Yellow Fever
The 444 is going to need lots of T.L.C. When my brother Mark and I get done, it will be a happy machine. We are both looking forward to having two hus-skis to show off next winter.
I would like to thank Bruce for selling me the 444 and passing his knowledge on to so many people, my brother Mark for helping me find Bruce and giving me the yellow fever and lastly my wife for encouraging me to get involved in another project.
Let the hus-skis roll.
Bring on the snow
444 pre tear down
Pics before I get started tearing apart my 444.
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Lots of parts
Had a busy day of taking apart the hus-ski today. The motor is in the shop all taken apart and waiting for gaskets for reassembly.
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rebuilding 444 frame
starting work on frame
Last edited by randys444 on Sat Dec 17, 2016 7:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Bring on the snow
Old frame with new fender.
This was quite a job but I was very happy with the end result. It has been a very busy fall with lots of late nights, but I am finally getting caught up enough to get back to posting pictures again. I have made lots of new parts which I will be sharing soon.
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- I tucked a 3/8 rod under the rib of the fender and welded it in. Hope this reinforces the light material. It helped hold a straighter edge. Looks nice.
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- Dont know if I did the right thing, but I raised the fender 3/4 inch so I should have track clearance.
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- The top motor mount was very rusty. I was close to replacing it, but saved the original.
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Rebuilding rear axles
My rear axle was bent and bearing surfaces were wore down.The old hubs were also bad.
These are my new 2016 hus-ski hubs.
These are my new 2016 hus-ski hubs.
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- The old hubs didn't run true, causing the wheels to wobble bad when turning.
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- These are the 2 new rear hubs I machined.
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- I machined a new rear axle out of 4140 prehard. Old and new sitting together.
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Last edited by randys444 on Thu Dec 01, 2016 11:47 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Bring on the snow
Rebuilding front axle
The front axle shaft had bad bearing surfaces. I machined a replacement. The front axle tube wheel mounts were not welded on straight. Also causing the front wheels to wobble so bad they hit the frame. I put the axle assy. in my lathe and machined off .020 on the mounting surfaces to tru them up. This helped alot , now they spin perfectly straight. I also took off .030 on the inside off the front wheels to create better frame clearance. Plus this helped make the overall width very close to the rear axle.
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- Front and rear axles turn perfectly straight now. Should operate very smoothly.
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Bring on the snow
Re: Yellow Fever
Nice work Randy. I'm always amazed at how guys with experience and talent can machine and build the parts to restore our old machines. Look forward to watching your progress and seeing you in Port Washington. Roy
New 2016 hus-ski jackshaft
When I tore down the 444, I noticed the secondary clutch was very loose on the jackshaft. On inspecting the jackshaft, it was worn down .012 on the diameter where the clutch rides. Also woodruff keyway was loose, and the splines for the 9 tooth sprocket and brake disc were in poor condition. The internal bore on the salsbury clutch was wore out .010 and the keyway inside was also very bad. The first thing I did was buy a 9 tooth sprocket and brake disc from Bruce. These are very nice parts. Then I bought some .875 dia. 4140 prehard material and started machining a new jackshaft. I did all the lathe work on the splined end then went to get the splines cut. I have a connection with a shop that cuts splines and gears. This person is a one man show, 75 yrs old with old machines, but is very talented and does great work. After that process I bored out the salsbury clutch .025 oversize to make it round and straight internally. then I finished turning the jackshaft to match. They fit together nicely. All is good again.
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- I have connections with a shop that can cut splines. He did a perfect job, the shaft was custom fit to match Bruces sprocket and brake disc. He cut the splines a little far into my bearing surface, but isn't a problem. The shaft assembled nicely. I am lucky because this shop had the correct cutting tool for this size spline.
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- The diameter where the clutch rides,I made .025 oversize. This is because I bored out the clutch .025 to make it round and straight again. It was the only way to save it, but worked out nicely. the 2 parts fit together beautifuly with no play.
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- The old shaft was a descent pattern. I had to figure out some of the worn dimensions. The keyway was purposely moved to engage in a good spot on the clutch.
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Bring on the snow
New 2016 hus-ski jackshaft
A couple more pictures of the shaft
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- With the new 9 tooth sprocket
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- With the new brake disc
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Bring on the snow