M7 Skid Q....again

[Aaron Eh]

I'll take a copy of the CAD brackets. I'm picking up a Vector Mountain this weekend and plan to swap out the skid if I can find a good deal on an AC one. I've got access to a High def laser and water jet through work.

Aaron

 

[brianidaho]

Hi Aaron,

PM me with your email address and I'll send it to you. I wasn't able to attach a .dxf to a PM.

Bri

 

[brianidaho]

Aaron, I sent you the dxf file.

Got the skid installed tonight, looking good with respect to the mounts. I need to install the rear axle/track tensioner. I really wish I had a 162 track, the 153 rails are snug with the 159, but it looks like it will work. Should have it wrapped up tomorrow.

BTW Jonny, you were right, the width was fine without putting an offset in the brackets, slid in nice. The back mount went in fine, wrestling the front in position so I could get the fasteners in wasn't so much fun... But I never found a skid install that exactly was fun.

Brian

 

[Jonny Rocket]

Glad to hear all went well. Now all we need is some snow. Should be getting some in the next week or so.

J.

 

[brianidaho]

OK, so the 153 rails are really too long for a 159 track, just wrestled the track tensioner/rear axle into place, was a major pain. So just how tight is too tight, to the point that it will break things? Under finger pressrue I get around 1 inch deflection. I'm sure the track will stretch in time, but am I liable to tear stuff up if I don't address this? I know I'm wasting power like this, but I can live with that for a while as long as the track will stretch.

It wouldn't take too much to put another hole in the tunnel and drop bracket and move the skid ahead an inch or so if it comes to that, but I'd like to avoid that if possible.

Kinda bummed about this, everything else went so well. May have to keep my eyes open for a deal on a 162....

 

[Jonny Rocket]

Make sure that back shock is in correctly. When I first put my 159 in it was banjo tight so I bought a 162 and now it is almost too loose. After I looked everything over I realized the rear shock had dropped down making the suspension too tight on the first go around. Look where the back shock mounts to the rails. The shock should be on top of the bar.

Look at this pic. Kind of a bad pic but you can see where the shock is suppose to mount. I have seen this drop down several time even when I was trying to stop it from dropping.

 

[Rx1M5]

153/159 combo should fit perfect if you've got it assembled right. I did one last year and it slipped right in no problem.

Rx1M5

 

[tundra]

Here's the CAD image of the template. I went with 4 1/2 below the cooler (line on the part). The little tab on the left side is in line with the straight on the right side, it's just for fixturing and laying out rivet and screw holes, and gives something to locate off of if I put it in a brake and form an offset.

Thanks for all the input guys, TY is a great site for helping each other out.

If anyone else wants a set of the brackets, let me know, more sets should be cheaper at the water jetter. I should have them quoted the first part of next week.

Bri

Hey hey Solidworks drawing

 

[brianidaho]

Make sure that back shock is in correctly. When I first put my 159 in it was banjo tight so I bought a 162 and now it is almost too loose. After I looked everything over I realized the rear shock had dropped down making the suspension too tight on the first go around. Look where the back shock mounts to the rails. The shock should be on top of the bar.

Look at this pic. Kind of a bad pic but you can see where the shock is suppose to mount. I have seen this drop down several time even when I was trying to stop it from dropping.

I remembered seeing that issue mentioned enough in previous posts, I was pretty careful to get it in properly. It was tight with just the front mount in, I had to attach the front arm, then install the tensioner axle and finally the rear suspension mounts. I'll double check this in the morning though, it's well worth a look. You are talking about the bottom/front of the rear shock mount where it ties into the rails? I did see the link trying to flip around.

Interesting that yours and others weren't too tight though with the 159, I'll spend some more time checking out my installation and assembly of the skid...could have something else off. I had to swap the rails, was pretty careful to take enough pics and put it back together the way it came. I'll do some more checking against your pics and the ones I took and see if anything else is off. It's almost like the front mount is shifted too far to the rear, given that it's tight even before the rear mount is in place. However, the Holtz kit can only go in one way, I can't see that being the issue.

Just went to the shop. the rear shock is in the "up" position. I'm looking at your pic, I see what you mean, you are up near the end of your adjustment range with your 162. Mine came with Extroverts, maybe the diameter is bigger than the stockers???

I have around 1 inch deflection, which is way tighter than I'd like to run, especially with the Extroverts, but it's still about where Yamaha says the stock setup should be. If I don't find anything wrong, I'll take a couple of easy ride and see how much the track stretches. I just don't want to tear anything up. I pretty much convinced myself that if these suspensions will handle 145+ HP without failing a tight track shouldn't hurt anything.

Thanks for the input, this one has me a bit puzzled.

Tundra, yep, those are Solidworks drawings. I spend way too much time in front of one!

Bri

 

[brianidaho]

Here's a couple pics of the install...let me know if you see anything off please. I compared with your pic and with my old ones, nothing stands out as far as an assembly error.

 

[Jonny Rocket]

It does look like it is on there correctly. Might have to go with a longer track after all.

J.

 

[brianidaho]

Man, it was snowing pretty good here, we got maybe 2 inches...then quit. Was hoping to go buzz around the field for a while.

Jonny, we'll have to get together and go play this winter! I'm hoping there is enough snow north of Sandpoint for a shakedown ride this weekend. Thanks for all the input.

I'm wondering if AC didn't make some minor tweaks to skid geometry over the years. I see your rails are a bit different from mine, you have an extra slot in front of where the rear suspension mounts.

Bri

 

[Jonny Rocket]

Yes, let me know what the snow looks like. Can't go this weekend but would like to ride in your area some time this year. I have heard great things about the riding above Sandpoint.

I also have to put my sled back together. I have been tinkering with it and am still trying to get time to put the rider forward in. I need to take a day off work and get 'r done.

Oh, and my suspension is a little different than yours. it is out of an 04 King Cat. Not an M7 like most. Probably explains the minor differences.

J.

 

[brianidaho]

Makes sense with the suspension differences. If you're working on yours over the weekend how about giving me a call-I'd like to see just what's involved in doing the rider forward. Thats on the plate for next year, along with undertunnel exhaust and lightweight battery.

 

[brianidaho]

I want to offer a public thank you to Jonny. He swapped out his 162 Maverick for a CE and sold me the Mav. I finished the install over the weekend, much happier with the fit-the track actually has some slack in it now! The install was pretty simple once I figured the steps out.

I got out for a short ride today, I see what all you guys are saying about the M7's The spring rate is much softer than the '03 RX-1, the suspension actually compresses now! And it climbs up and planes so much better than with the old setup. Like everyone else I'll have some playing to do to get things dialed in, but I'm happy for now.

Bri