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New Sidewinder owner - First Impressions/Accessories/Problems/Questions

KnappAttack

24X ISR World Drag Racing Champion
Joined
Feb 19, 2004
Messages
4,291
Location
Welch MN
Country
USA
Snowmobile
2023 Sidewinder LTX-LE
2017 Sidewinder LTX-LE
600 Mile Update
Here is a quick update after about 600 miles
- The shaper bars are not working out. They are fine as far as turning goes - but they dart like crazy - especially on a well used trail. Going to put on a pair of 9" Deuce bars this week and see how that goes.
- I need more preload on the rear springs. When I am carrying gas and the trail is bumpy - the rear end is too soft even at setting #3. I'll order heavier springs or try the BOP cam that adds a 4th position.
- I installed the BOP ROV bypass - but didn't connect it to the valve cover, I made a loop out of it and ran it down under the right footwell. DO NOT DO THIS!!!! I lost more than 1L of oil on a 90 mile run. Travis confirmed you must connect it to the vent cover or you will lose oil. I consider myself lucky here. The oil pressure light did not come on and the coolant temp stayed normal even though I ran a long time down 1L of oil. I changed the oil right after this happened and sled is running fine with 200 miles since this happened.
- I have tightened the chain twice now - both times I could turn the adjuster bolt in about 2.5 turns. Finger tight and 1 turn back both times.
- I have virtually zero belt dust and very minimal mung/oil on the air filter or in the airbox. Clutches are running cool.
- The UNT Linq bracket is great (see pic). Gives me lots of storage options and the small Arctic Cat bag can stay in place all the time.
- Annoying squeak coming from brake area. Sometimes the brake squeaks, sometimes I hear the squeak during a real slow turn. It's almost like the brake drags even when not being used - during a low speed turn.
- Love the power and the engine braking and the handling other than the darting. If the Deuce bars don't work out - I have a pair of Pilot 6.9's on my Backcountry that I can try.

Headed back up to Sturgeon Falls area later this week for another couple hundred miles of fun.

Thats a lot of weight on that tunnel. We have seen them break right off if not braced up. I hope you have braces for the back of that tunnel! It will break and bend.
 

EWK

Veteran
Joined
Sep 24, 2022
Messages
26
Location
Muskoka, Ontario
Country
Canada
Snowmobile
2022 Sidewinder LTX-GT EPS
Have you shimmed skis, checked ski alignment or adjusted any suspension setting to try to correct this first?
Back of carbides were shimmed down and they are running flat so not sure what else to do there. I don’t want to reduce ski pressure as the sled is already demonstrating a slight push. I suppose I should check ski alignment tomorrow
 

EWK

Veteran
Joined
Sep 24, 2022
Messages
26
Location
Muskoka, Ontario
Country
Canada
Snowmobile
2022 Sidewinder LTX-GT EPS
Thats a lot of weight on that tunnel. We have seen them break right off if not braced up. I hope you have braces for the back of that tunnel! It will break and bend.
Yes. I have the tunnel braces but haven’t installed yet…..only carrying gas occasionally - I’ll wait til the off-season to install those.
 

Derek Fosbury

Lifetime Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2021
Messages
220
Age
51
Location
Ontario
Country
Canada
Snowmobile
2022 Sidewinder S-TX GT
2023 AC T-Cat EPS w/ATAC
LOCATION
Sledding Location - Fenelon Falls, ON
Yes. I have the tunnel braces but haven’t installed yet…..only carrying gas occasionally - I’ll wait til the off-season to install those.
Do you have a part number for the braces? I added the UPT bracket as well, so thinking I should be the braces before I load up the gas caddy :)
 

