M7 Skid Installed w/162" track

[lancef53]

The 136 A/C skids before 04 have the 6 3/8 rear idlers, but the 144 and 151's in 01, 02, and 03 have 7 1/4 rear wheels. the 151's were not an option in 01, they didn't come til 02, if my memory serves me right.

 

[Frostbite]

Thanks guys. I think either an 03 or 04 would work just fine. I do still plan to ride the trail quite a bit as well as the powder stuff (that's why I want to leave the track length at 151") so is one type of Arctic Cat skid better for my cross utilized sled?
Jonny, you are one lucky dude to find a skid exactly perfect for your sled. Thanks for the invite for this weekend. I just might try to get down there.

Frosty

 

[Trxster]

I don't have the templates. I just used some cardboard, took a couple of tries. Once I got he approximate shape I tacked it up with the 2 mounting holes and traced the arc for the bolt holes to make sure it was centered on the plate. Pretty easy. Good luck.


T

 

[Mtnviper]

Frostbite, if the trial's are rough, and you ride aggresive. The 03 1M skid might be a better choice, because of the stronger rail's. The 144" and longer skids come with ACT shock's, which can be re-valved if need be.
Cat rails are about $100 each (half the cost of Yamaha rails), so if you find a skid in good condition, but the wrong length. You might want to pick it up anyway, buy some 151" rails, then sell the ones that came on the skid.

 

[doo_man]

Where did you get the Blue Idlers Trxster? Anybody put a M7 141" in a RXM 151" before? I finally have mine all together(M7 skid), polished and ready to install - wondering what to expect when I get it under the sled? Looks like rear brackets could be an issue, little wider than tunnel width.

 

[Trxster]

The idlers were actually AC green. I took them off, masked them, and painted with that blue Fusion paint for plastic. We'll see how long they last. I like that the AC skid has big wheels. I do believe a 144" should fit in the 151" track. That was an option I considered but then....I play in the mountains a lot and can use all the float I can get. Let it snow baby!!!

Rt

 

[Jonny Rocket]

Just weighed both skids. The Yamaha skid minus rear set on bogie wheels and with the MPI transfer kit weighs in at 71.5 #'s. The AC King Cat skid weighs in at 55 #'s. So 16.5#'s of savings.

J.

 

[Frostbite]

Jonny, how much weight was the transfer enhancement kit supposed to save? I thought it was 2lbs, or was it 5 lbs? I am guessing you've saved very close to, if not over 20 lbs.
Were the 04 RX-1M shocks better than my 03 shocks? If so, maybe some shock swapping would be in order before you peddle your skid?

Frostbite

 

[Jonny Rocket]

Frosty,

The trasfer kit was suppose to save 5 #'s plus the bogie wheels were a good 2-3 #'s. I think it would be safe to say there was a good 22-23#'s of weight savings.
I don't know if the shocks are any better. We could always swap just for the heck of it. Let me know.

J

 

[Frostbite]

Troy, has a 141" skid right now. I suppose that's too short, right? I have asked him what sled it came out of but he hasn't gotten back to me just yet.
Yes, Mnt. Viper a 144" mountain Cat skid would be ideal.
Frosty

 

[doo_man]

I bought a 05 141" M7 skid and am wondering too, from my rough measurements it looks close. I will know soon, trying to avoid a skid set-back but might have to adjust a little.

 

[Jonny Rocket]

Doo Man,

That actually is a good idea. Why couldn't you just set the skid back 1-1/2" to 2" from original front mount? Then the rest of the slack could be taken care of using the rear wheel's.

J.

 

[Mtnviper]

Another option, if you dont want to do the skid set-back, would be some 141" to 151" rail extensions. Cat rails add they're extra length behind the rear arm mount, so rail extensions would still give you the same geometry as the longer OEM rails.
Skid set-back, will improve the approach angle. It will also reduce weight transfer, and can make the sled handle "heavier" in the front end.
Moving the skid forward, steeper approach angle, with improved transfer with a lighter front end feel. Also rough terrain (crappy trails) performance is usually better with the skid forward.

 

[Frostbite]

Mr. Doo man, I am very anxious to find out if the 141" rails were long enough. The 8" wheels may just make the difference! A 141" skid would be even lighter than a 151" or a 144". The one you have (05 M& 141") also has the good Fox shocks. Please let us (me) know if you think it will work.


Frosty

 

[Frostbite]

I have been reading the very latest snowmobile magazines. When talking about the M7 they all mention the horrible kick back in the rear suspension when riding on the trails at speed. The talk about the rough ride, and how the track tension seems to limit the travel of the rear suspension.
Should I hold out for a 1M rear suspension? Also, the M7 rear skid has no outer idler wheels on the rear axle. Could that become and issue down the road when installed on the RX-1?

Frosty