Broken Skid Rails and Powdercoat

[M5-]

Well it just wouldn't be a normal weekend if something on the TS didn't break. This is my latest problem. Two things, first off yes I can weld it but I shouldn't have to.... second does anybody have a 137 rail kicking around they want to get rid of.

I hate the new TS site, its just a giant PITA getting parts now that there is that middle man layer. Basically I am done with this company and their crappy product and their crappy service. Done done done. My buddies drive shaft just snapped in half the other day right where it goes into the dual row bearing holder, ran into another guy being towed out because his dual row jackshaft bearing had blown up. Its non stop, if you ride them they will break over and over. Sorry but its just not acceptable. I'm just sick of wrenching on this POS.

Lastly I used to powder coat rails for custom sleds and they ALWAYS broke, I quit doing it and went to anodizing, boom problem solved. There are lots of good studies showing that poor heat control of the powder coat baking process weakens 6061, that's why any good powder coater won't touch automotive wheels, too much liability. I will order my next kit with uncoated rails, if you can't supply it that way then your kit is off my list.

M5

 

[M5-]

Can't seem to upload the pic and I don't have time to try right now.

M5

 

[9Miler]

I run Ice Age rails they are stronger

 

[MotoTrax LLC]

I will order my next kit with uncoated rails, if you can't supply it that way then your kit is off my list.

M5

If you would like to consider a MotoTrax kit, our snow check will be launching this coming Monday. You can get customer anodized rails instead of powder coated. We have found that the snow build up on the rails is not as severe as other places like the side panels and swing arms so there is no real performance benefit from powder coating them. Anodizing makes them more corrosion resistance and still allows for cool customization options without worrying about wear or heat treating.

 

[M5-]

If you would like to consider a MotoTrax kit, our snow check will be launching this coming Monday. You can get customer anodized rails instead of powder coated. We have found that the snow build up on the rails is not as severe as other places like the side panels and swing arms so there is no real performance benefit from powder coating them. Anodizing makes them more corrosion resistance and still allows for cool customization options without worrying about wear or heat treating.

I would most surely consider your kit as an option. It has many features which I like and believe are well thought out and by virtue of the fact that you are on this forum conversing with me in public is a big plus in your favour IMO, Kudos to you, but here's the deal.

Your kit is new and I don't see the Canadian support network as being in place yet, hopefully this will change. I won't buy any kit, and I'm not trying to single you out here, I haven't ridden because that's just the way I am, after having done it once before I wont do it again. When we count up the number of down days this season amongst my riding group due to failures, it's a lot. It can be a giant PITA getting support from the US because first off it's expensive for us who live in Canada and secondly Canada customs is notoriously slow at processing packages which results in more down time when getting parts from the US.

This is exactly the problem I'm once again up against now, nobody stocks any parts here. So instead of just getting on the phone with TS and have it on its way now you need to call a dealer who is putting his parts order in next week blah blah blah but if you want it quicker you can pay more. Had I hit a log or done huge cornice drop or whatever, then fine my it's my own fault but this rail just cracked in half from fatigue which IMO is BS. It easily could have resulted in a horrible crash or a chopper ride or both.

So basically what I would like to see from my next vendor is a great track record of durability or a multi year bombproof warranty like sleds are coming with now or ideally both because I'm growing pretty weary of constantly throwing time and money at this. The other thing I'm not interested in is waking up smelling like I've been sleeping in a bed of cedar shavings like a kids pet guinea pig.


M5

 

[Wheel House Motorsports]

Curious where it cracked?

I have seen very few failures, most were taken out when something else failed.

 

[Summitseeker]

I have a brand new set of 120 rails but I am guessing they won't work for ya!

 

[DenverSnowBike]

I have a set of 2016 137 rails I may be willing to let go. I want to do a conversion this summer and either get some Ice Age custom 129's or get some 120's and extensions....how much you thinking?

 

[M5-]

Got the pic up. I'm not sure why I couldn't get it to load this am. Weird.

M5

 

[74bronco2]

Anadized fades fast will look like crap in a year

 

[up-high]

Anadized fades fast will look like crap in a year

Had anodized rails on a couple of Racer's Edge skids. looked like new after a couple of years. And they didn't crack.
TS(now Polaris) needs to up their game.

 

[kell8071]

My side panel recently failed in a similar manner (http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=411258). I figured it was due to the vibrations from my cr500 with an aluminum frame.

Just out of curiosity you still running a cr500? If so steel or aluminum frame?

Kell

 

[SuperchargedWS6]

My left rail broke in the exact same spot twice. Had to reinforce it. And I don't ride hard.

 

[M5-]

My side panel recently failed in a similar manner (http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=411258). I figured it was due to the vibrations from my cr500 with an aluminum frame.

Just out of curiosity you still running a cr500? If so steel or aluminum frame?

Kell

I am still running the CR500, mines a steelie. The vibes aren't too bad I mostly only ever notice it at the end of the day on the trail out when I'm getting tired. I saw your thread about the cracked side panel, same thing happened to my buddies kit on his KTM 4 stroke so I'm not convinced the CR has anything to do with it.

M5

 

[M5-]

My left rail broke in the exact same spot twice. Had to reinforce it. And I don't ride hard.

Interesting, didn't think I was likely going to be the only one. LT or ST?

M5

 

[M5-]

Anadized fades fast will look like crap in a year

Not if its done right, that crap from China fades overnight but the guy I use is the same guy Baker uses and he does excellent work.

M5

 

[Rush44]

This might be one of the reasons the new 2017 kits have much beefier rails. So far no cracked rails for me, but I have gone through a side panel from kit vibration.

 

[M5-]

This is an interesting read if you are a weird metallurgy geek like me, but if you aren't the readers digest version is Yes the aluminum can be weakened by powder coating. It seems to depend on time and temperature of the bake and 6061 is the most susceptible to change. Looks like the magic temp is 204c or 399.2 F after that its a crap shoot so depending on the oven its temp gauge and control it puts you right in the gray area.

M5






http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j...ch_fac&usg=AFQjCNFvI-JZrnbVSToWg7ovawiY771EZg

 

[xr650ryder]

We need to consider the fatigue limit of aluminum.

Thanks all!

Your input above has been very thought provoking.
Looks like don't make any structural part out of 2024 that is powder coated.

I would like to add the Following.

IMO

We need to consider the fatigue limit of aluminum.
Aluminum has none or very little fatigue limit. When aluminum is cycled with stress or heat it gets weaker until failure.

This thread started with side panels failing on what year of kit?

Material, Design, Coatings all figure into how long a part will last along with the most obvious Usage.

Due to my size and weight on all my Kits I have added luggage rails to stiffen up my side plates.

I like function over looks. I care much less of what it looks like and how much it weighs than if it will get me out of the woods so I can sleep in my own bed.

Again this thread was being great Dialog. I fear it may just be the tip of the Iceberg of all knowledge to be learned about in the Snow Motorbiking Movement.

I love my 2016 LT my #1 concern on this kit was the new Rails with the cut-out for the bump stops. I had less than 200 miles and mine was missing bolts and all but 1 where loose on the bump stop bracket. I think the 2017 rails and bumpers was a major step in the right direction. My bump stop brackets now have longer longer cap screws with nuts on the back side.

A big shout out to all the new players in kit MFG I see a lot of great solutions. For the consumer I love the in-flux of new ideas this year. Fun Times!!