Turboflash

VIP Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2019
Messages
2,106
Location
Southern MN
Country
USA
Snowmobile
'17 ZR9000 Ltd. PEFI Stg 3R
600 Mile Update
Here is a quick update after about 600 miles
- The shaper bars are not working out. They are fine as far as turning goes - but they dart like crazy - especially on a well used trail. Going to put on a pair of 9" Deuce bars this week and see how that goes.
- I need more preload on the rear springs. When I am carrying gas and the trail is bumpy - the rear end is too soft even at setting #3. I'll order heavier springs or try the BOP cam that adds a 4th position.
- I installed the BOP ROV bypass - but didn't connect it to the valve cover, I made a loop out of it and ran it down under the right footwell. DO NOT DO THIS!!!! I lost more than 1L of oil on a 90 mile run. Travis confirmed you must connect it to the vent cover or you will lose oil. I consider myself lucky here. The oil pressure light did not come on and the coolant temp stayed normal even though I ran a long time down 1L of oil. I changed the oil right after this happened and sled is running fine with 200 miles since this happened.
- I have tightened the chain twice now - both times I could turn the adjuster bolt in about 2.5 turns. Finger tight and 1 turn back both times.
- I have virtually zero belt dust and very minimal mung/oil on the air filter or in the airbox. Clutches are running cool.
- The UNT Linq bracket is great (see pic). Gives me lots of storage options and the small Arctic Cat bag can stay in place all the time.
- Annoying squeak coming from brake area. Sometimes the brake squeaks, sometimes I hear the squeak during a real slow turn. It's almost like the brake drags even when not being used - during a low speed turn.
- Love the power and the engine braking and the handling other than the darting. If the Deuce bars don't work out - I have a pair of Pilot 6.9's on my Backcountry that I can try.

Headed back up to Sturgeon Falls area later this week for another couple hundred miles of fun.
Does not the manual state to finger tighten the chain tensioner bolt and then back off 1-1/2 turns? 1 turn might be too tight?
 

EWK

Veteran
Joined
Sep 24, 2022
Messages
26
Location
Muskoka, Ontario
Country
Canada
Snowmobile
2022 Sidewinder LTX-GT EPS
Does not the manual state to finger tighten the chain tensioner bolt and then back off 1-1/2 turns? 1 turn might be too tight?
Yes - the manual says 1.5 turns out however I've read lots of posts on here where guys are saying 1 turn is enough
 

THEPASMAN

Expert
Joined
Mar 25, 2019
Messages
415
Age
56
Location
The Pas Manitoba
Country
Canada
Snowmobile
2017 Sidewinder LTX LE
Do you have a part number for the braces? I added the UPT bracket as well, so thinking I should be the braces before I load up the gas caddy :)


The BOP braces are very good. I went with a BDX rear bumper in conjunction with the internal braces there a bit pricey but look real good painted to match sled and go to the next level in tunnel support

On my MTX I was able to bring a pretty bent tunnel back into shape with the BOP braces in the inside and the BDX on the outside and slowly suck it together. Turned out great I did my XTX before it bent
 

Fleecer

Lifetime Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2014
Messages
997
Age
52
Country
USA
Snowmobile
2019 SRX
Does not the manual state to finger tighten the chain tensioner bolt and then back off 1-1/2 turns? 1 turn might be too tight?
TF....I think the spec may be subjective. Everytime I adjust the chain, I do it with the cover off, so I can visually inspect the chain tension by eye.

In doing so, I'm always 1 turn out from finger tight. This crushes my ego and insults me to my core, as I guess it means I have weak fingers??? Has the feebleness of old age arrived?? I feel like such a loser......does anyone make an automatic tensioner do I don't keep getting insulted??? Lol
 

earthling

Lifetime Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2017
Messages
1,389
Location
Ontario
Country
Canada
Snowmobile
2021 SRX
2006 ATTAK
TF....I think the spec may be subjective. Everytime I adjust the chain, I do it with the cover off, so I can visually inspect the chain tension by eye.

