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A Look Back At The 1980 Kawasaki Invader LTD 440

Back in 1980, a friend’s big brother purchased a brand new Kawasaki Invader LTD 440. He kept this machine in a heated, well-lit shop and it was always shined to perfection. We were in complete awe of this sled. We looked up to this guy like he was dating Cheryl Tiegs. To us, the Invader LTD was possibly the most attractive machine ever built.

Kawasaki Snowmobile History

Back in 1973, Kawasaki’s US subsidiary endeavored to put a line of snowmobiles on the market by 1977.  Kawasaki had been providing engines for some Arctic Cat models from 1970 through 1976. They were anxious to get into the fray with their own machines.

To speed up this effort, Kawasaki purchased the troubled Sno-Jet brand in 1976. As a result, they had an instant dealer network and a turn-key product line.

The 1977 models were branded as “Sno-Jet Kawasaki”. These first models were little more than refined 1976 Sno-Jet models. Interestingly, Yamaha engines still powered the 1977 high-performance SST models.

It’s noteworthy that Arctic Cat manufactured Kawasaki’s “family” and entry-level snowmobiles for four model-years. The high-performance models were made at Kawasaki’s Lincoln, Nebraska factory.

For 1978, Kawasaki dropped the Sno-Jet name. Furthermore, they started to make their mark with the release of the aggressive Invader and Intruder models. The futuristic body lines and serious performance certainly made it clear that Kawasaki’s effort was no joke.

Through the 1982 season, Kawasaki made the high-performance arms-race interesting. The formidable Invader and Interceptor models certainly kept the competition on their toes.

But on the eve of the 1983 season model release, the brass at the Japanese headquarters inspected the debt numbers of their North American snowmobile division. They recoiled in horror and consequently pulled the plug on Kawasaki snowmobiles.

Certainly Kawasaki got into the snowmobile manufacturing game at precisely the wrong time. This was due to the late 1970’s and early 80’s being an economic bloodbath for the industry.

But considering that Kawasaki supplied of engines for the likes of Cat and John Deere. Then manufactured their own line of snowmobiles for a brief, but exciting time. Kawasaki certainly left a significant mark on the snowmobile industry.

Specifications For The 1980 Kawasaki Invader LTD 440

  • Engine: Kawasaki TC440C, liquid-cooled, two-stroke, twin-cylinder, two spark plugs per cylinder
  • Displacement: 436cc
  • Bore X Stroke 68mm X 60mm
  • Carburetor: twin 36mm Mikuni VM36
  • Ignition: CDI
  • Horsepower: 78
  • Top speed: 95-plus mph
  • Fuel Capacity: 8 US gallons
  • Injector Oil Capacity: 2.5 US quarts
  • Weight (dry): 440 lbs.
  • Overall Length: 103″
  • Width: 40.5″
  • Overall Height: 35.5″ (with windshield)
  • Ski Stance: 31″
  • Suspension Type: Adjustable slide rail
  • Ski Suspension Type: Monoleaf with shocks
  • Track Length: 121″
  • Track Width: 15″
  • Brake Type: Caliper disc
  • Instrumentation: Speedometer, tachometer, temperature gauges
  • Headlight: Pop-up quartz
  • Price: $3499 US (approx. $10,950 in today’s dollars)

Remember this Kawasaki Invader commercial from the late 70s?

YouTube- Vintage Kawasaki Invader Snowmobile Commercial 

Here is a Kawasaki snowmobile promotional video for the 1980 season.

YouTube- 1980 Kawasaki Snowmobile Produce Line Showcase 

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My First Sled: 1980 Ski-Doo Citation 4500

In our latest edition of “My First Sled”, we profile Kelly’s 1980 Ski-Doo Citation 4500. As the snowmobile industry entered the 1980s, sled designs improved by a significant degree. The tight financial times of the mid-70s were out of the way and sled makers (what few that were left) could devote R&D resources to chassis refinement. Snowmobiles took on a sleeker look and ride quality was dramatically improved.

