1978 YAMAHA SSR 440 FULL MOD ALL ORIGINAL & FAST!!!!!!

[@pablobronsun1206]

It's not a snowmobile.That's a work of art!!

[@yamahabradley]

I was a Yamaha dealer back then (Bradley's Yamaha) and bought the last one available in Canada. I recall that they made 150 for the US and 90 for Canada. These were all hand made, no robotic welding here. They were very light and made about 112 HP. Although I consider them one of the Best Looking Snowmobiles of all time they had some major flaws. The front end geometry was bad, the frames flexed, the motor was mounted too high and the people that bought them had no idea how to set them up, put the right carbides on them hence MANY ended up going through the first or second walls at an oval track. The crank in them was very different in that the right side had a pork chop type flywheel while the clutch side had a normal full circle flywheel so the jetting was wildly different on each cylinder. Plus the clutching and the book that came with the machine was way off the mark. I drag raced it and the clutch weights were so light that the engine would instantly flash up to 11,300 rpm and then stay there with the machine going along at 50 mph and then gradually gaining speed as the clutch slowwwwly upshifted. But it was beautiful and once set up properly was fast, but never a good handling racer. Ski-Doo and Arctic-Cat owned that market and Yamaha went home after that as far as factory racing was concerned.

[@danielmurphy7455]

Skidoo and cat owned it? Are you forgetting about the RXL? Wow

[@markkemmerer5531]

No I always wanted an RXL the day I became a Polaris dealer in 1988 but when this showed up at my door one night for a trade on a wicked up 650 Indy I vowed this one would stay. As a matter of fact I started a search for the entire starting line in 1978 at Eagle River, got one!!!!!

[@ColdSmokes]

Really good and insightful commentary...thank you. This is the sort of detail that I look for. I always wondered the difference in cylinders / porting to the SRX 440 as I know the pistons are interchangeable.

[@darrrenbetker4266]

Thats why a propperly set up srx would walk all iver them.

[@JerryJrsGarage]

Mark Kemmerer Didnt they nick name it the beer can? Because of the flex? Rumor I heard

[@curvs4me]

I'll give you a Flashback on that. I was 8 years old in 1977 when those came to the dealership in October. I watched enthralled as Gary took it out of the crate and built it. I can't say how many there were but I know that dealer allotment was one for the top 10 dealers in the country. It was one of the placeholders of time in the memory. I don't remember much from 43 years ago, but that is one of them. Times change and my family's Yamaha dealership has been gone since the 90s. From number one in 1972 to retired in 94. Such is life, but I'll never forget my childhood growing up at a huge dealership outside my front door.

[@nilesable]

Those machines are such a rare icon,I can't believe what amazing shape it's been kept in.

[@boilup709]

I just had an eargasm and an eyegasm. AMAZING! Thanks cobaltme!

[@80malibu80]

Really nice sled there.I showed my father in law this video.He had one back in the day.Went to race it,and flipped it straight over and busted the handle bars off.Never rode it again. He sold it to a guy in BC Canada for a $1000 however many years ago.Was cool listen to his story. he said no sled would touch it.Tones of power.Im working on his 79 srx 440 right now. Not restoring it but just to ride it.Its pretty beat up.........He said he was the only one he knew that had an SSR 440 .cheers

[@jasminboucher6835]

Wow !! Am only 19years old but since am 13 this is my dream collection snowmobile, I showed this video so many time to my dad and friends I just love your original ssr its so gorgeous!

[@spottyjack614]

Beautiful.. Don't get how anyone can give this vid 👎👎 .just non YAMAHA fan's. I have a 77 srx 440.. Its my greatest treasure💗💗

[@willobrien2508]

i wrenched on this sled running sno pro 440 X RL COOKE WAS DRIVER REST HIS SOUL

[@floridaswampman7648]

I remember when it came out. Im not even a yamaha fan and it makes me salivate. It is beautiful.

[@beastgirl43]

Amazing sled. Those SS's put out 110+ hp when temp tuned and dialed to perfection...