In doing so, I'm always 1 turn out from finger tight. This crushes my ego and insults me to my core, as I guess it means I have weak fingers??? Has the feebleness of old age arrived?? I feel like such a loser......does anyone make an automatic tensioner do I don't keep getting insulted??? Lol

LOL its not you but you do have to keep in mind what that bolt is supposed to do (IOW an auto tensioner would work but at some cost)

TLDR: Its not subjective. 1.5 turns is setting the chain slack or sag.

A tensioner would be adjusted by moving the bolt inward to keep the chain under (near) fixed tension as it stretches, and as the chain stretches the angle in the chain increases around the tensioner/rider/cam/wheel creating loss of efficiency as the chain has to traverse more cumulative angles. But that is the price you pay when you need absolute control of the gear alignment as you would in a cam chain. The cat chain case arm acts like a damper (all tensioners do) but is designed to allow the chain to continue to move (more) freely while maintaining the desired chain sag (freedom to move) under load. It is primarily there to preset the limit of oscillation of the chain under changing load conditions. When you put it in finger tight and back out 1.5 turns you are in effect setting chain sag and the limits of oscillation. Too tight is too much friction, too loose is too much oscillation.


Sorry @Fleecer I didn't understand what you wrote initially. I get now that you were setting chain sag by eye and for you that is backing out the bolt less than someone else might.
 
Last edited:

STAIN

Lifetime Member
Joined
Feb 29, 2004
Messages
3,921
Location
Vermont
Country
USA
Snowmobile
2022 SIDEWINDER LTX GT
LOCATION
Vermont
TF....I think the spec may be subjective. Everytime I adjust the chain, I do it with the cover off, so I can visually inspect the chain tension by eye.

In doing so, I'm always 1 turn out from finger tight. This crushes my ego and insults me to my core, as I guess it means I have weak fingers??? Has the feebleness of old age arrived?? I feel like such a loser......does anyone make an automatic tensioner do I don't keep getting insulted??? Lol
Cat used a auto tensioner in the 1100's. I think you could use that tensioner in the current case.
You may need to update the foot for better durability.
I have thought about this route also.
 

Turboflash

VIP Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2019
Messages
2,106
Location
Southern MN
Country
USA
Snowmobile
'17 ZR9000 Ltd. PEFI Stg 3R
TF....I think the spec may be subjective. Everytime I adjust the chain, I do it with the cover off, so I can visually inspect the chain tension by eye.

In doing so, I'm always 1 turn out from finger tight. This crushes my ego and insults me to my core, as I guess it means I have weak fingers??? Has the feebleness of old age arrived?? I feel like such a loser......does anyone make an automatic tensioner do I don't keep getting insulted??? Lol
LOL. Yeah, I agree it's a very subjective unscientific way to set chain. I agree with you about how tight is finger tight. My nephew says he uses 1-1/2 turns but he has gorilla fingers that gets chain really tight with his fingers. With my aging fingers, I'd use probably closer to 1.
I check chain frequently for stretch which is easy with my Tech2 muffler body size being small.
 

Bigblue1

TY 4 Stroke Junkie
Joined
Nov 29, 2007
Messages
542
Location
NY
Country
USA
Snowmobile
Sidewinder RTX-LE
Apex SE
600 Mile Update
Here is a quick update after about 600 miles
- The shaper bars are not working out. They are fine as far as turning goes - but they dart like crazy - especially on a well used trail. Going to put on a pair of 9" Deuce bars this week and see how that goes.
- I need more preload on the rear springs. When I am carrying gas and the trail is bumpy - the rear end is too soft even at setting #3. I'll order heavier springs or try the BOP cam that adds a 4th position.
- I installed the BOP ROV bypass - but didn't connect it to the valve cover, I made a loop out of it and ran it down under the right footwell. DO NOT DO THIS!!!! I lost more than 1L of oil on a 90 mile run. Travis confirmed you must connect it to the vent cover or you will lose oil. I consider myself lucky here. The oil pressure light did not come on and the coolant temp stayed normal even though I ran a long time down 1L of oil. I changed the oil right after this happened and sled is running fine with 200 miles since this happened.
- I have tightened the chain twice now - both times I could turn the adjuster bolt in about 2.5 turns. Finger tight and 1 turn back both times.
- I have virtually zero belt dust and very minimal mung/oil on the air filter or in the airbox. Clutches are running cool.
- The UNT Linq bracket is great (see pic). Gives me lots of storage options and the small Arctic Cat bag can stay in place all the time.
- Annoying squeak coming from brake area. Sometimes the brake squeaks, sometimes I hear the squeak during a real slow turn. It's almost like the brake drags even when not being used - during a low speed turn.
- Love the power and the engine braking and the handling other than the darting. If the Deuce bars don't work out - I have a pair of Pilot 6.9's on my Backcountry that I can try.

