With 50-plus years of designing and building engines at Arctic Cat, Engine Design Manager Donn Eide has a history and knowledge of the brand that’s truly staggering.
Check out this photo of him with his 1965 120 D. What does he have to say about it in comparison to his 2015 XF 6000?
“The 120 D had a longer track than the standard 100 D of it’s time. So even back in 1965 we realized the need for a long track version, just like the XF models of today.
The 120 also had reverse (in a gearcase instead of the reversing the engine). The 120 had a foot operated drum brake vs. the hand operated hydraulic disc of today.
The CVT is still around, but it’s been advanced many, many iterations.
The engine went from the 8 HP Kohler to our own Arctic Cat-built 600 twin 2 stroke with DSI. You still pull a rope today to start both.
I recall breaking the dipstick off on the Kohler damaging the camshaft and having to take the engine apart and fix in my dad’s basement. Little did I know back then what would define my career for the next 50-plus years!
Not sure if will do complete restore or leave it as it is. Either way, I sure enjoy both machines for what they are”