09' RTX Stretched to 144"

[Gone Blue]

I had planned to stretch my 09' RTX out to 144" this summer and had been picking up parts whenever I came across something I needed for the stretch. Well after my icing over and overheating issues at the TY Muni ride, I decided to pull up the stretch with hopes that the 13.5 x 1.25 x 144" Firecat EXT Predator track I picked up would reduce or eliminate the icing issue when trail riding.

I bought Tracks USA 6 degree tipped up rail extensions for the stretch and picked up a pair of wheel mounts from hibshman25. I also decided to make aluminum support brackets for the GYTR rear bumper snow flap mounts. It seems that the stock snow flap mounts don't last very long. Well here goes.....

G.B.

 

[Gone Blue]

More pics.....

 

[Gone Blue]

Finished the skid. I am pretty happy how it turned out. G.B.

 

[Gone Blue]

Wow, it was really tuff to get the skid in. I could'nt do it without help. It was a real pain in the The track is also really tight and I hope it stretches some. The track adjuster bolts threads are not engaged in the nylon locking feature in the nut. Not sure what I am going to do about that. Just need to pick up some aluminum this week and install my modified clutch kit weights from Ulmer Racing.

G.B.

 

[3wheelerdude]

Wow, thanks for the pics.
If you can post any troubles you run into, like the too tight track, it could really help since I will be doing the same thing over the summer.

Beleive it or not, I picked up a complete skid for 50$.

 

[Gone Blue]

Wow, thanks for the pics.
If you can post any troubles you run into, like the too tight track, it could really help since I will be doing the same thing over the summer.

Beleive it or not, I picked up a complete skid for 50$.

No problem. I am really hoping the track stretches as I could barely get the track adjsuter nuts started. I guess I am going to put some red locktite on the adjuster nuts and run it to see if the track will stretch.

What track are you going to use? Did you pick up a MTX skid?

G.B.

 

[3wheelerdude]

Wow, thanks for the pics.
If you can post any troubles you run into, like the too tight track, it could really help since I will be doing the same thing over the summer.

Beleive it or not, I picked up a complete skid for 50$.

No problem. I am really hoping the track stretches as I could barely get the track adjsuter nuts started. I guess I am going to put some red locktite on the adjuster nuts and run it to see if the track will stretch.

What track are you going to use? Did you pick up a MTX skid?

G.B.

The skid I purchased for 50$ is for an 07 GT.
Since my 07 already as a good skid, I will be extending the GT one and have located a Backcountry 16x144 off kijiji, that I will trim down to 14inch.

 

[Gone Blue]

The skid I purchased for 50$ is for an 07 GT.
Since my 07 already as a good skid, I will be extending the GT one and have located a Backcountry 16x144 off kijiji, that I will trim down to 14inch.[/quote]

That sounds like a great find for $50. What is the lug height on the Backcountry track? 1.75"

G.B.

 

[Gone Blue]

Sled is together and ready to ride. I think??? I am going this weekend up North to ride it for the first time with my 144" stretch. The only thing I am concered about is how tight the track. I cannot get the track adjsuter nuts to engage the nylon locking insert in the nuts with the adjuster bolts. I tried to get at least one diameter of thread engagement in the nut for strength. I used some blue locktite on the threads and hope it holds together until I see if I get the track to stretch after the first ride. Right now I only have 3/8 - 1/2" of free sag in the track. It is pretty tight. Not what else to do at this point but ride it.

G.B.

 

[blueironranger]

Sled is together and ready to ride. I think??? I am going this weekend up North to ride it for the first time with my 144" stretch. The only thing I am concered about is how tight the track. I cannot get the track adjsuter nuts to engage the nylon locking insert in the nuts with the adjuster bolts. I tried to get at least one diameter of thread engagement in the nut for strength. I used some blue locktite on the threads and hope it holds together until I see if I get the track to stretch after the first ride. Right now I only have 3/8 - 1/2" of free sag in the track. It is pretty tight. Not what else to do at this point but ride it.

G.B.

Don't worry, my 144" freeride was a bit short too and was a PITA to get the skid back is, almost zero droop with the adjusters backed off all the way. After the first 200 miles I had my normal 1" of droop with no weight that I like to run.

 

[cannondale27]

Wow nice!

 

[nswsparky]

yea same with me I got a new track and the same tracks usa extensions, anti ratchet wheels and anti stab kits. It was a pain to get the skid in and the nylocks are not engaged, the track stretched in only a couple hundred miles.

 

[Grimm]

Lessening the spring pressures on the rear skid and shocks might give you a little extra room while the track loosens up.

 

[3wheelerdude]

The skid I purchased for 50$ is for an 07 GT.
Since my 07 already as a good skid, I will be extending the GT one and have located a Backcountry 16x144 off kijiji, that I will trim down to 14inch.

That sounds like a great find for $50. What is the lug height on the Backcountry track? 1.75"

G.B.[/quote]

Yep, 1.75.
That's what I am running in my 121 also and its wonderfull.

 

[Gone Blue]

The skid I purchased for 50$ is for an 07 GT.
Since my 07 already as a good skid, I will be extending the GT one and have located a Backcountry 16x144 off kijiji, that I will trim down to 14inch.

That sounds like a great find for $50. What is the lug height on the Backcountry track? 1.75"

G.B.

Yep, 1.75.
That's what I am running in my 121 also and its wonderfull.[/quote]

Should be fun! G.B.