Bolens Diablo Rouge and Hus Ski Discussion Forums

Well, I am starting the restoration on the Mutt Hus Ski I bought last year. After a trip out to see Jeff, I have most of the parts I'll need. I hope! Here are a few before pics.

Well, today I stripped down the mongrel chassis, looks scary. Please excuse the large picture files, I am still trying to figure out how to reduce them.
Pictures edited by Bruce

Well, it turns out that the chassis I bought as a 444 is actually a 200 or 400. It has the 2 engine support rails in the middle, not the outside like the 444 chassis I see in other restoration photos.

Now I have a quandary, yes, a real quandary.

Do I proceed with fitting all the 444 parts I just bought, or try to locate the proper parts or a 444 chassis? I know that I can mount everything with just a set of mount plates/bars, that I can make myself. Should I continue to complete this as a hybrid, or, stop and look for the right chassis/upper works and start over?

Advice would be appreciated, thanks in advance.
Bill

Hi Bill, You cant go wrong by putting the right jackshaft mount and housing in. Since the tracks and under part are all done nice, I would either put it back to a 200-A, but then you would have to have the smaller motor; or you could change the motor mount rails to a 400/444 type and put the 252 in it. You could put a set of 200-A anndlebars on it and just spread them in the front a little to fit the 444 hood on. Then you can use the nice gas tank.Then you would basicly have a 400. I personally like the way the 200-A and 400 tracks handle in the snow better than the 444.

If he has 444 handlebars he should use them. Just change the dash.

True, then you have the brake style decision. And clutches. The 444 is better in both those. More so the clutches.It is def faster to grab the brake handle on the 444 than the 200/400.

I think I'm going to build it as a 400, with 444 clutches and brake for now, Then I may change to 400 clutches and brake in the future, to make it completely a 400. That way I only need to get a brake caliper in order to finish it up this summer.

Just to keep this updated, I'm waiting for a new jackshaft and brake caliper mount to be fabricated. Then I'll get the chassis sand blasted and start assembly.
It will be a 400 with 444 clutching and brakes.

Well, the chassis is in for sand blasting.

Too late now but I make those calliper supports also.