My 1972 Rupp Nitro 400

[ruppersons]

THis is a bit better. Thanks Tom.
Here is my 2nd Rupp.
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These pictures were taken 2/8/08 at the Great Eastern Whiteout
on 2/8/08[/size][/size]
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This is my Rupp two owners ago.
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Master sled collector Mark Elwell sold it to me. He bought it from Rick Weaver in MN. I had Master Rupp guy Bob Sapp return the correct 1972 400 back under the hood. Rick Weaver had a '73 400 under the hood when he owned it, I'd guess to take advantage of the CDI. I wanted it back to correct form, and I love the Rupp cover on the 72. Rick also had those dual carbs. Thanks to Bob Sapp, it runs like an animal now. Lots of polish and Armor All keep it shiney. My first Rupp was an American back in the day. I dream of owning a 1973 Magnum someday.

[MrPeabody]

Hey Ruppersons, you did fine. If you click on the image it shows in a new window a larger image. If you want to show it on the board as a larger image, click on the last line under the photo in your photobucket page where it says image code and it will copy it. Then come back to your post and paste it. It's easier if you have both pages open at the same time.

Tom

[Dave]

Thanks Tom, for jumping in with some help on posting

Welcome to the Board Rupperson ! That sled looks familiar, Dont you think so Brandt ;D

[RuppParts]

Ruppperson..........Looks GREAT!!!

Dave..I do seem to recall it..lol

[ruppersons]

Thanks RuppParts. How do you guys know my sled?!
Dave, was that you I saw at the Varysburg Frank Kehl Memorial show a couple of weeks ago, on your 440 Sprint? I think you were buying a metal air intake from Jerry. I had my Polaris TX there. This Rupp wasn't ready for that show.

[RuppParts]

Ruppersons......we were ribbing Rick a month or so ago about coolant leaks and made a little antifreeze leak on a pic of your sled when Rick owned it

[ruppersons]

Sounds like a good laugh for sure! I'd like Rick to see his old sled. Does he chat on this board too? Maybe you could tell him to check out my pictures.
Thanks. I'll be in Oriskany Falls, NY this weekend showing the Rupp at the John Albert Memorial Vintage show that Scott Bullack puts on. It's a nice show for those of you who haven't been there.
I'm having a ton of fun with this Nitro. Mark Elwell was kind enough to part with it last June. He kept it in mint condition while he had it. My other sled is a 71 Polaris TX Charger 300. That and this Nitro are two of my favorite sleds as a kid growing up in the late 60's and early 70's.

[Dave]

Yup, I was there ;D I was a ride in. We didn't trailer. Quite the ride ! I was buying parts from Jerry as well. Was I introduced to you ? Here is mine at the show. There were only 4 Rupps there and Three of us rode in. Jerry hauled his in. I will be riding this Sunday with Magnum Al and Jerry. Do you live close by? It would be nice to add another rider to our little group. Dave.


PS. If you want to drop Rick a line, He goes by "SnoSnake" on the board. Rick is our Karma Master ! ;D

[ruppersons]

Cool pics Dave. No, we didn't talk, but I saw you guys ride in and I came over and checked out your sleds. I love the fuel lines you have. I live in Rochester. Where are you? Have fun on your ride. I'll give Rick a shout.

[Dave]

I am an hour away from you. I live 5 minutes away from Buffalo.
Are you 490 ? 390 north or south ? Henrietta ? Lake ? Victor?
Thanx for the complements

[wigman25]

Holy Crap - another New Yorker! I think that makes 4! We have to get together before the end of the season.

[wigman25]

Hey Rupppers: That 400 can eat up a 72/73 440 if you get a good holeshot. They ran great. Don't know if it can handle Dave's 440, he has that cool windshield working for him and he can do wheelies! ;D ;D ;D Wig

[snikr]

A 72 400 Nitro is my dream sled. I knew someone who had one back in the day and it would handle a couple of 440 Puma's without much problem.

Tom

[snosnake]

ruppersons It's nice to see the 72 nitro is still around and being taken to some shows.
You are right I used the 73 motor because of the CDI. It was hard enough to start with the dual carb set up I had on that sled the hotter spark with the CDI helped.

[1badnitro]

I saw that sled at the Whiteout, Took some pics of it myself. Very nice!!!

[ruppersons]

I've been told that it will take care of the 440's by quite a few Rupp guys. Sad thing is, I haven't been able to ride it since I bought it. Hopefully I will tomorrow. Hey Rick, what happened to that dual carb set-up? Mark remembers leaving it with you, but another Rupp guy at the Whiteout swears you sold it with it on the '73 400. Do you know Rupp guy Bob Sapp? He had the '72 400 on a shelf. He tore it all down, all new seals, new points... went through the whole motor and it runs awesome. He also fixed the flange on my exhaust that was bent out. I'm not the best mechanic, but I love these old sleds. I'm really good at cleaning them up and polishing them though!
Hey Nitro 73, was that 73 Magnum (at the Whiteout) raced by Gene Bloom with only 71 miles yours? Boy, that was just about the best sled I could dream of owning. It looks like the one in your avatar picture.
Lastly, I have to apoligize for the corny nickname. My last name is Richards, and when I was a kid I rode an American. My buddies turned Richards into Richardsons, then into Ruppersons. It's dumb, but it stuck.

[wigman25]

Ruppers: I forgot to say earlier - your sled looks gorgeous, they were great looking machines. Wig

[snosnake]

ruppersons I still have the dual carb set up and the 73 magnum bars I never did sell them.
I have talked to Bob Sapp and sent a few emails back and forth but I can't say that I know him.
That decal on the tunnel has a story behind it too!

[ruppersons]

snosnake, Bob Sapp is a great guy, very helpful and knows his Rupps. He too has a 73 Magnum with the wedge fins. Very cool.
Yes, I love those decals on the tunnel. I'd love to hear that story!
Steve

[ruppersons]

Thanks for the compliment Wig. And thanks for directing me to this site. Great group of Rupp guys!
Steve