Not just a 444 restoration.

A place to ask all your questions about Hus Skis or just a great place to spread a little of that Yellow Pride.
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catman
Posts:25
Joined:Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:08 pm
Location:Barrie Ontario Can
Not just a 444 restoration.

Post by catman » Fri May 13, 2016 8:35 pm

McMullen.jpg
Brother Pete on the 444
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When I was 11 I discovered my brothers 1968 503 diablo Rouge in our back garage. Pete had gone to university and winter was coming. With the help of my Dad and my other brother Jim we got it going. I used to bring the guys back from school and we would run it around in the back yard till it was dark. The hood hinge was broken so I ran it with the hood off and my Mom would make me change outside cause I reeked of gas and two stroke !!
This was one of those rare 503’s where the electric start didn’t work. Wrap the pull cord around the pulley and pull. At that age this was no easy task…I would climb up on the side of the pan an throw myself off with rope in hand….jump up and grab the throttle before it died…I may have got run over a time or two.
Sadly the machine and my brother are gone now but the memories and the love for these machines lives on

I just pick up my uncles 444.
It has rested in his boat house on Georgian Bay for 40+ years on its nose. Uncle Al was in his early 20’s working at All Weather Marine a Husski dealer in Toronto. His Dad, my grandfather lived and trapped in north eastern Georgian Bay Ontario and bought this machine new. My uncle uncrated it and shipped it up by Train. Al moved back and took over the trap line after his dad passed. Miles of bush and beaver ponds the Husski carried my Uncle and his catch home. Al told me stories of fuel cache and trapper cabins, emergency repairs in the bush when I was young. He would say “ lose one grouser and your ok….lose two grousers together and you walking.
Al’s health is not the best lately and I want to resurrect this symbol of place and time…Told him if he is well enough we would do a run back to the homestead.

The picture attached is of my brother Pete sitting on this 444 back in the early 70’s in the same location it had been stored.

Pictures and updates on the restoration to follow.
Big thanks to Bruce and all of you who share the passion.
Chris
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Husski in storage.jpg
Husski in storage.jpg (163.09KiB)Viewed 4327 times

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Barrie2777
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Location:Arundel Quebec

Re: Not just a 444 restoration.

Post by Barrie2777 » Sat May 14, 2016 2:32 pm

These stories are great. You may want to change your aviator when this is restored.... Maybe one with the hood down!

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Go Go Diablo
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Re: Not just a 444 restoration.

Post by Go Go Diablo » Sun May 15, 2016 6:29 pm

Hi Chris,

That is an awesome story and picture too. Thank you so much for sharing and looking forward to seeing you and your Hus Ski in Port in January. Keep us posted on progress!

Bruce
Too many Diablos and parts to count.
Yamaha 600 SX

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catman
Posts:25
Joined:Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:08 pm
Location:Barrie Ontario Can

Re: Not just a 444 restoration.

Post by catman » Mon Jun 27, 2016 7:45 am

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This head light assy the same as a 444. I'm missing my complete front end of the hood. Grill / light
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Ya defiantly not going to fit!!
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And so it begins. I have a lot of body work to do but I excited to see what great shape its in
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catman
Posts:25
Joined:Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:08 pm
Location:Barrie Ontario Can

Re: Not just a 444 restoration.

Post by catman » Tue Jul 05, 2016 2:21 pm

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They come apart a lot faster than they go back together!!!
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So I have three donor motors to pick the best parts from. Two were stuck but complete....The parts list grows
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