first Kawi sled

[Cpt. Kawi]

Just wanted to take the time to introduce my self and my Sled.
You would think that with a name like Cpt. Kawi, i would have at least one sled. I am into everything kawi and decided its time to put a snowmobile in with my two wheeled friends.
I just bought a 80' invader 440 off craigslist last weekend; came with correct hood and 340 hood, rebuilt motor with new seals. The bad is; Missing the airbox, the right ski spindle and elbow are stripped out and the carbs need to be cleaned.
Can anyone tell me what year had the Vari-ride suspension as i think the previous owner may have put the original older version in the sled.

I will be at Waconia saturday afternoon to check out others Kawi's and find need parts for my sled. If you see a 6'7" giant in kawi gear snooping around, come over and say hi. I don't Bite

[jimvw57]

The vari-ride suspension was first put in the 4/6  (LTD) sleds in 1980, and some of the 1981-82 Invaders got it too. a 1980 Invader should have the standard suspension. you should see a shock with a coil spring on it underneath. The 340 hood is for a 1980, the other hood is for a 1981.

I got lots of parts, what do you need? I see a missing tool box cover...

[Cpt. Kawi]

Thanks for the info Jim.
Now that i know the year of the sled, i contacted the previous owner and am getting what i believe is the rear suspension that he has sitting on a shelf so i can change it out this summer.  The list of parts i need is ever growing as i go through the sled.

Jim, I will be at the show @ around 2pm today and i will search you out so we can talk about what i needand what you have.

[gixxer6]

Welcome to the site!  Nice 81'!  The 81' Invader are one of my favorite, Invader parts are abundant, and the Vari-Ride is much better than the older version. 

[kawhead]

what gixxer said...tunnel decal  strip and rear sus holes in tunnel say 81, best invader imo.

[Cpt. Kawi]

Thanks ya guys. Right now the things I need are grab handles, airbox, none broke gage panel, left side fuel gauge panel, tail light housing, seat pan and a belly pan.

[gixxer6]

I can help you with most of that...  Where are you located? 

[jimvw57]

I must have missed you at the show. All the stuff you listed are the things I don't have. Sold most of it a few years ago.

[Cpt. Kawi]

@gixxer I'm in Minnesota north of twin cities. I will be looking for the parts and doing a full restore this summer. I don't have the funds right now till I find a new job.

@jim I didn't make it out there till Saturday afternoon and I was just walking around. Didn't see any land rovers and only one kawi sled. It was just to cold

[gixxer6]

Let me know when you're ready...  I'm in Michigan.  Shipping a belly pan is cost prohibitive, but the rest can be shipped easily. 

[Cpt. Kawi]

I will do that gixxer. In the spring I could also ride my bike out there and grab things also to avoid shipping.

[Cpt. Kawi]

So this sled has been all work and no fun

When i bought the sled; The previous owner said he had put brand new crank seals in, But as i cleaned up everything i am starting to question what he said.
He had told me that it needed a carb cleaning then it would run great (So the quest Begins!) I broke down and cleaned the carbs, Put them back on and it runs the same as if i just left the carbs dirty. So i went down the list (Spark- check, fuel- check, carb boots- good, vacuum leaks- none and timing- good.)
So the problem is... Engine will start, but only the pto side is combusting, then at 4000 rpm the mag cyclinder seem to come in. Am i right to assume if everything else checks out; That the mag side seal is bad.
So much for just having a little fun, before putting in a bunch of work rebuilding

[jimvw57]

I assume you did a compression test, that will tell you where you are at with rings and cylinders. as for a vacuum test, it will only tell you how it is at the time of the test. Things change when the motor warms up. Also if you checked the vacuum by blocking off the intake and exhaust and applied air to the crankcase, (i believe the manual suggests this)  it checks the seals for the ability to hold pressure, not vacuum.

Best way is to do the seals yourself and pack the back side of the seals with grease to make them last longer, and lubricate the crankshaft where the seal sits.

Can't tell you how many sleds I have had with 'New seals" that were not put in right.

[Cpt. Kawi]

Thanks Jim. Compression is 170 & 165. Everything is pointing to the mag seal. Just want to make sure there are no other possibilities before I do the seals. Is it possible to do the mag seal be done without splitting case.  As my other seals seem to be fine.

[sprocket]

It's not a seal your compression would be way less 5 lbs is average. Sounds like a ignition issue or a ground came loose. Even though both cylinders fire at the same time you may have a weak coil