Ski-Doo launched a completely revamped line for the 1980 model year and a big part of that roll-out was an all-new mid-range series called Citation. Positioned between the Elan and Everest models, the Citation was replacing the venerable Olympique and the previous version of the Citation. The earlier Citation was a small chassis model with a 300cc engine marketed in 1978 and 1979. The Olympique had been a fixture in the Ski-Doo line-up since 1965.

The Citation received an all new chassis with an aluminum tunnel and steel front section, along with an all rubber track.

Citation was available in three different versions:

  • 3500- Equipped with a 268cc engine with a single carb and a 106” track.
  • 4500- Featured a 368cc engine with a single carb and a 114” track.
  • SS- Also used the 368cc engine, but with twin carbs and 106” track.

The Citation models were designed as affordable sleds with great fuel economy that still provided snappy performance. Bombardier hit every mark in this undertaking. The fuel economy of the Citations was in the early to mid-20s per US gallon. We could not find 1980 pricing for the Citations, but we estimate that it was in the $1725 (US)/$2050 (Canada) range.

Qualities of the Citation Series included:

  • Decent power to weight ratio
  • Low centre of gravity, wider stance
  • Excellent fuel economy
  • Sleek new good looks
  • Decent suspension for its time
  • Solid reliability and workmanship

As was the practice at the time, Bombardier also produced a Moto-Ski counterpart for every Ski-Doo model. The Moto-Ski version of the Citation was called Mirage. Here were Moto-Ski versions:

  • Mirage Special = Citation SS
  • Mirage I= Citation 3500
  • Mirage II= Citation 4500

The Citation remained relatively unchanged through the mid-80s. The Citation model was phased out after the 1989 season.

Specifications For The 1980 Ski-Doo Citation 4500

  • Engine- Rotax two-stroke, piston-port, two-cylinder 368.3cc
  • Cooling: Fan-cooled
  • Bore/Stroke: 62mm X 61mm
  • Carburetor: Single Mikuni VM 43-229
  • Ignition: Breaker point
  • Spark plug: Bosch W275 T2 (W3C)
  • Lubrication: Oil injection
  • Horsepower: 34
  • Top speed: 58 mph
  • Fuel mileage: 23.5 US mpg
  • Overall length: 103.5”
  • Overall width: 36.5”
  • Overall height: 38.75”
  • Ski stance (centre to centre): 32.25”
  • Track: 15” width, 114” length
  • Front Suspension: Leaf springs with shocks
  • Rear Suspension: Torque Reaction slide rail
  • Dry Weight: 353 lbs (manual start), 380 lbs (electric start)
  • Brake type: Disc
  • Fuel capacity: 6.25 Imp. Gallons/7.8 US gallons/28.4 litres
  • Injector oil capacity: 48 Imp. oz/26 US oz/1.36L
  • Oil Type: Bombardier 50:1
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My First Sled: 1979 Polaris Apollo 340

In our latest installment of “My First Sled”, we take a look our first snowmobile: the 1979 Polaris Apollo 340. The 1979 model year was Polaris’s 25th anniversary and it was the debut season for the Apollo (which replaced the SS 340). It was situated in the ’79 line-up between the entry-level Gemini and the two-up Cobra. The Apollo was a no-frills machine marketed an economy sled. It was lightweight, moderately powered and nothing short of bullet-proof.

We took delivery of our brand new Apollo in late August of 1978. We did not receive adequate snow cover until November 22nd (yes we remember the date) and that wait was likely the longest 3 months of our life. Once we were given sole access to this poor machine, it spent its existence at full throttle for every ride thereafter. As an aspiring motocross rider in the summer, we used the Apollo as a winter means of getting our jollies. So the Apollo saw service that would be more akin to sno-cross than to the family trail riding for which it was designed. How we didn’t break this machine clean in half is a testament to the durability that Polaris built into their sleds at that time.

The heart of the Apollo was the fan-cooled 333cc, twin-cylinder engine built by Fuji Heavy Industries of Japan. Fuji made snowmobile engines for Polaris from 1968 to 1998. This little engine wasn’t going to win many drag races on the lake, but it got up to speed very briskly and was a very competent “corner to corner” performer on the trails. This engine was fed whatever pre-mix oil was handy and was never prepared for storage, yet it started like a champ every time. It withstood a dozen seasons of persistent abuse and the only wrench it ever saw was for the occasional spark plug change.

