Make A Wish project 340/S kickoff

[clackinator]

Kenny Heins sent us an air box and rings.  (Thanks!)  The rings are on the way to Mercdiver now and I will repair the airbox.  I think we have most everything accounted for now in the way of parts.  There were just a couple more items that MD was looking for.  They are.  a double choke cable -  2 carb boots -  2  needle and seats.

For my part of the project I am searching for a front drive as the drivers are pretty chewed up.  Also, the brake disk has been broken and welded in the past.  I'm trying to find a decent one of those too.  Overall, I think things are right on schedule.

Mercdiver has a couple of carb boots from Dennis Kirk, but would rather have some JD ones for the quality.

[snojetx]

I am looking for a pair of shocks for the suspension still.

[Skerz]

I don't know if you have this or not but Deere has some really nice online parts manuals, even for a 340S.

http://jdpc.deere.com/jdpc/servlet/com.deere.u90490.partscatalog.view.servlets.HomePageServlet_Alt

[snojetx]

thats awesome, even pictures!

[clackinator]

Brian from another site gave me the DK part number for the grab handles.  Those are on the way to me, should have them soon.

Cruel Pablo.....I should have some nice progress photos early next week on the body work. 

[clackinator]

Hello all.....Jeff Haugen makes the windshields for the Make A Wish project John Deere 340/S.  I just got an email back from Jeff. He is not interested in donating one. So, I hope to find someone that is willing to take on that part of the job. Is there anyone out there that would want to buy the windshield and donate it to the build? If so, please let me know. Our cash donations have dwindled down to about enough money to pay the bodyman for his materials. He is donating his labor. Thanks! Clack

[clackinator]

Webman from the JD site has stepped up and donated the windshield.  Thanks Webman!

[clackinator]

Good morning gents. We are in the process of moving to a new house so I am up to my ears in work, but here is an update on this weeks progress....

Don Amber sent me a good left foot rest. Thanks Don! That is going to save me a lot of work. I also received the ski assemblies for the Sportfire charity project and I will be getting to those very soon.

Merc Diver is waiting for word on the crankshaft rebuilding. I had emailed Jerome and asked about the project, but I have not heard back from him. It is possible he is on vacation so I hope to hear from him soon.

Someone had volunteered an engine gasket kit also. Without doing a major search of all the threads regarding the project, I just thought I would throw it out there again and say we could really use that. I believe the carb boot search is over and everything is on track with most other items.

We are still hoping for a gas cap, brake rotor and drivers for the front shaft. I hope to get some time to get some photos of the body work progress this week. Our closing on the house is August 3rd, so after that, I should have a bit more time!

Thanks again to Don and others for all the help. This is truly a group effort and I am proud to be involved with it!

[snojetx]

The suspension is all painted as of last night.  I found a pair of nice chrome ski shocks that I have no use for that are an exact match to the exterior of the original shocks.  400Brian has the wheels and is polishing and replacing bearings right now.  I am hoping to be able to deliver the suspension to Clack at RRRdays.

[clackinator]

Sounds great Pete!  Joe Rainville has the rotor, drive cogs and the gas cap.  He is sending them.....so, we are all set as of right now.  Still waiting to hear back from Jerome Kretzman on the crank rebuilding.

[MERCDIVER]

we would still like an original set of carb boots if we can get them from someone

[clackinator]

One more thing.....Thanks to Leon Koch from Crivitz, Wisconsin.  He has volunteered to clean, inspect, repair and ship back our Kelsey Hayes brake set up.  He repaired one of these for me a couple years ago and it worked perfect.

[clackinator]

Just got a call from Jerome Kretzman at Crankshaft Services in Baxter.  He has volunteered to rebuild the crank for us.  Thanks again for the generous donation Jerome!

[clackinator]

Here is an update on what has been going on.... I recieved the NOS drivers from Augie and they have been delivered to Randy Vanbatavia. He is restoring the front drive for us. Everything else is on schedule. The build date has been decided on and it will be October 17th near Forest Lake, MN at Mercdiver's house.

Joe Rainville had mailed a very nice set of used drivers to me along with an NOS brake disc and a clutch kit. Joe, thanks very much for the items! I boxed up the used drivers you sent along with the clutch kit and mailed them back to you. We had been provided a clutch kit before and it is all finished. So, you will get some of your stuff back within a week.

Last item that needs restoration are the handlebars. Still looking for a volunteer to take on the project of restoring them and the steering arms and freshening up the handlebar pad. It is in decent condition, but has faded a bit. That's where we're at as of now.

[cruelpaul]

Clack...
I send some parts with Conrad at RRRD. You get them?
MercDiver..any new banana footage for build day?

cp

[MERCDIVER]

no,bannannas seem to be out of season, sorry

[MERCDIVER]

just found out now that our crank is bad. this will put us back a bit looking for another to rebuild

[Maverick]

What other cranks will work?  What do we need to look for?  Did you try Justice Brothers on the crank? 

[MERCDIVER]

mr joe rainville has another one he will donate. thanks very much joe

[clackinator]

Yes!  I can't say enough good things about Joe Rainville.  Whatever we have needed he has come thru.  Along with Ken Heins, Don Amber and a boatload of other vintage sled geeks.  Thank you all very much! 

Randy Vanbatavia has completely rebuilt the front drive with NOS drivers.  It looks great!  Can't wait to start the reassembly!