1959 Michigan 75 A

[kshansen]

How about:

http://septicpages.com/septic-service/connecticut/stafford/673/a-comarella-sons

I that's who owned it good thing you steam cleaned it before you brought it home!

 

[GreenMtnMan]

That's probably them. I went out and looked with a bright light and could just barely make out the A on the end. When I got it I took one of the bucket cylinders off to get it sealed. I had to dig out some bad smelling stuff that was packed in there. I thought it was old hydraulic fluid. Thanks for helping me out.

 

[kent_323is]

Nice looking payloader, I have one very similar to that. How'd you figure out what year it is?
On mine the cab doors rotate up and back.

 

[GreenMtnMan]

I was told it was a '59 when I bought it. I'm not sure if that can be confirmed by the serial number. I believe they left the factory 'topless' and you had choices of aftermarket cabs. On mine the sides are open and in the winter there are things like Jeep doors that are held in place by Velcro strips. I'd like to get an enclosed cab for mine.

 

[GreenMtnMan]

Winter Fun. I've able been to use the old girl to stack some snow. I live at the top of a dead end hill. So far she has performed very well.

 

[GreenMtnMan]

I've put this up for sale on the Vermont Craigslist in the heavy equipment section. I will attempt to attach a link to the ad.
http://burlington.craigslist.org/hvo/4610713725.html

 

[Diggerdozer]

what does a 75 a weigh?

 

[GreenMtnMan]

According to my service manual 12,500 pounds. I sold the machine last winter.

 

[JGibson]

Why did you sell it?

 

[GreenMtnMan]

I had no use for it!

 

[kshansen]

I could have used that in your neighborhood Monday. I'd have probably dug a hole and tossed my Sportster in and covered it up! Just a few miles north of you in Bradford I holed a piston on the rear cylinder!

 

[old-iron-habit]

I know what you are talking about Ken. I holed a few pistons in my then quite new 1971 sportster. One of the most fun, nicest handling bikes I ever rode, and I rode hard. Good thing the dealers stocked pistons up to 80 thousands over for them in them days. My buddy pulled me with his 750 Honda for 12 miles once with three bungee cords hooked end to end. At times he was 15 ft away and I had one arm up trying to protect my face from the break I expected and at others I was almost running over him. What a yo yo that was. Lucky no one had a camera or I never would have lived it down. I thought adding oil coolers pretty much ended the piston holing issue? Good luck on the repair job. You probably have it down to about 45 minutes if the cylinder is OK.

 

[kshansen]

Good luck on the repair job. You probably have it down to about 45 minutes if the cylinder is OK.

As this is the second time I have had a failure in Vermont in the last two years, last year it was a broken valve guide on rear cylinder, I'm going to have a local independent shop take it on this time. Have a "spare" Sportster so no rush and sometimes I think getting a second opinion is a good idea.

Greenmtnman, sorry for hi-jacking you thread!