Seller Said “It Won’t Start..” So I got this RARE ZR CHEAP! Watch This!

[@casey8207]

My pops and I are from Massachusetts. We went out to Utah to ride with family who live there and you explained it perfectly. I had a formula 583 in mass and consider ourselves experienced felt like a fish out of water in the mountains. 🤣

[@robertcummins173]

Never had a snowmobile or ridden one but I just love your genuine energy and passion for these old 2 strokes!

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

I appreciate you taking the time to watch and for the comment! Thanks for watching!

[@spacebear49]

I grew up riding in northern NY. And its pretty much like you described. Live in CO now, and I miss the riding back east. I like riding trails and stopping at restaurants for a greasy burger and riding some more. It was just more accessible and you didn't have to be rich and dedicate a whole weekend to get to a riding spot and back. More affordable too.

[@Moto-Hobo]

Our season in Ontario, Canada is very much like you describe but the season is getting shorter every year and they are having a real problem getting approval from landowners for the trailer system. Life as we knew it is changing and it's pretty sad. I was hoping to raise my kids and give them the experience i never had. Its a different time for snowmobiling in general.

[@spacebear49]

@Moto-Hobo sad to hear that. I believe the seasons can fluctuate as they did in the early 80's but aside from that, things are changing in the Sport and not for the better. Hope it rebounds! I definitely miss it. Enjoy it when/while you can!

[@Morpheen999]

@@Moto-Hobo The OFSC won't even give land owners a free trail permit to use their land.. It should be a 2 way street, I have no sympathy for them losing land owner permission

[@Moto-Hobo]

@@Morpheen999 yeah thats ridiculous

[@seanmuller5145]

I like your story about your family memories when your Dad hit the Throttle and you flipped over the sled at 8 years old. My wife did the same to me on our 2004 Yamaha Venture 700 touring sled. The only difference from your story is I was 38 at the time.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

That’s a classic story! Glad you're both alright. Thanks for watching!

[@wshepherd1314]

The first snowmobile I ever rode was an old Massey Ferguson single cylinder which was my grandfathers. Massey Ferguson in Preston Idaho was giving away a snowmobile with the purchase of a tractor. The only thing it lacked was power. The top speed was probably 30 mph. I don't know how many hours me and my brother spent on that machine in the hayfields. I have to give it credit it taught me how to handle a sled. Like you said the old sleds were not made for deep powder or off the packed trails. I had a 75 Polaris Indi 500 3 cylinder. It was a fast sled back in the day It's top end was around 70. It was a great groomed trail machine I don't know how many times or hours I spent digging that machine out of the soft powder. I called it the lead sled. My friends and I spent a many of hours sledding on the machined trails in the Wasatch Mountains , Island Park and West Yellowstone. Our Boy scout groups would go to West Yellowstone every Winter. The machines we rented were all Artic Cats. I don't recall any other brands that were rented at the time. Artic Cat and Polaris were the top selling sleds in the 70's. Since moving from Idaho in the early 80's I have not been on a snow mobile. I would love to take a ride on one of the new sleds. I can't even imagine the power they have compared to the old sleds. Keep up on the video's I like seeing my old stomping grounds.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

That is so cool! Thanks for taking the time to comment and watching the show!

[@gordonliddy9418]

Man I wish we had snow in South Dakota. We got spoiled out in West Yellowstone last week lol.

[@spacebear49]

@@gordonliddy9418 how is riding in SD typically?

[@markkopfman1283]

Come to Michigan in the UP in Naubinway February 14 and 15. Really fun vintage ride and show the Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum puts on

[@kollinspencer847]

when i get a new sled or new old sled i like to clean the clutches and belt with hot soapy water the rinse with just hot water. i like to scrub the belt of any dust and sometimes the clutches if they are bad enough. looking forward to your merch.

[@rprovasoli]

Cat introduced a 96.5 zr580 batteryless efi. 400 produced. Had no key, green hood, black seat with side pads, ett, piggyback front shocks and remote front arm adjuster.