The relatively short length of the Apollo chassis made for lighting-fast handling on tight trails, but the rider paid the price on choppy terrain. The tight chassis and low-travel suspension meant that the Apollo was skimming along the tops of bumps, rather than absorbing them. We didn’t care much about finesse or comfort those days, so it didn’t much matter.

Pros and Cons of the Polaris Apollo 340

Pros
Durability- By all rights, our Apollo should have been on the scrap heap by 1981. The only issues we ever had with it were a worn chaincase bearing, a broken rear suspension bolt and worn brake pads. It went strong through a dozen years of relentless thrashing and came back for more.

Reasonable Engine Torque- The 333cc Fuji engine wasn’t a rocket, but it offered very serviceable power that made riders on bigger sleds have to sweat to keep us in sight on the trails.

Brakes- The hydraulic disc brakes on Polaris sleds from that era was among the best in the industry and hauled the little Apollo down from speed in a heartbeat.

Cons
Choppy ride- Long travel suspension wasn’t a consideration on family sleds in those days. On hard pack surfaces the ride was rough and unstable.

Poor traction- The 1979 season was the first year that Polaris equipped their sleds with all rubber tracks. This was definitely a step forward, but the shallow lugs were not effective in deep powder or on icy surfaces.

Looks- As much as we loved that Apollo, it had a face only a mother could love. Polaris gave the Gemini, Apollo and Cobra a decidedly homely form. Contrast the Apollo with the racy Arctic Cat Jag from that era.

Specifications for 1979 Polaris Apollo 340

  • Engine: 333cc Two-Stroke, Twin Cylinder by Fuji Heavy Industries- EC34PM-03 – 3
  • Cooling: Fan-Cooled
  • Bore/Stroke: 61.78mm X 55.66mm
  • Carburetor: twin Mikuni VM-26
  • Recommended Gas/Oil Mix Ratio: 40:1
  • Ignition Type: Magneto
  • Horsepower: 32
  • Top Speed: Approximately 60 mph
  • Trail Fuel Range: Approximately 180 miles
  • Clutch: Polaris
  • Brakes: Hydraulic disc
  • Track Type: 15” width, all rubber
  • Track Length: 142” pitch length, track length on ground 42”
  • Rear Suspension: Steel slide rail
  • Front Suspension: 3 leaf spring with shocks
  • Fuel Capacity: 7 US gallons/5.8 Imperial gallons/26.5 litres
  • Height Without Windshield: 31”
  • Length With Skis: 101.75”
  • Width: 31.5”
  • Dry Weight: 364 pounds
  • Wet Weight: 410 pounds
  • Suggested Retail: $1549US/$1849 in Canada
  • Options: Speedometer, tachometer, gas gauge, electric start, saddle bags, trailer hitch, cover

We have fond memories of the time we spent on this vintage Polaris. Its longevity and plucky performance leaves us with a strong respect for Polaris products to this day.

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Arctic Cat Snowmobile Highlights For 2015

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In our continuing preview series of the 2015 snowmobile models, let’s take a look at the latest offerings from Arctic Cat. For this season, the 54 year-old company offers several new models and an expansion of their engine options. The Green brand offers a whopping 75 models with options that can accommodate every imaginable application. We also offer specific oil recommendations for each Arctic Cat engine.

Suzuki Engines Stay for 2015

Suzuki has been supplying Arctic Cat with two-stroke engines since 1976 and was a major shareholder in the sled maker until not long ago. In 2010 Arctic Cat announced that it was ending their supply relationship with Suzuki and in 2011 they bought back all of Suzuki’s shares in the company. So when the 2015 line was released and it was announced that Suzuki engines were still on board (save for the Cat-built 600cc unit), the industry was more than a little shocked. But it was a pleasant surprise for many, as Suzuki’s reliability is legendary and the flagship 800cc power plant is highly regarded. Suzuki engines will continue to grace Cat sleds for until at least 2018. Suzuki is also supplying the 1056cc “5000” engine and the turbocharged 1056cc “9000” engine

Continued Four-Stroke Power From Yamaha

In 2014, Yamaha and Arctic Cat embarked on a cross-supply relationship whereby Yamaha would provide their proven four-stroke engines to Cat and in turn, Cat would provide Yamaha with their Procross chassis. For 2015, Yamaha continues to supply their 1049cc 4-stoke mill to Cat that can be found throughout their performance, crossover, mountain, touring and utility sleds.

