rotorav8r
Newbie
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2022
- Messages
- 1
- Location
- Spokane Washington
- Country
- USA
- Snowmobile
- 2003 Yamaha RX1 1000cc, 1986 Skidoo Tundra long track 250cc fan, Skidoo Safari 440cc fan, 1972 Skidoo Elan 250cc long track conversion w/extra bogies
Searches are not solving my issue. I have a 2003 RX-1, a 1000cc 4 cylinder, 4 stroke if anyone doesn't know. I have the 151" track on the "Mountain" model. It had an odd clutch on it. I ordered a used but good Yamaha primary clutch from online. The handwritten label on the clutch is "05 Rage". I understand this to be a 1000cc 3 cylinder, 4 stroke. The seller, possibly incorrectly said the spring setup will be the same for my RX-1.
On the packed trail the clutch seems to work well, smooth takeoffs, smooth shifting up and down. I only ride a few miles to my cabin then shut down Recently, I went out on a forest service road with deep powder that was on the verge of wet. I was pushing snow over the hood and kept trucking for around 4 miles of this breaking trail uphill pushing snow for the others on smaller sleds. The snow kept clogging the hood vents. At one point a crown in the road caught me as I was playing a little and tried to pull me into the ditch. I tried to power out of it and lean the sled over but it slowed and sunk then the belt smoked. It was buried. I found the primary clutch was so hot snow sizzled on it, so lets say 379 deg farenheit minimum per google. Once everything cooled down I was able to get unstuck and head back home. Initially I didn't want to put a new belt on the super hot clutch and fry it too, or burn my hands so I let it cool down a while as I dug and packed snow to escape the giant hole I was in. The belt worked fine headed home.
Initially I suspected the clogged vents and solid side panel without vents, then considered clutching, it was designed this way after all. Options are either the belt was slipping slightly due to too little clutch pressure creating heat or I've read that maybe clutch pressure being too tight can create a lot of heat as well. How do I tell which?
SO, venting? Clutching? Both? Can someone help me with some setups as far as springs and internal parts? I’ve read that stick may not be best. Also, with where a good spot is to get the springs etc or maybe a kit. I understand the basics of clutching but haven't really worked on these clutches much. I’ve had a few apart. I tow a sled and go relatively slow often, I also like to go open it up and rip up the powdery roads sometimes. For this deep heavy snow I would think I would want a stiff secondary spring to allow me to have a low gear to power through at a moderate speed without the secondary opening up too early. Please correct me or send me the right way.
Thank you in advance!!
On the packed trail the clutch seems to work well, smooth takeoffs, smooth shifting up and down. I only ride a few miles to my cabin then shut down Recently, I went out on a forest service road with deep powder that was on the verge of wet. I was pushing snow over the hood and kept trucking for around 4 miles of this breaking trail uphill pushing snow for the others on smaller sleds. The snow kept clogging the hood vents. At one point a crown in the road caught me as I was playing a little and tried to pull me into the ditch. I tried to power out of it and lean the sled over but it slowed and sunk then the belt smoked. It was buried. I found the primary clutch was so hot snow sizzled on it, so lets say 379 deg farenheit minimum per google. Once everything cooled down I was able to get unstuck and head back home. Initially I didn't want to put a new belt on the super hot clutch and fry it too, or burn my hands so I let it cool down a while as I dug and packed snow to escape the giant hole I was in. The belt worked fine headed home.
Initially I suspected the clogged vents and solid side panel without vents, then considered clutching, it was designed this way after all. Options are either the belt was slipping slightly due to too little clutch pressure creating heat or I've read that maybe clutch pressure being too tight can create a lot of heat as well. How do I tell which?
SO, venting? Clutching? Both? Can someone help me with some setups as far as springs and internal parts? I’ve read that stick may not be best. Also, with where a good spot is to get the springs etc or maybe a kit. I understand the basics of clutching but haven't really worked on these clutches much. I’ve had a few apart. I tow a sled and go relatively slow often, I also like to go open it up and rip up the powdery roads sometimes. For this deep heavy snow I would think I would want a stiff secondary spring to allow me to have a low gear to power through at a moderate speed without the secondary opening up too early. Please correct me or send me the right way.
Thank you in advance!!
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2004
- Messages
- 7,815
- Location
- sudbury on
- Country
- Canada
- Snowmobile
- 2016 apex xtx
2011 apex xtx
2009 phaser rtx/x
1997 et410t/r
1988 vk 540
sounding like air flow might be your issue. what skis do you have on it? if the stock 03 rx1 mountain skis, they did not float very well. a ski like the 09 apex mtx ski will help get the bumper up out of the snow.
