I'm planning this mod on my 14 and not cutting windows but just clipping if possible, while leaving my drivers wide. I got an extra set of arms to mod so that if itsucks I can go back to wide. If it works well, my son's and his best friend's 14s are next.
Home made alpha skid, first ride
- Thread starter madmax
- Start date
Cut slots for the tabs, push through then bend them over. Couldn't use a regular clip tool, have to make one. After I posted that, I got to thinking the holes will allow some snow in for lube.
That's a fairly important piece of the puzzle if you ride anything but pure fluff all the time.
2
2006sigouin
Member
Front shock lower bolt relocation
Did you notice any difference after relocating the lower bolt of the front shock ?
Did you notice any difference after relocating the lower bolt of the front shock ?
So making a homebuilt Alpha is very impressive but has anyone tried a compromise while we are waiting for ride reports? What I have been thinking about trying is 2 idler wheels inside a set of normal rails, as close to the center as possible. and located just behind the rear scissor. The idea is that these wheels would be large enough diameter that they would lift the track off the hyfax about 3/4" for the last 12-16" before the rear wheels. This would have the sled roll over from rail to rail when leaning and I know it would likely act like tipped up rails (more wheelies) but on a long track sled like a 174 I expect on hard pack it would act like a 155. In the deep pow it would settle in and give full flotation. Anybody have reason to think this wouldn't work?
It should work? Anything is possible we just need to think out of the box that's been created! I assume this is like a rollerblade design you are talking about? I am working my own design using a channel and bar about $80.00 in total with a bunch of machine time, hope this works? Mike
I thought about mounting smaller wheels down the inside between the two rails. A lot less friction by not having slide rails. I’ve looked at using some small, high grade roller blade wheels and placing them about 4-5” apart down the rails. Might try it later in the year. By doing that you wouldn’t have to punch and clip the center of the track.
Any more feedback in new snow this season?
Anyone else trying this?
Anyone else trying this?
Way behind on this, but you are talking about going back to how sleds guided the track before slide rails were invented. Anyone I have talked to who is old enough to have ridden those sleds always mentions how bad they were any any snow conditions where the snow was sticking and freezing, clogged the wheels,locked them up and stopped them rotating.
I’ve had the home made skid put a few times in powder since we’ve gotten dumped on here in Utah. It works very well and feels/handles/maneuvers very much like my 19’ alpha. I saw a post today on Facebook of a guy who build one out of a K-mid skid, looked very nice. To be honest, my new alpha is my primary sled. Home made alpha was just a tinkering fun ptoject. I’ll probably ride it a bit locally around my cabin before trusting it out in the steep and deep. I would hate for something to brake out in the middle of nowhere.
What's the latest on this mod? If Cat is not going to offer an Alpha Kit for previous Proclimbs, we may have to build our own!
The aftermarket companies (and other OEMS) have a great opportunity to try to develop a patent skirting kit for each of the brands that allows the average Joe to experience the wholesale change that the Alpha one skid brings to the sport.
Deal me in, I really don't want to have to spend $14,000 to experience a single rail rear skid.
The aftermarket companies (and other OEMS) have a great opportunity to try to develop a patent skirting kit for each of the brands that allows the average Joe to experience the wholesale change that the Alpha one skid brings to the sport.
Deal me in, I really don't want to have to spend $14,000 to experience a single rail rear skid.
they took the rebate away today...seems like a cool idea!
R
Radical Rider
Member
Friggin awesome...
S
follow up on the wheel additions
Can you post a pic or 2 how is the Wheel mod holding up.
I'm not sure how you can stay off the Alpha long enough to really test it though.....
Thanks
Can you post a pic or 2 how is the Wheel mod holding up.
I'm not sure how you can stay off the Alpha long enough to really test it though.....
Thanks
Standing by to either:
1. Buy a highly discounted 2019 Alpha One 154
2. Buy a prefabbed kit to modify my 2015 (with dropped drive axle & belt drive)
3. Buy a used rear skid and start modifying it myself
4. Sit here and wait to see what 2020 brings before doing anything
5. Just sit here and eat popcorn and see where this all goes
1. Buy a highly discounted 2019 Alpha One 154
2. Buy a prefabbed kit to modify my 2015 (with dropped drive axle & belt drive)
3. Buy a used rear skid and start modifying it myself
4. Sit here and wait to see what 2020 brings before doing anything
5. Just sit here and eat popcorn and see where this all goes
