February 1, 2010
According to the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame, no other snowmobile club has achieved the level of excellence the SnoBarons of Blaine, MN have when it comes to producing a nationally recognized major snowmobile event. Their Haydays event in September kicks off the snowmobile season, not only in Minnesota but also nationally as hundreds of vendors and tens of thousands of snowmobilers pack the show grounds. Proceeds from the event have been parceled out to scores of clubs for snowmobile projects benefiting the sport.In recognition of their achievements, the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame (ISHOF), located in Eagle River, WI, is proud to name the SnoBarons as the first annual recipient of their Snowmobile Club of the Year Award.
The announcement was made official by ISHOF president, Scott Eilertson, at the SnoBarons Christmas party last month.
“ISHOF is very excited to create this new annual award and to name the SnoBarons as the first recipient. They are truly an inspiration to all clubs and the grand sport of snowmobiling,” stated Eilertson.
The official presentation will be made this fall at the Induction Ceremony held in Eagle River as they induct the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame class of 2010, the International Groomer of the Year award, sponsored by Arctic Cat and the new Snowmobile Club of the Year award.
February 1, 2010
Some subscribers of SnowTech Magazine in Norway and Sweden errantly received duplicate copies of the Jan/Feb 2010 issue with a “Last Issue” red sticker on the cover. Check the address label by your name, your expiration date can be found there. Most likely your subscription is still current – sorry for the confusion. – SnowTech
January 20, 2010
January 30 & 31, Waconia Minnesota’s historic Lakeside Ballroom will host what is known as “Waconia 2010 Ride-In” this event is hosted by Midwest Vintage Snowmobile Shows, Inc.
Last year almost 6000 people attented with over 1000 old snowmobiles participating. The event will offer a snowmobile show, swap meet, drag racing, grudge drag racing, oval and lemans racing, loud snowmobile contest, trail ride, silent auction and banquet. This year the Waconia event will be featuring John Deere snowmobiles and also offer special cross country snowmobile show classes.
Participants are coming from coast to coast. More info can be obtained at 651-649-4688 or visiting www.mwvss.com
January 8, 2010
The January/February issue of SnowTech Magazine went in the mail the week between Christmas and New Years. Should be close to all destinations in the US and Canada. This issue was 100 pages. Along with traditional content like Service and Tuning Notes, Tech Shorts, Feedback, and Dear Ralph this issue featured an in depth look at Rotax E-TEC Direct Fuel Injection – For more than a decade two-stroke engine users and enthusiasts have looked forward to the day when direct fuel injection would sweep away the emissions problems and excess fuel consumption of their favorite powerplant – the technology is finally here and here to stay. Find out exactly how it works in this 4 page in-depth article. This issue also contains an article on Structural Bonding – the Future of Snowmobile Chassis Construction. Find out how Polaris actually “Glues” the new RUSH chassis together. New model reviews on the 2010 Sno Pro 500 and the 2010 FX Nytro MTX SE are inside as well. Read about how Gates Corporation is bringing new drive belt technology to the table in 2010. Turn back the clock and check out our vintage special piece by Hal Armstrong on the Polaris Indy. We also answer all your questions about Ethanol fuel and snowmobile use. In Pure Speculation our editors give you their best guess as to what’s coming down the pipe for snowmobiling in 2011 and beyond. Don’t miss this and much more in the best issue of the year. Subscribe now and enter “Jan/Feb” in the comments field on your subscription form and we’ll mail you out a copy right away.
January 7, 2010
Dear Ralph:
When installing studs in the track, does it really make a difference which way the “V” pattern is placed? I know tracks have a particular way to be installed, but with studs we are just trying to get as many scratch lines as we can, right?
Tommy H.
Ohio
I always used to think it had to be a certain way, but in checking with the stud experts at Woody’s Traction they tell us the V can be in either direction on the track.
The V shape in Woody’s studding patterns is all about scratch lines. The more scratch lines, the more studs you have working for you as the track contacts the surface. The studs will be contacting in fresh hard pack or ice, not in the channel of the stud immediately in front. Generally, 96 studs in a V will give you 12 scratch lines, 144 studs in a V will give you 18 scratch lines and 192 studs in a V will give you 22 scratch lines.
And, it doesn’t matter where you begin applying the pattern on the track. The important step is when you move the template to the next track section to continue marking the pattern. You must move the template and place it on the track in the exact way you placed it on the section before. Continue moving the template like this until the entire track is marked.
Check out www.WoodysTraction.com for downloadable PDFs and application guides for your particular model.
January 7, 2010
Dear Ralph:
I was wondering what your thoughts are on adding the “4th wheel kit” and “extra idler” wheel kit? I snow checked a 2010 Ski-Doo Renegade X and would like to know if it is necessary to have them installed? Do they really make that much of a difference? Will they reduce rolling resistance by that much?
I previously installed both on my 2005 Yamaha RS VectorER. I believe the extra idler’s did help in hyfax wear by bridging the gap between the rear wheel’s and the front set of idler’s. Mechanically it makes sense. So why does the manufacturer not install them?
Paul DeKay
Ontario,Canada
Cost, cost, cost. You build 20,000 sleds with an extra $5 in there and guess what? That’s $100,000. Do that with ten parts here and there and you get the idea, I hope. It is usually that simple.
