A bolt-on conversion kit for 1983 to 1997 Polaris Indys
Polaris made a zillion Indys for 14 years-Gen Is from 1983 to 1987 and Gen IIs from 1988 to 1997 (I could be off a year or two). Now after 14 years they are quite affordable. They were always a great sled although today the handling and suspension are a bit dated. You can buy a low mileage one in very nice condition for $1000 to $1500. There are a huge number of fixer-uppers which can be had for $500 (give or take).
Because old Indys are so cheap you may want to have fun turning one into a unique looking custom sled based on the 1976/77 RXL Sno-Pro racer. This replica racer wouldn’t your regular weekend sled-you would use it on groomed trails and to ride to rallies. Now if you are racing an old Indy, you could drive the race promoter and fans ape shit by entering your Indy in its regular class, with an RXL body kit! (You’d probably want to clear your Indy RXL with the tech guys, because I know the other racers would point to you on the start line and action would come to grinding halt to square things away).
Hood and nose
Let me tell you about the kit parts. First the hood, it would fit normally and hinge with Gen II hardware. Then we have the nose scoop. It will mount in the same holes as the stock nose. The left scoop opening will be wide enough to accommodate a Gen I headlight. I recommend you open up the right scoop opening for cooling because the hood won’t have as many air intake openings as a stock hood. For sure the scoop will come in black because most Indy belly pans are black and I want the two to blend.
I will offer an RXL styled graphics kit to adapt to a black or midnight blue hood. I know the RXLs were blue/white/red but most of the Indy belly pans are black and my colors would keep owner painting costs to a minimum. I haven’t figured out what color to make the hood-probably white because black is such a nasty color because it show scratches so easily. A number of you have asked for mid night blue hoods. If this hood/nose kit beomes popular I could be talked into mixing up a special batch of blue gelcoat. Let's see how it goes.
Seat
I would supply an RXL styled seat. It would be built around a Polaris 7 ½ gallon tank which is the largest tank which won’t destroy the RXL look. The seat would be sold with and without that tank. The taillight opening will accept your stock Indy taillight.
Other owner mods
To achieve small race style skis, I’m going to suggest cutting the low profile Indy ski in half, take out a chunk out and re-weld. I may offer inexpensive motorcycle drag bars for the right race look.
What’s this kit going to cost?
Right now I’m guessing and I know my pricing will be “off.” Hood and nose-$395. Graphics-$225. Seat -$355. Each part would be sold separately.
If you want to have me send you direct updates, just email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Put “RXL” in your subject line-that will let me know to add you to the up-to-date list. A number of you have already done so. I do thank Dave Scanavino (Kawidave") for posting a thread on VintageSleds.com.
RXL Indy kit-Progress 1/3/12
It now begins. What you see is my custom Velocity hood which I made for early Indys in 1992. You can see what that hood looks like at http://phillittleracing.com/snowmobile/phils-toys. The Velocity hood will be the basis of the RXL-its over all shape is right. I am not going to mold in air scoops. I polled all the folks on my 'list' and they said "no scoops". Most will use LC sleds. I will have a jig to cut in air scoops for us F/C owners.
One of the biggest challenges will be to minimize the hood hinges. I have to use the Gen I style hinges which mount to the backside of the forward bulkhead. The Gen II hinges mount outside of the bulkhead and will get in the way of nose mounting.
With my advisors, the Sayen family of ardent Polaris fans, it has been determined that the smaller Polaris gauges (3" ?) will fit on the dash. The next photos you will see will be the cutting part where the headlight pod will disappear.
RXL hood progress 1/9/12
Okay, you can see that surgery has begun. I immediately determined that I need a reference point for the hood in relationship to the pan and future nose. That naturally means the hood has to be mounted to the hinge hardware. I also determined I needed the early Gen I hinge. Okay, just get a pair from my dealer. I walked in and he had only had one. The price was $32.50 FOR ONE HINGE! He could not get more because the factory has discontinued this part.
Alright this means you have a lot of time to scrounge up the right hinges-see photo. I will offer remanufactured hinges and make them better by welding the hinge pin clasps, sand blasting, re-calibrating tolerances and painting them. I know my price will be about $32.00 a pair. So get busy and find some now to save money.
Note: work will stop for a period on the RXL. It won't be ready until spring so it's going to be a 2012/13 release. I'm going to jump over to my 650 Yamaha Storm motorcycle kit and finish it for a Spring into. Then I'll get back to the RXL.
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