krainz
L1 Scorpion - The Great Snowmobile
Posts: 7
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Post by krainz on Jan 2, 2012 22:31:16 GMT -5
Scorpion, 1969, Mark 3 with a Hirth 634cc. The SR number of the chassis is 478494.
This J-400 frame and 634cc Hirth was produced only in 1969. It has be stored inside and is quite original. The cylinders still have compression over 95 PSI. The carburetor is clean and functional. The driving clutch works very well and the driven needs a little lube. The low voltage wiring is brittle, broken, and needs to be replaced along with the key switch. The 18" track is original. The hood has a special air scoop for the cooling and needs attention. The red vinyl seat is in very good to excellent condition. The body has some fine rust. The boogies and springs are functional. There is the original Owners Manual for the sled and the engine, complete with the "Factory Technical Bulletin" for the points and timing. Photos are available upon request. The phone contact is 715-676-2446 - evenings. 715-387-9578 work and leave a message
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Post by ddub on Jan 3, 2012 0:16:01 GMT -5
Some pics would help, but honestly I don't give out values. Way too many variables.
But too your sled. Sounds like a cool and well cared for sled.
BUT, something is not right. The Mark IV is a 23 inch track, the Mark III is a 18 inch track. Sounds to me like you have a Mark III.
Mark III sleds are a LOT more common than the Mark IV's.
How many were made with the 634? I have no clue, but I would say not many, at least percentage wise but 69 Scorpion built a ton of sleds.
Again, some pics would help. Heck, I'd just like to see it!
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Post by admin on Jan 3, 2012 19:08:45 GMT -5
Yes, please post pics for our enjoyment.  |
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krainz
L1 Scorpion - The Great Snowmobile
Posts: 7
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Post by krainz on Jan 5, 2012 21:33:14 GMT -5
 Thanks for your input. Attached is the photo of the hood design with that special 'scoop' which I have not seen another one of. It does have an 18"track. Any other identification would be appreciated. Thanks... |
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Post by ddub on Jan 5, 2012 22:45:29 GMT -5
It looks to be a 69 Mark III to me.
Interesting hood. Not original, but interesting. Can you show more pics. The engine would also be nice.
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krainz
L1 Scorpion - The Great Snowmobile
Posts: 7
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Post by krainz on Jan 8, 2012 19:11:25 GMT -5
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Post by ddub on Jan 8, 2012 19:41:19 GMT -5
The 69 did not have any grill (actually a hinge) as the 70 did. Yours is a 69 hood. Here is a 69  Here is a 70. I borrowed this pic from Bayshorecad.com  The grill in the front lower is actually the hinge. The two upper grills were a Stinger add on. The 68 hood is similar to a 69 but I don't think they interchange. I have one that is different anyway and it doesn't fit my 69 so I think it is a 68 hood. No 68 chassis to try it on. |
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Post by ddub on Jan 8, 2012 19:53:24 GMT -5
Overall,
The sled looks like a solid sled to start with. The seat does look very nice. That is a plus.
Doesn't even look like the handlebars were broken at the weld (a weak spot, the 70 model was reinforced).
How is the track? Most are dry rotted and you will not find one. Just about all get retrofitted with new suspension and track.
Some close up shots of the "hood scoop" would be interesting also.
Of course the gas tanks are another "sore spot" as with any in the chassis tank. Rust in the tank can mean a lot of work.
It looks like you have kept the shed nicely sheltered.
When you decide to sell it, let me know the price. I might be interested.
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Post by admin on Jan 9, 2012 0:10:02 GMT -5
Some close up shots of the "hood scoop" would be interesting also. Admit it ddub, you are wondering if that hood scoop might be a factory special! Would like to see more pics of the inside and outside of hood. The red stripe with white is a 1970 or later stripe isn't it? I think the 69' is just two red stripes with no white or any other color with it. |
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Post by ddub on Jan 9, 2012 1:05:58 GMT -5
No, I am honestly just intrigued by the scoop and how it was done.
On one hand it was grafted in on the top, but it appears to have been "layed on top" on the sides. I wonder why. Either graft it in and make it look integrated, or lay it on top and call it good.
I also wonder the purpose. Did they put holes for air to get to the engine, or is it just cosmetic. Odd ball stuff factory or not, always fascinates me. Overall the workmanship looks pretty decent.
