Updated 3/4/12
Bryants' Moto-Ski Page
Updated 3/4/12
3/4/12 So this is the
culmination of a really poor winter and pretty much sums up how things have
been. A group of us were
playing in an open field and I had the above
Capri 493 cruising at about 30 mph when I pulled it into some deeper snow
off the beaten path.
Somehow the left ski dug in deep and folded under as the
machine ran up and over. I did some fancy dance moves to keep it upright
and
straight but managed to get it stopped. The ski is mangled
beyond use along with the ski leg, leaf spring, and chair but luckily it
did not damage
the body so fixing it will not
be an issue.
MOTO-SKI REGISTRY
Now 1963-1975
Lets see what sleds have survived! Help add to it by emailing me your Moto-Ski's
year, model, original engine, and model
and serial numbers. I hope by listing the email addresses of the
registered sleds to build a support network of people
all sharing similar interests.
MOTO-SKI
TECHNICAL INFO
This section
covers many things including owners and parts manuals, year by year
differences, dealer lists circa 1971, production numbers, vintage
photos,
and other dealer literature.
OUR COLLECTION:
1972 Moto-Ski MS-18 400 (398ccm JLO)
(Foreground)
This was my second moto-ski and has been with us
for quite a few years now. It is my favorite to trail ride because
rarely does it ever give any trouble and, believe it or not, it is one of the
most maneuverable machines I have. With just
the right throttle and weight shift you can get it to pivot at mid-track
cutting tight corners but at the same time there
is not a hill or drift that will stop it.
1976 Moto-Ski Nuvik 340 (Type 343 Rotax)
(Background)
I received it in trade for work on a trail bike and another snowmobile.
The engine runs great and the sliders are like new.
The seat is in perfect condition but the original cowling had some close
encounters with a solid object so it has been changed
to a nice '77 hood since this picture was taken (the '77 decals look similar).
1973 Moto-Ski Zephyr 340
(336ccm BSE )
The 1973 Zephyr and Capri models are notorious
for having hoods broken beyond recognition but this one somehow avoided that
fate (220 original miles has something to do with it). New decals and a
recovered seat make it a decent old machine.
1973 Moto-Ski F-440 (436ccm BSE)
I drove by this machine for a few years but was recently able to strike a deal and bring it home. Its in very good original condition and came
with the electric start option. It needs some cleaning and tweaking but a good original seat and gas tank cover make this a keeper.
1972 Moto-Ski Zephyr 340 (336ccm BSE)
This machine is a nice original with the exception of new decals on the hood. It is an interesting machine in that it started life as a '71 Zephyr that never sold so was converted either at the factory or a dealership to a '72. You can still see where the '71 ID tag was
drilled off and it came with the '71 plastic chain case and clutch setup. Tough financial times at Moto-Ski meant saving money whenever possible.
1972 Moto-Ski Grand Prix 340 (336ccm BSE SS)
I just finished a full bolt by bolt
restoration of this sled and fired it up on the grass for the first time.
The 340SS BSE makes this
a surprisingly quick combination and the 94c comet clutch helps. This is
a bogie wheel suspension model with a drum brake
and fully enclosed steel chain case. A special thanks to Steve Dahlberg
for giving us the opportunity to add this
rather rare moto-ski to our collection.
1972 Moto-Ski
We got this machine for parts quite a while ago
but could not bear to split it up. A new crank and it was
running great. It does have the original seats but they are showing their
age so it will never be anything
to bring to a show but it is mechanically excellent with a very solid body.
1971 Moto-Ski
(Top left)
The early 292 Capris came through with L295 JLO
engines instead of the more common 292 Hirth. They featured
all black seats, black front bumpers (not chrome like the later ones), and '69
style running board mats. Even though the 292
was moto-ski's full size
economy model, this one has proved to be a spiteful machine with plenty of power
for one rider.
Both machines were featured in the
November 2011 Sno-Goer timeline article.
1971 Moto-Ski Capri 292 #2
(193R
Hirth)
(Top
right)
This is the model twin to the one pictured
above but is the later version with the Hirth engine and chrome bumper.
It still has its original air box,
rubber gas tank strap (hard to find not brittle and broken), and factory plastic
warranty
information card. It
has had the seat recovered to the original all black (yes the 292's had
black seats not black and
orange
like the more expensive models). There was enough of the original cover
left to pull the staples,
cut
the seams, and lay out for an exact copy on new material.
1971 Moto-Ski Capri 493 (220R
Hirth)
Well here is the
progress so far on the '71 Capri 493 project. It has a temporary seat on it
for now later to be replaced with
something closer to correct. The electric
start works well which will be a nice feature and all indications on the grass
show it will
be quite a handfull if pushed. Fitment of the engine, clutch
guard, and hood proved to be more work than I first thought but all went
well.
I ended up going with a 14/30 gear combo which should high gear
it enough and chose a long rubber ram tube for the HD instead of
the stock
black airbox. Eventually some new factory looking hood decals
will say "Capri 493"
to replace the 292 decals that are on it now.
