Does anyone else snowmobile?

"WRXasaurus" (wrxasaurus) 11/10/2016 at 13:00 • Filed to: Snowmobile, Arctic Cat, Snowlopnik, BRAAP

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My not-at-all pristine 1998 Arctic Cat ZL500 from last year.

So it is nearly winter time in the ol’ northern MN. So that means snowmobile prep time before I have to get it ready in a freezing cold garage. Last year I rebuilt the engine since a cylinder had a nick in the nikasil coating.

So now my sled runs like a top, for the first time ever in my 4 years of ownership. I should preface this next part by saying this is my 3rd ZR2 chassis sled I’ve owned, seems like I had more money in high school then I do now. So unfortunately, having it running well showed me other deficiencies in both its handling characteristics and its comfort. Since I am a complete cheapskate and can’t afford a new fangled snowmobile, I had to decide how to fix these issues.

First problem, the old busted foam seat that had no support. I could either, roll the dice on a used seat, buy a $300 Boss seat, or modify a newer seat to fit. I chose the latter. So perusing ebay one sunny summer day I found a nice 2007 Arctic Cat Crossfire seat for $80 shipped. Needless to say, seat acquired. Now I have begun the process of melding the seat to the old fuel tank, because Arctic Cat didn’t think to make them backwards compatible. I started by removing the old seat and comparing the old seat/fuel tank base to the new seat.

On new sleds the fuel tank and seat are separate. My old seat was stapled directly to the tank base.

Then I decided I would have to cut up the new seat. First I removed a bunch of upholstery staples so I could remove the foam to see what fitment issues I had to overcome with just the bare plastic frame. So this is as far as I got yesterday, anyone have any ideas? My plans so far are to cut and screw or rivet the plastic to fit as close as possible then cut the foam to fit and to re-staple the vinyl back on. After that is accomplished I will have a taller, narrower, much firmer seat.

As you can see my biggest issue is fitting around the old tank smoothly.

To address the suspension issues I decided to go with updated new rear suspension springs. These are the load bearing part of the suspension that does most of the work holding you up while you ride along the trail. The shocks come more into play as you hit bumps or jumps. So using the AC suspension spring chart I found online, I chose springs that had similar geometry but thicker spring material. These springs are called Fat-boy springs since the ones originally on the ZL were rated for riders between 125-175 lbs. I being 6' 2" and weighing in at 195 lbs decided a firmer ride would be much better. So far my progress has been slow since I’ve been taking care of my sick 11 month old this week, but I have everything apart and now need to order new springs and idler bushings.

My sled as it sits now. I can’t decide if its a low rider or stanced.

Those of you that may say that I need to have new shocks or rebuild my shocks on the rear skid, I had that done last year so I know they are in good shape. Other fixes I hope to have done before it snows. I will do a steering relocate to raise my handlebars up higher and I will have to come up with a brake light solution. My bonus round will be removing all the old scratched stickers and repainting the hood orange or green or maybe just black again. Anyone have an suggestions or ideas for me. And if anyone is up by the MN Iron Range or North Shore this winter for a trip, drop me a line and I’ll try and meet up for a ride.

* Yes I know it would be easier to get a newer sled, but I’m stubborn, cheap and I hope to have all the issues sorted out so I can give this to my nephew in a few winters so he can enjoy it, or just make my brother fix it a bunch since he told me it was a “good” sled and that I should buy it 4 years ago from one of his buddies.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > WRXasaurus 11/10/2016 at 13:14

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As a person who lives in northern Wi. I would have to have snow first. A four wheeler can go though most of the snow we’ve gotten we in the last few years.

Boosted2k - I Make Videos and Put Them on YouTube > WRXasaurus 11/10/2016 at 13:24

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You have a Nick in your Nikasil? How much horsepower did he add? :P

Wacko > WRXasaurus 11/10/2016 at 13:33

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Rural Canadian here so yes i do have a snowmobile.