Arctic Cat Engines Explained

With venerable engine makers like Suzuki and Yamaha in their corner, Arctic Cat can concentrate on the nuts and bolts of sled design. So it’s little wonder that the Arctic Cat brand has such a faithful following. But engine monikers like 4000, 5000, 6000, etc; doesn’t mean much to the casual observer. So we thought we would provide a description of each 2015 Arctic Cat engine.

2000- A fan-cooled, 565cc two-stroke engine made by Suzuki. The 2000 series engine puts out 65 horsepower and can be found in the Lynx touring and family sleds as well as the Bearcat utilty series.

4000- A liquid-cooled, 499cc two-stroke engine made by Suzuki. This unit generates 85 horsepower and is found in some ZR performance sleds.

5000 C-TEC4- A 1056cc, twin cylinder four-stoke engine made by Suzuki. This engine puts out 125 horsepower and is found in some ZR performance and Bearcat utility machines.

6000 C-TEC2- This 600cc 2-stroke engine is the only power plant manufactured by Arctic Cat. This unit puts out 125 horsepower and is found in the ZR performance, XF crossover and M mountain series.

7000 C-TEC4- This 1049cc, three cylinder four-stroke engine by Yamaha lays down 135 horsepower. The 7000 engine is found in the ZR performance, XF crossover, M mountain and Pantera touring snowmobiles.

8000- This Suzuki-made 800cc two-stroke is one of the most popular high performance engines in the snowmobile industry. It cranks out 160 horsepower and is found in the ZR, XF and M sleds.

9000 C-TEC4- A twin cylinder, 1056cc Suzuki engine that is turbo-charged and puts out just under 180 horsepower. The 9000 series engine can be found in the high performance versions of the ZR, XF and M machines.

Return of the Pantera and Lynx

Those of us who are old enough the snowmobiles of the late 1970’s may recall the Pantera and Lynx models from that era. Arctic Cat has resurrected these names for 2015. The Pantera models are designed for smooth, comfortable long-distance touring. They are equipped with the 7000 1049cc Yamaha four-stroke motor. The Lynx models are designed for recreational rides and light touring. Lynx comes equipped with the 2000 series fan-cooled 565cc two-stroke engine.

ZR and XF Series Expansion

With the wide variety of engines at Arctic Cat’s disposal, they were able to offer a multitude of choices to the high performance/trail and ditch-banger crowd that are inclined to ride the ZR series. The ZR line grows from 16 to 24 distinct sleds this season, with 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000 and 9000 series engine options.

The XF series is a hybrid of trail and mountain features to create a machine that is suitable for deep powder or high performance cross-country work. New to the XF line for 2015 is the 6000 600cc two-stroke and the 7000 1049cc four-stroke engines.

Three New “M” Mountain Series Sleds

Arctic Cat has added three new mountain sled models to their M series (which now boasts 13 models). New is the the M 6000 153 (153 inch track), M 6000 Sno Pro 153 and M 7000 Sno Pro 153. The Sno Pro package adds 2.6 inch track lugs, Fox front and rear shocks and a series of weight-saving components.

AMSOIL Synthetic Oil for Arctic Cat Engines

Arctic Cat offers a wide cross section of mega-performance 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines, so only high quality engine oils should be used in these motors. We have specific oil recommendations for each engine series.