1971 Moto-Ski Grand Prix 338
(338ccm JLO)
(Above on the left)
It started out that I spotted one while driving and ended up owning it.
It's not in terrible shape so we planned
to fix it until we ran across another identical 338 Grand Prix a week later
(only 2 digits apart in the serial numbers) in
better shape but needing a few of the pieces that the first one has (hard to
find spark plug trap door in the shrouding,
working tach, flawless side scoops and others). The best of both will be
combined to make for a nice sled with the first
sled acting as a parts machine.
Moto-Ski Mini Snos
(#1 1970 223ccm JLO top)(#2 1971 223ccm JLO left)(#3 1971
338ccm Hirth right)
#1
The acquisition of this '70
mini-sno to our collection completes all three year/engine combinations made.
It differs from '71 in quite a few ways but most notably the entire belly pan
is fiberglass and uses an aluminum
bumper. It has a peg clutch like the '68 and back machines and an engine
guard that is all white instead of black.
This little machine has a good running engine and is a solid start to a
restoration.
#2
We purchased this sled from the son of the
original owners only about 15 miles from where it was purchased new.
The funny part is that my father test drove this
exact one back in 1971 at the local dealership before it was bought
and remembers when the buyers came and picked it
up. The little sled has been stored indoors for most of its life
and so has been preserved fairly well.
Even though it was marketed as a children's sled don't be fooled.
My first ride on it revealed that mini-snos are
super tippy buggers and the 10hp is more than enough power
to lift the skis off the ground (right over
backwards if you were sitting wrong) and carry them a long ways.
#3
We recently found this original
R-code 338 mini-sno complete minus the seat. I cant wait to restore this
sled
and get it on the snow to see just how crazy 28hp can be on a chassis that can
barely handle 10hp.
6 - 1970 Moto-Skis
#1 (pictured above)
This one is a Zephyr with a 375 JLO single. I consider it to be a real
time capsule that was
spared much of the abuse and neglect that so many sleds were subjected to.
It has a low serial number
for the model (C5J-70-17 ) and features some interesting early 1970
characteristics like a '69
body (subtle differences from '70), a '69 backrest compartment and tail light,
and a '69 dash. Also
note that the sides of the headlights were never drilled for engine size
badges. It is
a nice original sled that goes well with our other ones. A special thanks
to the AnteDomenico
family for giving us the opportunity to have it in our collection, it will
always have a good home.
#2 (above left)
The second is a 338 Hirth Zephyr that was restored by my father in law to its
current nice condition. We have run it
quite a bit with great results and hope to put it through its paces on many
rides in the future.
#3 (above right)
The third is a MS-18 with a 500 Hirth. The cosmetics are quite good and
even better since it now has an original
pattern blue and white seat. Luckily the two front and two rear track sprockets
are in great condition
(rare for a '68-'70 MS-18). I got to enter it in a radar run at the
mile. Not bad for such a big machine. Behind in the photo is our
'70 ski-mo cutter purchased new with a '70 MS-18.
#4 (not pictured)
Next is an MS-18 that had a 372 JLO electric start when we got it but the
engine turned out to have fatal
internal issues. I considered taking the time to rebuild another 372 I
have access to but decided not to after looking
at a newly rebuilt 634 Hirth we had sitting in the corner waiting to go on
something. So long story short the machine is
now a 634 MS-18 with electric start (its so nice not to have to crank it over).
We have had the opportunity to drive it
around quite a bit and were and still are impressed at how smooth and powerful
the combination is.
#5 (below)
This 317 Hirth Zephyr was restored with the intention of making it a nice
rider. The 192R 317 is a great motor with
lots of power for a single yet very reliable. I hope to put some miles on
this one this winter.
#6 (below)
Of all of our moto-skis, this is the most original and perhaps the nicest one
of the bunch. Last registered in 1973
it only has 406 miles and sat under its original cover in heated storage for
most of its years. This Grand Prix has the
SA340SS Sachs engine option which is the only non racing Moto-Ski to offer
Sachs power. A special thanks to the
first of all for taking such good care of it over the years and second for the
chance to add it to our collection.
1969 Moto-Ski Zephyr 500
(493ccm Hirth)
While this sled started its life out as a 300 single, it now has a 500 twin to
liven it up plus a deluxe dash to give it a
more model correct look. Before you write this off as an imaginative
custom job, however, I am not convinced that Moto-Ski
did not make a 500 Zephyr in 1969. The biggest reason for this is that I
have seen photos and decoded the numbers
of an original 1969 500 Capri plus heard from a few dealers back in the day
that they did in fact sell a very limited
number of them. From there it is not a very far stretch to assume that if
a 500
not be far behind. Anyone out there have, had, or know of an
original 500 Zephyr? The model number would be "34".
I would love to hear from anyone with any input on the subject.
