mnsledder

Snowtrailsusa posted in the group General Discussion

• 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Here's Our "Too Early Wish List" for the Upcoming Season. This is a Trial Run of our Polling Features today. On this one, we'll have only one option to choose, if you have more than one, pick the one of most likelihood. Thanks for participating!

What has your interest for upgrades, add-ons, and must-haves?

Parts and Maintenance Items
Gear and Accessories
Considering a New Snowmobile
Updating License and Permits
I'm All Set! I could ride tomorrow if snowed tonight...

See Results
Neenah Gary posted in the group General Discussion

• 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Your First Time with Your First One…..(No Not That)
We’re Talking Your First Ride on your First Snowmobile.
Jump Over to the Forum ^^ to share your story!

4 Comments
- Heckler56
  2 months, 2 weeks ago
  
  Birchwood Wisconsin maybe about 1971? Parents let my brother and I rent a Homelite snowmobile by the cabin. So narrow and tippy I kept rolling over trying to ride the side of the road. Hooked for life!
- Minnesota Kelly
  2 months, 2 weeks ago
  
  I guess it wasn’t the first ride experience that most people think of. I got my prized possession (a 68 Johnson Skee Horse) that I bought in pieces back together and I put it through its paces on the stubble of a combined oats field. It was probably 80 degrees at the time but it went pretty good on the slippery straw and if I closed my eyes I…Read More
- Jake7893
  1 month, 2 weeks ago
  
  1980 Yamaha Enticer. I don’t recall much about the sled, but the bellypan was a ONE-WAY sign that was riveted on due to the original rusting out or falling apart. I remember that being a pretty cool part of opening the hood.
  - Jake7893
    1 month, 2 weeks ago
    
    Then I upgraded to my Yamaha SnoScoot. Kick start. Everyone wanted to take a lap on that thing. Very fun sled as a kid.
Minnesota Kelly posted in the group Kelly’s ”Time Machine” Shop

• 2 months, 2 weeks ago

On the Kawasaki Project:
I did manage to get the skis finished a while back but just getting around to posting a photo. Kawasaki shocks are not to be found but with the help of a couple of shims, Arctic Cat shocks work nicely.

+1 liked this
Minnesota Kelly posted in the group Kelly’s ”Time Machine” Shop

• 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Sitting out on the deck tonight enjoying an incredible lake evening and wondering how far out in advance I can realistically plan projects. As you all know, I’m not exactly a picture of youth. I ask this question because my plan was to work the Drifter F/A next year and finish it in the winter of 27/28 and the latest acquisition is has raised…Read More

13 Comments
- Hermie
  2 months, 2 weeks ago
  
  If you still have the drive and you still have your health then why not do something you enjoy doing? Keeping moving and doing things is what keeps you going as you age. So are you going to give us any hints on this image?
  - Minnesota Kelly
    2 months, 2 weeks ago
    
    I agree with you on the moving thing. I live in an area where a significant percentage of the residents are older and I see so many people that aren’t aging well. I think this is at least partly due to not continuing to stay active. Sometimes moving may not always feel that great but in the long run, it’s good for you. Something else that I thi…Read More
    - Eagle1
      2 months, 2 weeks ago
      
      Ya my parents are getting close to 80 and have garden large enough to feed whole neighborhood. And still take care of pool and too. They only finally bought a riding mower this June!!! I swear I probably take more naps than they do!!🤪
      
      Eagle1
      2 months, 2 weeks ago
      
      …also there’s a few of us in/near Appleton that could help enable your addictio…I mean dream. 😁
      
      Minnesota Kelly
      2 months, 2 weeks ago
      
      Always appreciate offers to help with the “dream”. At first glance it seems to difficult to make happen but desparation may dictate otherwise.
      
      Minnesota Kelly
      2 months, 2 weeks ago
      
      Good for your parents!! People like that are my inspiration to keep at it.
- Neenah Gary
  2 months, 2 weeks ago
  
  To paraphrase a song from Toby Keith, How old would you be if you didn’t know your birth date? And there’s your answer my friend.
  - Minnesota Kelly
    2 months, 2 weeks ago
    
    YES!
- euphoric1
  2 months, 2 weeks ago
  
  Kelly I agree completely with the comments listed and think no matter what it is to keep doing what ones doing because there will come a day when one wont be able to anymore and I believe it plays a huge part on ones longevity. Its clear you have the passion, the drive and are a true master at you craft. It is also clear you truly enjoy what you…Read More
- Heckler56
  2 months, 2 weeks ago
  