4000, 6000, 8000 2-Stroke Engines
These high-output two-cycle engines are designed to rev high, run hot and push to the limit. The 6000 and 8000 series engines are equipped with the “APV” variable exhaust power valve system which does not react well to deposits left by poor quality two-stroke oil. The best option for these engines is AMSOIL Interceptor Synthetic Two-Stroke Oil. This synthetic oil is highly regarded by our Cat customers who come back year after year. Interceptor is an outstanding replacement for Arctic Cat APV Synthetic 2-Stroke Oil and C-TEC2 Synthetic Two-Stroke Oil. Expect exceptional throttle response, relentless wear protection and clean operation. With our wholesale programs, we can smoke the prices of the Cat 2-stroke oils.

5000, 7000, 9000 4-Stroke Engines
For the 1056cc twin, 1049cc triple and 1056cc turbo engines from Yamaha and Suzuki, we offer a 100% synthetic four-stroke oil that has been proven by our satisfied customers in thousands of engines. The AMSOIL Formula 4-Stroke Power Sports 0W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil is highly effective in snowmobile engines and is an ideal replacement for Arctic Cat C-TEC4 Synthetic Oil. AMSOIL Synthetic 0W-40 pours down to -51C (-60F), so your engine has instant oil circulation during cold starts. When the going gets tough, this 0W-40 provides powerful anti-wear protection and resistance to the extreme heat of turbochargers. AMSOIL Formula 4-Stroke is renowned for its ability to resist sheering (thinning) over long drain intervals, so your engine will enjoy full protection during long trips. When you go to store your Arctic Cat 4-stroke sled, this product also contains potent anti-rust and corrosion additives, so your engine is protected all summer long as well.

We also offer oil filters for Arctic Cat’s Suzuki 9000 C-TEC4 Engine. Our AMSOIL “EAOM109” Synthetic Oil Filters are built with premium components and offers industry-leading particle removal. So couple this full synthetic oil filter with our Formula 4-Stroke Power Sports 0W-40 and you’ve got world-class oil/filter combo at price that rivals the Arctic Cat C-TEC4 Oil Change Kit.

2000 2-Stroke Engine
We can offer two synthetic two-stroke oil recommendations for this fan-cooled 565cc engine. The high-end Interceptor (suggested for 4000, 6000, 8000) is certainly more than suitable for this engine, but if you want a lower cost option, try AMSOIL Synthetic Two-Stroke Injector Oil. This synthetic oil will keep your 2000 Series engine running strong for years, while delivering exceptional, low-smoke performance. AMSOIL Synthetic Injector Oil is significant upgrade over Arctic Cat Formula 50 Mineral 2-Stroke Oil at a better price (even with shipping). Formula 50 is not a synthetic oil and Arctic Cat does not recommend using it in engines with variable exhaust power valves. AMSOIL’s Injector Oil is a full synthetic oil and can be used in engines with power valves. This tells us that the AMSOIL product burns cleaner, offers a superior detergent additive package.

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Polaris Snowmobile Highlights For 2015

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Polaris Industries celebrates their 60th birthday this year and by the looks of their 2015 snowmobile line-up, they haven’t been spending a lot of time eating cake in the break room. Apparently their idea of celebration is designing cutting-edge chassis and engine concepts.

When Polaris’s first snowmobile was cobbled together with old silo and car parts back in 1954, it’s unlikely that they realized what they had set in motion. Sixty years later, Polaris offers an expansive power sports product line, has over 3000 employees and generates almost $2 Billion in annual revenue. For 2015, Polaris continues their tradition of innovation with a dazzling fleet of hard-charging sleds. The vast majority of this year’s changes occurred in the Rush and Switchback models.

A New Chassis For 2015

The centerpiece of this season is a completely new chassis design called “AXYS” which is the nucleus of the Rush and Switchback models. The new platform pivots in 3 places and constantly places the rider in an optimum position for improved balance and control. The result is that the sled is able to remain flat though corners while absorbing bumps. Rather than fighting bumps in turns, the rider is able to remain in a stable position and maximize traction and cornering speed.

