually kind of a trick question because of course Honda never had a production snowmobile. But they did have a prototype and that was introduced via a press release in 1971. It was a fairly conventional looking sled powered by a four stroke engine. Then in 1974, a few prototypes of a rear engined scooter type sled emerged called the White Fox. There are a few (2-3?) floating around amongst collectors in the USA. A few years ago one was actually for sale at the Haydays snowmobile swap meet in MN. You can get more info on this sled from the Vintage Snowmobile Club of America.
FAST was the acronym for what?
Fast Inc, makers of the Blade 7x2, claimed to be the Fast Action Support Team.
How many manufacturer's offered sleds for the 1972 season?
According to the October 1971 issue of Snow Goer, 63 manufacturer's were represented offering almost 500 models.
Name the biggest (2 stroke) Cat.
The Thundercat of course. Introduced in 1993 as a 900cc triple, it wowed the snowmobile world with its massive motor. Comet clutches, triple exhaust, AWS3 chassis, an "incredible 8 1/2" of progressive-rate (rear) travel" and ski carbides. The last incarnation occurred for the 2002 model year and the TCat has grown to 999cc. By this time it sports the AWS5 chassis, reverse, 13.5" travel rear suspension with Torque Sensing Link, and the AC Smart-Ride shock system. "It's always had a rocket for an engine. Now it has new landing gear" claims the '02 brochure.
What does the "SC" stand for if you own a Ski-Doo?
In 1996 Ski-Doo introduces the SC-10 rear suspension which means "Super Comfort, ten inches of travel." 1997 saw 5 different versions of the SC-10. It has progressed through the SC2, SC3, and for 2005, the SC4.
How much does the average trail sled cost these days?
Of the 38 single seat liquid-cooled models for 2005:
Average = $7900
A high of $9650 for a Ski Doo REV X 800
A low of $5500 for a Polaris Indy 500
Of the 11 single seat fan-cooled models for 2005:
Average = $5018
A high of $5700 for a Arctic Cat Z570LX
A low of $4000 for a Arctic Cat Z370
prices are, of course, suggested retail
What is the worlds watercross distance?
A reported 100.1 mile ride by Henry Bieda in Welland Ontario (9 laps of a 11.1 mile course). Elapsed time of 1 hour and 42 minutes with an average speed of 59 mph using a Ski Doo Formula SS with a 580cc engine. The sled ran out of gas just feet from the finish and sank in 15 feet of water, retrieved, the speedometer showed exactly 100 miles.
When was the "Direct Drive" era?
John Deere introduces the Direct Drive system on the Spitfire for 1977, in other words, no chaincase as we know it - the secondary is attached right to the end of the driveshaft. The last and greatest of its kind is the 440 Polaris SS for 1986. Still a leaf-spring sled, it listed for $2799, optional were handwarmers and thumbwarmer.
Is the Mall of America heated during the winter?
No. The only heat is from the lights and people. The only heaters are at the entrances from the parking ramps and external doors. The MOA (the largest mall in the United States) is located in a suburb of St. Paul Minnesota where temps can reach -20F. Yep, I know this has absolutely nothing to do with sledding, I just found it interesting, JK.
What's a de Carbon type shock?
Basically any single tube high pressure shock with a floating piston. Named after its inventor, Henri de Carbon, virtually every high performance shock works on this principle. Interestingly, a web search for Henri de Carbon comes up zero so I have no additional information on this man - where are you Henri?
PhatboyC
New member
What are the Seven Wonders of the Snowmobile World?
Apparently it was the 7 years of Viking snowmobile progress according to a 1972 ad for the company. Viking built the snowmobile that put the first woman across the finish line of the St. Paul Int'l 500. Engine options included Kohler, Sachs, & Hirth. It also came in seven "fashionable" metalflake colors - cool!
Why is the number "17" significant to snowmobile history?
This was Yvon Duhamel's number over his entire career. One of Ski-Doo's greatest stars, he was inducted into the Snowmobile Hall of Fame in 1988. He also sported a successful motorcycle career which has transferred to his son Miguel who also uses the number "17". Duhamel gave the Ski-Doo brand there one and only victory in the famed Winnipeg to St. Paul 500 cross country race in 1972.