  There was a 90 year old member of my RV group. Former Vietnam pilot. He sold what he said is his last rv. This guy did circles around everyone modifying these Airstream vans. Bought one, made mods (beautiful woodworking skills), sold it 3 years later. He did this in his 70’s & 80’s. All of it by himself. But he bowed out when his vision began to…Read More
  - Heckler56
    2 months, 2 weeks ago
    
    Hit the enter button before I was done. He modified several vans over the 20 years. Kelly, you are that guy with snowmobiles. I am still looking for my unicorn (although shoulder surgery put a stop on everything this year). Thank you for being you…
- Minnesota Kelly
  2 months, 2 weeks ago
  
  You guys pretty well nailed it with your comments and examples of people making the best of life in their later years. Jimmy Buffet wrote a song titled: “Growing Older but Not Up.” It’s words I’ve tried to live by.
  - Heckler56
    2 months, 2 weeks ago
    
    That is exactly what that RV gentilemen would say 😂
Minnesota Kelly posted in the group Kelly’s ”Time Machine” Shop

• 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Ah, summer. Baseball, barbeques, and…..Snowmobiles (of course). It’s been said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That’s what I’m going with on this one. Supposed to be a parts sled but thinking it may be too nice to tear it down, just for parts. Seems to happen a lot.

+1 liked this

3 Comments
- euphoric1
  2 months, 2 weeks ago
  
  Cant see the whole hood but looks to be in not too bad shape and looks like you picked up a few other nuggets that could be useful in future projects, one has to wonder what other barn finds are out there yet just waiting to see the light of day once again.
  - Minnesota Kelly
    2 months, 2 weeks ago
    
    The hood is actually very nice, much better than what I started with on the current project. The engine in the sled is seized (oil injection failure) but he threw in a good 440 and another Cat/Kawasaki 440 in case i wanted to rebuild it. I thinking barn finds will continue to be discovered for some time to come. There will always be someone that…Read More
    - Mezz
      2 months, 2 weeks ago
      
      You’re gonna need to build a Kaw Barn now!
Snowtrailsusa posted in the group Kelly’s ”Time Machine” Shop

• 2 months, 3 weeks ago

liked this

1 Comment
- Minnesota Kelly
  2 months, 3 weeks ago
  
  Loved the black Elan.
Eagle1 posted in the group Kelly’s ”Time Machine” Shop

• 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Curios if anybody’s been following the Wausau auctions?

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dbl-MkxiCgi/?igsh=MWs1Zm05YmU2ZjRrNg==

liked this

2 Comments
- euphoric1
  2 months, 3 weeks ago
  
  one of my customers was one of the first to walk through and is wanting to make some purchases, he is a very avid Yamaha collector
- Minnesota Kelly
  2 months, 3 weeks ago
  
  Been picking up pieces of info now and then. Some crazy sleds and some crazy prices.
Mezz posted in the group General Discussion

• 2 months, 4 weeks ago

My new rear bumper for the 2026 Kawasaki Ridge Platinum Ranch Edition. For some reason it didn’t come with one. Chose this heavy duty beast with LED lights in it. The bumper is a product of Extreme Metal Products-EMP. Thank you to Chad and his service department at M&M Powersports for their top notch service.

+4 liked this

6 Comments
- Minnesota Kelly
  2 months, 4 weeks ago
  
  Nice setup, looks like it’s ready for winter. Could be another record breaker.
  - Mezz
    2 months, 4 weeks ago
    
    Bite your tounge young man!😱
- euphoric1
  2 months, 3 weeks ago
  
  Funny thing Kelly and Mezz, we have been having “super El Nino” year pounded into our minds lately yet when you look at other weather outlets they are too predicting the “super El Nino” but their prediction effects are all over the place, some doom and gloom and some are very hopeful. As I’ve said before they have a hard enough time with 24 hour…Read More
  - Mezz
    2 months, 3 weeks ago
    
    You’re right, being pounded with the doom & gloom. Though I will say, after having been through the 2nd snowiest winter on record last year, I am not wanting a repeat performance. It is way too early to tell what this winter will bring despite the numerous model runs. One thing for certain is a very strong El Nino will be in play, it’s just a…Read More
    - euphoric1
      2 months, 3 weeks ago
      
      Mezz, kinda selfish or me I do apologize, I couldn’t even imagine what it must be like residing there and I’m not going to lie but I don’t take that into consideration when I hope for a hell of a winter in the north woods as I am only thinking of the riding. I also plow snow here in my neck of the woods, been doing it for close to 30 years and…Read More
      
      Mezz
      2 months, 3 weeks ago
      
      No need to apologize, I hope you have a hell of a winter. As you know, your hell of a winter and ours here in the Keweenaw are 2 different animals. I can’t move like I use to & it is a challenge to deal with shoveling, blowing & plowing twice a day. The plowing is the easiest part but as you know, time consuming. I plow for myself & a couple of…Read More
Snowtrailsusa posted in the group General Discussion

• 2 months, 4 weeks ago

OK, give us your best Eagle Eye for this one….as the caption says, it’s 1966 and what is wrong with this picture?

