Wanted : 81 invader skis

[sledtillded]

Hello.  New to the site and Kawi sleds.   I am restoring an 81 invader 440 and have found out the skis are different on the 81 than the previous years.  Heavier and wider springs and re enforced ski. I want to put her back to original and need a pair of decent skis only.  Don't need the springs or skags. Just the ski bottom.  If willing to part with  2 you have please let me know
Much appreciated
Scott

[Tory944]

The 81' Invader didn't have ski strength webbing like the LTD's.  Pretty sure the 81' Invader bottoms were the same as earlier Invaders.  I could be wrong, but you might want to check to make sure.  I also have both types available, but the shipping is gonna be the killer.

[gixxer6]

The 81's are different than the 78-80's.  They had rounded ski tips similar to the Interceptors.  I believe they also had wider springs too. 

[Tory944]

Good to know...   my 81' must have earlier skis. 

[gixxer6]

My 81 came with aftermarket skis.  They ski loops are shaped like the 78-80 ski's but they have the wider and taller springs.  I believe Kawasaki made the ski springs taller on the 81's to match up with the taller Vari-Ride rear skid. 

[sledtillded]

Did some more digging and talked to an old Kawasaki dealer in my area that has a ton of Nos stuff and he said the 81 ski is the heavier reinforced version.  It has the square ski tip not the rounded tip and came with a wider spring same as the Ltd. I believe.  My sled has one correct ski and one of the older round tip skis.  I need one HD ski   Only.  Hope this helps

[gixxer6]

Here's a pic from an ad right from Kawasaki showing an 81 Invader with rounded ski tips.

[rminier]

 Billy the Kidd....where's your helmet?? LOL. I remember that brochure. I have to think that when the '81 Invader incorporated the improved "vari-ride" suspension first used on the '80 LTD, it also included the the higher arched ski. If nobody on here has one, you can certainly contact any of the numerous salvage places and search for a decent ski bottom from an '81 Invader or any of the '80 thru '82 LTD's.

[mswyka]

Actually,  I might have one of those.  I will plan to check when I go down to the machine shed later today.

[mswyka]

I checked the machine shed yesterday and found that we have a pair but they have rust holes through parts of the bottom.  One might be salvageable but will still need a patch.

[gixxer6]

I have a real nice set of 80 4/6 skis that I'd sell.  They don't have the rounded loop like the 81 Invaders, but they have the wider and taller springs and would fit perfectly. 

[Tory944]

In noticed you live in Canada...  I just shipped a pair of LTD carburetors to Canada last week and the shipping was almost $40!  They only weighed 5 lbs and I shipped first class.  Yes, I do have the skis you are looking for and it sounds like you've got other leads also.  I just wanted to give you a heads up that the postal system is gonna have a "field day" with those skis.  Weight and length = $$$.  FYI.  Anybody in Canada that might have what you're looking for?  Tory

[sledtillded]

Thanks to everyone that replied.  I will do some more digging up here again and look for the LTD ski as well.  If no luck I will get back to you guys
Cheers !

[DougKauer]

sledtillded, did you get my PM.  Doug