Single ski project- Drifter Mk II

[bankrobber]

Was previously constructing a CR500 2 stroke based snowbike but the amount of engineering comprimises started to get to me so I decided to start a clean sheet design.
Motor is a 07 Suzuki GSXR 600 EFI and electric start. Block is a closed deck design so will lend itself well to turbocharging at a later stage. 120 HP but almost 120 pounds, twice what the CR500 motor was in both areas. I really struggled with the weight gain but in the end more HP is always better and the EFI and e start brings it into the modern age.
Still thinwall chromemoly 4130 tubing TiG welded for the chassis.
Currently mocking up the a-arm front suspension still using TLKD 10" wide ski. Have an plan down for a wider ski shortly.
After its on the ground I will place the footpegs and steering based on where the C of G turns out to be for a good front to rear balance.
Weight goal is 300 lbs including carbon fibre body work.
Track is 144x15x2
Making some good progress but still much to do.

 

[J&L Snowhawk]

what happened

where did the cr motor go? that looks heavy is it worth it??

 

[bankrobber]

CR motor went back into my bike. Will the extra weight be worth it? Only time will tell. Overall light weight, weight that is low and centralized is my overriding design criteria. That pays performance benefits everywhere from the time you unload it from the truck onwards. Certainly when its turboed it should stand straight up. The CR500 was going to end up under 260 lbs with the same track and skid, so without the heavy forks I think 300 lbs should give a pretty fair power to weight ratio.

 

[bankrobber]

Update photos. Have done a lot of work on it. Lowered and tilted back the motor for better C of G, double a-arms and steering post in place, ski attachment done, exhaust and radiator finalized. Going to finsh the cooling system, start on placing the footpegs, handle bars and steering column/system, fuel tank and electrical system.
Body work profile will be "hawk like`but with some storage. Carbon fiber for that and the tunnel.
For the first tests I am going to leave it non turbo so I can concentrate on debugging and refining the problem areas that are bound to show up.
The shifting, steering systems and 15 inch wide ski will be innovative.
Meanwhile it has been snowing its *** off around here probably 150 cm of new snow in the past 10 days so hopefully get this thing running soon.
Still plenty of cross bracing and gussets to weld into the a-arms and of course little bracketry that seems to take hours to build.
Machine is 18 inches wide, 10 ft 2 inches long and light...
I reserved a web domain, whiteriot.ca to start a website in case the machine performs as I envision it to and I can get started producing them after a extensive testing program. Just a dream for now...

Photos show view from a standing position. Seat height is 32", bar height 49", running boards 12 ", ball of foot to bar distance 8".
As it sits now it weighs 242 lbs. That's a bit less than the CR500 engine, frame, forks and same skid of Drifter Mark 1. I feel very good about abandoning that and going in this new direction. I feel my weight target of 285 lbs.is very achievable.
This motor is 120 HP normally aspirated compared to 60HP on the CR500. Turbocharged with 8 lbs. of boost should give 180 HP. And its a modern engine with EFI and e start.
As much as practical I will continue to centralize and locate the mass low in the chassis.

 

[Jon Mutiger]

Do you think it might be a bit loud with the exhaust plumbed straight up like that?

 

[bankrobber]

Exhaust is not finished, but will exit out the side through a muffler first. I will take a weight penalty to make it quiet.

 

[powdermuncher]

That is a amassing amount of work right there.

Watch the weight out front---it will be the killer for handling.

I have been thinking of doing the same thing as you and looked at he Hawk and area 51 closely.

So far I have not found a engine that meets my weight space requirements to get going with.

The more I look into it the more to you and the addict for the work and commitment you guys put into your projects and to AD Boivin for being way ahead of its time and still no one has come up with a better performing snow-bike.

 

[bankrobber]

Right now the front to rear weight balance is exactly 50/50. 120 lbs on ski, 120 lbs on skid. Balance point is located at the limiter strap. The final location of the fuel tank(s) will determine how it will handle.
Mini running boards are going to let me adjust my position a bit and that will make the biggest difference.

 

[bankrobber]

Finished the steering post, front half of running board, rad/intercooler/bodywork bolt on subframe support. Still more cross bracing to go in after the exhaust is finished.
Raised the seat height to 35" and bars to 50" for a more comfortable standing/sitting position
Gas can is only there to see how much room I have to work with. I should be able to make a fuel tank with around 35 liters and this will still leave a storage compartment under 3/4 the length of the seat. Good range and mass centralization with that capacity.
Currently waiting on exhaust bends and drive shaft components.
Starting on carbon fiber work-gas tank, body work, ski, tunnel...steering, shifting...

 

[bankrobber]

Photos show the approximate body profile I'm thinking about.

 

[more snow]

Excellent project. Way to think outside the box. What is the top of the front shock supported by? May want to take a closer look at that. Thinking the frame may need addtional trianglation support to resist bending?

 

[gunnin88]

Dora seams prety happy with what you have done there.

 

[soul!]

any progress?
interesting front suspension, simple idea

 

[volcano buster]

Is it done yet?

 

[wellfed777]

YES

lets see that bad boy