BOMBARDIER ski-doo Elite 1973 User manual

"Tradsmark Bornb!irdier Limited
4804054 LiU-)'d ir; Canada

'The are trade marks of Bomb-
ardier Lll III lOU
Atl
STARTI PROCEDURE
LUBRICATION ..m
11,12,13
MAINTENANCE... 14-, 15, 16, 11,18,19
Off SEASON CARE 19
PRE·SEASON PREPARATION 19
TROUBLE SHOOTING m
......
WARRANTY m mm 22,23
SPECIFICATIONS m
..
IN CASE ENCY 9
YOU SHOULD KNIOW
BEFORE fIRST RIDE m ••••••• 2
SERVICE AR ..
m.m 3
DO'S
4-
DONT'S " " 5
CONTROLSII 6,7
L "" "." ...,.. 8
the tol-
Sk.mdic
Carry·Boose
Bombardier
01/2 7 Fi28172 .o: 249
F/31317 and '316 -D32.479 - D32.53f; -
UJ,:,iJCJ'" t')'6J:;7 D'\2661 to, '669 ~
-33'",933"'- 34,006 ~nd '007
States Design Pater.ts
Des, 2;: 1.332 to '334 -
Des, 221.637 and '638
Des 247
No. 6038-
104,756
51,444
SKi-DOG Va!mo!1t
SKi-Boose T'NT
Nordic f~an
Alpine Blizz.m:l
PATENTS and DESIGNS

In 1957 and 1958, tests began Oil
what is considered the forerunner of the
Ski-Doo"_ We experimented with rnanv
different frames and enqines-i-in search
of a lioht machine tor one or t\NG oas-
senge;s Bythe fali of '58, the first pro-
totype was ready. lnitial tests made It
obvious the machine could hoid its own
in the recreation market Production be-
gan one year
later and 225 machines
wete sold at about $;'I ,000 each.
Like it'S predecessors the
'73 Ski-Doo
snowmobile is a combination of iight-
ness, economy, strength and depend-
ability And yet, With ali this. it has one
other additional feature. , . personality
Each model In each ser.es has a com-
plexity of characteristics that distin-
guishes itself as part of a bold breed
. " " the SkH)oo sncwmcbiles.
At Bombardier, we fully realize that the
purchase of a
snowmobile is a very im-
portant decision. For this reason, we
have ensured that each Ski-Doo snow-
mobile is backed up by an international
Ski-Doo Distributor and Dealer Network
whose factory trained personnel are
equipped to give you prompt and ef-
ticient service wherever you are :n Snow
Country.
Furthermore, each dealer is prepared to
serve you with information, parts and
accessories. Feel free to
contact him.
At this
time we would like to thank you
for your
patronage and welcome you to
Winter. Enjoy vourself but remember:
Safety depends on you, the driver, the
condition of your vehicle and nature of
the terr 3m.
Ail of the information. illustrations and
component /system descriptions con-
tained in this manual am correct at the
time of publication However, Bomb-
ardier
L.iiTilted reserves the right to
make changes in desiqn and specifica-
tions. and / or to make additions to or
improvements in its products without
impOSing any obhqations upon Itself to
instal! them on Its products previously
manufactured.
This manual has been published by the
Technical
Information Centre, Bomb-
ardier Limited. 8600 Decarie Blvd.
Montreat 307, Quebec, Canada.

Observe the 10110\1;;111'9 precautlene:
@ Throttle mechanism should be
checked for free
movement before
parts of your snowmobile
GYour snowmobile is not designed to
be on streets, road or
highways. Moreover, in most States and
Provinces, It is considered an
operation
@Hidden telephone guy wires or road-
side ditches can cause serious
accidents.
@Your snowmobile is riot to
be driven or on black top, bare
earth, or
other abrasive surfaces Abnor-
rna! and excessive wear of critical parts
IS inevitable.
@ wear an snow-
mobile safety helmet. informed on
local laws legislating the sport
@ Maintain your vehicle in top mechani-
cal condition at al! times
Please read and understand aU other
contained elsewhere irl
this manIAs!.
seat belt is
the vehicle.
Make sure the
fastened
while
can to be dangerous.
erun the engine at R.P.M.
when the tracks of the vehicle are raised
off the ground.
@It can be rbnf1,orr,'!e to run engine with
the engine cover open.
@The EJ ite is to carry two per-
SOilS the operator and one passenger.
$Gasoline is flammable and
under certain conditions. Alwavs pertorrn
in a well ventilated area. Do
not smoke or allow open flames or sparks
in the I,: fumes are no-
ticed while the cause should be
determined and corrected
without
@Under no circumstances should you
wear loose Of scarves that
could become with
e Never
installed
To many of us, Wlntef is arevealing ex-
Weather, condi-
tions,
snow surfaces, individual
habits and vehicle usage have consider-
able affects. We ask
that you familiarize
yourself
with them. . read the owner's
manual; !t has been prepared to ac-
quaint you with the operation of your ve-
hicie. its safety aspects and systems as
well as preventative maintenance
that m~st be, pertodically
all airneo
towaro a more en-
VI/inter season.