[@257Tony]

Really cool hearing your stories about West Yellowstone and riding around the ariport. My Dad and Grandpa built homes up there in Island Park in the 70s and 80s. My Dad used race in the grass drags they'd have there in West also. I grew up riding in IP. I also lived in Syracuse for 20 years!

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

@@257Tony Thats incredible! Thanks for sharing that with me! Small world!

[@clintbruderer2278]

Fun trip back in time. Can’t wait to see this sled all tuned, clutched and ripping up the trails! Can’t wait till the merchandise is available!

[@joshgessinger4509]

Hey rocky. If u ever have to replace the fuel pump i just use a good wahl pump or whatever i find on evbay for a good deal. Long as the the flow rate is the same or better works great. Done a 700 efi like that and a fire cat still running after idk many years now.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

Thanks Josh, I was completely shocked after removing the pump from the housing it started working.. I’m going to order a Wahl pump to have for a back up..

[@Throwbackgarage]

Love the videos man, currently working on a 72 cheetah 440 project

[@Honda_boy_420]

i love older arctic cats i have a 1993 prowler 440 they are good sleds

[@jonl2938]

I’ve always been a ski-doo guy (born in to a Doo family), but the ZR580 has a special place to me as my best friend in high school ride that exact sled (I had a Formula 500). I’m sure that ZR was a better trail sled than my Doo, but my buddy was a terrible rider! If you want to experience eastern riding that’s my situation exactly. Live on an acreage with my own trails groomed. 1.5 miles to the south down an icey road and I’m on the main groomed trail system. 1.5 miles to the east and I’ve got access to millions of acres of crown (public land). We’re still waiting on a bit more snow here in North Bay, Ontario, Canada though.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

That is a great story and it sounds like you have great riding where you live!

[@tman8939]

I have to stop watching your posts, I find myself on Craigslist looking at sleds from the 90's and 2000's. What is really scary is I have called on them to see if I can score a deal. ⛄

[@Moto-Hobo]

Lol same here. Ive bought 2 old arctic cats since watching this channel. We have kijiji in canada it's basically our Craigslist lol

[@skylermummert24]

90/00s sleds in my area South Dakota still go for 1500-3000k it’s nuts 7 years ago I bought a 99 670 summit for 1000 nothing wrong with it now I see them going for 2k plus

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

That is awesome! I appreciate you watching and for the awesome comment!

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

That is so cool! What sleds did you buy?

[@Moto-Hobo]

@OldSchoolArcticCats i bought a 1989 ext 530 in great condition (under $1000 canadian) , and a 1991 jag 440 afs fan cooled. They are both really fun sleds.

[@flatbedlandon1942]

The upper peninsula of Michigan we’ll be your best spot out east

[@galensteria4790]

That was awesome content... we bought one just like that a couple years.ago it had a bad fuel pump put a new pump in it and that thing would rip.... I have been watching u for a while and love the content....

[@TKAD112]

I rode mostly in Voyager National Park on Rainy Lake. Right next to International Falls Minnesota. One of the best trail and lake riding in North America. The chain of lakes is absolutely amazing. You will not be disappointed.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

That sounds amazing.. The hardest decision would be picking which sled I would want to take..

[@TKAD112]

My 04 ZR900 EFI. Loved busting the thing out coming out of a Portage. That Thundercat is meant to be on that chain of lakes. ​@@OldSchoolArcticCats

[@93zr440]

Wow clean sled, I miss my old Cats, I miss my ZRT600 the most

[@Harpazoed]

Haven’t watched your full video yet but I do know that some of the sleds that have some age on them have to have new gas filters and gasoline pumps usually Articcat has them so you can easily get to them. My wife’s 2000 to 500 ZL had a bad gas pump. And we used to change the gas filters every year on our 700Zrs.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

I appreciate you sharing your experience and advice!

