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In 1978, Maynard found a new surplus 338cc Hirth with 28hp stock that worked fine through 2003, when a one-lunger racer thought he needed the engine more than Maynard did. After much begging, Maynard sold it to him.
Maynard then found a used 300cc Hirth to put back into the Moto-Ski, and that’s what is in it now. With all the motor changes, the muffler was moved down through the front of the tunnel. After quite a lot of abuse, an untimely bump caused the muffler to jump out of its hole and started a fire under the hood with all the oily grease on top of the tunnel, which almost doomed the machine. Maynard had to fabricate a new exhaust system from 1967 and ’68 parts.
Through the years, restorations and upgrades have been made to the Capri. The steel cleated track was upgraded to rubber cleats. Funky cotter key steering joints were modernized with heim joints. A cool-looking 1968 crossed ski taillight lens replaced the original plain-Jane lens.
Fifty years later, Maynard is still having too much fun with this sled to retire it just yet.
Minnesotan Les Pinz is a vintage sled expert with an extensive collection of historic and other antique sleds, and is a former snowmobile racer. He is a member of the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame and one of AmSnow’s
regular test riders.