1971 Harley Y398 X 3	1973 Harley Y440	1974 custom painted Harley race sled
Early ’70s Kid’s Cutter	Harley Penguin	Snowmobile cover

MEET BILL MASON:
Mr. Harley Davidson snowmobile

Hi I'm Bill Mason, aka SnowmoBILL—as I am known on the Net. I have the one and only AMF Harley-Snowmobile Page on the Net!

It all started when I was 10 years old. My dad okayed me to get a snowmobile. I had had motorized toys before and was no stranger to them, but I hadn’t had a snowmobile.

I had this Columbia Tri-Sport three-wheeler at the age of 10 and had many an hour of fun with it. Another fellow who liked the look of it offered his snowmobile in trade for it. I was keen on the idea right away. My dad, somewhat unsure of the idea, had asked me if it ran well. I said yes and told him what it was. With an odd look he replied, “Harley! Go on...” Well we both looked at it and decided it was a deal.

I just couldn’t wait—all charged up and ready to ride. When the first two inches of snow were on the lawn I had to take the snowmobile for a spin. I was in love. In all its glory, chrome shining and it was mine—a 1974 Harley Y440cc snowmobile.

As with most things, they are not without their little breakdowns. Dad did not know a thing about snowmobiles, so we went to the local small engine dealer for any advice. It just so happened they worked on snowmobiles too.

With a bit of a bone yard in the back they also had a Harley for parts that kept my sled alive for the next three years. I learned a lot from them and by the age of 14, I was well on my way to learning things on my own.

They are now, in my eyes, heroes to me in my youth. Without their support and free help to a young teen, I would not have had so much fun.

I also vowed to return the kindness someday. I now have done so by building the “AMF Harley Snowmobile Site” to share with everyone all that I know and have collected over the years.

Most was done by letters and phone calls until a year ago when I traded my 77 Rupp Nitro L/C for this computer. This has opened a new world of research to me and I get to find people that I would not have been able to meet. So the first thing I set out to do was to learn how to build a Web site. As always, if I want it, I learn how and I do it the best that I can. That’s not to say I'm perfect at it, I just try really hard. There is always room to learn more about this hobby of vintage snowmobiles.

I started looking for another Harley eight years ago. I am now 37. I found my first in Hamilton, Ontario. Another was a 1974 y440cc Harley. After this I found some other memorabilia. The bug was back in play. I found two more in Seaforth, Ontario. These were a 1973 y440cc and a 1974 y440cc with no motor. I had another brainstorm for a flashy paint job and an idea of racing it in some vintage drags. I had placed an Arctic Cat 500cc twin carb F/C motor in it as well as 137 studs. Well to my surprise I won first place—my first time racing, a great paint job and a win. I had the crowd’s attention. I got a lot of thumbs up from the crowd on the pass back to the tech crew. I was shaking in my boots!

I’m well known now for my USA Flag Racer that I built to say thanks to the USA where Harley was made.

Let’s see, that’s three sleds now. Another brainstorm—then I wanted one from every year and I also wanted to have at least one option on it! Some time later and a lot of trips to find parts, a friend was going to Charigo to get a Scorpion Stinger’et. He had also found two Harleys for me. I took them. Two 1975s, a y440 and a y398cc Harley. I’ve been stockpiling parts for seven years in hopes of finding a 71 AMF Harley. Only 100 or less were made the first year, I knew my chances were slim. Just last spring I found one! Now 85 per cent restored with all new NOS parts, I just need to do the chrome.

I have just about every dealer’s book, as well as brochures, new snow suits, the two-and the one-piece snow suit, new boots, new mitts, new toques, new balaclavas, new winter fur coat, the number one Think Snow bumper sticker, new Harley red/white/blue snowmobile cover, the very rare Harley stuffed penguin mascot and last but not least, the kid’s pull-behind cutter! This is the early ’71-’72 cutter and they changed slightly in ’73 to ’75.

You get the idea, the list goes on an on. I now have seven sleds! I sold one to get the kid’s sled cutter. I’ve almost done it. Now all I have to do is put together a 1972 and a few of the others. Also, I need to find more accessories.

I don’t know why, I just need to save the history of this sled.

I want to personally thank you, SnoRiders West, for your support of the G.B.A.S.C. here in Ontario, Canada. Having you on the Trail leaves a smile on many faces.

Thanks again and happy sledding. Take care,
SnowmoBILL

Visit Bill’s Web site [click here].