[@EthanDehaan]

You gotta come to Michigan and ride here we can ride from Cadillac which is lower peninsula across the lake and up to the UP and up there there’s hundreds of miles of good trails and old style cafes and bars and lots of people still ride the old school sleds which is cool. We do group rides with all f7’s and we can get like 30-40 people sometimes to all come do a group ride.

[@MrJeffyb69]

Hell yeah, I'm here in SW lower Michigan, and I ride mostly up by Petoskey , Michigan, but my buddy has a cabin in Irons, Michigan so we do ride the Baldwin, Cadillac trails🙂 We should get a ride together, I currently ride a 2016 ZR8000 137 ,have 2 of them actually, and my 2 boys ride a 2006 F7 Sno pro EFI/ 2007 Crossfire 8 Sno Pro, both orange. I also have a 1979 Pantera 5000 FC I use on vintage rides 🙂 Come to Michigan Rocky !! You can ride my 2016 ZR 8000 137 limited "all green" or any of my sleds!

[@billreichheld4839]

nice find i have found with my cats sitting in garage in summer the oil keeps siphoning into the engine loosen oil cap on reservoir and it stops that mine smokes like a woodstove first start of the year

[@krm944]

I didn’t think she was gonna start when it didnt fire after 4th pull!!! I rode a 90s prowler in that sleek chassis. Pure love of my teens!!!

[@terryzig]

10 years ago I owned a ZR700 same year with twin pipes. That thing hauled ass. Now I have a model 2004 King Cat 900.

[@Harpazoed]

I’ve owned 2 ~700 Zrs and also a 2003 900 Zr. You sound like me lol.

[@terryzig]

@@Harpazoed The first first Arctic Cat that I rode was a 1972 Arctic Cat Panther 303 that had the Wankel rotary motor. It would do about 60 down a hill, tons of fun though for kids. I was in 4th grade. At that time my dad owned a bar in Rhinelander Wisconsin and in the winter there were non stop sleds riding through there all winter. It was called EZ Bar, now its called the Town Pump.

[@Harpazoed]

@ yea I remember that engine. Cat had a few Wankel engine’s. Great engine. First one I rode was a 16 Hp evnrude Then it was all cat.

[@chadbarton3235]

If you're looking for ultimate trail riding, head to northern Maine. There's also really good riding in western Maine too. That's where I ride, and love those 90s triples. Cool zr.

[@kennethfarquhar8518]

Thanks for another great video Rocky !!

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

Thanks for taking the time to watch and for the awesome comment!

[@kennethfarquhar8518]

@@OldSchoolArcticCats No problem . I will be here . Hope this channel grows huge . I Can tell you are just a good dude and love the enthusiasm. Plus old Cats rock !!

[@Vince-lq3ve]

I owned a 94 zr580 (carbed) for quite a few years. I bought it because of it's reputation as a dominant trail riding sled (the ZR440 was winning a ton of races the previous year or two). It did handle great, though it was a pretty "raw" driving sled. The one downside was that it was a hog on gas and if remember correctly it was good for about 70 miles to a tank, getting around 9 miles to the gallon, I think. I always loved the looks and reluctantly sold it once I bought a new 2008 Yamaha Nytro RTX...I'll tell you, that was a change!

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

Thanks for the story! The ZR580’s were really fast, but you had to feed them!

[@Vince-lq3ve]

@@OldSchoolArcticCats I should add, I do still have my first sled, which I've owned for about 40 years but it sits waiting for me to fix er up again: a 1974 Arctic Cat 295 El Tigre That's a good story as well, relating to it's limited build to meet the Winnipeg to Minneapolis I-500 race rules, that a sled had to be showroom retail and less than 300cc's. The 295 cleaned up.

[@gordonborsboom7460]

I had a 580 EXT with EFI. It drank the fuel, too. The piston had no carbon in them , except at the edge by the exhaust port. It would load up and bog if ridden for endended periods at 40 to 50 MPH on river runs. Hammer the throttle for a bit and you were good to go.

