This thing is so cool! I always thought that the T'NT was one of the hottest looking sleds of the era. It just looks like it means business. To see one being brought back to life really brings back a lot of good memories.
I can tell those of you that have contributed to the build that the return on your investment is 100%. There is no overhead on this project. If you're considering donating a little moola, even a few small donations would go a long way towards securing a couple of items that have eluded the low/no cost route and must be obtained from "cash money" sources.
It's kind of a tough call. Snoluver1 is most likely right in that a raffle would generate more money so if the time were taken to set up a raffle for whenever it could be held, it certainly would be a good option.
On the flip side, while an auction might not generate quite as much revenue, it would guarantee those that are really interested in the sled an opportunity to buy it. Maybe in some ways that's a more fair approach. I agree that it's hard to look at the pics and not have an urge to throw in a bid, especially knowing the story and the quality of the work that is going into it.
I can see it now...cruising down the trail on the Make-A-Wish Special. Not that it will be a slouch. What it lacks in horsepower it makes up in way less weight. It's amazing how light these things are.
So is a raffle completely out of the picture? I would be willing to donate the cost of the raffle "licence". If not, i can donate to the project again.
I suppose if its not done by the event maybe we could do an e-bay auction, but I would really like to see this sled go to a J.D. member (maybe even the man himself!) Keep it in the family so to speak. John is it possible to do an "e-bay" style auction within the confines of the web site? Just a thought.
I am trying like heck to get this thing done for the event, but we have to face reality. We got off to a very slow start, and it is now crunch time. There is absolutely no wiggle room for any kind of snags along the way. Unfortunately, when your dealing with a 35 year old machine, you are almost guaranteed to run into a snag here or there.
We could do an e bay type auction right here on this board. I guess the only issues would be arranging payment, or lack there of.
-John
I think you could do the payment into the donation account you have set up (paypal). then request a check after the aution and item is paid for. The payment can be set up as a gift. the winner prints a paypal reciept and can deduct it from his taxes as a donation.
This is why it's good to have a spouse that understands snowmobiling. I'm pretty sure she didn't buy this to be used as a drying rack for Make-A-Wish sled suspension parts.
Phazerpilot - looking good. Do you have a dedicated area at home to shoot or do you just have to cover everything up?
I finally found a business willing to donate to the project! Danny's Glass and Trim in Island Lake IL, has offered to donate the labor to reupholster the seat. I already had the material, so I got a new seat pan made up and dropped it off today. We should have it back in a week or so.
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I also got all the engine parts ordered and coming. New pistons, rings, wrist pin bearings, complete gasket set and a carb overhaul kit. I also ordered up some new wear bars and found a NOS gas tank grommet to replace the cracked one I have.
That just about ate up the donation money I had. There are quite a few more things that need to be purchased. The decal set is quite expensive and we are having problems locating a track that is in any better shape than the one I have. Mine is not completely terrible, but there are some questionable spots where dry rot has set in. Seems any used one we have found has about the same issues. It would be great if we could put a new one on, but the cost is almost 5 bills.
So all that being said, if anyone is feeling generous, we could use a few more donations. I figured now that there is finally some talk of SNOW, maybe it will put folks in a good/giving mood!
skiroule, i don't paint at home that often( just do not have the room). a friend of mine has a bodyshop so i do most of the little painting i do is at his place in the booth. up until recently i spent all day teaching and working with painters all over il. and wi. so i really didn't want a gun in my hand outside of work. hope to get everything painted on sat. before i have to go to the company national sales meeting next week (4 days of crap,like a winter without SNOW!!!).
Last edited by phazerpilot; 01-11-2012 at 09:24 PM.
Reason: .
Neenah, Wisconsin. About 30 minutes south of Green Bay's Lambeau Field.
Posts
640
Hi Guys,
I've been watching this thread from the sidelines and have enjoyed seeing the progress. A very ambitious project and a worthy one. I know time is getting short to have this ready for the Ride-In so I thought I would suggest an alternative.
Maybe rethink the date for the sale, raffle, or whatever you decide. It would give you guys doing the heavy lifting more time to to enjoy the project, collect donations and plan accordingly. Having it ready for the Ride-In is an excellent idea but maybe there is another event or date that can raise interest and awareness to the cause. John, you always have your "glacier contest" in the spring, maybe that's an option. Another would be to tie it in with your Seasonal Forecast next October. You could still use the Ride-In as a Fund Raiser event for this project to generate more interest.
You guys are doing a great job with this and I'll be anxious to see the pictures when it's done!
Gary, certainly food for thought. It's clear to me that the guys that are really logging the man hours (I think I'll call them the Illinois Boys) are not cutting corners just to buy some time. Not only will this make the machine a greater value for it's new owner, it will hopefully produce more revenue for the intended cause.
Regardless of how the eventual owner is awarded the sled, it will be something special. I look forward to each new series of photos and like you, I can't wait to see the last photo.
chadlyt,pics were taken right after painting. I added a flatting agent so that as it dries the sheen dulls out at a satin finish just like it had when new.
chadlyt,pics were taken right after painting. I added a flatting agent so that as it dries the sheen dulls out at a satin finish just like it had when new.
cmon now, i was kidding...i ment it was looking too nice.
As Snoluver1 said a while back, pretty soon we'll see some pics of stuff other than rusty parts. Looks great Phazerpilot...A lot of nooks, crannies, and small surface areas - probably a lot of over-spray!
Flushed and repacked the skid wheel bearings last night. Can't believe the condition of these bearings. They look like new and are perfectly smooth running, even after all these years. Amazing how well they hold up when you can actually grease em'.
The pistons/rings and wrist pin bearings showed up. Just waiting on the gasket set and I can start assembling the motor. I am a bit concerned about the center crankshaft seals. They are not in fantastic shape. The only way to replace them is to have the crank pressed apart, and then reassembled and trued. Due to cost and time, I would like to avoid this if possible. I will have to see if I can rig up a way to pressure test the crankcase and each cylinder individually. I am praying it doesn't leak. If we had a bunch of time and a bunch of money, I wouldn't even bother risking it, but we don't have either of those.
Looks fantastic Phazerpilot! Just the right amount of gloss. Nice job!!! I can't wait to see it in person. It feels like there is a hole in my garage since it left-lol.
I am gona head out in a couple minutes to meet Skiroule at the half way point between him and I, to pick up the skid he has been working on. I'll post up some pics of that later tonight.
I met Skiroule up in beautiful downtown Mauston WI to pick up the skid. Skiroule put a lot of time into it, and it looks great! He also found a pair of original/correct skies for the sled that are in really good shape. They even have the original rubber bumpers on the tips. He also found the original toolbox that came with the sled!
Thanks again Skiroule!!!
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