Has anyone tired breaking the Fiberglass Rods outside the sliderails on their track?

[Frostbite]

I saw someone asked if a Skidoo XM track with no fiberglass rods outside the slide rails would fit on a M series sled. The track won't fit because it's 16" wide but, it's a good idea to make the sled even easier to roll over.

I just saw this tool in one of the snowmobile magazines and I just have to ask if anyone has tried this on a M sled yet?

I'm not sure if one removes the broken fiberglass rod or just leaves it broken inside the rubber of the track?

I wonder what would happen to the longevity of the track?

Check it out!

http://betweenthelinesdesigns.com/?page_id=434

 

[m8magicandmystery]

the rods stay in...they say that the rod kinda pulverizes where it breaks and there is no splinters to do any damage..

but I have not heard on way or the other on the real world experience with it..

 

[M7Ridem7]

75 bucks, I've got enough scrap around to make one of those.

 

[clutch]

Might as well just buy a Ski-Doo Doo.

 

[Frostbite]

My question is, do we really need to do this when we have a 15" wide track?

It would be fun to try it but, I have no idea if it makes sense to do.......

 

[mike_s]

The price of the tool is a bit over the top for someone with a welder and some scrap metal. A guy could build that thing for pretty cheap. Although they do have to pay their bills and employees too, so take that for what its worth to you.

As for the track, is it worth it to you to potentially ruin $700 worth (or more) of a track and end up hating it? Plus, if there are any paddles that happen to strattle the point of breakage (pivot? Bend?) then that particular pitch wont flex much, if at all.

The idea is cool, i guess. Has the potential to work, just not for me.

 

[Frostbite]

Yes, the tool is a bit pricey and yes, it could ruin the track I suppose but, I am mainly wondering if flexible edges on a Powerclaw would make our older sled design handle even more nimbly?

 

[Frostbite]

I am still wondering if anyone has the answer to this question for Polaris, Yamaha and Cat with 15" wide tracks?

With the narrower front A arms and a flex edge track, our M series sleds could feel like a very powerful snowbike....

 

[Coldfinger]

I looked at my oem 2010 m8 track. IMHO, the way the lugs go th the edge of the track would seem to limit the flex even with broken rods.

However, maybe the outer edge of lugs could be cut from top to track to allow the outer edge of lug to flex better after the rods are broken.

If that doesn't work then the outer part of the lug could be cut off.

 

[05900]

I am still wondering if anyone has the answer to this question for Polaris, Yamaha and Cat with 15" wide tracks?

With the narrower front A arms and a flex edge track, our M series sleds could feel like a very powerful snowbike....

Only if you trim the outer paddles to a rounded corner....but why would you?

 

[Vern]

I would be worried about the broken rods ripping through the track. Personally I don't see much advantage considering that the best handling/side hilling sleds, I.e. M-series and pro, already have that title with no flexy track.

 

[kidwoo]

I am still wondering if anyone has the answer to this question for Polaris, Yamaha and Cat with 15" wide tracks?

With the narrower front A arms and a flex edge track, our M series sleds could feel like a very powerful snowbike....

Just put a turbo on your snowbike.

I don't think you're going to get a sled to feel like a bike, no matter what you do. At least not with currently available parts and mindsets about what a snowmobile is.

What was the biggest motor in those snow hawk things? Weren't they using a 600cc rotax? That seems like it would be more a worthwhile avenue to look at.