I own a 2007 Yamaha Venture MP

like this

good riding position, 4 stroke 500cc 80hp but she is about 600 pounds dry.....

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > WRXasaurus 11/10/2016 at 13:44

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I’m currently replacing the track on my Indy 600. What a pain. Also it doesn’t really have a muffler right now, but it goes like a crazed bat out of hell.

Like this but a giant piece of shit:

The Lurktastic Opponaught > WRXasaurus 11/10/2016 at 13:53

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I’ll rent one every once in a while when I get up into the mountains, but I’ve never owned. The snow in coastal Maine sucks. They’re a hell of a good time.

Pickup_man > WRXasaurus 11/10/2016 at 14:05

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I’ve always wanted a sled, and a sled is actually the one toy my wife wants me to buy, but I wont. I like to compare snowmobiles to boats, holes in the water (frozen or otherwise) that you constantly throw money into (but I still really want a boat). That doesn’t mean I wont buy one, but that’s why I haven’t yet. That and I don’t have much of a place to keep one. Used sleds can be had really cheap though so long as it checks out, so maybe this will be the year.

Nonster > WRXasaurus 11/10/2016 at 14:29

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I grew up in Florida so I’ve never gotten to ride one of your Snow-jetski’s, but I live in Ohio now so I’ve been itching to try out a Snowtercycle. They look like a shit-ton of fun

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > WRXasaurus 11/10/2016 at 14:30

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I have 2. Both 1990 Super Jag long track (152") with a 44occ air cooled Suzuki twin. One is for parts, the other one runs... most of the time. It is a good ice fishing sled.

DynamicWeight > WRXasaurus 11/10/2016 at 14:31

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I vote for painting it bright obnoxious colors. It makes it easier to see which is important in motor sports. Black/silver/tan is for camrys.

WRXasaurus > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches 11/10/2016 at 14:54

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That’s pretty much like mine, I had contemplated a xlt instead of the ZL but I was more familiar with AC. Someday I may spoil myself with a new sled.

WRXasaurus > Wacko 11/10/2016 at 14:55

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Yeah, my brother has a Nytro. That thing is a heavy beast but is super comfortable, we call it the barcalounger.

WRXasaurus > Nonster 11/10/2016 at 14:57

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They are super fun in good snow conditions and good gear. I’ve been upgrading my gear for when I get a newer sled since most have less wind protection now.

WRXasaurus > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 11/10/2016 at 14:58

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Yeah, last year had bad snow, and the year before had so much snow but it was always -30 F or felt that way at least

Andrew > Wacko 11/10/2016 at 14:59

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I’ve got a venture lite!

WRXasaurus > Boosted2k - I Make Videos and Put Them on YouTube 11/10/2016 at 15:00

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It added -35 or so. I couldn’t get it to run out idle so I finally did a compression test and noticed it was only at 90 psi not 135 like the other cylinder. Glad someone saw the pun.

Wacko > Andrew 11/10/2016 at 15:02

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basically the same machine, except your skis are an inch less wide and the track is also an inch less wide and other differences

http://www.ty4stroke.com/threads/differences-between-venture-lite-and-multipurpose.112378/

WRXasaurus > Pickup_man 11/10/2016 at 15:03

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Best bet for a new sled is to get something 2011 or newer unless you do a bunch of research. Avoid pre 2011 polaris 800s and ski doo 800s. Can’t go wrong with an old AC 700 or 600. The newer sleds are much better built and don’t require so much maintenance. Avoid carbs, get efi and if you just want to trail ride get a 4 stroke.

bob and john > WRXasaurus 11/10/2016 at 15:21

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you’d think being canadian Id own one.

but no, I dont.

Nonster > WRXasaurus 11/10/2016 at 15:30

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what kind of gloves do you wear? I ride my motorcycle pretty deep into the winter and its always my hands that I have the hardest time keeping warm. I just installed heated grips and they help a lot

WRXasaurus > bob and john 11/10/2016 at 15:31

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You probably want this.