CANADIAN DISTRUUJTORS
Lower Michigan
lnoiana
Ohio
Tennessee
North Dakota
South Dakota
Minnesota
\/'llscons in
Iowa
II!mols
Missouri
Upper Michigan
HEATH INTERNATIONALINC,
33737 - 32 Mile Road,
Richmond, Mich. 48062
HALVORSON INCORPORATED
325 South Lake Avenue,
Duluth 2, iv1inn. 55802
California New MeXICO
Nevada Arizona
Montana Kansas
Idaho Nebraska
Wyoming Washington
Utah Oregon
Colorado
Co"erage Are!!
Massachusetts
Connecticut
Rhode Island
Name of Distributors
BOMBARDIER EASTINC:
Railroad St. Lee,
Massachusetts 01238
BOMBARDIER WEST INC,
609 West Broadway,
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401
Prince Edward Is!and
Magdalen Island
Nova Scotia
New Brunswick
Coverag<llArea
Briflsh Columbia
Ontario
NlJlme of Oistril:mtol1ll
ALPINEDISTRIBUTORS
3206 - 28th Ave, Vernon, B.C
ATLANTICSKi-DOO LTD
PO Box 670, Shediac. N.B,
BOMBARDIER ONTARIO LTD.
28 Currie St. Barrie Ont
BOMBARDIER QUE LTD. Quebec
350 Nobe! St. Bouchervihe. Que,
BROOKSEQUiPMENT LTD
Box 985, Winnipeg 21, Man
HUDSON'S BAYCO
2 Richmond \IV.
Torcnto.Ont
JIN RANDALL LTD
PO Box 757, Comer Brook,
Newfoundland
TRACTEQUIPMENT LTD
14325· 114th ANa.,
Edmonton, Alta
Manitoba
Saskatchewan
North-West
Territories
Newfound1and
Yukon
Atberta
CR,II.1G
P.Q Box
Alaska
EQUiPMENT CO Alaska
,Anchorage.
New York
New
Maryland
Delaware
Drstrict of Columbia
Virginia
TIMBERLAND MACHINES INC
10 Main St. North. Lancaster.
New Hampshire 03584
Maine
New Hampshire
Vermont
3

@ V\fhen your Ski-Doo snow-
mobile. secure so1 at both ends!
protect it with a cover then check
that trailer hitch and chain are
secure and
that brake, flashers,
and are all in order,
on sudden stops.
@Use a hitch or tow-bar when
anv sled or trailer behind your Ski-
snowmobile. R hitches prevent
downhill or
@When with others, limit your actions
to the of the main bodv
Show the driver
how to
Or!)OI8rlV handle a snowmobile.
eIf you are to
areas, leave word of your approximate
whereabouts and estimated
turn with someone
make a ful! stop then look
careruuv in both directions before cross-
\Nhen in or in 8
group, have one member direct the oth-
ers across
e travel with at least one other
snowmobile, in unfamiliar ter-
ram or on rides. Even In snow-
rnobumq. abeats one of a kind
eyour Ski-Doo snowmobile at
your nearest licensing Bureau, where
State or Provincia! Laws require it, and
affix Plate to the vehicle
your certificate with
It proof of ownership in
even! that the vehicle becomes lost
or stolen
@Obtain your State or Provincial book-
let on It
information on the
mobile trails and the
snowmobile
landowners allow snow-
their property You can
as much fun, even more so,
tr;;,\IAllnn elsewhere.
"Trademark Bombardier Limited
4

