seven 202 #1 Posted January 8, 2021 I ran across a 609 safari sled it's sitting there ready for auction . Looks pretty rough from the picture but was thinking about going to take a look anyway. Just wondering if anyone wants to comment . I know absolutely nothing about them thought it might be cool thou? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,309 #2 Posted January 8, 2021 @Stepney ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,803 #3 Posted January 8, 2021 To ride? Stories say just find a big brick and try to push it through the snow, it’ll be more fun. As a collection piece? Probably pretty cool to have! 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,028 #4 Posted January 8, 2021 Buy it, then decide. Restore it or yard art it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stepney 2,325 #5 Posted January 8, 2021 609? Maybe a 309 Kohler single? WH never offered a 609. ..Such power would be a nightmare in a machine like that. They were originally called the SnoFlite, WH bought them out somewhere around 1970 or so. The machine was, frankly ... not the best. They came in a wide and a narrow track model. I've operated both. Parts are scarce, if I were to own one I would opt for the narrow model .. at least standardized semi modern running gear could be implemented, if/when the track fails. Wide tracks are far more difficult to adapt, being they were a 20" wide frame.. nice stability for the period, but nothing runs a track like that anymore. Heavy, poor maneuverability .. even compared to other sleds of her day. As a weekend warrior relic, sure. To press into service as a daily sled again.. that would take a lot of brass. Not much more to note I suppose. Built like a tank, just laid out .. poorly. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C-85 681 #6 Posted January 8, 2021 Starting in the 60s my family became a Ski-doo dealer and during that time we had all kinds of used sleds, including a couple of W/H ones. I rode just about every used one we got in. Back in the late 60s and early 70s just about everyone made snowmobiles! We had all 3 outboard snow machines (Evinrude Bobcat, Johnson Skihorse, Mercury Snotwister), a Sno-Pony, a Fox Trac, Polaris's, Arctic Cats, Skiroules, a Ski-dadler, a Auolette, Sno-Jets, and Moto-Skis, which we became a dealer of in 1970. We were also a Ariens dealer, so we had the Ariens Arrow snowmobiles, and they weren't to bad, but we still called them the Ariens 'Error.' I remember the W/H's and I think I remember them as having 20hp Sachs engines. The biggest thing I can remember is that that their tracks were nearly smooth, so they didn't have much traction and easily got stuck. I don't think I'd buy one to ride, but I'd love to have one as a conversation piece! Of all the snowmobiles I rode in my way younger days, I think the Johnson Skihorse was the worst, but the W/H ones were a close second! I have always liked Ski-doos, but back then I think the Moto Ski's were the best and ruggedest, Moto Ski, we're tougher 7 ways! C-85 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1995 520H+96+97 937 #7 Posted January 8, 2021 http://www.vintagesnowmobiles.50megs.com/SEARCH_PAGE.html There were over 200 snowmobile manufactures, late 60's early 70's. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stepney 2,325 #8 Posted January 9, 2021 I put about 3500 miles on a 1968 MotoSki Zephyr, 300 Hirth.. sled was about bombproof. The WH offered Kohler single and twin, 309 and 399, and I think there was indeed a flavor of Sachs, and maybe .. a JLO? Need to dig up my books. I too had a SkiHorse and a Skeeter, both were 16hp OMC 362 engines. Massive starter. Very loud.. very reliable, which was a pity, because they drove so terribly. But they always started, with that Bendix float carb right out of a garden tractor. No Tillotson woes for them haha. Thing just ran and ran.. Had about every year of Doo single track bogie from 64-78. Olympique, Elan, Chalet, Chateau.. Good old days. Recently got involved with a Skioule RTX. Remember the Raider 44tt twin track bucket seater? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C-85 681 #9 Posted January 10, 2021 Ah, Stepney, another Moto Ski pilot! I never rode any of these old machines that many miles, so 3,500 miles is quite a feat! I've ridden snowmobiles ever since I was able to ride at a very young age. Currently I have an '00 Ski-doo Formula 500 L/C and a '01 Ski-doo Formula 380f and like them very much. I haven't ridden any of the newer Ski-doos so I don't know how good they are, all I can say is these old rigs I have are Cadillacs, compared to the Ski-doo Elans, Olympics, and Moto Ski's, as well as all the other brands I grew up on! C-85 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,394 #10 Posted January 10, 2021 suspension / handling so much better now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