[@roberthill8564]

What a Beautiful Piece of Nostalgia to show what was once the Ultimate Ride! Let's see a vid of you twisting the throttle there Cobaltme. I've seen a few of these idle but, have never seen one turn on. Nice Job.

[@portawrap2]

Beautiful machine! Nice curves and lines. Thanks for sharing.

[@carlfulton5271]

Gorgeous sled man. I remember its inception well. Actually saw it being raced at an event way back. I recall being in awe of its beauty and obvious power, and of course that captivating purr. cheers and nice vid. CF,....Delta, BC, Canada

[@cobaltme]

+carl fulton Thank you!!!!

[@jackhammer2671]

What a beauty!!...the race sleds from 1975-78 were gorgeous and looked like they were going fast just sitting still and the sound...well it's just plain up sound porn.

[@gbramson1]

I remember when they came out and were on the Jackson Track !! Loved em !!

[@skyypilot]

WOW! Super nice sled and great job on the video! I've have a few sled videos but I think yours is better than my videos. That thing sounds like my 1975 Kawasaki H2 - video in a month or so. Sweet!

[@wisconstud]

met a guy in new berlin that had several of the greatest yammies ever and sold them all, still tinkers with gpxs. and still has a good collection of parts. i believe his name was pat majors

[@stopatnothen]

love it, hats off, I'm Yamaha fan, own a 1972 thunderer jet tricked in the motor and clutch department,

[@cobaltme]

+stopatnothen Let's see it!!!!

[@stopatnothen]

+cobaltme how can i send you a video ,I took first place with my 1972 thunderjet.. go to tipuptown2010.mov on you tube and you should see it..been trying to send it to you, but can't get you in my contact...computer dum..sound great,,

[@keifer6]

Beautiful sled. Nice to see an ol' yami in that good of shape.

[@bluesfreak1700]

I like it! Beautiful machine and what a great sound. Thanks for sharing.

[@saskatoonsafetyguy]

Totally SICK sled! The true glory days of racing! Thanks for posting!

[@tyblaylock8172]

Very cool sled, I saw one at the grass drags in Douglas MN, a few years ago.

[@skyblueeyes4u]

Stunning example of a very sweet and oh so rare sled, Very Very nice!!!! Always loved these and the Cat Z's an Polaris Rxl's And the Sno Pro Doo's . When I was little my father sold Polaris Sleds and we had a 650 Starfire factory race sled. That hooked me I guess. Your sled is fantastic. :) All big giant smile's :) :) :) -Chris

[@jackrathert459]

Truly Amazing, always wanted one of those as a youngster 😁

[@floridaswampman7648]

Absolutely beautifull. I'm a cat guy and still loved it.

[@ramblnman24]

one of my all time favorite sleds! my favorite was a 1977 srx 440a i think they had to build 200 units to race these didn,t they?but anyways..what a beautiful machine! you are a very fortunate man.

[@bobbynickerson7631]

wowee that's a sweet ride there..i'm jealous,i just have a last year sst 340cc. snojet. that SSR is sweettt!

[@randy755]

Very very...veeeery sweet sweet SSR & sounds amazing!!!

[@rotax7804]

My friend John sold two of them just like that to a gentelmen in the U.P of Michigan. The guy owns a Yamaha dealership in Greenviile. One is on display in the showroom , i happen to come accross it while sledding over that way.

[@cobaltme]

Thank you all, your very kind. I'm a little lax about getting back about some comments so here goes. One it's not missing or lean, it was the mic on my camera breaking down, the seat is original as is the entire sled, when I removed the seat to polish the tunnel there was a piece of original plastic that protected it in shipping, I have that at home, the skis are also original. The motor is a 440cc liquid cooled twin. They say it had 100 HP and weighed 300 LBS, now for next winter WOT!

[@cobaltme]

Liquid cooled and what's coming out of the pipes is leftover Quicksilver storage seal fogging oil, it's the only thing I'll use when I put my classics away for the season. Best stuff on earth!!!!!

[@mikeprusik707]

That is a piece of history!!!!