5
@ "If you drinl« don't snowmobil€l! if
you snowmobil€l, don't drink!" Re-
member alcohol and don't mix.
e Don't lend vour snowmobile to
inexoerienced or' drivers. In
man'y cases it is the owner and
not the rider
that is for
rrusnaos. Check State or Provincia! min-
imum age limits for drivers.
1$ Don't leave your
switch It presents
thieves and a to children.
@ Don't drive your snowmobile ill the vi-
of skiers and off ski trails.
,<'..1-
respect the of those who
winter in vvay
@ Don't cross ariver or lake without first
oosit.ve that the thickness of the
sufficient to both you and
vehicle
Your may depend 01'1
if at all doubt. take an alternate
route.
@Unless you are certain of a
never travel further than 1/
2of the
tank. Even
Remem-
ber
that a does not neces-
travel the same distance each
time on the same amount of fuel. A lot
depends on snow conditions of
the tr ai and adjustment of the
carburetor.
States and
® Don't cut across in front of the line of
travel of another snowmobile. Don't tail-
gate; collision, or the threat of it, is
serious with any vehicle.
@ Don't fisk or to your
machine with needless a foolish
Don't " your snow-
mobile This
should be
"stunt" men
@Never cut U l1\JU\:;j1 Ifences or atternpt
to run over them
® Never ride on tracks The
sound of your vehicle drown
out noise of aooroacbino trains. Your
vehicle
track
Provinces snowrnobil on rat
tracks constitutes an infraction of the
law

Rotation the handlebar causes a push-
!action Oil the linkage and
the skis to turn in the recuired
direction. incorporated in the
handlebar are the dimmerswitch. kill but-
ton, brake and throttle levers.
Throttla lever
Located on right side of handlebar. When
depressed, the lever controls the
and the the
transmission. When lever is the en-
speed returns to idle
and the transmission.
Brake lever
Located on left side of handlebar. When
lever is depressed, the brake is ied.
When released,
it automatically
the brake mechanism. effect is
to
the appl led pressure on
switch knob
to
Heacliami[J Dimmer Switch
The dimmer switch allows you to alternate
between or low headlamp beams. To
obtain Hi or Low beams, simply deoress
switch. A Hi beam indicator Iis
mounted in the tachometer dia]. H
beam should not be used when ap-
comino vehicles.
Note: The beams
have been to rieiiverv
Should you
ho"di"rnn chrome and turn
screws to obtain

Tachometer
Direct-reading dial indicates (in
the number of revolutions per minute
(R.P.M. L of the engine.
fuel Gauge diai indicates the
amount
of fuel in the tank.
Speedometer
Direct-reading diai indicates the
the vehicle in miles per hour (M.P
6odometer records the number of
miles travelled.
pops up auto-
(H)
in to activate,
maticallv when lit.
Gear Shift Lever
Three position lever, (FORWARD/PARK!
REVERSE). Push up for forward, center
for and dowrrfoff8verse.
Do not gear shih le-
ver snowmobile is in motion. When
towing the the drive beit must be
remcved from arid ttle gear !!I1ift
lever into forward gear.
Kil! Button
A button switch located on
side of handlebar. For emergency stops,
button down into lower position.
eng!ne always depress
button into released upper
The driver of this vehicle should familia-
rize himself with the function of this de-
vice using it several times on
first out-
thereby being mentally for
emergency situations requiring its use.
After such a situation, the source of met-
function should be determined and cor-
rected before rp<t;:,r-c; rlt'
ChOKe (G)
Pull button to
The choke
easier cold
is warmed up,however, it is not necessary
to use choke when
'''~Ir''na~
7