High Output 800cc Engine

The other focal point of 2015 is a brand new high output 800cc engine that Polaris claims is a Ski-Doo and Arctic Cat killer. The Cleanfire H.O. engine features include 3-stage electronically-controlled exhaust power valves, radical new intake and exhaust porting, electric-controlled injection oil pump, a light-weight crankshaft, grooved pistons and a set of VForce reed valves. This engine is 3.5 pounds lighter than the current 800cc power plant and Polaris claims up to 30% better fuel economy over the 2014 model. While dyno numbers haven’t been released, industry insiders are suggesting that the horsepower will be well north of 160. This engine is available only on the Rush and Switchback models. Expect the 800 H.O. engine in the RMK series in the 2016 model year.

Interactive Display Screen

Also new this year is an impressive interactive digital display screen. This information display provides data such as speed, RPM, engine temperature, clock, ambient temperature, fuel gauge, a maintenance minder and a compass. Other really interesting features include a security pass that immobilizes the engine, the ability to input the gasoline grade for accurate engine mapping, Bluetooth connectivity, GPS mapping and route storage. This is the type of technology that every snowmobile should have at its disposal in this day and age. The interactive digital display is available only on the special 60th Anniversary versions of Rush, Switchback and RMK.

AMSOIL Products for Polaris Snowmobiles

Polaris has abandoned the 4-stroke engine for their snowmobiles, so efforts are concentrated on a few 2-stroke engine variations. Polaris offers the Cleanfire engine in their high performance models and a 550cc fan-cooled engine in their sport and utility sleds.

Two-Stroke Engine Oil For All Polaris Engines

That makes choosing an AMSOIL synthetic 2-stoke oil for these Polaris engines very easy. We suggest AMSOIL Interceptor Synthetic 2-Stroke Oil for all 2015 Polaris models. It contains the latest in anti-wear and anti-deposit technology and reduces friction for maximum performance. Engines like the new 800cc Cleanfire H.O. produce more horsepower per cubic centimetre and yet use less oil than previous generations of two-stroke engines. So every drop of oil has to provide maximum protection. AMSOIL formulated Interceptor to withstand the severe operating conditions in these powerful new 2-strokes, so you can rest assured that your engine is receiving the utmost wear protection. Another important hallmark of Interceptor is its ability to burn cleanly and maintain cleaner variable exhaust power valves over a longer period. This is another way in which Interceptor optimizes performance. AMSOIL Interceptor is an ideal upgrade over Polaris VES Full-Synthetic Two-Stroke Oil.

For owners of the 550cc fan-cooled engine, an alternate recommendation is AMSOIL 2-stroke Synthetic injector Oil. This product is a full synthetic oil that still provides clean operation, strong anti-wear protection and a performance upgrade that is expected with AMSOIL synthetic oil, but at price that beats most conventional and synthetic-blend oils.

Synthetic Chaincase Oil

In Polaris chaincases, we offer a synthetic upgrade to the stock Polaris oil. AMSOIL Synthetic Chaincase Oil is packed with extreme additives to withstand the extreme torque that today’s chaincases have to endure. The synthetic formula reduces friction and provides constant protection from intense heat and during heavy shock loads. It also provides instant oil flow when you are starting out in severe cold.

Chassis Grease

When your Polaris suspension and chassis require service, we have a synthetic grease that protects during hard going while withstanding exposure to snow, ice and water. AMSOIL Synthetic Water Resistant Grease is ideal for all snowmobile chassis and suspension service and it pumps easily in cold weather too.

Snowmobile Fuel System Additive

Although today’s two-stroke engines are more reliable than ever, the one particular area that can cause starting or performance issues is the fuel system. Stale gasoline, moisture, ethanol, sketchy quality and dirt in the fuel can all put a halt to a good riding day or cause expensive damage. AMSOIL Quickshot Gasoline Additive neutralizes each and everyone of those fuel irritants and is loaded with detergents to clean injectors, carbs and combustion chambers. It even provides medium-term gas stabilization, for those occasions where there can be long stretch between rides.

So after 60 years in business, Polaris is has branched into ATV’s, Victory and Indian motorcycles, off-road side-by-sides and the exciting Slingshot street rod. When you add in their dynamic snowmobile line, it’s safe to say that the humble shop workers that built the first Polaris snow machine in 1954 would be more than a little impressed.

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