"So what are you going to build for this year's project sled?" I asked Steve as I sat in one of the vinyl chairs across from his desk.
"Well, we're back around to Ski-Doo," he said. "I don't see any reason to start with the thousand, do you?
"No. It doesn't leave you with much to do."
"I liked the way the Summit 700 turned out four years ago. But they don't have the 700 anymore. Maybe I'll start with a Summit 600."
"That's not a bad idea," I said. "I think I'm going to build a 600 this year, too."
"You are? What sled?"
"I was thinking about building up our M6 from last year."
"That ought to be fun. You know, I was thinking maybe I'd go with the Summit 800."
"Either way. What are you going to do with it?"
"Well, I hate getting into the motor. I'd probably do everything to the chassis I could. see how light we can get it," Steve said.
"No motor work, huh?"
"I don't know for sure. What are you going to do?"
"I dunno either. Maybe an M8 kit or something."
"Actually, I was thinking about some port work. Maybe a little intake work, too. Get a few more ponies out of it," said Steve.
"Of course," I replied, "Union Bay makes a good 900 top-end for the Cat. I might go with that."
"Yeah, Starting Line's Performance Edition-that's what I was thinking. They claim about 165 hp, don't they? What's the Union Bay engine good for?"
"Well, it's just a top-end bolt on. No case work," I said. "Probably in the mid-160s. upper 160s."
"I'm sure 165 is a conservative number. SLP can probably squeeze around 170 out of the Ski-Doo."
"What track are you thinking?" I asked, fiddling with Steve's perfectly-kept pencil holder.
"Well, Ski-Doo probably wants to send it out with the 162 on it. That's good for flotation, but I like a shorter track."
"I've got to find something else, too. The M6 has the 141 on it, but we're switching tunnels-"
"Tunnel? Whose tunnel?"
"Fabcraft. So I've got to decide what track to run. Maybe a new 153 Challenger." I said.
"Fifteen inches wide?"
"Yeah."
"I'm going to get the 151 then-sixteen inches wide. You've got to consider track speed."
"Right. How much weight are you going to take off?" I said, leaning forward in my chair.
"Probably don't need to take any off with the motor I'll have. But we'll shave a little. You?"
"Not much. By the time I put on a longer tunnel and track, I'll come out the same as where I started."
"I'll probably drop an easy 30 lbs. with what Holz is doing," Steve quipped.
"Weight doesn't really matter for what I'm doing. It's more in the throttle."
"Throttle? Remember you and your throttle in Utah last spring? You're going to need all the help you can get."
"Don't worry. I'll break trail for you all winter as usual."
"In the wrong direction," Steve said. "I'm sure you'll be looking around for me when you get to the steep stuff."
"Yeah, because I'll be on top wondering where you and your little 800 are."
"Oh please. You know what? I'm going to wax you, and it won't matter what we both build. But I've got work to do. Are you done?"
"I guess," I said.
"Good."
"Fine."
"Great," Steve finished, turning to his keyboard.
"So," I said, "What are you going to build next year?"