Nwer l;<l$ tank oef©re
vehicle in a warm area, At certain
ter!rl!)lJif"t,UlJ,S, will and
container into the snowmobile tank,
tainer,
6. afunnel 'with a
fine mesh screen
to prevent the
*Trademark Bombardier UmJted
be determil:'led lind corrected withoot cle-
Nwa!" add fuel while is I'lJIl1lnil'lg.
1. Pour the full amount of Ski-Doo oil
for the total
mixture into the
container.
2. Add approxirnatelv half the amount of
oasoline to be mixed.
Shake the container
th,nrflll(lhll/
4. Add the remainder
6. Once
use a
direct-
Gasoline is flammable and ex-
u{lder cert-ain cOl'ltlitiol1s.
a weI! ilerlltiillrted
or allow open flames
vh::!l1iw. if fuma<>
eeuse snooid
To facilitate fuel oil should
at room temperature.
oil is used. observe instructions
on the container. Never use outboard or
straiqht mineral oils.
Which Gasoline to Use
The correct is R~,@u[~?
(not less than 88 octane), available
all service stations.
Cootio!"!: Never experiment with other than
recommended or fuel ratios. Never
use no lead methanol or
similar products.
Which Oil to Use
Use concentrated Ski-Doo" oil available
from your Ski-Doo dealer, This type of oil
has formulated oil
bases to meet
the
of the Born-
bardier-Rotax
Caution: The carburetors of the 1973 Ski-
000 snowmobile have been calibrated for
a mixture of ine and concentrated
Ski-Doo oil.
do not use

important:
drive belt. Check condition
frequently and look for
or detective
fi1'ler!~el"lCY Materia!
In to those tools wbich the
manufacturer provides, you should also
carry the Iollowlnc:
Note: A tool box is located to the
of the passenger side floor.
Emergencv situationsare hazards
with any vehicle, A rock
or stump on
the trail or an empty fuel tank
while miles from can cause
of inconvenience. Unlike
an automobile, which has a distinct advan-
in that service stations are usually
wal
snowmobiles are
spElCil:icl'lliyde:siQlled to travel off tile hi~ll-
the the
driver often has only own
and that of his 1:0 return
home 9 out of 0 dif-
ficulties encountered on the trail can be
fixed on
the spot. However, you must car-
ry at least a minimum assortment ot tools
and spare parts
to enable you to effect
minor
VVith Ski-Doo snowmobile
break-in period is required
the vehicle at full
throttle Manu-
facturer's recommendation for the
Bornbardier-Botax engine is 10 to 15
operating hours. During this period,
maximum throttle should not exceed %.
However. brief ful! accelerations and
variations contribute to a good
Continued wide
throttle
accelerations, crursinq
and our-
i i"!SpectiOfl
After the break-In we suggest
that each Ski-Doe snowmobile has an
inspection check This is 81
the discretion and expense of the ve-
hicle owner .
9

OFF
not start, check for possible
cause.
\j'\l<lminlj: Release throttle lever immediate-
starts.
if cold is clifficu:!t to start, conti-
nued will only lead to a 'flooded'
condition. ne has not started after
the first few trvs but ready to
start. return choke to De-
press throttle lever
the engine.
1'1 after
if ne \fill
Amanual starter is standard
on al Ski-Doo snowmobile If for
some reason the vehicle cannot be started
in O:\j position,
man-
5. Release throttle and key imlmed,iateh;
after has started. choke.
6~ Allow the to warm up before
operating at fu! throttle.
Caution: Never operate the Ski-Doo snow-
mobile \A/lth the battery removed or dis-
connected.
cool for 2minutes before r""c=,t;,,,. pro-
cedure,
the make
the reIeased upper
Ensure the !lear shift lever is in
PARK position before Nev-
er sun the at when the
"hifi: lever is in PARK or when the tracks
of the vehicle lire raised off the gn!lt&lltl.
1 insert key in switch.
2~ choke. (Choke not necessary
if is warmed up).
3. throttle operation then apply
throttle lever sl v,
4. Turn kev' clockwise until star-
ter engages"
Cauticn; 00 not engage starter
than 30 seconds. If does not start
on first trv. key" must be turned "fully
back to C',FF each time. Aliow starter to

Drive Belt Removal
cover and remove
2. Disconnect the
Sind the brake cable
earn,
3. Remove the two bolts (el the
lower disc brake bracket to the
then the brake bracket assembly
half aturn.
4. the driven
Twist and
open oosition.
5. Pull the bottom of belt in toward the
front of the driven puHey then
ened belt over the top of the
half..
on
from bracket.
should be
running oi1ly
is secured in
when
is recommenued that the ~T",pr;; nn rne-
chanism, the and the driven
lev be lubricated monthlv or after
everv 40 hours of operation. Hovvever
,if
the vehicle is wet snow, the
suspension and svstern should be
lubricated more fr"'nl·,"n~f!\1
tween
the belt out from the drive pui
Irpntr·;f, .,,,,,1 governor) and remove COTn-
from vehicle be-
lev,

