model 600 restoration

[Barrie2777]

Here is the begining of the restoration of a model 600 single track and 600 double track.

[huuksnatch]

Those 2 seater pins factory i take it?

[Barrie2777]

The double seater pins appear to be factory installed.

[Barrie2777]

The sprocket on the 600 single track is much smaller than any other HUS-SKI.

[Barrie2777]

The single track 600 base that I am starting with is actually an NOS unit. However, the last 40 years outside in the weeds has taken it toll. The reinforcing strip just behind the seater pin was rusted through and the rear deck support was a pitted and rusted through disaster. Luckily, in the "why do I keep this category" I had a basket case, double track base which had both parts in very good condition. Cutting them from the original base was not difficult but removing the parts I was replacing was more difficult, having to be careful not to damage the surrounding metal.

[Barrie2777]

This is the rusted rear deck brace

[Barrie2777]

The curved portion on the front of the base was rusted through on this base so I cut it off and formed a new part.

[Barrie2777]

This parts was welded continuously along the ends , spot welded along the bottom edge and welded in various places along the top edge. To duplicate the spot welding, I first drill a small hole then weld in the hole.

[Barrie2777]

Odd as it may be, all the dash panels were badly pitted or otherwise cut and/or altered. I cut the handlebars behind the dash panel to hide any welding done to reattach the handlebars. What seemed like a simple task turned out to be difficult due to the amount of original welding done to hold the dash panel in place. It is no wonder these 600's were "tanks". The dash and body was made with what I estimate to be 16 ga steel. I did not want to work with this thickness so did it slightly lighter with 18 ga. The dash is essentially a large "U" and certainly strong on its own but HUS-SKI engineers welded in two full support gussets to weld it even more securely to the handlebars. In the photo in the next posting you can see that the dash was not the weak part of this assembly.

[Barrie2777]

Doing three at a time is always a time saver. The hole for the handlebars is oval because the dash is at an angle to the handlebar tubing. To reassemble the dash, the dash will be slid onto the front portion of the handlebars, then the handlebars will be welded back to their correct position. Then the dash is slid back to where it should be (hopefully covering all the welding) and welded in place.