Zephyr, Cadet, Capri, MS-18
Production: 12,025 units
(7,095 to Canada, 4,930 to USA)
Engines: -246 ccm Hirth 82R (10 H.P.) (Cadet)
-300ccm Hirth 190R (16 H.P.)
-297ccm JLO L297 (17 H.P.)
-372ccm Hirth 160R (20 H.P.)
-372ccm JLO L372
-Made a few Capris and Zephyrs with a 600ccm 170R (30 H.P.) Hirth twin
- Headlight and louvers are same as '67 but cowling is more
rounded in the front and would fit on the '69 and '70 bodies except gas fill is
in a different position.
- Bogie anchors moved up one inch into the body (Loss of traction in deep snow results) and a 1 year only bogie design is used
- Total wrap-around front bumper first used and passenger grab handles are beefed up
- Track cleats now rubberized which are less likely to break (Cadet uses steel still)
- Muffler mounts to handlebar brace, dumps behind the right ski leg, and has flex pipe connecting to the engine. This was a big improvement over the solid mount muffler of 63-67 which had a habit of stress cracking and dumped exhaust from the top of the tunnel onto the track.
- Skis taper more gradually at the end and have a slimmer appearance (used 68-69). The skis are actually orange with black tips unlike the pre-production sketch above (although 600 Capris + Zephyrs may have come factory with chrome plated skis).
- Chain case now plastic sealed unit on all but Cadet (right idea but cheezy setup, 30+ years later most have deformed or broken to the point where the covers wont seal anymore) Wasn't until 1972 that this setup was improved.
- Backrest cushion and tail lense say "Moto-Ski" and first year for plastic tool compartment / backrest (MS-18 still has steel through 1969)
- Seat is now blue and white with cowling side stripes accenting the seat
- Cam driven clutch replaces peg clutch on high end models only (372+600 Hirth and 372 JLO sleds)
- Financier Bouchard dies and Moto-Ski is sold to Giffen Industries out of Florida
- Bogie anchors moved up one inch into the body (Loss of traction in deep snow results) and a 1 year only bogie design is used
- Total wrap-around front bumper first used and passenger grab handles are beefed up
- Track cleats now rubberized which are less likely to break (Cadet uses steel still)
- Muffler mounts to handlebar brace, dumps behind the right ski leg, and has flex pipe connecting to the engine. This was a big improvement over the solid mount muffler of 63-67 which had a habit of stress cracking and dumped exhaust from the top of the tunnel onto the track.
- Skis taper more gradually at the end and have a slimmer appearance (used 68-69). The skis are actually orange with black tips unlike the pre-production sketch above (although 600 Capris + Zephyrs may have come factory with chrome plated skis).
- Chain case now plastic sealed unit on all but Cadet (right idea but cheezy setup, 30+ years later most have deformed or broken to the point where the covers wont seal anymore) Wasn't until 1972 that this setup was improved.
- Backrest cushion and tail lense say "Moto-Ski" and first year for plastic tool compartment / backrest (MS-18 still has steel through 1969)
- Seat is now blue and white with cowling side stripes accenting the seat
- Cam driven clutch replaces peg clutch on high end models only (372+600 Hirth and 372 JLO sleds)
- Financier Bouchard dies and Moto-Ski is sold to Giffen Industries out of Florida