Jim Solberg's Vintage Snowmobiles
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Jim Solberg's 2010/2011 snowmobile season in review
1970 Panther "Goldie" 2011 customization project log
My Vintage Sled Collection
1972 Scorpion Stinger II 400
"Big Red"
1970 Arctic Cat Panther 440J
"Goldie"
1971 Arctic Cat Panther 440A
"Time Bandit"
1973 Scorpion Stinger 290
"Little Red"
Jim Solberg's Vintage Snowmobile Web Log
December 4, 2011Time to clear out last year's blog and start fresh for the new season.All four sleds are ready to ride, Goldie with a new track and rear suspension transplant from a '73 Panther. The other sleds just got some routine maintenance. One of my goals for the winter is to get a 440 Kawasaki built up to install in Goldie next summer.We had a little snow last night, so at least it's looking more like winter. With the colder temps forecast for the coming week it should stay. Trails won't open until Dec. 12 at the earliest due to the antlerless deer hunt going on this week.
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December 20, 2011We're still waiting for snow. It looks like it will be a brown Christmas as there is no snow in the forecast.On Dec. 10th, Jennifer and I attended a vintage sled display in Hurley Wisconsin as part of their Red Light Rally weekend. There was just under thirty sleds in the display lines as I recall. We had a good time, and got to catch up with some of the Hurley guys that I have not seen in quite a while.While unloading Goldie at Hurley the windshield was broken. Kind of sad as it was the original blue window, but I have been thinking for quite a while that I wanted to put on a yellow windshield so that was just the kick in the pants I needed. I ordered one up from Jeff Haugen at www.cannonclassicsleds.com and it was here in just a few days. I could not be more pleased with it.December 25, 2011My sister and I were rummaging through some old papers and photographs while at my mother's house today. I found a few old snowmobiling items. Several photographs taken in 1971 were found. They are "instamatic" type photos of pretty poor quality. Scanning and posting them here would be of little value. I did find a snowmobile trail map of Ashland County. There is no date on it anywhere, but I estimate it is from about 1970. The best part is the seventeen advertisements from regional snowmobile dealers, including Ante Snowmobile Sales where dad bought our Scorpions. I will post this map in the Literature section.January 1, 2012FINALLY!!!! We got a modest snowfall overnight. Not enough to make most trails passable, but enough to cover the corridor and the alleys to get there. Jennifer and I mounted Time Bandit and Big Red and headed out for Pine Creek Pit Stop. Sadly, they were closed today, but still a nice ride out and back. What a great attitude boost for me!
January 15, 2012A mini-snowstorm midweek deposited enough snow to at least get out and ride again. Jennifer and I trailered the machines to Long Lake on Saturday and rode up to Pub & Grub where we had a delicious lunch. Trails were passable. I even got to break trail for a few miles. The forest roads are in very good shape. Boring, but nice riding.On Sunday I took Goldie out for a few miles on the corridor just as a shakedown to test out the mods I made over the summer. The speedometer does not work for some reason, but otherwise it ran fine and no issues with the new rear suspension and track. I much quieter setup than the original. Here she is sporting the new yellow windshield from Cannon Classic Sleds.
January 22, 2012Jennifer and I trailered to Mellen, where there is some snow, and had a short ride of 30 miles on Big Red and Time Bandit. Forecast is for 3-7 inches of snow tomorrow! We could sure use it. |
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