My 75 R/V 245
A LITTLE HISTORY ABOUT MY R/V 245: This is the first R/V 245 to be produced and offered to the consumer. Back in the 70's most of the manufacturers tested there new sleds for the up and coming season in Alaska. This is where this sled was found. My understanding talking to individuals is that the sled came out of the Ski-Doo Research Center and ended up staying in Alaska. I'm still trying to trace info down on the sled and will post more of what I find out.
UPDATE: I recently received an e-mail from the J.A. Bombardier Museum to the inquire's about the history of this sled. I was told that Ski-Doo made 24 proto's of the R/V 245. These proto's had the letter "R" in front of the serial number. As for the number of 245's built they could only say there was over a 1000. Of course we all knew that. The history still remains a mystery at this time, but who know's what tomorrow might bring.
Below is how the sled looked as I got it.
UPDATE: (Nov 2000) I've been busy working on the sled. Right now it's down to the frame in my basement. I took all the rivets from the footpegs back off and I'm hand sanding the tunnel. Currently the left side of the tunnel is just about done. The parts that needed painting are all sandblasted and at the paint shop.
I already have a 245 motor, pipe, seat and other things for it. Even some of the hard to find stuff like a 3 wire kill/tether switch, oil reservior tank, and even the front air duck.
UPDATE: (May 2001) Well summer is here and I've been busy with the sled when I can work on it. The tunnel is completely done and getting the rivets put back in shortly. The track is done, cleaned it up, installed new rivets where any was missing and burned off any stings loose on the belts. The rear suspension is done and waiting to get put back in along with the front suspension. Well thats about it for now.
UPDATE: (July 2002) Well as projects go sometimes it takes time. I had the sled completely assembled in the basement with most of the stuff just sitting or loosely assembled on the sled. The first picture below shows how and what I could have on the sled when I bought it out for the first time. The rear suspension, track, chaincase, secondary clutch, brake, and handlebar support are installed. The second picture shows the sled with the pan and everything else that I accomplished the first day outside.
UPDATE: (August 29, 2002) I got the sled completely done, well almost. Everything is on except for anything pertaining to the hood (headlight, hood latches and hood itself). It sure looks pretty and I hope to get the hood done soon. Here's a few recent pictures of the sled and also the hood that I just picked up. I prabably should of got a reproduced hood, but I felt it wasn't the same especially considering it's the 1st production 245 off the line. Once I get the hood done and on I'll click a few more shots. In the meantime it's on to my next project. My 77 Blizzard 440 Super Stocker.