We are talking about two different things here, rear axle wheels and extra idler wheels. In my experience every sled needs at least three wheels on the rear axle, the fourth one is a matter of usage. If it is studded, then yes, the fourth wheel is really nice to have in there to prevent track derailing due to the added side forces applied by the addition of traction products. So, if your Renegade has three wheels and you will not be installing studs, it is more a matter of insurance but I wouldn’t worry about it. Any sled with only two wheels on the rear axle (like the TNT) needs the third added, in my opinion. Any sled with studs needs the fourth. That’s my opinion.
As for the extra idler wheels (not on the rear axle) then we have a different situation. Again it is a cost thing for the OEM, but also a weight thing. Yes, they hurt rolling resistance, to the tune of about 2 mph typically, and yes they help greatly with reducing hyfax wear. These should be installed on any sled that will see high miles or where hyfax wear is an issue. It really depends on the snow conditions, mountain guys will take them all off and never have a problem until the spring where the snow gets hard, then they fry the hyfax. In good snow you really don’t need them, but when the snow gets hard they are really going to save your hyfax.
January 7, 2010
Here is an item that every carbureted snowmobile, motorcycle, ATV and watercraft should have; a clean and easy way to drain the carburetor float bowls. A quick turn of the valve on this kit will purge your carbs and keep you running safe and strong. Why drain the float bowls? With the quality of today’s fuels it doesn’t take long for corrosion or bacteria to accumulate and restrict or plug the fuel metering jets inside the carbs. Water and contaminants also tend to settle out of your fuel. When your float bowls and watertraps get too full of these, engine damage can occur. This is a high quality kit; the valve body is chemical-resistant nylon with a Viton sealing ball rated at 125 psi. This kit can also be used as a crankcase drain. Most kits are only $29.95. Thunder Products 320-597-2700 www.thunderproducts.com
November 10, 2009
The December 2009 Issue of SnowTech Magazine went in the mail November 5-9th. (Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery in US, 3-4 weeks in Canada). 116 pages with Feature articles on: Dyno Tuning the 2010 Arctic Cat 800 HO, 10 Things Your Dealer Won’t Tell You , and Rox Arctic Cat CFR 8 Sno Pro. New model reviews on the 2010 Yamaha Phazer RTX, 2010 Ski-Doo Tundra, 2010 Polaris 600 IQ, 2010 Arctic Cat F6 Sno Pro. BANG for the BUCK! – Analysis of the Best New Sleds for the Least Money. All the info on the 2010 Race Sleds including the Ski-Doo MXZx 600 RS, Polaris 600 IQ Race Sled, and Arctic Cat’s Sno Pro 600, M8 HCR, and Sno Pro 500. Plus all your favorite departments like Feedback, Dear Ralph, Service and Tuning Notes, Tech Shorts, What’s New, and a Vintage Rider article on Gordon Rudolph, Re-inventing the Snowmobile. If your not currently a subscriber you can subscribe now, or you can find it on your local newsstand.
November 10, 2009
Owners of affected 2009 Arctic Cat Crossfire and M-Series models have been notified of a potential issue with the tightening of the mounting nut securing the fuel pump to the gas tank. Some units have been found to not have adequate tension on this mounting nut.
Arctic Cat has instructed their dealers to tighten these mounting nuts to 20 foot-pounds, which usually amounts to tightening the nut by a half turn.
Units affected include the 2009 M-Series and Crossfire 500/600/800/1000 models in the VIN range of 103896 through 118441. If you have a sled in your possession that falls within this range and the nut tension has not been checked or verified, you should not use the unit until this service has been performed. Contact your local Arctic Cat dealer for further details or to schedule the service.
November 10, 2009
Riders who are familiar with the traditional torsion springs found in most rear suspensions are often thrown for a loop when it comes to setting the rear preload on a Yamaha fitted with the Monoshock rear suspension. Instead of torsion springs, the Monoshock suspension has a single coil spring on the single shock absorber.
Most of the sleds fitted with a version of the Monoshock suspension are set from the factory for a fairly light rider, under 200 pounds. In our experience the single coil spring does not have the range of adjustability of traditional torsion spring suspensions, meaning that you might not be able to get the proper ride height and preload setting for your weight by simply making adjustments; you might find the need to install an optional heavier coil spring.
How do you check for proper preload on a Monoshock suspension? Yamaha uses what is called a spring sag adjustment, much like what a dirt bike does. Here’s how;
1. Hang or tip up the rear of the sled so the rear suspension is completely unloaded, that is with no weight on any part of the track.
2. Measure the (unloaded) length of the shock spring, from end to end.
3. Set the sled back down on the ground and have the rider (with riding gear) sit on the sled.
4. Measure the spring length again (loaded length).
5. Calculate the difference between the two measurements. It should be 40-45 mm.
6. If required, adjust the spring preload to reach the proper 40-45mm setting. ON sleds with threaded adjusters instead of cam adjusters, pay special attention to the minimum installed spring length (you do not want the spring to coil bind). Most Yamaha coil springs can only be set 10mm shorter than the factory setting.
7. If required, heavier riders might require the installation of an optional heavier spring.
Generally, you will want to also increase the compression damping along with a spring preload increase. Also realize that as you increase the rear spring preload there will be a tendency to cause the steering to become heavier. If you installed meaty carbide runners to get the thing to corner better, you might find it all to come back into balance once you get the preload set properly. Always verify proper preload settings before making changes to the front end to get the sled to handle better!
The main take away from all of this is that many riders are using their Yamahas with an improperly adjusted rear suspension preload, if you do not weigh 175 pounds and have not made any adjustments to the coil spring length. The Monoshock rear suspension is primarily a comfort suspension and less capable of resistance to bottoming, thus the torsion spring versions in the RTX models which are more capable to withstand harder riding and resisting bottoming.
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