My 1977 Nitro 440 NEW update 1/11/09

[wigman25]

Here are more pics of the NOS Rupp parts I have on hand to complete this project - there are still more packed away in boxes, but this will give you some idea what kind of a fortune I have in this old sled!!! Parts include NOS hood, bumper, seat with NOS foam, pipes, tool box, tool kit, electrical parts, gas tank, windshield, gas cap, dash console, speedometer, tachometer, temp gauge, woodgrain dash faceplate, throttle and brake controls, and on and on and on. For these pics, I just HAD TO set the hood in place on the sled, God, I can't wait till this thing is done!!:




Here is a pretty good shot of the hood, I had to unwrap it from the original plastic, first time it was ever opened, sat in an old Rupp dealer's barn for 30 years. The only problem with it is a hairline crack in the gelcoat at the center, but it is real hard to see. I also have to clean up the air scoop holes with a Dremel tool, Rupp's quality control on the glass wasn't legendary, that's for sure. The paint is in really nice condition, so I'm not going to paint it, leaving it factory original Rupp Red.

[Dave]

I like it !

Hurry up so you can get over to Al's and finish his Nitro ;D

[magnumal]

Looks good wigman. Where can I get some r snaps for the seats?

[wigman25]

Hey Al: My 'R' snaps only cost me $400.00 and came with a brand new seat and seat foam attached!! That's how I got mine. I believe you can probably salvage old snaps from used seats and just clean them up and reinstall, you just have to figure out how to get the snap ring out of the inside without destroying the snap cover. Good luck on that one, I think it's pretty tough to do. There are repro Rupp seat snaps available, but the originals had the 'R' embossed, the new ones are just pad ink printed onto a standard snap, not original but they do look way better than the plain snaps. This was a great little detail item that Rupp put on their sleds that placed them over the competition in the quality arena. Wig

[alaskaruppguy]

Hey Kieth, thats coming along nice.....thats gonna be one cherry sled when your done! Lotta bucks in that baby ;D

[magnumforce]

I CAN SEE EVERYONE'S PICS AGAIN!!!
Nice job Keith!!
Keep rUPp the good work!! Another red beauty almost ready

[wigman25]

Hey Cory: What, did they set you loose in an avatar ranch or something??? Neat action!!! Any 'Fat Man' avatars?? ;D Wig

[Dave]

Thank God ! for page 4 ;D Page 3 took 1/2 day to load lol !

[magnumforce]

I feel like a kid in a candy store all hopped up on sugar with all them avatar smiley's ;D
If I see one Wig while hunting I'll send it to you ;D
Am trying to work more in along side with the original ones so we have some more variety to choose from.

[Ruppsforever]

Hey Wigman !!! Thought that I'd add some fuel to you getting it done. The 77's sure are beautiful machines aren't they I'm so lucky to have mine. Its probably my nicest sled. And its original. I still have to talk to my dad for you. Keep on posting them progress pics !!! That thing is going to be awesome !!!!

[wigman25]

Thanks, Josh, your sled is a perfect original example - you should get pictures of everything on it for historical reference. Once I get this one done I want to start on my Lil' Andy Polaris, but I am getting parts together for the 250 so I can get going on it once I have the parts. Learned a lot putting this one back together - especially the poor tolerances and alignment that the factory had. This one has everything in the drive train lined up perfect, that was a real HP robber - the original setup had the front and rear axles 2 degrees out of line with the slide rails, and the jack shaft was 3 degrees out from the front axle!! Now it is smooth as silk and in perfect alignment, all brand new bearings and seals, I can spin the assembly with one hand, and that is with the stiff new track on it. Took a few shims here and there, but now it is right. Just have to get the clutches done and back together, still deciding if I am going to stick with the Comet or put the NOS Cat clutch on it that I have. Took me a long time to get that Comet dialed in perfect, don't want to waste it!! Problem is, it is very dirty from years of use, and the Cat clutch is spic-n-span clean - very tempting!!! Wig

[wigman25]

Just had to put the new cover on here, too!!!

[wigman25]

Couple shots of progress with the steering gear and radiator/dash. The dash and radiator are brand new NOS parts, the others I just sandblasted, primed and painted a gloss black. Getting there, a few more parts, then it is ENGINE TIME!!








Notice the beautiful workmanship - this is an original radiator mounting bolt - they ground the head off so it would fit because of the poorly mounted bracket and weld:






Brand new NOS dash console in place - I will probably have to remove it for the installation of other parts, but I just couldn't resist mounting it to see how it looks!!!

[magnumforce]

Lookin good man! she's coming together nicely ! I like in progress pics ..

[Dave]

That sled is going to be soooooooo NICE ! When we get together this winter.....You going to let Al give it a test drive ? With Al's blessing....You know you got something "Gold"

[wigman25]

More Pics - Got the airbox in, seat and gas tank are now permanently attached, steering linkage hooked up:

[Dave]

Its excellent to see this sled going together. You do nice work wig it will be a spectacular machine when you finish working your magic

[snikr]

I can't wait to see your Nitro when I stop down to visit in September. I'm sure it'll bring back memories of the 77 I once had.

Tom

[wigman25]

Tom: this one should be pretty much all done by the time you visit - my other sleds, cars, boats, etc. are spread around in the many garages and barns we have, but I'll give you the full 50 cent tour when you come by! Wig

[Ruppsforever]

Hey Wiggy !! Were them pics helpful that I sent you ?? I wasn't able to see where the headlight wiring was ran because all the sleds are jammed in so tight. Let me know if you have any questions. Your sled is looking great so far !!!