Reinforcing Expert X skid

[sledheadgeorge]

Last year I took a drop on a trail. Bent the front shock bolt(had to use a die grinder to cut it off). It aslo snapped two of the 8.8 bolts off the skid. I remember reading some were about reinforcing the skid but no Pictures were posted. Here is what I did.

The first picture shows the two bolts that snapped off and the second picture shows the thrid shaft that I installed.

 

[1CrazySledder]

I just baught a new 2007 expert X skid. Maybe I better put that bar in there and not worry about anything? Where did you get the bar and what grade bolts did you use as replacements?

-1CS

 

[sledheadgeorge]

Made the bar myself. Bought some stock, drilled and tapped it and replaced all the bolts with grade 10 bolts. Mind you it was quite a drop I hit on the trail...about 40' doing around 70mph. Drove the next 2 days with a bit of whiplash on that one.

 

[grader]

you had a 40 foot drop doing 70mph? i am amazed the sled did not fold in half. the mod looks good. im running a 136 expert this year, but not planning any 4 story jumps (god willing).

 

[1CrazySledder]

Me either. Jeez. Maybe I won't need to worry about this, then. LOL. I'm more of the trail rider and rarely leave the trail. My Expert should be fairly safe. Watch out for that first step, it's a doozy. lol

-1CS

 

[SIMMER]

Hey George....that drop wouldn't be on the A going South from Kirkland Lake would it? I've been on alot of Ontario/Quebec trails and thats about the only 40 footer that I can think of that sneaks up on you at 70MPH....

Always see carnage on the bottom of that drop...left over sled pieces all over the place.

 

[LazyBastard]

I just baught a new 2007 expert X skid. Maybe I better put that bar in there and not worry about anything? Where did you get the bar and what grade bolts did you use as replacements?

-1CS

07 ExpertX, accorting to adboivin website, comes with DTR (like previous years 144"+ skids, including mine). You may notice that the DTR puts a shaft across in that position, so you already have one. No need to add what you've already got.

In this picture, all the GOLD stuff is the DTR (except for the transfer rod, which is there anyways).

 

[sledheadgeorge]

Hey George....that drop wouldn't be on the A going South from Kirkland Lake would it? I've been on alot of Ontario/Quebec trails and thats about the only 40 footer that I can think of that sneaks up on you at 70MPH....

Always see carnage on the bottom of that drop...left over sled pieces all over the place.

Thats probibbly the one. We were coming back from Quebec, rode through Larder lake, Kirkland Lake, through that general area. I was not leeding at the time. My buddy was leeding and I saw him go over the ridge and by the time I got to ridge he had landed, lost his helmet from the impact agains the bars and I just stood up and took it like a trooper. I felt that spine compression tingle you get from one of those landings and new I was at least 2" shorter that day. At least no one got seriouslly hurt. Its not marked very well at that spot. I sent the club a letter so hopfully they got it marked well now.

 

[4Fighter]

Wow! Glad you weren't seriously hurt on that. First thing I learned about Canadian trails, they are unpredictible. You go up a hill, then make a sharp turn - or you go down the hill and make a sharp turn, or around a bend and down - very trecherous if your not paying attention as those smooth trails tend to lull you to sleep - LOL.

If that's all you did to that skid, then I'm glad I made the decision to go X. I can't imagine what that would have done to you or the skid if it was the Pro-Action?

 

[sledheadgeorge]

Wow! Glad you weren't seriously hurt on that. First thing I learned about Canadian trails, they are unpredictible. You go up a hill, then make a sharp turn - or you go down the hill and make a sharp turn, or around a bend and down - very trecherous if your not paying attention as those smooth trails tend to lull you to sleep - LOL.

If that's all you did to that skid, then I'm glad I made the decision to go X. I can't imagine what that would have done to you or the skid if it was the Pro-Action?

Probbiblly would have ripped my p-tube to the intercooler right off and demolished my exaust pipes.

 

[RedRX1]

I almost took that jump about 4 years ago. Scarry!!

 

[LazyBastard]

Where exactly is that jump?

 

[RedRX1]

The one I am thinking of is heading south on a hydro line. If you are going like he$$ you will come over a rise and see a sharp turn in the trail. If you miss the turn it's a long way down. I'd have to dig out my maps to find the trail ID.

 

[SIMMER]

Where exactly is that jump?

Nowhere near you LB.....It's just south of Kirkland Lake on the "A" trail. If you are heading SOUTH it's a blind hill thats on a power line. It's pretty nasty....fortunately I have always been going North so it hasn't affected me but I have seen guys come over it.

 

[LazyBastard]

Hmm.. that would make a pretty good ride. <G>