Who is know as the "Grandfather of snowmobiling"?
Edgar Hetteen. Edgar along with David Johnson and Allan Hetten (his brother) founded Hetteen Hoist and Derrick in 1945 which later became Polaris. In 1960 Edgar left Polaris to form Arctic Cat. A true visionary, he laid the foundation for the modern snowmobile industry. A 1990 inductee into the Int. Snowmobile Hall of Fame.
What is the worlds most comfortable snowmobile?
According to Yamaha it was the Inviter in 1986. "Think of it as your favorite chair with skis" Actually a fairly unique sled, it had the standard struts of the day but a dual rear shock skid, adjustable backrest, "air-craft-style" handlebars, and a single cylinder electric start motor. Not a collectors sled - yet, but worth a look anyway.
Is snowmobiling safe?
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for the year 2001, snowmobiling had 40,746 injuries. Compare this to the 442,991 injuries for skiing and snowboarding for the same year. Ice skating come in with 58,433 injuries.
Would you ride a snowmobile 3800 miles... in 1967?
David Burns and 2 associates of Scorpion would. A trip from Crosby Minnesota to Anchorage Alaska with no support, no mechanics, just themselves and 28 days, put Scorpion and Minnesota's Cuyuna Range on the map. Visit www.trailasled.com for more Scorpion tidbits - an A+ website on this historic sled.
Who designed the first IFS?
The first IFS (Independent Front Suspension) was designed by Bobby Unser of the famed Unser family while working for Chapparal in the early 70's. Fast Forward to 1996, Bobby was threatened by the US Forest Service with a $5000 fine and a possible six months jail time for taking a snowmobile into a wilderness area. Lost in a blizzard and lucky to be alive, Bobby and friend made it out after a night in a snow cave and an 18 hour walk, the last thing on their mind being the location of the stranded snowmobiles. The Forest Service spent $600,000 prosecuting the unjust case. The sleds have never been recovered.
What does ISRHOF & ISHOF stand for?
ISRHOF = International Snowmobile Racing Hall of Fame
web address: www.snowmobilehalloffame.com
ISHOF = International Snowmobile Hall of Fame
web address: www.ishof.com
What does "1M" stand for?
"1M" is the code name developed at Arctic Cat to represent the number one sled for the mountains. Their 1M chassis, introduced for the 2003 model year, is a reported 35 lbs. lighter than previous models.
Who said "we're in the snowmobile business to stay.."
Among others, both Johnson and Evinrude made the claim.
What did you ride if you were the "Fortunate Few?"
Circa 1972, A Northway snowmobile made in Pointe Claire Quebec. They were so good that they "simply cannot be mass produced." Engine options included CCW, Sachs, Kiehaefer, or Wankel.
How many miles of snowmobile trails are there in North America?
An estimated 225,000 miles.
What years were Suzuki snowmobiles manufactured?
1971 saw the the first Suzuki snowmobile, a Mikuni carbed, reed valved engined sled called the SM-10 Nomad. Although reliable, Suzuki sleds were never renowned for their handling. The best Suzuki built sled was the 1975 XR-440 with its own slide rail suspension. Arctic Cat made the Fury for Suzuki in '75 also which was a re-badged El-Tigre'. They got out of the sled business at that point to concentrate on selling engines to Arctic Cat, which continues to this day. Suzuki's ads boasted "Bobby Hull rides a Suzuki. He knows it's tough."
When was the Arctic Cat Kitty Cat born?
The summer of 1971 saw the introduction of this diminutive Cat. It was Kawasaki powered until 1976, which then saw the switch to Suzuki powerplants. Originally priced at $399, the early models are now collector items. The Kitty Cat remained virtually without competition until the 1998 Ski-Doo MiniZ appeared at dealers. Numbers are hard to come by but an estimated 40,000 of these cats were put into the hands of kids across the snowbelt.
When did the first consumer liquid-cooled sled appear?
