The next time a 1996 Arctic Cat ZR580 goes past you at 100mph with the skis dangling in the air, consider that it might be John Anderson’s sweet custom (and a bit more than 580cc).
That’s John doing the intro. When he isn’t working as Senior Technician in ATV Engineering at Arctic Cat, he’s working on all kinds of cool vintage and custom projects. Like the 4-cylinder ZR you see on the video.
With the help of his friend Kevin Hanson, Anderson mated two 530cc liquid twins, a feat which required three engine cases and three cranks. They also fabbed a custom stator and two ignitions to produce a 90-degree firing order (hence it’s wonderfully-sweet sound).
Hand-built pipes and silencers, plus custom 3-port exhaust completes the engine package, all of which Anderson was able to stuff into the ’96 ZR without chopping the hood.
Oh…and the tunnel is from a ZRT.
Anderson says the sled will dangle the skis for more than a quarter-mile, and well past 100 mph.
Nice work, John. (And thanks for the AI.com plug.)