Purpose built snowbike - The CVT version

[gp800]

Awesome build!

What are you using for your 3d scans?

 

[fgauvin7]

Awesome build!

What are you using for your 3d scans?

Thanks! I have two Revopoint scanner, a Range version 1 and a Mini. They are not the best out there but it get the job done and they are affordable.

 

[fgauvin7]

Thread 'This Is The World's First Geared CVT and It Will Blow Your Mind - Ratio Zero Transmission'

Dec 2, 2024

Today I have the privilege to hold in my hands something special. It is called Ratio Zero and it is the worlds first operational gear based cvt But before I explain how this piece of mechanical poetry actually works allow me to first explain why a gear based CVT is a big deal. As you probably know CVT stands for continuously variable transmission and from the perspective of fuel efficiency, smoothness and ease of use they are the ultimate transmission. And while I would not choose a CVT transmission for a vehicle that I want to take to a twisty mountain road or to the...

• christopher
• Replies: 26
• Forum: General Snowmobiling

• 

Nice work! Someday this might be a good option. What did you do with the 217 pound yz snow bike? That one must be a world record of light weight.

HI Eric, yes I have seen the video about the geared CVT. It is a pretty wild concept but with a lot of time and evolution they might have something.

My first snowbike (the 217 lbs one) Is just sitting on the edge of the mezzanine in the shop as a nice piece of art! I like it a lot and it represent a lot for me so I dont think I could sell it. It had a lot of problem and default, more than what could be fixed. A complete redesign would a been necessary but the base design with the front end takes a lot of the premium real estate on the bike, so fitting an engine with a low CG is very challenging. I tried a lot to use this front end on the actual CVT version but it was near impossible to fit everything with the space it takes. But I do miss it a bit, the lightness of this bike was very nice and for just ripping it arround it was a blast. This build would have needed a ktm 300 counter balanced engine!



This was the first attempt at the actual CVT project. It could have worked by placing the engine under the seat but It would have been a lot more complex than just forks and I don't think It would have been lighter with the long stem tube I'm using in the current build.

 

[fgauvin7]

I like seeing this and wish I had what it takes to build one, it looks like the foot pegs are solid non folding on the right side? My luck would have them ripped off on the first ride.

Thanks! Yes the Pegs are solid, just a few laser cut steel plates tig welded. They are the same as in my previous build and they never been an issue. If they end up giving me trouble I will fab up a set of folding one but for now it is simple and strong.

 

[Cinno]

So, back at it after a few years off due to other life project. House build and a kid at the same time was enough for the past 2-3 years...

But I always wanted to build the bike that I sould have built in the first place! No regret, don't get me wrong, I can't event explain how valuable is all the knowledge that the past builds gave me and I don't think I could create what I'm actually building right now without the experience from the previous project.

Just like almost everyone, I would like more power, 100-120hp would be ideal, and CVT is for me a top goal to have it easy to ride. So it is easy to see it coming, it will be a sled engine based build. Yes I know it dosen't phisicaly fit, it is too wide and CVT takes a lot of space.... But I want to take a shot a it and do my best to find a way around it and still create a decent sled powered snowbike. There will be compromise but with it partially build at the moment I can say that I'm pretty confident in the results.

So, no rocket sience here, this subject have been beat to death in the past and I think J&L (Less) have the only good layout based on the current engine configuration we have to work with. I'm confident this is the layout to use because just like Less, I tried some other layout and everything went to trash pretty quickliy. More on that in some futur post but let's say that I was not happy with the compromise needed to make it work.

It started about 2 years ago when I found a great deal on a Cat ZR6000 2014, I was as cheap, only about 1000km on it, missing some non essential parts but this make it the perfect donnor! It is exaclty the powerplant I wanted to use, 600cc fuel injected, electric oil pump, petty simple setup and laydown engine configuration puts the intake in the front so I will not have anything in the back of the seat. Once I got the engine out I scanned it in 3D and started creating the V3 in CAD!

View attachment 426430

Then after a lot of time I and a few build itteration that got scapped early (more on that later as I said) I got a model complete enough to start building! Here is a quick look at it!

View attachment 426431


Then let's do a fast forward to today and we have the real thing almost to the same stage ready more work and integrating all systems to make it a complete unit that can be tested! Hopefully before the end of winter 2025!


View attachment 426432



I have a lot of build photo from the first steps to today and even from the scrapped concepts, If there is interest I will find time to elaborate more.

As you can see, I found a way to stuff the 600 laydown under the seat while maintaining the 37in seat height that I like. I incoporated the long stem tube design from my previous build to this one, lengthened it a few inches from the 450f build to improve the balance, rear skid and track is borrowed from the previous build along with the forks, spindle and ski. The design allow for a fully sealed bodywork and I invested a lot of time in making the frame easy to dress with a nice bodywork that makes it more finished than most of the diy builds. At the end, I'm looing for OEM look and fit, it is not a simple task but I think I'm on the right track. It will have the CVT sticking out on the left but I'm fine with it and fo most of the SnoRkt I have seen it does not seem to bother a lot. I'm impatient to find out about the inertia of a bigger engine and cvt too, I guess we will find soon! Finally, manual start have been cancelled (Took a hacksaw to the crankcase haha) to reduce width and weight. It will be E-start only but this make it a lot easyer to package and do a clean job.

For the inevitable question, weight, I do my best to keep it raisonable. Sure it will be on the heavy side but my dream would be under 300lbs dry, this mean around 325-330 wet I think. I don't think it is impossible to acheive but it might need a few revision and refinement to get there. I could be wrong but weight is not my main focus, to some extent we can deal with that later.

check out this webpage about a purpose built snowbike:

Home | Orge Engineering

www.ogreengineering.com

There is one for sale on facebook right now not to far from where i live:

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kinda looks like a Timbersled kit on a custom frame with triple yamaha two stroke motor with CVT.

Cinno

 

[AK_SNOWBIKE_CO]

check out this webpage about a purpose built snowbike:

Home | Orge Engineering

www.ogreengineering.com

There is one for sale on facebook right now not to far from where i live:

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com

kinda looks like a Timbersled kit on a custom frame with triple yamaha two stroke motor with CVT.

Cinno

Seen these for a few years now and don’t like the position of the motor behind the rider. Guessing the weight is 400lb? Too heavy and poor rider geometry/center gravity for technical woods riding. I feel confident a stock 450 with any kit would leave the ogre behind in good woods riding. Especially after the first time it goes down and they ask everyone to help roll it over in 3’ of snow on the mtn.

 

[byeatts]

Seen these for a few years now and don’t like the position of the motor behind the rider. Guessing the weight is 400lb? Too heavy and poor rider geometry/center gravity for technical woods riding. I feel confident a stock 450 with any kit would leave the ogre behind in good woods riding. Especially after the first time it goes down and they ask everyone to help roll it over in 3’ of snow on the mtn.

Nice project Im not badmouthing ewer build at all and I agree, The 450 is Lite and nimble , These sled engine machines go down that same road as the snowhawk [ Which I had} and as heavy as a sled ,could be great on open hills but thats not what snowbikes are all about , The tight steep knarley stuff and is all about weight and remaining nimble , ewers is surely a different purpose machine than a snowbike .