To instalI drive belt, reverse nrr,Cf1'i1Ufe
Never run the without
drive belt installed. Running an unloaded
engine can prove to be dangElrous.
Tip
Aspare drive belt can be positioned and
secured around the gear box for fast ins-
tallation in the fieid. rv1ake sure the spare
belt doesn't rub moving parts.
components (steerino arms,
jf necessary. Re-
Gear Box
The gear box oil level should be checked
weekly. A
dipstick is with your
tool To check oil level, iift of
seat ieatherette and remove the bolt
the tube. tube is in
front the gear shift lever). Insert di
Slick
into tube then withdraw. Oii
reach the F'c.JLl mark on the dipstick.
not, remove fiHer cap (red
of gear box and ,-",r,:",n;cn
Ski-Dec" chaincase oil, RRin~"t.'lii bolt.
*Trf\dF;:,nark Bombardier Limited

Grease the suspension bogie wheels with
IOVV-H3rr10. grease.Purnp the grease
at
the center of each wheel u nti I
new grease appears at the of inner
side of shaft. Also grease rear axles at
grease using a 10\1\1 pressure g(0)3S8
gun.
Drive Pulley
The drive ley needs to be lubricated
bi-monthly or every 20 hrs. of operation.
To lubricate the open
the engine
cover and remove the guard. Using
a greasegun
filled low-temp. grease,
pump once or twice through the grease
of
the pu
Caution: Too much lubricant in the drive
vviH affect the drive belt. If neces-
sarv. lubricate the drive more tre-
Do not with
lubricant.
Driven Pultev
With engine cover open, greasethe driven
pulley shaft as follows.
1. Remove ou: guard and slip drive
belt from driven pul
2. Thoroughly dean the driven
shaft.
3. Apply alight coat of low-temp. grease
on the shaft. Always lubricate lightlY and
wipe off ~Uf fJ!U~.
Note: Activate the slidinq halt several
times to
distribute lubricant over ful!
of shaft, Be careful
that lubricant
does not get on inner halves of
13

~Jormaf
a wire feet-
Cautil:lI'!:
a heat
mage if
conditions afe greater
intended range.
3. Check
Sf gauge.
4. Hernstali
cover. Disconnect
wires and remove
condition of
G l-\ brownish reflects ideal conditions
carburetor
heat range,
19
17
16
17
19
19
17
Nuts
Engine Mount Nuts
Vehicle General
Drive Belt Condition
Drive Chain Tension
Carburetor
Track Tension and
M7
we
fvi2
W7
M6
M1
M3
14

15
lock nuts.
and recheck
To correct:
1. Turn inner side MO';' 'O.~¥ bolt counter-
clockwise to closer to center
ink turn to withdraw
track from I ink
2. link
3. Rotate tracks
Before track
ment, EiI'l:liIUill tniflt the are free all
!!:l~lrticiM which coold be tI1rown cut 00-
rotation. Keep feet and c!©'I:I:l ..
clear of trac~s.
Track Tension and AI!ignm€lI'lt
Lift the rear 0"1 vehicle and ~".~n,w" it off
the a track
from the
middle
The tension of each track should be
2
1/4" ±between top inside of
track and bottom of side member.
To
i. Loosen link
located on inner side
2. Tum outer side adjuster
wise
to
wise to slacken.
3. Start and allow tracks to rotate
sl!:.Iw!y. Check if tracks are well centered
and turn on the rear The
distance and link
should be
caps then check electro-
level at each ceil.
must touch bottom of filier hole,
sarv, add water.
dealer.
Note: Without these inserts continual
abrasion would wear and cut the track
aor
Tracks
Lift rear of vehicle and support it off the
UltJUi'U. Place gear shift lever in forward
position. With rotate tracks
and
condition. It bad cuts or
track inserts are noted, see your

