Vintage Mountain sled build

[Jbezan]

Hey all thought I should start thread on my summer project.

in December 2020 I bought a 1995 Arctic Cat Powder Special 580 for $700 Canadian in Cranbrook BC. It had 7700 miles on sled, and was equipped with reverse.

I brought home to Manitoba with intentions to sell it off. Some friends convinced me to take it for ride first, promptly blew primary clutch. While it was at shop, compression tested lower than I like. There’s a rebuild. Guess I’m in it for too much to recoup. Here’s a couple pics of what I’m starting with.

I added USI Triple Threat X2 skis for $100 Canadian used.

 

[Jbezan]

Since this ones gonna be an extreme budget, brand loyalty is gonna be out the window. I’ll deal with a seat cover perhaps later on

a friend donated a picked over 05 RMK, so I will be using the seat, tank, tank shroud, rear grab bar, and part of tunnel for an extension. Original Tunnel is getting stripped and polished first. I really dig the difference in seat shape.

Future plans are to do a skid/track swap to either a 144 or 151 track. Waiting for offseason prices to hit the used market.
Also on shopping list is updated bars, adjustable bar riser, custom running boards.

 

[wescamp17]

Nice Arctic Cat you have there. Have you done any progress to your build?

 

[danyel]

Got any updates? I'm so interested on budget builds like yours.

 

[Reeb]

Very cool. I'll have to post up some photos of my wife's '93 EXT I'm currently doing a resto mod to.

 

[emaaiken]

Awesome!

 

[Jbezan]

update. Tore it apart, then my bipolar manic took over. Bought a turbo apex in a spending spree.

Got my meds dialed back in. At some point I’ll piece it back together. Sorry all for the loss in motivation

 

[Reeb]

Polaris Pro running boards are a badass addition. You can also fit a newer front end on that sled. swap shocks and all. give you more clearance and narrower stance. Move the steering post to the front side of the steering hoop, and upgrade bars to a newer mtn cat or the like.