Headed back up to Sturgeon Falls area later this week for another couple hundred miles of fun.
I find shaper bars to be great. Check tow out. There is a sweet spot and center shock adjustment in very small increments. I get no darting on a 129" and steer relatively easy with C&As.
 

EWK

Veteran
Joined
Sep 24, 2022
Messages
26
Location
Muskoka, Ontario
Country
Canada
Snowmobile
2022 Sidewinder LTX-GT EPS
I find shaper bars to be great. Check tow out. There is a sweet spot and center shock adjustment in very small increments. I get no darting on a 129" and steer relatively easy with C&As.
Thanks for the feedback. I checked my toe out and it was just under 1/4” so right where it should be. I just removed the 5.0 shim from the rear position and replaced with the 7.5 and reinstalled the shapers. I will see how that works over the next 2 days and then move on to the centre shock.
 

SledFreak

TY 4 Stroke God
Joined
Feb 7, 2005
Messages
5,514
Location
Ontario. Canada
Country
Canada
Snowmobile
Current 2020 ThunderCat. - SOLD!
600 Mile Update
Here is a quick update after about 600 miles
- The shaper bars are not working out. They are fine as far as turning goes - but they dart like crazy - especially on a well used trail. Going to put on a pair of 9" Deuce bars this week and see how that goes.
- I need more preload on the rear springs. When I am carrying gas and the trail is bumpy - the rear end is too soft even at setting #3. I'll order heavier springs or try the BOP cam that adds a 4th position.
- I installed the BOP ROV bypass - but didn't connect it to the valve cover, I made a loop out of it and ran it down under the right footwell. DO NOT DO THIS!!!! I lost more than 1L of oil on a 90 mile run. Travis confirmed you must connect it to the vent cover or you will lose oil. I consider myself lucky here. The oil pressure light did not come on and the coolant temp stayed normal even though I ran a long time down 1L of oil. I changed the oil right after this happened and sled is running fine with 200 miles since this happened.
- I have tightened the chain twice now - both times I could turn the adjuster bolt in about 2.5 turns. Finger tight and 1 turn back both times.
- I have virtually zero belt dust and very minimal mung/oil on the air filter or in the airbox. Clutches are running cool.
- The UNT Linq bracket is great (see pic). Gives me lots of storage options and the small Arctic Cat bag can stay in place all the time.
- Annoying squeak coming from brake area. Sometimes the brake squeaks, sometimes I hear the squeak during a real slow turn. It's almost like the brake drags even when not being used - during a low speed turn.
- Love the power and the engine braking and the handling other than the darting. If the Deuce bars don't work out - I have a pair of Pilot 6.9's on my Backcountry that I can try.

Headed back up to Sturgeon Falls area later this week for another couple hundred miles of fun.
Get rid of the Yamaha skids and put on a set of Cat skis and the darting will be gone or damn close to it. I had 7.5" shaper bars on my TCAT, and I could drive 1 hand no problem anywhere. I also shimmed them a 1/4". but I am not sure I even needed too.
 


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