[@airman6822]

Your sled is from my “hay days” of sledding. My last new sled was a 93 EXT 550 EFI. Put 2800 miles on it the first year. I have had several of those since then and am looking at another one now. Just love those 90’s cats! I don’t put on as many miles now but love sledding more than ever!

[@gordonborsboom7460]

My first sled was a 580 EXT EFI. Also my last sled. I'm sure you know why😂

[@AndyMcCauley-yc2hh]

Great video, a good friend of mine had that same looking sled very reliable he sold it with 8,300 miles in 2017 was the original owner.

[@jeffnicks2128]

Buddy had one of those but green they run good, fuel pump stuck? We get snow in Mercer Wisconsin you can come up and we’ll ride right the driveway and have access to thousands of miles from the UP of Michigan to Minnesota any direction you want to go. Have a good one Rocky

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

I appreciate the invite and for the comment!

[@chadbontekoe3122]

Your welcome at my camp here in northern Michigan. Buddies trailer to my camp and we ride from here. We can go entire day without seeing the same trail twice. I ride a 93 Polaris XLT special and a 99 Polaris xc700. Like your vids man!

[@TroyHanson-ch6nm]

The 580 efi engine is solid good engine and decent efi technology for its time. Back in early 2000.s i scored a 2002 zr chassis cheap 600$ full roller. Had a 580 cat efi on my shelf installed it in the chassis worked great sold the sled after i rode it 600 miles

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

The 580 motor is a great motor! That’s cool you threw it in a newer chassis!

[@purehonda23]

Here in Wisconsin we just literally ditch ride from wherever we live to the closest trail it's awesome

[@Firebird400]

That’s in beautiful condition. When I was 13-14 we had a cat dealer in our town (about 800 people lol) we used to stop in and look at the sleds on the way back from playing hockey on the pond. They had a zrt 600, 580 powder special, z440 ,ext 580 and a puma 340 . Loved the powder special and zrt 😊

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

That’s awesome memories… Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!

[@ALargeCupOfJava]

Dammit Bobby wish we had deals like that down here in New Brunswick love the content i need them jackets they are from the glorious days of the old cats also good ol greasy tripple nipple best sleds god tier

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

😂 Thanks for the comment!!

[@GoinWild00x]

You have to check out tug hill plateu/ the Adirondack region in upstate NY. Beautiful trails that run through some of the most beautiful scenery and all the trails lead into the little snowmobile towns of upstate NY they also have tons of vintage rides/shows

[@larrywarner9314]

I live in Pennsylvania and if we have the snow you can ride from northern Pennsylvania to New York, and if the trail system is all good you can ride all the way to Maine

[@deathstar1422]

You would absolutely love the u.p of Michigan if you want to do some great trail riding super wide groomed trails from one end of the peninsula to the other some of the best snowmobiling in the east

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

Thanks for the comment! I’ve heard great things about the UP!

[@jimberglin1613]

That's exactly what those are called. Smart valves. And sometimes they can collapse and not let enough fuel out to let a sled run.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

Thanks for clarifying!

[@kyledevlin-t1e]

NICE JOB,LOVE SEEING THEM COME BACK TO LIFE .

[@jmudd5449]

I picked up a 95 ext mountain cat 580 efi in beautiful condition for 125.00. The fuel pump was stuck. 18v drill battery freed it up. Ran great.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

That is awesome! You got a great deal on that sled!

[@razer440]

Rocky you should come to Michigan. Specifically the Upper Penninsula. Its a top destination for sledders from all over the US. There are KZbin videos of people riding in the Upper Penninsula, check them out. Great video man. Love your content. Makes me want to go riding again.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

I've heard great things about the UP! Thanks for the comment!

[@Stuckin330]

I had same 580. Youl here the fuel pump when it cycles . There loud on those.