1969 Moto-Ski Capri 760 JLO
I knew squeezing a giant 760 JLO fan
motor onto a small 300
entire driven clutch and supports had to be offset to the left like the large
engine '69-'70 super modified machines. I was lucky enough to have an
extended front shaft and aluminum bearing block from a 634 Grand Prix to match
the offset and get the elephant engine to set centered on the tunnel.
Heavy duty bogie springs, 2 extra leaf springs
in each ski, and arched ski extenders set the suspension up to handle the extra
weight and power. The
motor breathes through a combination of dual HD carbs and twin megaphones that
sound great in an open field and are plain lethal in a closed garage.
This sled is a handful during regular operation and a white knuckle joy at full
throttle. The next steps are a short windshield and a blue and white seat
in the style of the '69 super modifides.
1968 Moto-Ski Zephyr
(297ccm JLO)
This poor old sled came to us a few years ago in a sad state with an unoriginal
engine, a very rusted gas tank,
and the drive sprocket missing some teeth. The good news was the rest of
the body was in
great shape and the hood was solid. I have since welded in front pan
sections and the steering brace from a
'69 donor sled to convert it to a removable gas tank. A correct 297 JLO
has been located as well as a
good track, front and rear shafts/sprockets, backrest compartment, clutch
guard, and NOS backrest
cushion to make it whole again. It is patiently awaiting a sandblasting
and repaint.
1965 Moto-Ski Model 100
(247ccm JLO)
We totally stripped, sandblasted, primed and
painted this machine for my uncle in the summer of 2001 (The paint
on the cowling is original). It was a lot of work but as you can see it
was well worth the time. This picture were taken at
the first annual 1 Lunger 100 held in Turner,
plans to restore 1 a year. His sleds include '65-'67 Capris, a '68 Zephyr
300, '68 MS-18 297, '69 MS-18 300, '69 MS-18 500,
'70 MS-18 500, '70 MS-18 634, '70 375 Capri, '71 634
Grand Prix, '71 399 Capri, '71 Mini-Sno 223 and a '72 292
CLICK HERE to see a picture of this
sled and the 3
others that started snowmobiling for this family
in late 1969 .
1971 Rupp WT 634
(634ccm Hirth twin)
This sled went through a general mechanical
overhaul but it was not in terrible condition to start with. The plastic belly pan
and sides were all intact as well as the cowling which was faded but never
damaged. The 634 received a complete
overhaul and runs great. I have had it up to 65mph (by the
speedometer) with more to go, just not with me on it. This picture is
up to date including a new seat. The next areas to get attention
will be paint on the hood and skis and a better track.
2- 1968 Ski-Doos
Olympique on left (10.5 HP 247cc Rotax)
Super Olympique on right (16 HP 299cc Rotax)
Both machines are a blast to ride and do very well in the deep snow. The Olympique was saved from the scrap yard
a few years back and the Super Olympique was obtained by trading a '70 Alpine we had. They both show their age
but are quite reliable and easy to handle.
1970 Sno-Jet Super Sport 500
(493ccm Hirth)
I rescued this sled from the back room of an old
cow milking parlor that was beginning to fall in on itself. The original
396 Yamaha
was missing as were the skis and seat but it was rock solid and the track was
good so it had potential (anything free has potential).
It now has a 500 Hirth twin , a sport seat from a '73 moto ski, and skis
from a '73 Star Jet. Note the two holes in the hood, they
appear to be somebody's attempt to cool the muffler. It is not
restored but runs very well and will cruise at 45mph with little effort.
1973 Suzuki XR-440
(432ccm Suzuki Twin)
My father bought this Suzuki brand new and has run it
very minimal considering it is only on its second set of
spark plugs. Since it has never set outside other than to run it, it is
in great shape. The only thing it needed was a
rear sprocket which it got (replaced front and rear). This was a top of
the line 85mph+
machine when new, not to shabby for a stock snowmobile in 1973
1968 Johnson Skee-Horse
Wide-Trac 20
(362cc OMC opposed twin)
This machine was used for a short time hauling a
sled to carry wood and then placed up into a dry barn until we
brought it home. It came to us with the owners manual and dealer brochure
given out when the sled was new and still has
the original OMC drive belt under the seat as a spare. The opposed
twin runs great, the reverse is a blast, and a
new windshield makes it look pretty decent for an original sled.
1972 Boa-Ski R/T 340
(338ccm JLO model 2F340)
When I got this sled it was not in bad condition but needed many maintenance
type things and a good degreasing.
All bogie wheels needed to be changed, the engine needed a fan belt and a PTO
side seal, the brakes needed to be
overhauled, carburetor changed to the correct HD, all engine clutch springs
replaced, gas tank revamped, and a new windshield.
The engine runs very well from what I can see and should be a good sled on the
snow this winter. In case you noticed that
the hood says R/T 440, the other side actually has the correct R/T 340
decal but the original owner says that
is just the way he purchased it. Must have been a Friday or Monday built
machine...
Email me at
motoski_is1@hotmail.com
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