[@markkemmerer2023]

The SSR has been sold, thank you all for ALL the comments, it was a pleasure owning this fine example of racing history from the late 70's! As you can guess the new owner and sale price will not be posted so please don't ask. Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@judevanbeek6137]

Sounds just like my ss340 I had when in high school. Damn, I wish I wouldn't have sold that. Bought it for 200. Mint sled, top to bottom and sold it for 350 2yrs later. Man, was i dumb ass.

[@cmmnspower]

Awesome sled! To bad they didn't still build beautiful sleds like this.......instead of the ugly new ones

[@johnpetersen8238]

Very nice. 🏁

[@going4brokeoffroad]

Would love to have one of those!!! We have a 78 SRX original that we race and a 74 GPX 433 Mod sled

[@rodneynelson7895]

very tough sled! your right,it's a keeper.

[@Splitshot1]

That sled is better lookin than my wife!

[@gmcliff555]

I raced against them in the early 1980's. Gosh they where fast !!

[@65bug519]

nice machine. I just got an ss440 in mint shape. love those yami's

[@Logementos]

That sled is "cool" in some many ways. A modern sled is never as interesting as the vintage ones, Greetings from Sweden!

[@hunterb1215]

What a machine love it!

[@tdavidg9176]

That would be Pat's Motorsports in Greenland,MI. I ride there every year and rent behind the dealership. The machine is fully restored and on display at the hall of fame in Eagle River,WI. right now. Pat and his son Kip are very close with Yamaha's R&D people and occasionally rent land to them for testing new stuff.

[@perjohansson1258]

Such a beautiful machine

[@cobaltme]

Thanks, Mark from Iowa USA

[@ktraxler33]

beautiful sled. just beautiful. great job

[@williamsmidt5391]

Power! Good God man ride that thing !

[@andrewjocar4507]

That is one beautiful sled

[@mikeskidmore6754]

I have seen photos of these before.. No need to get excited about looking for one if only 90 or Less were built. Sort of like finding a Hemi Cuda or a Gran Sport Corvette..

[@jeffreyhott6846]

First pull... just mint haha!

[@cobaltme]

One, and one size only, 440. This coming year at Waconia Yamaha is the featured sled and I'm trying to get in the ballroom with it because the featured speaker Friday nite is Fronz Roesenquist (spelling?), he was one of three factory racers in 1978 for Yamaha that had SSR's and I really want to hear what he has to say!!!!!

[@cobaltme]

Thanks All, My main effort now is to get a rolling video but will have to find an open area that has no cops! It's really loud when your on it. I hope when I get back we can do this. At 300lbs and 100hp I'd think it should stay up with the new sleds if not go by, maybe will be able to check that box off later to. Thanks.

[@cobaltme]

Thanks, the nite I got this sled it was sitting in the back of his black Chevy pick-up, it was dark. The handle bars just came over the top of the box and at that instant I told myself he'll never leave here with it. Every year after that his group on there way to Haydays would stop by and look at the SSR and every year it was the same thing. Mark, can I buy it back, you know the answer.

[@yamahaet6]

thats insane , lucky guy

[@bretski1967]

what a beauty thanks for sharing

[@cobaltme]

Came that way from the factory and no the only racing I do with that sled is in my dreams?

[@sledrz]

Sounds awesome, nice machine.

[@larrybabisky3305]

Love it

[@pauldinkel4255]

How about ridin' it ???? A machine that exotic deserves to be run.

[@DANIELTHIBAULTchannel]

very great machine wow! awesome snowmobile

[@geniousgeorge4973]

It needs a mod hood with vents . Keep the original on the side . I wouldn't start it with that hood unless it was 50 below! The ones people rode on warm days must have burned up especially if they had cci oil systems . 40 to 1 mix and a custom hood for cooling , then you have a great sled.

[@seantheberge5456]

The SSR is liquid cooled, radiator in the front of the cowling. The one i drag raced had radiators in the skis, ran nice and cool.