[@MichaelKnight-s2y]

Do trucks rust in Utah?? Here in ( the Adirondack mountains of upstate NY) everything rusts out. Even my buddies 2011 f250 just failed inspection because of the rear frame area rotting out. Didn't know if they salt the roads in Utah like they do here in the North?

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

Heck ya. Trucks will rust bad! Lots of salt on the roads. Frequent trips to the car wash helps..

[@Stuckin330]

Yo another thing on those 580efi battery modles that computer will flash codes if sumthing is wrong and they also need to be charged without the battery in the sled .Those computers are very touchy on them sleds and arnt cheap if u even can find one. But yah when u pull the kill switch up the pump will do it’s cycle and 2 pulls sled fires up. That’s how mine was . Also a good clutch kit will open her up on the top end they get a lil gutless when your on the top end and them stock clutches rob a ton of rpm’s when ur getting up there . And the bull heads crack where the secondary jack shaft is attached to the bulkhead I had to fix mine and use bolts instead of pop rivets that they used stock.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

Thanks for the insight.. I remember having to look into the window of the computer to see the little flashing light.. I want to get the clutching better I have several clutches and parts to play with. I want to install a roller secondary clutch as well.. Thanks for the comment.

[@WiscoSledheads]

Come on up to Northern WI (when it actually snows).... and we will show ya a good time!

[@Stuckin330]

You deff need find a good roller clutches from a newer modle zr . It will really open that 580 to breath fire. I did that to mine becouse it was really a slug even after I tuned the stock clutches it was still a slug on top end so if you can fined a good roller secondary and a good primary and tune it .Deff a big difference youl notice

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

Thanks for the advice! I have been looking into upgrading the clutches.

[@kolewiebensohn]

That is cool, just got me free to me, 97 ZR580 all put back together and did a few test laps and boy does she go when that clutch grabs it but when you let go and go back into the throttle she will bog her self out but sitting outside for 10 years doesnt help and Im thinking that secondary isnt quite downshifting like it should.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

I really like the look of the 1997 ZR. It looks really cool. I’m going to upgrade my secondary clutch with a roller clutch..

[@kolewiebensohn]

@OldSchoolArcticCats Oh yeah they are pry the best looking arctic cat built! The original ditch pickle! And mine has been extended to a 136inch track! So she's got the traction. Rides really good with the ETT rear suspension.

[@Averagej82]

Upstate ny tug hill and surrounding area you can easily do 150 miles a day up here

[@hodgebone1]

had a 95 ext 580. worst downfall was battery powered EFI

[@markkopfman1283]

Syracuse Utah is where my brother lives. Wonder how close you were to his place.

[@Dakotalogger]

I owned two 97 ZR 580 EFI sleds man I wish I could find one in mint condition

[@darcy32171]

Tad bit newer then my 1970 Panther

[@GarageWorx]

Send some of that snow to MN.

[@devon5342]

Usually we have 2-5 feet of snow but just flat ground/ditch banging

[@omgitsdollarbill6859]

Take line off the fuel rail turn key on gas should pump for a few seconds. Drain tank put fresh gas in. Run pump till fresh gas comes out

[@joemaendel3063]

Sorry, green wasn’t available till 1997 and then it was a different model the ETT extra tunnel travel model and that 96 was just a regular chassis from 9394 9596 at ours

[@EricRice-oh3jb]

I had one the same color loved the sled

[@danwustrack]

All kinds of vintage rides here in Wisconsin

[@VintageSaws]

Doing my 94 zr700 pre season maintainance as i type lol. Need to find a good 121x15x1.25 or 121x15x1 track for mine since i just noticed mines missing outter studs that ripped out. Might even try a ett long travel skid or a longer skid like 136 or 144 if i can find one

[@adamcase3157]

I understand you're a cat guy but.... you have me hunting for a 2000 Ski Doo Millennium Edition mxz 700 that I grew up riding with my dad

[@omgitsdollarbill6859]

They need atleast 11.7 volts to run. Probably bad gas in fuel pump rail

[@User-1234-dg6nx]

Send some snow to northern mn, it rained last week

[@User-1234-dg6nx]

2010 gmc sierra 1500 ext cab long box, I just throw the sleds in the bed

[@jmudd5449]

Those 580's don't need much charge on the battery to run.

