Oil tank, now pivot arm, losing faith fast

[sleddermb]

Well gentlemen, sorry I've gotta vent. I'm starting to think buying a yamaha wasn't my best move. I've got an 06' rage that chews sliders like candy. I installed a set of aftermarket mini idler wheels to relieve that problem along with oversized polaris wheels the rest of the way around. Last week the oil resevoir cracked. I caught it in time before anything bad happened and had it welded. Now, while changing my sliders I find that the pivot arm is completely severed (where the control arm attaches) and also cracked in another spot (front of arm, not on a weld). I'm not a small boy, but my frickin lord, what kind of @$% is this. I admit, I drive fairly aggressive, but not abusive. Now wondering what to do. The pivot arm is probably about $500 cdn(we get screwed at the drive through). Debating whether to hunt down an M10 or other aftermarket instead of repairing. Any opinions appreciated.
Thanks, Greg

 

[Groomerdriver]

Well gentlemen, sorry I've gotta vent. I'm starting to think buying a yamaha wasn't my best move. I've got an 06' rage that chews sliders like candy. I installed a set of aftermarket mini idler wheels to relieve that problem along with oversized polaris wheels the rest of the way around. Last week the oil resevoir cracked. I caught it in time before anything bad happened and had it welded. Now, while changing my sliders I find that the pivot arm is completely severed (where the control arm attaches) and also cracked in another spot (front of arm, not on a weld). I'm not a small boy, but my frickin lord, what kind of @$% is this. I admit, I drive fairly aggressive, but not abusive. Now wondering what to do. The pivot arm is probably about $500 cdn(we get screwed at the drive through). Debating whether to hunt down an M10 or other aftermarket instead of repairing. Any opinions appreciated.
Thanks, Greg

You're not the only one who has gone thru these aches and pains. I know lots of people love these sleds but they are not cheap to repair and have some real annoying issues that keep coming up.

The skid that you have has a history of cracked joints. If you plan on keeping the sled I WOULD NOT under any circumstances repair the stock skid. It will likely keep breaking.

IMO the best avenue it to put in an AD Bovin Expert X skid. I say the X because they seem to be more popular with the agressive riders. I know a guy who's a ditchbanger and he loves his X. He didn't like the M10 he had.

Look in the classifieds area of this site and search the net for a used one. An M10 would be an option too, but IMO it's not the right skid for your style of riding.

Good luck!

 

[RageX2]

If you already have small wheel & larger idlers installed you are almost done with what you need. the latest version of your broken arm is consideralbly beefier than stock. o8 and newer have had little/no breakage. you need pn 99999-03774-00. $320US. also if you dont have a heavier spring ,you should. i'm 230 lbs. the 6.5 spring in clip #2 works good for me. even heavier springs are available if needed. how about a shock revalve? still much cheaper than new skid & should live. good luck

 

[RSVECTORFREAK]

Did your oil tank crack at a connection...ie where the mounting bolts are???

 

[sleddermb]

Thanks for the input. I've had the shock revalved and am quite happy with that. Probably wouldn't hurt to have the spring replaced as I still occasionally bottom, but I think that's probably normal anyway. I had a welder cut the pivot arm in half (already 3/4 of the way broke anyway) and install a pipe inside and weld. Put over 300 miles on this weekend and it seems ok far. Hopefully this works for the long haul. I would love to hear some more input on the expert x if anyone cares to chime in.

RSFV - The oil tank did crack just above the bottom bolt. Definitely appears to be a stress crack. I had a welder repair it. He also found another crack starting in different spot. Pressurized and leak checked, 600 miles since cracking, so far so good. I put a rubber washer in behind to help ease the stress. Hopefully it holds.

 

[Tom-RX1]

the ZX2 from ad bovin is also a very good choice
Tom-RX1

 

[DoktorC]

Once you stop the bottoming you will stop breaking parts...the front arms just can't take it. Sounds like you're close. I've been through a couple front arms on my sled but I really love the ride and I'm working at getting it valved "fat" enough lol.

 

[Groomerdriver]

When I had the stock skid in my 05, my dealer stiffened up the valving in the front shock, and also put on a progressive rate spring out of a Viper. A tremendous improvement.