Brutanza Engineering of Brooten Minnesota introduced the LC44 Brut in 1972. A 440cc, 50hp triple with CD ignition lay flat (ala FireCat) in an aluminum chassis, which utilized heat exchangers for cooling. The Brut (which also came in a 294cc liquid cooled twin) was eventually sold to Massey Fergusen and then again to Scorpion, however, like so many other sled manufactures, it never made it to the end of the decade.
Name the 7 ways Moto-Ski was tougher... (for 1972)
1. Our track is tougher
2. Our sprocket is tougher
3. Our chassis is tougher
4. We're tougher about safety
5. Our steering is tougher
6. Our controls are tougher
7. Our suspension is tougher
When did the first IFS equipped sled appear?
Alouette and Chaparral had a IFS (Independent Front Suspension) on their factory racing sleds in the early 70's and Polaris had a successful version on their RX-L oval racers in the mid 70's but the first successful consumer sled with a IFS was on the Arctic Cat Trail Cat in 1978. This low performance sled was relegated to also-ran when Polaris introduced the "modern" version in 1979 (1980 model) TX-L Indy. The term IFS is misleading since the old leaf spring sleds were actually independent also - they just didn't work worth a cr@p. The modern IFS, mislabeled, is actually dependent as the skis are connected (in most cases) with a sway bar.
When and where was the first watercross competition?
The Grantsburg (Wisconsin) Lions Club held its first Watercross competition in July 1977 on a 300 foot "track". The first race was held to simply see who could make it that far.
What is the snowmobile speed record?
North Bay, Ontario, March 16 2002, Chris Hanson of Lindstrom Minnesota sets a new speed record of 167.2 mph (268 kph) for a snowmobile with one engine. Chris used a Billet 1200cc Union Bay engine and an Anderson chassis on a ice track of about 1000 feet.
What engines has Arctic Cat used?
Hirth, Sachs, Kohler, JLO, Kawasaki, and currently Suzuki.
When & where was the first North American SnoX race?
Of course the Scandinavians were 'crossin before us but in North America the first race was held at Quadna Mountain in Hill City Minnesota in January 1981.
Snowmobile from Mpls. to Denver?
January, 1972, Mark Staples and Stan Lee set out on a 1000 mile endurance run on a pair of 650cc Chaparral snowmobiles. Riding on grass much of the way (no ski wheel kits), the pair made it to the town of Brighton Colorado before being halted by the local police. This was all done without any support crew, weather reports, or marked trails. An incredible 1,214 miles in 52 hours.
A snowmobile to the South Pole?
Almost. Walt Pederson, a member of the 1968 team that reached the North Pole by snowmobile, was scheduled to ride an Arctic Cat in 1990 to the South Pole. This 2000 mile journey on AFS Jags was never completed.
What sled was marketed as "Big Blue"?
SnoJet's color was blue as they were famous for their lightweight ThunderJet racing machines. Mostly Yamaha powered, they were bought by Kawasaki in the late '70s and then folded into history.
How much do snowmobilers spend annually?
United States - $7 billion annually
Canada - $3.6 billion annually
Scandinavia - $1.6 billion annually
How many sleds were sold for the 2001 model year?
208,592 worldwide, 140,629 were sold in the U.S. and 46,973 were sold in Canada
What is the top speed ever recorded at HayDays?
Norman Ball III recorded a top speed of 123 mph at the 1999 event. This is on a 660 foot track.
How many (registered) snowmobiles are there in the world?
Approximately 2.7 million of which over half are in the United States.
Apparently it was the 7 years of Viking snowmobile progress according to a 1972 ad for the company. Viking built the snowmobile that put the first woman across the finish line of the St. Paul Int'l 500. Engine options included Kohler, Sachs, & Hirth. It also came in seven "fashionable" metalflake colors - cool!
Why is the number "17" significant to snowmobile history?
This was Yvon Duhamel's number over his entire career. One of Ski-Doo's greatest stars, he was inducted into the Snowmobile Hall of Fame in 1988. He also sported a successful motorcycle career which has transferred to his son Miguel who also uses the number "17". Duhamel gave the Ski-Doo brand there one and only victory in the famed Winnipeg to St. Paul 500 cross country race in 1972.