[@paulyarek]

Those Yams back then always easy starts

[@maico125]

That could just be the best looking sled ever built. (maybe the 81 Ski doo sno pro). What he hell happened to Yamaha? Now they make 4 stroke anchors. Yamaha are you reading this!!!

[@72timhall]

Did yamaha produce a single cyl model of this sled?My neighbor had the same machine with a 292 in it.As i recall it was very low and got stuck easily.

[@ADSC2006]

That is one nice sled!

[@RatSleds]

Nice sled sounds good!

[@waynegervais8245]

Beautiful sled I want it

[@DRRS777]

COOL :) Luck from Norway.

[@MrMagical420]

beautiful sled!

[@kreutzergovan]

i love the yammies i have quite a few my self sounds a little lean but could just be the audio on the cam awesome sled tho

[@TheTurkeyhunter13]

Love the sound! why'd they stop making them?

[@tOo_fAst4u]

that things got a lot of cheddar!

[@KrAxRACING]

free air or liquid? sounds like a beast. i noticed the tint of the exhaust smoke looks red. running AMSOIL?

[@Hosstyle.]

Wow. thnx for sharing. Do you still own it?

[@ralphkeenan8927]

Very Nice

[@mtnscoutsadventureplus7145]

So fresh

[@mercmarc]

Yamaha had the right idea with the trailing arm suspension, unfortunately they went with the tss setup.

[@s10dreamer]

Very nice.Did Yamaha make them for oval or drag racing?

[@MultiSkidoo]

Nice ! Nice ! Nice !

[@pschocker]

Man, that takes me back. I was so into Sno Pro back in the seventies. By the way, that thing sounded like it was absolutely screaming. How high did you spin it there? Sounded like 9k plus.

[@shawnyboie]

i find it hard to believe it's original

[@dhonda200]

wow!!! ive been waiting for someone to post a vid like that i gota 1971 yamaha 292 im planing to mod. will ur 440 keep up with modern sleds?

[@ColdSmokes]

Great vid man- What do you know about a rare 292 twin water cooled Yamaha racer ? 1973 or so. Twin pipe /dual carb, All stock !! Any ideas ?

[@codyraab1]

looks like it only does about 40mph on top end :/ but would get to 40mph quick lol nice sled by the way!

[@richardmaaske7483]

why did you not drive it around a little ?

[@jetskingerik]

would it be a sin to actually ride one of these? I cant find any you tube vids!

[@cobaltme]

+jetskingerik No I've rode it before in 2004 I got 5 laps on the Would Series Track in Eagle River WI!!!! Now that was Fuckin Fun!!!!!

[@IIRiPII]

😍🔥

[@mercmarc]

How many years was this model available? Was it available to the public or a race only?

[@PB1776Politics]

@s10dreamer They were built for Ovals... Mario Ito Designed...

[@Justin67987]

beautiful

[@JohnBobRoger]

Did I see this masterpiece in Burks Falls back in 2007?

[@tdidriver1234]

Does it move? Or just sit there?

[@hdcuz1]

Boy, get her up to temp and i bet she comes alive. sounded a bit cold and man what a smoke trail, is that factory setting on the oil pump correct. Sounds good and what a cherry of a sled.

[@DANIELTHIBAULTchannel]

superbe machine your a lucky!!

[@spark23ca]

are you from new york? did you used to race yamaha's in the world series?

[@cobaltme]

+mark yeomans Iowa, no, did some local racing but not with anything like this!!!!

[@SensiShaw]

Two words bro Bad Ass

[@upchuck6969f]

RIDE IT!

[@jamesdrager6567]

Would this compare to a Yamaha 433 GPX? My brother had one and that took off like a missile right out of the crate. Anyway, NICE SLED YOU HAVE THERE!!!

[@cobaltme]

+James Drager This one is liquid cooled maybe double the HP!!! It also is very quick!!! Thanks

[@robertanthony9674]

@@cobaltme In rality it is only about 10-15 hp over the GPX433, but enough to make a big difference.

[@paulbmet]

What is the last three of your serial number?