6 Comments
- Snowtrailsusa
  2 months, 4 weeks ago
  
  I can’t be sure but that’s a Ford from 65 or 66 most likely. The kids aren’t fighting, kinda odd. Gas is 32.9 sounds about right. Mom and Dad are both smiling…I dunno, what’s wrong with this picture?
  - Mezz
    2 months, 4 weeks ago
    
    There appears to be a charger plug for EV’s on the gas pump opposite the pump attendant. At least it looks like a large plug & not a typical pump nozzle.
    - Heckler56
      2 months, 4 weeks ago
      
      EV charger, agree.
  - Minnesota Kelly
    2 months, 4 weeks ago
    
    I agree with the side window comment. I don’t don’t believe that window ever rolled down on any station wagon.
- JRSKI
  2 months, 4 weeks ago
  
  The back side window of the station wagon shouldn’t open where the boy is. Does the rear seat of the station wagon face the back of the car? Small suitcase doesn’t look tied down.
  - Mezz
    2 months, 3 weeks ago
    
    I think the most glaring thing wrong with a picture from 1966 would be the EV charger plug. There are a number of things in the picture one could say are not right. Such as unsecured luggage in the roof rack, no rear view mirrors on either driver or passenger doors, no rear view mirror on the windshield as well as the very rear side window that I…Read More
Minnesota Kelly posted in the group Kelly’s ”Time Machine” Shop

• 3 months ago

Some not so deep thoughts on a Sunday night.

August has arrived and it means that I’m starting to make some noises about getting my project painting done. The first step in setting up my “paint booth” is to move some sleds into the house garage to give me some room to paint.

I don’t normally see most of these sleds on a regular basis a…Read More

+3 liked this

2 Comments
- Snowtrailsusa
  3 months ago
  - Minnesota Kelly
    2 months, 4 weeks ago
    
    this is more true than you would believe.
jr37 posted in the group General Discussion

• 3 months, 1 week ago

Found this in a store on Oahu yesterday. I bet the vast majority of people that see it have no idea what it is.

+5 liked this

3 Comments
- Minnesota Kelly
  3 months, 1 week ago
  
  Hopefully you grabbed it. Very cool.
- euphoric1
  3 months ago
  
  one has to ask… What the hell is a hat like that doing in Oahu?!! LOL! Cool!
- Snowtrailsusa
  2 months, 4 weeks ago
Minnesota Kelly posted in the group Kelly’s ”Time Machine” Shop

• 3 months, 1 week ago

A little project diversion here. Finally picked up this little beauty today. Looks like the 2027 project is locked in. Long drive, but it was worth it. Nothing like that new sled smell. Gotta love the free-air sleds.

+2 liked this

8 Comments
- Neenah Gary
  3 months, 1 week ago
  
  A couple of questions here; What Is It? Without graphics, I can’t tell. Those handlebars look awkward, kinda like those on the bicycles of the 70’s. Anyway, glad to see you’ve got something to keep your head in the game for another year and congratulations on a new member of the family! We hope the Mrs. approves of another “rescue” at the table.
  - Minnesota Kelly
    3 months, 1 week ago
    
    Sorry Gary, i guess I was a little short on details. It’s a 1980 Kawasaki 340 Drifter F/A, a one-year build sled and the only free air sled Kawasaki ever produced. The bars probably do look a little goofy but they feel right when you’re sitting on the sled. Kawasaki did take a page out of the bicycle book though and mounted the bars in a block…Read More
    - Neenah Gary
      3 months ago
      
      Tell your Mrs. all of us on SnowTrails appreciates her support. For you to rescue an old snowmobile that’s been abused and left alone in an old barn is admirable on your part. A little TLC, and a case of Hamm’s will go along way in bringing her up to speed on “Kelly Time”.
  - euphoric1
    3 months ago
    
    handlebars remind me of John Deere snowmobile handle bars
- Mezz
  3 months ago
  
  It’s in pretty decent shape! 2 Kaw’s in a row, you’ll be in the groove when it’s this ones turn. Nice!
  - Minnesota Kelly
    3 months ago
    
    Yeah it’s weird, considering Kawasaki wasn’t even on my radar a year ago and now I have two. The Drifter F/A is a unique animal. I’m thinking the windshield was an option. The shop manual I got with the sled shows it without one. Personally, I like it better without. I don’t think I’m even going to have to touch the hood, unless I want to add…Read More
    - Neenah Gary
      2 months, 4 weeks ago
      
      I found this photo over on Bookface. Not much for graphics is there?
      