Who is know as the "Grandfather of snowmobiling"?
Edgar Hetteen. Edgar along with David Johnson and Allan Hetten (his brother) founded Hetteen Hoist and Derrick in 1945 which later became Polaris. In 1960 Edgar left Polaris to form Arctic Cat. A true visionary, he laid the foundation for the modern snowmobile industry. A 1990 inductee into the Int. Snowmobile Hall of Fame.
What is the worlds most comfortable snowmobile?
According to Yamaha it was the Inviter in 1986. "Think of it as your favorite chair with skis" Actually a fairly unique sled, it had the standard struts of the day but a dual rear shock skid, adjustable backrest, "air-craft-style" handlebars, and a single cylinder electric start motor. Not a collectors sled - yet, but worth a look anyway.
Is snowmobiling safe?
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for the year 2001, snowmobiling had 40,746 injuries. Compare this to the 442,991 injuries for skiing and snowboarding for the same year. Ice skating come in with 58,433 injuries.
Would you ride a snowmobile 3800 miles... in 1967?
David Burns and 2 associates of Scorpion would. A trip from Crosby Minnesota to Anchorage Alaska with no support, no mechanics, just themselves and 28 days, put Scorpion and Minnesota's Cuyuna Range on the map. Visit www.trailasled.com for more Scorpion tidbits - an A+ website on this historic sled.
Who designed the first IFS?
The first IFS (Independent Front Suspension) was designed by Bobby Unser of the famed Unser family while working for Chapparal in the early 70's. Fast Forward to 1996, Bobby was threatened by the US Forest Service with a $5000 fine and a possible six months jail time for taking a snowmobile into a wilderness area. Lost in a blizzard and lucky to be alive, Bobby and friend made it out after a night in a snow cave and an 18 hour walk, the last thing on their mind being the location of the stranded snowmobiles. The Forest Service spent $600,000 prosecuting the unjust case. The sleds have never been recovered.
What does ISRHOF & ISHOF stand for?
ISRHOF = International Snowmobile Racing Hall of Fame
web address: www.snowmobilehalloffame.com
ISHOF = International Snowmobile Hall of Fame
web address: www.ishof.com
What does "1M" stand for?
"1M" is the code name developed at Arctic Cat to represent the number one sled for the mountains. Their 1M chassis, introduced for the 2003 model year, is a reported 35 lbs. lighter than previous models.
Who said "we're in the snowmobile business to stay.."
Among others, both Johnson and Evinrude made the claim.
What did you ride if you were the "Fortunate Few?"
Circa 1972, A Northway snowmobile made in Pointe Claire Quebec. They were so good that they "simply cannot be mass produced." Engine options included CCW, Sachs, Kiehaefer, or Wankel.
How many miles of snowmobile trails are there in North America?
An estimated 225,000 miles.
What years were Suzuki snowmobiles manufactured?
1971 saw the the first Suzuki snowmobile, a Mikuni carbed, reed valved engined sled called the SM-10 Nomad. Although reliable, Suzuki sleds were never renowned for their handling. The best Suzuki built sled was the 1975 XR-440 with its own slide rail suspension. Arctic Cat made the Fury for Suzuki in '75 also which was a re-badged El-Tigre'. They got out of the sled business at that point to concentrate on selling engines to Arctic Cat, which continues to this day. Suzuki's ads boasted "Bobby Hull rides a Suzuki. He knows it's tough."
When was the Arctic Cat Kitty Cat born?
The summer of 1971 saw the introduction of this diminutive Cat. It was Kawasaki powered until 1976, which then saw the switch to Suzuki powerplants. Originally priced at $399, the early models are now collector items. The Kitty Cat remained virtually without competition until the 1998 Ski-Doo MiniZ appeared at dealers. Numbers are hard to come by but an estimated 40,000 of these cats were put into the hands of kids across the snowbelt.
When did the first consumer liquid-cooled sled appear?
Brutanza Engineering of Brooten Minnesota introduced the LC44 Brut in 1972. A 440cc, 50hp triple with CD ignition lay flat (ala FireCat) in an aluminum chassis, which utilized heat exchangers for cooling. The Brut (which also came in a 294cc liquid cooled twin) was eventually sold to Massey Fergusen and then again to Scorpion, however, like so many other sled manufactures, it never made it to the end of the decade.
