snosports

sno-sports

Photo album of vintage snowmobiles and more

Joe and Julie Kuchnicki Brutus, Michigan snosports@centurylink.net 231 330 1549

Moose Jaw 05 I rode this original 1965 Polaris Mustang powered by a 8hp Kohler 4 stroke.

Larry Preischel's 1969 Rupp sno-sport GTX 740. This sled was restored by Jim Errington in Sault, Ontario. Jim knows more about GTX Rupps than anyone I know of.

First REV to win at a Michigan oval enduro race.. Drivers Jeff Leuenberger and Greg Rugland seen here at Runway Park, Sault, Ontario, Canada. MIRA points champions '05

1971 Honda SL70 and SL350 both built in 3/71 and 73 Yamaha RT-1 360

Larry Preischel's 1967 Rupp sno-sport GT-4. 4 cylinder aviation drone engine made by Hirth. Restored by my dad, Tom Kuchnicki.

73 Yamaha GP 338 and 76 Exciter 340 Restored by Tom Lyle

89 Yamaha Inviter with racer seat, windshield and handlebars.

Painted by Bobby Smutz of Flyin Kolors

Suzuki TC 100 restored by Tom Lyle.

Our departed friend Jack Layton was inducted into the Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame Longtime family friend who introduced my dad to Rupp Snowmobiles and snowmobile racing.

Drivers Jeff Leuenberger and Troy Dewald won the '06 MIRA points championship and 2 races. Their 3rd place finish at the SOO was the top 600cc sled. Yamaha 1000s were first and second on that sloppy,warm day.

I co-drove this sled with Jim Ney during the 84-85 MIRA pro enduro season. This pic was taken at Lincoln on January 12, 1985. We Qualified 13th and placed as high as 3rd on the board but went out with engine problems.

In 2005 I became the first Rupp racer to win on the Soo track. The throttle cable broke in the heat race and I thought it was over. The Sheppard race team from Canada loaned me a throttle cable so I could race. Their Merc Twister finished 2nd. I have been racing a 75 Rupp F/A since 1977.

Moose Jaw 06 Thats my dads restored 73 Moto-Ski S-400 with Julie following me on her 06 MXZ.

Sleds in our collection by year:

1965 Polaris Mustang w/8hp Kohler. Original unrestored. Ed Weimer from Indian River bought it new from Ferguson's in Traverse City for $821.00 on January 4, 1965 when he lived in Rapid City, MI.

1966 Rupp Sno-Sport w 250 JLO. First year of production. I have 2 of these. This one is serial # 07654 and the other is 07630.

1967 Larson Eagle with a laydown 250 JLO. Stylish, yes? Love those coffee can headlight housings.

1967 Johnson Skee-Horse narrow track. The 362 cc engine is derived from an OMC Pioneer chainsaw. Elaine Price donated this sled to our collection. It was sold new at Walstrom Marine in Harbor Springs.

1968 Rupp Sno-Sport S-281. It came with a Sachs 280 engine with a HR to HL reducing manifold for the small carb. This sled was sold new in Alanson, Michigan by Ken Robinson at Highland Trails Sales in the old depot which is now Lesters restaurant. It was sold new to Luverne Underwood on Snider rd. His nephew Terry Underwood rode on the sled with his uncle on the 69 Moose Jaw safari in Harbor Springs Michigan. Terry is riding it in these pics in 2006 for the first time since 1969. Almost too much power for him!

1969 Massey Ferguson Ski Whiz 300 originally owned by Vern LaCount near Harbor Springs.

*Now belongs to collector Mike Kyser from Jonesville, Michigan*

1970 Mercury 250 The single headlight honeycomb grill is from a 69 model. This is one of my favorite sleds. It was improved by former Mercury employee's Wally Rasmussen and John Fryman from Fond Du Lac, WI. They added a lighter track and slide suspension from a 73 Arctic Panther, a Kioritz reed valve engine from a newer Merc, Scorpion pull back handlebars, and aluminum skis from a Grand Prix snowmobile. I fitted an AAEN exhaust from an Indy, dual carbs on a Liquifire manifold, grip heaters and clutch work. I also installed a CDI ignition using components from a Rupp Tohatsu engine. I hand filed the new keyslot in the flywheel. It now has good, hot, consistent spark. She lifts the ski's and has done 70 mph on radar! Now it needs a better suspension....

1969 Scorpion Rotary 303. I like rotary engines and bubble nose Scorpions. This is a rare sled. Runs great.

More pics

More Updates of our sled collection are coming...........

1970 Moto-Ski SM 295 This was my first snowmobile. I bought it when I was 11 or 12 yrs old. It had been ridden hard but it ran and drove. The 293 Sachs got upgraded with a 320 kit, port work, and a HD carb after I seized it during a "tuning session". I rode it on my first Moose Jaw safari in 1975. After riding it for a season and a half I sold it. I found it 20 years later nearby out behind a short-lived sled salvage barn near Larks Lake, MI. It was in rough shape. Bob Smutz, Monte Scott and my dad were very helpful getting this sled restored. In 2001 I rode it again on the Moose Jaw 26 years after my first one. The pic with 3 sleds is from 1975. That's me and my brothers on Moto-Ski Cadets that we rode when they weren't being rented at my dad's store.

Doug Flannery's restored 1973 Polaris Starfire 650. Nice old Michigan oval sled. It was raced by Forest Grove Farm Equipment mostly at the Hudsonville, Michigan fairgrounds. Terry Underwood spotted this sled in a bargain corner ad for $ 299 a few years ago.

It is currently raced by Doug's son Kevin at Martin Dragway. The first time out on a test pass it ran 11.08@104.95. It will also see some winter racing again including Eagle River.