as needle
Caution: Never operate vehicle with air
Intake tube removed as serious
camace may occur.
Note: Do not close too
needle seat can be damaged.
For final adjustment, start engine and al-
low it to warm Turn Idle Mixture Screw
until maximum R.P.M.and
obtain aidle and afast response of
the to throttle.
idie Speed AdjustmiO\nt
Turn the Idle
wise to increase
clockwise
to decrease.
hold carburetor lever in
cable down-
Hetiehten screw.
Turning screw clockwise a leaner
mixture, air/less fuel), counter-
clockwise, 3richer mixture (less air/more
fuel ).
Before starting carbure-
tor throttle lever must return to idle
tiol"i contacting with the of Idle
Speed Screw. Never start en-
unless this situation islIerified.
Idie Mixture Adjustml~!'!t
Aadjustment (with off),
should be made by first turning idle Mix-
ture Screw clockwise until closed,
Back of]' screw of a turn counter-
clockwise,
bar.
for maximum loosen
where cable carbure-
Hold
throttle lever to handle-
tor lever,
Carburetor Adjustment
The carburetor for the Ski-
Doo snowmobile are: Maximum
Throttle
Opening, Idle Speed Mixture and Idle
Speed.
Note: A exists between each
correct one
without
Maximum Throttle Openiii1g
With engine unscrew Idle
Adjusting Screw
until a gap exists be-
tween screw end and carburetor shah la-
ver. Depress the throttle lever at handle-
bar and hold. shouId be hori-
zontal when the lever touches the
handlebar
To
16

{W11lJrive Beit Ccnditicm
Check condition of drive belt.
for cracks, fraying or abnormal wear.
(Uneven wear, wear on one side, etc.),
if abnormal wear is noted, cause
is misalignment of drive and driven
lays. Contact
your dealer. If belt is less
than 7/8" wide it should be replaced.
iM 11 Battery Connections
Check that battery connections are
and free of corrosion.
if not, remove cor-
rosion a stiff brush then dean with
asolution of soda and water. Rin-
se and wei!. reconnectinq. coat
terminals and connectors
with
to retard corrosion. Check
that battery is wei secured.
Caution: Do not allow clsanino solution
to enter It will destroy the chem-
ical properties of the electrolyte.
IM2l Carl:nmstor Nuts
After the first 2 hours of ooeration check
tightness of carburetor nuts. Open
tab locks, nuts and close tab locks.
Caution: The tab locks should be changed
after being three times.
iM3lIJrille Chain Tension
Note: Chain tension shouldalso bechecked
after the first 5 hours of operation
To check.
1. Run vehicle forward so that true free-
play can be obtained.
2. Unfasten passenger seat belt unscrew
gear shift lever knob. Remove seats and
access Pull off insnection and
check The free-olav should
be
1/4 inch.
If necessary to
1. Remove capscrew chain ten-
sioner in Chain tensioner is located
on driven side.
2. Rotate to obtain correct
3. I tensioner capscrew, f../PS\r'OI_
tion access and seat. Install
knob.

necessarv,
d"p""r< column
!f out of illiiJf1I-nent:
. Remove and loosen the
tie rod lock nuts.
2. Tum one or both tie rods until skis are
the
lock nuts
the tle rods. Re-instal! foot
Skis should be to each other and
to vehicle when the handlebar is horizon-
tal. To measure distance between
skis at. front and back.
sure that the handlebar forms
of 120 with the
steerinc arrn To obtain, unlock upper
rod and turn it until the arm
Note: Atwavs check the
if it 'functions after nn,·frv'-"'r,."
Ifnecessary, loosen stop !
switch lock nuts and to proper
Check ruse condition.
section of the cam of
brake lever. Lock cable in
the cal
friction is felt.
and install hair
5. Connect brake Heinstal!
and
seats. Check brake
Check operation
of brake mechanism
deoressinqbrake lever. Brake should
lever is stili 1 inch minimum
from handlebar
(M4) Brake
The brake mechanism
bile is an essential
mechanism in proper
w(\rkinn condition
,1\bO\l6 all. do not ocerate your snowmo-
bile without an brake system.
jf is necessary:
seats and access
brake cable h"" '·0; nil
aporoxirnatelv half way on housino
);~I"V",""t stop switch
out the
nut.
Slacken off the cable bolt and
manoeuver the lower brake lever and brake
cable until the are seated di-
18