      Minnesota Kelly
      2 months, 3 weeks ago
      
      No, just a tiny “Drifter F/A” decal on the side. I think I mentioned this before, but it’s interesting that a windshield must have been optional. I’ve seen several photos now of this sled without one, including the cover of the shop manual.
Tom posted in the group General Discussion

• 3 months, 1 week ago

Checking how the members are doing in the Neenah and Appleton doing with the bad weather

6 Comments
- Neenah Gary
  3 months, 1 week ago
  
  Menasha had the worst of it. Curfew in place, no water, no power, etc. Neenah with less damage with a lot of trees down and debris everywhere. Neighbor next door lost a tree, no damage to ours. Lucky I guess! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIeXSUXJ84A
  - Neenah Gary
    3 months, 1 week ago
    
    Dashcam video….https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-jEPu-0mwjs
- Neenah Gary
  3 months, 1 week ago
  - Heckler56
    3 months, 1 week ago
    
    Prayers for all. Can’t imagine going through this type of disaster.
  - Minnesota Kelly
    3 months, 1 week ago
    
    Wow, I had no idea it was that bad over there. Not something I want to ever experience. Sounds like there were no known fatalities. That is a miracle.
- Eagle1
  3 months, 1 week ago
  
  No doubt it was bad but definitely could’ve been worse considering how far it traveled. Miracle no one died… Praise Lord🙏
Neenah Gary posted in the group Kelly’s ”Time Machine” Shop

• 3 months, 1 week ago

That sure looks like something Kelly would be riding……how bout it K Man?

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1 Comment
- Minnesota Kelly
  3 months, 1 week ago
  
  Yep, at least part of that is true. Thinking I waited a little too long to own one.
Snowtrailsusa posted in the group General Discussion

• 3 months, 1 week ago

A Shout Out to a few of our latest members. Glad to have you with us….
Eric, Jason, Dennis, Mark, Guy, Paul, and Jerry. Just to name a few that have joined us on SnowTrailsUSA. We’re pleased with the response considering we’re very much in the Dog Days of Summer. Just the same, check out the Special Events we’ve posted that are coming up soon…Read More
Neenah Gary posted in the group General Discussion

• 3 months, 1 week ago

We had family visiting for the Air Show in Oshkosh last week and I took a day off to show them another of our local attractions. In the second photo, mowing the grass at Lambeau.They use four walk behind industrial mowers. I would’ve thought they have some big Zamboni type, but nope, they mow the grass the same as you and me and not one dandelion…Read More
Neenah Gary posted in the group General Discussion

• 3 months, 1 week ago

Correct me if I’m wrong. Are the seats getting smaller as our butts are getting bigger?
(Asking for a friend)

liked this

1 Comment
- Minnesota Kelly
  3 months, 1 week ago
  
  I think it’s a combination of the two..
Minnesota Kelly posted in the group General Discussion

• 3 months, 1 week ago

Really enjoying Gary’s event photos, amazing stuff! You Arctic Cat guys also have to be lovin’ this. The new ZR White Tiger. Awesome looking sled!

+2 liked this

2 Comments
- Hermie
  3 months, 1 week ago
  
  You ask me one of the best if not the best color combos for MY27. I will be keeping an eye on cat to see if there quality gets better and perhaps a new updated rear suspension.
  - Neenah Gary
    3 months ago
    
    One of my earlier sleds had an unpainted tunnel, just polished aluminum. Scuff marks from my boots were evident and impossible to remove. I’m wondering if the same occurs with this AC. But, yes, that’s a really sharp looking machine, very much so!
Snowtrailsusa posted in the group Kelly’s ”Time Machine” Shop

• 3 months, 1 week ago

liked this

1 Comment
- Minnesota Kelly
  3 months, 1 week ago
  
  Had the Johnson version. Tough machine and it fit three of us on it but it was pretty tired and top speed was just over 15 mph. I’ll agree with the 60 pounds lighter claim. My dad had a 67 and I swear it had to go 600 lbs. It would pull his aluminum beaver trapping boat through the woods and across dry land, no problem.
Neenah Gary posted in the group General Discussion

• 3 months, 1 week ago

Recent Pictures from the Air Show in Oshkosh.

+1 liked this
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