As for the stripes, admin, I think you are correct. I am not an expert on the bubbles. And even when we think we know it, something will come up and prove we don't.
Sleds like this tend to bring us more knowledge. That is a good thing.
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Post by stingerIII on Jan 10, 2012 19:11:54 GMT -5
All I can say is that is one interesting sled,the rear stripes have me wondering
because they are on the right side of the tail light with no matching pin stripes
to the front stripes.
And that hood scoop is cool .
The sled looks to be in good overall condition.
To me it looks like a 69 model but I am no expert
on the bubblehoods(All I have is a 69 MarkI)
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krainz
L1 Scorpion - The Great Snowmobile
Posts: 7
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Post by krainz on Jan 11, 2012 21:33:49 GMT -5
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Post by admin on Jan 12, 2012 6:09:16 GMT -5
Admin: Question...The Scorpion Specification sheets say that 69 and 70 were the only years that the 634 was installed in this sled. (This same engine was used in small airplanes). What is the major difference between a Mark 2 and 3? Receiving 5" of snow this evening! Off the top of my head, I think the major difference is the Mark III has the 18" wide track and of course the tunnel is wider because of it. Also, I think the Mark III has the storage compartment under the seat whereas the Mark II is a 15" track with no storage compartment. One other note, the 69 Mark III I have has the seat hinge on the side of the seat whereas the 70' Mark III has the Seat hinge on the front of the seat! The 69' models have the ignition key mounted in the hole on the right side of the hood whereas the 70' has the key mounted in a metal plate that is welded to the handlebar support. This difference is probably because the 70' has the hinged hood, so they did not have to make the ignition switch wires longer to accommodate a moving hood because they mounted the ignition switch on the handlebar support that does not move with the hood. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong on this Team! Thanks for posting the extra photos. I would think getting extra cool air to pass over that AIR COOLED engine would be a good idea! That is a Free-Air cooled engine, right? Or is it fan cooled as well? |
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krainz
L1 Scorpion - The Great Snowmobile
Posts: 7
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Post by krainz on Jan 12, 2012 21:31:57 GMT -5
Admin: Everything you stated .....18" track, side hinged seat, key on the right side of the hood, and yes...its air cooled. You have ID'ed it as a 69. Thank you for the clarifications. You have a great site here!
I was just sent the site for our '2011 Big St. Germain Run' at
Review it and delete if necessary.
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Post by admin on Jan 13, 2012 21:55:15 GMT -5
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Post by ddub on Jan 13, 2012 22:02:51 GMT -5
Admin,
That is a fan cooled. Scorpion really didn't use many Free Airs.
I think there were some factory 70 racers (or mods) that were free airs. No production that I am aware of.
Then of course the 71 Super Stingers were Free Airs.
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Post by ddub on Jan 13, 2012 22:08:06 GMT -5
Krainz,
Thank you for taking the time to take the pics and post them.
Interesting scoop. I would guess that cooling would be much better with the holes. I do find it hard to believe that a 634 (even the 440) could stay cool without some sort of fresh air that a bubble hood did not provide.
Really that bubble was probably best suited for the Sachs singles which were most of the production until 70. Then in 70 they at least had the hinge/grill to let in some air and the twin grills in the Stinger models.
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oldscorpfan
L1 Scorpion - The Great Snowmobile
Posts: 3
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Post by oldscorpfan on Jan 15, 2012 21:17:23 GMT -5
i have seen pictures of '69 and '70 factory race sleds where a big hole was cut into the hood where the headlight was. those must have been converted to 'free air' cooling
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Post by crazysledder on Jan 15, 2012 22:45:15 GMT -5
I just learned more by reading this thread than the whole past week Bubble nose Scorps are all new territory to me other than seeing the odd pic previously Great read! thanks guys!  cheers crazy |
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krainz
L1 Scorpion - The Great Snowmobile
Posts: 7
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Post by krainz on Jan 16, 2012 22:34:01 GMT -5
Admin: Fantastic photo's of the 570m Hirth, the Drone, double Trouble, and the 700 Mark 2. Very impressed with what was done to create horsepower and speed. All we need is someone like ddub to add a 634 twin to the list. (Need to put a smiley face on that one.) I double checked and the 634 is just air cooled...no fan. To a great group of enthusiasts....
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