Weight transfer to skis

[stomper]

I have an 03 rx1 and I have noticed that when I accelerate the front end seems to lose steering. Even with just normal trail riding. If I lean way forward the steering gets better. That tells me that I need to transfer some weight to the skis. Do I do this with by shortening the limit straps, shortening or lengthening the transfer rods, or both. How much weight transfer do I need. Just enough to make me happy.

 

[yox185]

If I'm not mistaken that's a proaction skid. Here is a great link for setup. http://hem.passagen.se/rogg/yamsetup/startsida_eng.htm

And this one.http://www.totallyamaha.net/forums/showthread.php?t=34503

 

[stomper]

Thanks, Thats alot of the info I was needing. I guess the trick is find out which ones to adjust first and how much.

Edit:
Sorry, I didn't see the second link. That pretty much covers it.

 

[maim]

i would just suck up the front limiters 1/2" if your transfer is set properly. cured the same problem on mine.

 

[stomper]

Let me explain a few thing here. I may be leaving some of the details out. I just purchased this sled this summer. 2003 RX1 with proaction skid. I only put about 60 miles on it before I had noticed the front pivot arm on the skid was severly cracked. So I pulled the skid and replaced the pivot arm. While doing this I found that most of the bushing were wore out, I replaced all the bushings in the whole skid with new ones. I also found that the rod on the front shock that attaches to the front pivot arm was bent, So I replaced it also. I just installed the skid in the sled last night.
The guy I bought it from weighs around the 200 lbs mark. I weigh 255lbs. I put everything back to its original setting , limit straps, shock settings ect to the way it originaly was before I took it apart. I never touched the shocks on the skis.
Now, I dont know if the suspenssion was set up for the previous owner or if he just drove it like it was.
I have noticed, now and before I replaced everything, that the sled pushes through the turns at moderate speed (trail riding speed)and even just starting out at low speed. The carbides are good so I can rule that out. With very slight throttle increase I can feel and see the skis lift and feel the steering diminish. At more agressive acceleration the steering is almost completely lost. It feels like there is not enough pressure on the skis.
I have read the links that yox185 posted but there is alot of stuff that is unclear to me.

1. Transfer rods:
do they transfer weight from the back to front of the skid only, or do they transfer weight from the back suspenssion(skid) to the front suspenssion(skis).
Should the transfer rods be adjusted so that the space above and below the center portion are equal? Is this done with me sitting on the sled?

2. Limit straps:
buy tightening up the limit straps, will that put more weight(pressure) on the skis only. Or will it also effect the softness/stiffness of the rear suspenssion(skid) also?
I have also noticed that the rear of my skid is off of the floor about 3/4 of an inch and the paddles of the track(2" paddle track) at the front of the skid are compressed about the same. If I take up the limit straps so that the skid is flat on the floor would this put more weight(pressure) on my skis and possibly cure my steering problem.

3. Shock adjustments:
I realize the the more preload that is on the shock the stiffer it will be and that will effect the softness/stiffness of the suspension. Do I judge this by the way that I like it to feel as I ride. As I said, I weigh 255lbs so I should to have more preload on the shocks. Right?
If I take up the limit straps some to lift the front of the skid to put more weight(pressure) on the skis, should I take some of the preload out of the front (pivot arm) shock?

4. Full rate adjustment:
I realize that the position of the full rate adjustment will make the shock act stiffer or softer. When adjusting the rear suspenssion, is this the very first adjustment made and is it adjusted according to the weight of the rider or personal preference of the rider
Sorry for all of the questions, I'm just trying to understand.
by the way guys thanks for the posts so far.

 

[maim]

#2 is what you need to do to get some ski pressure.

the transfer rods should be set for 50/50 gap when you are sitting on the sled in your most common riding position.

odd are the previous owner just rode it as it was set from the factory.

hang in there and we will help you get it set up for your needs.

 

[stomper]

Thanks maim. I will adjust the limit straps first thing tomorrow and get back to you and let you know what happened.

 

[stomper]

Well here is where I'm at! I took up the limit straps a half inch. took it for a test ride. Nothing! adjusted them again to the max allowable according to the manual. It was a bit better, but not to my satisfaction. So I studied the first like that yox185 posted. I adjusted my full rate to the bottom most position, I left my limit straps at the max allowable position, I adjusted mt transfer rods to the max alowable position which set them at 50/50. I left the preloads on my two skid shocks in the middle adjustment notch(factory setting). Took it for a spin and it was a completely different machine to drive. I could not be happier with the performance. Thanks everyone for the help to get me rolling again.
I love this forum, lots of great guys here with lots of great info.
It would have been along stressfull time trying to figure this out by myself
Thanks again.

 

[Honk]

I never had a sled that required so much detail, but once you get it adjusted to the ride "YOU" enjoy stay with it and only adjust one thing at a time. Oh and make sure ya have the sit-in correct too! Enjoy!

 

[stomper]

What will the correct set in effect?