1981 eltigre resto
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Offline AdrenalineJunkie

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1981 eltigre resto
« on: April 11, 2018, 05:58:51 PM »
Due to another weird low riding winter I was compelled to keep the memories alive.  Back in late 1980 when I was about 13, my parents agreed to buy me a new sled with the $250 I had saved. My choice was between a new pantera or a new eltigre 5000 both similarly priced. $2250 I believe was the number. My dilemma was to go with the 500 fanner with e/S, oil injection, and map light....or go with the 500 f/A with sportier looks but seemingly less features. Remember in 80 info was limited...there was no web, and magazine articles were about nill to a 13 y.o kid with limited resources. Now I have both and I love it!  Had I known as a kid the tiger was lighter and with 10~ish more hp, I would have chose that one.   
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Offline racerdave

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Re: 1981 eltigre resto
« Reply #1 on: April 15, 2018, 06:37:05 AM »
Those 80 tigers have a classic look. I had a 80 or 81 500 lc. I bought it cheap in spring of 90 to  turn over for a profit later that fall.
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Offline 2qik

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Re: 1981 eltigre resto
« Reply #2 on: April 16, 2018, 11:25:09 AM »
AJ, I can't wait to see it finished! 

I recently encountered a similar hp dilemma in that the early 4 port 500 f/a El Tigre is a few ponies short of the later 6 port 500 f/a.  Below was my solution to the problem.  I have found this solution solved the El Tigre 6000 problem too.
« Last Edit: April 16, 2018, 11:31:30 AM by 2qik »
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Offline racerdave

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Re: 1981 eltigre resto
« Reply #3 on: April 17, 2018, 08:56:30 PM »
Quote from: 2qik on April 16, 2018, 11:25:09 AM
AJ, I can't wait to see it finished! 

I recently encountered a similar hp dilemma in that the early 4 port 500 f/a El Tigre is a few ponies short of the later 6 port 500 f/a.  Below was my solution to the problem.  I have found this solution solved the El Tigre 6000 problem too.
That can get expensive on old hard to find stuff.
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Offline 2qik

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Re: 1981 eltigre resto
« Reply #4 on: April 18, 2018, 09:59:30 AM »
Quote from: racerdave on April 17, 2018, 08:56:30 PM
That can get expensive on old hard to find stuff.

Fortunately 1970's 500cc f/a 4 port motors are not hard to find.  It's actually about the least expensive stuff you can play with IMO.  The sled above was free and I've got less than $100 in it not counting the NOS system.  Part motors can be had for $50-$100 all day long, even complete parts sleds are around for that money.  If it melts down we don't care just having fun seeing the "WTF look" on people's faces when we let it eat.   :punk:

Expensive is when a Thundercat 900 goes down!
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Offline SNO4ME

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Re: 1981 eltigre resto
« Reply #5 on: April 19, 2018, 05:43:15 PM »
Hmmm, 80 Pantera brings back some memories !   :thumbsupsmileyanim:
Bought it new in midwinter,
Lousy sled, didn't keep my wrenching hands in tune much.  ;)
I think I put 7500 miles on it, then sold it to a neighbor (with the second set of slides on it ?) Then he put a pile more miles on it.
For it's time line I didn't do much to it.  A little clutch work of course, but not much.
I think that's the sled the the clutch face broke away from the hub (?) (under warranty)`
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Offline AdrenalineJunkie

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Re: 1981 eltigre resto
« Reply #6 on: April 26, 2018, 11:09:58 AM »
I got the belly pan pretty straight. I'm thankful for the air powered riveter!   The studs are out, track is in excellent condition luckily.
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Offline 2qik

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Re: 1981 eltigre resto
« Reply #7 on: April 26, 2018, 04:11:36 PM »
Looks great!
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Offline AdrenalineJunkie

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Re: 1981 eltigre resto
« Reply #8 on: April 29, 2018, 06:09:16 PM »
Side shot
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Offline AdrenalineJunkie

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Re: 1981 eltigre resto
« Reply #9 on: April 29, 2018, 06:14:37 PM »
I still need to acid wash the engine.
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Offline AdrenalineJunkie

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Re: 1981 eltigre resto
« Reply #10 on: April 29, 2018, 06:18:54 PM »
The guy that has nice reproduction decal sets for these got cancer and availability is in limbo. My guess is by next fall I will be able to get new decals on this beautiful hood.
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Offline 2qik

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Re: 1981 eltigre resto
« Reply #11 on: April 30, 2018, 09:16:44 AM »
That thing is beautiful!  Nice work my friend.  My old grass racer turned out alright too.
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Offline greekboy

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Re: 1981 eltigre resto
« Reply #12 on: April 30, 2018, 02:27:37 PM »
Sleds turning out nice AJ !

I need to start restoring my 06 REV. This year I noticed the track was starting to chunk out. I guess I'm not surprised, seeing that I have 9,900 miles on the machine  :rolleyes:

Got my new iron picked out, just need some balls to pull the trigger on it.  :blush:
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Offline racerdave

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Re: 1981 eltigre resto
« Reply #13 on: April 30, 2018, 07:17:27 PM »
Quote from: greekboy on April 30, 2018, 02:27:37 PM
Sleds turning out nice AJ !

I need to start restoring my 06 REV. This year I noticed the track was starting to chunk out. I guess I'm not surprised, seeing that I have 9,900 miles on the machine  :rolleyes:

Got my new iron picked out, just need some balls to pull the trigger on it.  :blush:
Have you seen the light, and coming to Polaris or sticking with DooDoo
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Offline greekboy

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Re: 1981 eltigre resto
« Reply #14 on: May 01, 2018, 07:04:02 AM »
Quote from: racerdave on April 30, 2018, 07:17:27 PM
Quote from: greekboy on April 30, 2018, 02:27:37 PM
Sleds turning out nice AJ !

I need to start restoring my 06 REV. This year I noticed the track was starting to chunk out. I guess I'm not surprised, seeing that I have 9,900 miles on the machine  :rolleyes:

Got my new iron picked out, just need some balls to pull the trigger on it.  :blush:
Have you seen the light, and coming to Polaris or sticking with DooDoo
I don't want to hyjack AJ's restoration thread - you just gotta keep on the cliffhanger. It might take a while for me to grow those balls, as my real estate tax bill just arrived yesterday  :'(
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