Name the 7 ways Moto-Ski was tougher... (for 1972)
1. Our track is tougher
2. Our sprocket is tougher
3. Our chassis is tougher
4. We're tougher about safety
5. Our steering is tougher
6. Our controls are tougher
7. Our suspension is tougher
When did the first IFS equipped sled appear?
Alouette and Chaparral had a IFS (Independent Front Suspension) on their factory racing sleds in the early 70's and Polaris had a successful version on their RX-L oval racers in the mid 70's but the first successful consumer sled with a IFS was on the Arctic Cat Trail Cat in 1978. This low performance sled was relegated to also-ran when Polaris introduced the "modern" version in 1979 (1980 model) TX-L Indy. The term IFS is misleading since the old leaf spring sleds were actually independent also - they just didn't work worth a cr@p. The modern IFS, mislabeled, is actually dependent as the skis are connected (in most cases) with a sway bar.
When and where was the first watercross competition?
The Grantsburg (Wisconsin) Lions Club held its first Watercross competition in July 1977 on a 300 foot "track". The first race was held to simply see who could make it that far.
What is the snowmobile speed record?
North Bay, Ontario, March 16 2002, Chris Hanson of Lindstrom Minnesota sets a new speed record of 167.2 mph (268 kph) for a snowmobile with one engine. Chris used a Billet 1200cc Union Bay engine and an Anderson chassis on a ice track of about 1000 feet.
What engines has Arctic Cat used?
Hirth, Sachs, Kohler, JLO, Kawasaki, and currently Suzuki.
When & where was the first North American SnoX race?
Of course the Scandinavians were 'crossin before us but in North America the first race was held at Quadna Mountain in Hill City Minnesota in January 1981.
Snowmobile from Mpls. to Denver?
January, 1972, Mark Staples and Stan Lee set out on a 1000 mile endurance run on a pair of 650cc Chaparral snowmobiles. Riding on grass much of the way (no ski wheel kits), the pair made it to the town of Brighton Colorado before being halted by the local police. This was all done without any support crew, weather reports, or marked trails. An incredible 1,214 miles in 52 hours.
A snowmobile to the South Pole?
Almost. Walt Pederson, a member of the 1968 team that reached the North Pole by snowmobile, was scheduled to ride an Arctic Cat in 1990 to the South Pole. This 2000 mile journey on AFS Jags was never completed.
What sled was marketed as "Big Blue"?
SnoJet's color was blue as they were famous for their lightweight ThunderJet racing machines. Mostly Yamaha powered, they were bought by Kawasaki in the late '70s and then folded into history.
How much do snowmobilers spend annually?
United States - $7 billion annually
Canada - $3.6 billion annually
Scandinavia - $1.6 billion annually
How many sleds were sold for the 2001 model year?
208,592 worldwide, 140,629 were sold in the U.S. and 46,973 were sold in Canada
What is the top speed ever recorded at HayDays?
Norman Ball III recorded a top speed of 123 mph at the 1999 event. This is on a 660 foot track.
How many (registered) snowmobiles are there in the world?
Approximately 2.7 million of which over half are in the United States.
Vmax540
VIP Member
"What year did Yamaha introduce the TSS suspension?
Yamaha introduced the Telescopic Strut Suspension on the SRV (the "V" means "5") in 1981. They claimed it was "Space-age Technology" Best we can tell it lasted until about 1996 when they introduced a trailing arm front suspension. That's 15 years of progress folks."
1980 SRV
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/epic_snow/epichome.aspx
Yamaha introduced the Telescopic Strut Suspension on the SRV (the "V" means "5") in 1981. They claimed it was "Space-age Technology" Best we can tell it lasted until about 1996 when they introduced a trailing arm front suspension. That's 15 years of progress folks."
1980 SRV
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/epic_snow/epichome.aspx
PZ 1
Member
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2005
- Messages
- 987
The Viking with TSS is listed until 2005.Vmax540 said:
fastmax
New member
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