AmSnow.com is now SnoWest.com
The ChassisKris wanted improved handling to match the power and also a comfortable driving position, so his handlebars were lifted and widened 4 inches to fit his larger frame and steering components were mixed for a lighter steering ratio.
The Storm chassis is known for being heavy on the skis, so to fix this problem Kris moved the ski spindles forward by 4 inches. This takes some load off the skis and also makes the longer sled ride better over moguls.
This project included extensive modification of the front bulkhead both for the shock mounts and radius rod location. A set of Edge arms were stretched 2 inches to accommodate the new front end, and the ski stance was widened to 44 inches on the centers.
Suspension action is controlled by Ohlin remote reservoir gas shocks and the sway bar is linkage mounted for free and accurate motion. Steering is taken care of by Simmons twin runner skis, which Kris found best suited for this machine after testing.
He stretched the tunnel for a 136-inch Fast M-10 suspension, which complements the handling over rough moguls. Kris plans to revise handling sometime this season, as he bought a Van Amberg tunnel at Haydays to stretch the suspension further to take a 144-inch track.
Chassis fabrication is always a painstaking process, and Kris gets help from his friend Ken Nuebauer of American Metalcraft in Union Grove, Wis. To top the project off, master artist Greg Maas at The Sign Shop in Racine, Wis., did a custom Airbrush paint job on the hood.
The project first hit the snow around Christmas 2001, and has been Kris's main sled since then. He says 4,000 miles later his power unit has proven to be both solid and reliable. The only chassis failure was a broken drive shaft when he lent it to a buddy who tried to snocross it a bit too enthusiastically.
Friends who have tried the sled say it feels surprisingly light due to the modified ski stance and steering mods, which make you forget you're on a larger sled. The power is awesome and all that Kris had hoped it would be. He's pleased with how the sled handles under power.
Kris has no plans to sell the sled either, preferring to dream up improvements for his engineering masterpiece.
What did he learn? Well, he has a newfound respect for factory engineers when it comes to packaging components. He suggests anyone attempting such a project should think long on how to route waterlines and wiring harnesses to avoid rubbing on items that may cause water leaks or short circuits.
As many specialty builders have experienced, everything is more complicated, takes longer and costs more than when the dream first takes form. Good planning and sourcing of suppliers for special parts is vital in such a project.
Following is a list of major sources Kris used on his project. He agreed to include his phone number for readers who are serious about pursuing a similar project. Kevin Hansen unfortunately passed away from a heart attack while mountain riding. Jim Hedlund at Hedlund Enterprises should be able to help in sourcing water manifolds and triple heads.