Author Topic: Vintage Virgin  (Read 5328 times)

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Hayastusa

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Vintage Virgin
« on: March 13, 2018, 10:38:20 PM »
Picked up my first vintage sled last month. A 1975 Snojet SST 440 fan. I was warned by a former Kawasaki dealer to lose my obsession for the "worst snowmobile ever built". But I couldn't stay away. On Sunday I found a 100% original 1978 Kawasaki 440 Intruder. This sled is surprisingly smooth and quick but bogs horribly under acceleration unless I feather the throttle. Let the games begin.
« Last Edit: March 13, 2018, 10:56:44 PM by Hayastusa »

Interceptor398

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Re: Vintage Virgin
« Reply #1 on: March 14, 2018, 07:39:30 AM »
Welcome to the site!!

Vader440

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Re: Vintage Virgin
« Reply #2 on: March 15, 2018, 02:16:39 PM »
Check choke plungers for proper seating and check the carb needle holder o-ring.
« Last Edit: March 15, 2018, 03:05:11 PM by Vader440 »

mswyka

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Re: Vintage Virgin
« Reply #3 on: March 15, 2018, 07:17:49 PM »
Congratulations.  The 78s are good sleds.  Our 78 happens to be the snappiest sled of our herd and is always the first choice for my boys.
Intruders:  1978, 1979, 1981 Custom (Pink)
Invaders:   1980 440
Projects:    1981 Invader 440

Hayastusa

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Re: Vintage Virgin
« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2018, 08:47:09 PM »
Thanks for the tip Vader440. Choke plungers make sense as it only starts to bog after it warms up. I hope it's that simple.

mswyka

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Re: Vintage Virgin
« Reply #5 on: March 21, 2018, 11:04:03 AM »
Double check the "O" ring on the main jet.  If those "O" rings leak then the sled will behave similarly to what you describe.

Another condition that we have seen creating this reaction is blow-by on the piston rings. 
Intruders:  1978, 1979, 1981 Custom (Pink)
Invaders:   1980 440
Projects:    1981 Invader 440

Hayastusa

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Re: Vintage Virgin
« Reply #6 on: April 05, 2018, 12:10:22 AM »
I’ll give the carbs a once over during the summer. Thanks for the heads up.

DougKauer

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Re: Vintage Virgin
« Reply #7 on: April 11, 2018, 07:56:20 AM »
Why was this guy a dealer if he thought it was the worst snowmobile ever. Tell him to check his facts, first year Kawasaki sold all their invaders made and in 1979 they made even more. Thirty to Forty years later they are still running strong and a cult following.

750-h2

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Re: Vintage Virgin
« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2018, 08:36:45 AM »
In 1978 I bought a Yamie powered new [non current] Kawasaki Sno Jet 440 SST. My riding buddy was not cheap like me and bought a new 1978 440 Intruder. Boy did I regret buying the SST. At the time we use to do lots of lake racing and his Intruder was at least 10mph faster than mine. He kept that Intruder for a couple of years and it always was a great sled for him.
« Last Edit: April 11, 2018, 08:38:29 AM by 750-h2 »

DougKauer

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Re: Vintage Virgin
« Reply #9 on: April 11, 2018, 02:07:25 PM »

where did you find the intruder at.?

Hayastusa

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Re: Vintage Virgin
« Reply #10 on: April 18, 2018, 12:10:50 PM »
Edmonton.