[@Moto-Hobo]

Come to Canada with a reliable snowmobile and we can go riding for a 400 mile day lol. Endless trails here (were fighting to keep the trail system). By the way i respect your religion and i respect that you dont drink. Its probably part of the reason why youre so passionate about your hobby. Its a completely different culture here drinking is very common. I find when you get consumed with drinking you never respect your hobbies its a different way of life. My dads friend was a Mormon growing up he was a police officer and one of the best guys ive ever met in my life. Such a good role model. I don't know much about the religion we went to his church once, but i would be interested in knowing more.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

Thank you for your kind words, I appreciate the respect.😊

[@wshepherd1314]

If you do a search of LDS churches in your area. They would be more than happy to send missionaries to your house. Just make sure it's not FLDS. FLDS is its own religion and has nothing to do with the LDS church.

[@toddyuill3924]

Haha i had one of those it was great until you hammered some big bumps and it killed the battery left me in the bush😂😂 My next one was a 97 batteryless efi it was the best sled ever 99mph on radar my brand new 20k 850 will only do a little over 100 mph 🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@joelaichner3025]

Ski resort videos from Utah say they can’t keep up with the volume of people coming ,

[@clintbruderer2278]

It’s getting crowded here for sure but we can always find a place to ride

[@fc3sboy1]

Hey rocky I think I still have a black magic clutch kit a bunch of gears an chains and a black magic clutch alignment tools for that sled. If I can find the box I'll send them to you

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

That would be super cool!! Thank you!!

[@fc3sboy1]

@OldSchoolArcticCats ill look for them. I used to have a zt580 with twin aaen pipes I lake raced. 101 in 750 ft . Loved that sled

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

That is really fast! I bet it was so fun to ride..

[@fc3sboy1]

@OldSchoolArcticCats one of my favorite ones. Then my millennium zr600 #433 of 999 sold. The 001 was raffled off to one of the 999 owners that one was my favorite wish I still had it need to find another one

[@jasonspellicy]

Where are ya located? Do you take side jobs on old cats? Im in michigan and my 16 year olds 2002 zr600 carb is dead in our field. no spark. Disabled the throttle saftey and kill switch.

[@jasonspellicy]

nevermind just seen mountains in the background lol

[@DirkDiggler-qp3vm]

Start with coils and wires if original and no spark to both plugs? I can’t Remeber if my 2000 Zr 600 carb had a ICM -ingnition control module or just coils. KZbin may give some other troubleshooting tips

[@JeffreyCongdon-i2t]

Nice ole sled

[@devon5342]

Where I live I can ride anywhere lol in the far far north

[@jeffcarine9108]

Sounds good

[@joelaichner3025]

On my way to Felch Michigan yesterday M69 off M95 , Guy had a F ? Something , looked mint from the rode , 40 yards away ! It was Orange , no price tag on it

[@mikebrudos8159]

That boy ain't right

[@kennethfarquhar8518]

How far east are we talking

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

I don’t think there is a too far east..

[@kennethfarquhar8518]

@ lol I am in Canada . We have a good vintage group though .

[@davidanderson1763]

There is no snow here in NW WISCONSIN. this is gonna be the 2nd yr in a row where i haven't been able to leave my yard.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

This has been a warm winter in Utah so far instead of snow we are getting rain.. I would have thought you guys would have been getting a lot of snow..

[@tsleeman7100]

Correct. I'm in Northern Minnesota and the same. Bummer is that they were predicting a La Nina this winter with average to above average snow. 100% off. :(

[@michaeljrladouceur2881]

I really like your hat

[@michaeljrladouceur2881]

Im a arctic cat man too