WRXasaurus > Nonster 11/10/2016 at 15:36

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I’m actually going to get better gloves this year. I’m going to try out the Motorfist Rekon or WOT gloves. Besides the heated grips you can also install handlebar handguards. Or if you really like the cold you can go with big huge gauntlets that mount to the handlebars that your hand and gloves go right in to.

bob and john > WRXasaurus 11/10/2016 at 15:39

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*drools*

maybe

WRXasaurus > bob and john 11/10/2016 at 15:45

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It’s cheaper then a new sled if you already have a bike that works. And you have one that might if I remember correctly.

bob and john > WRXasaurus 11/10/2016 at 15:46

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I’ll sheepishly admit I have 5 that work... out of 7.

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > WRXasaurus 11/10/2016 at 15:52

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Just bought my first one! It’s a 1970 Arctic Cat Panther 440, needs plugs and new gas and should run great.

My friends and I are doing a Cheap Sled Challenge, pre ‘85, $300 budget for sled, same to fix it up. Will be running in February when we actually hopefully have snow and cold here in MI.

WRXasaurus > bob and john 11/10/2016 at 15:54

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You must have looked into it. I assume that means the SV 650s work. Plus you have a DRZ right? Apparently the KTM 450 is awesome, but I wonder if some has done this to a 701 Husky.

Pickup_man > WRXasaurus 11/10/2016 at 15:55

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I’m a cheap bastard, and not afraid of a little work so an older sled is likely what I’d go for, something well under $1000. Something like an Indy Trail 440, or a Jag 440 would be all that I need. A good ditch hopper that I could still take trail riding in the Black Hills if I wanted to. Part of me also wants a truly vintage sled, but that’s not a commitment I’m ready to make yet.

bob and john > WRXasaurus 11/10/2016 at 15:56

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2SVs, the DR (not DRZ) a BMW, and 2 cruises. and the Kawi.

I could, but a good kit is like 3-5 K. so no.

WRXasaurus > StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 11/10/2016 at 15:56

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Awesome, you can go on those fun vintage rides. I’d like to pick up an old John Deere spitfire or an old wankel 301 AC.

WRXasaurus > Pickup_man 11/10/2016 at 16:00

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Well for under $1000 your choices get slim. And most will need suspension work like mine. Look for an old Yamaha triple. Those are good reliable sleds.

Pickup_man > StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 11/10/2016 at 16:00

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I want to do the same thing but my friends and I aren’t quite far enough out of college to have even $600 of disposable income on something like that. I also want to do a cheap bike challenge.

WRXasaurus > bob and john 11/10/2016 at 16:02

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Yeah, someday maybe after you are done with college you could get one. I’m very tempted to sell my Trx450r and try one.

Pickup_man > WRXasaurus 11/10/2016 at 16:11

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Around my area running, riding, sub $1000 sleds are pretty easy to find. A quick CL search turns up 5, with four of them $500 or less. More start to turn up closer to winter, and at the end of winter they’re everywhere. They’re not perfect by any means, but they’re workable, and good candidates for ditch hoppers. I like to say I’ve got the nicest junk you’ll ever see, so a $600 sled seems right up my ally lol. I’ll keep an eye out for a Yamaha triple, I’ve heard good things.

Tristan > WRXasaurus 11/10/2016 at 16:20

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I grew up passing around with them in Minnesota. They’re such a blast! Now that I moved from Florida to Oregon, I’ve got the itch again. I’m sure they would be a lot of fun up in the mountains.

WRXasaurus > Pickup_man 11/10/2016 at 16:20

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Can’t go wrong with something like this. Well worth the extra $400.

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/snw/5868872887.html

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > WRXasaurus 11/10/2016 at 16:26

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I really love the triple so I might look for a really clean version

bob and john > WRXasaurus 11/10/2016 at 16:39

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once I finsih college I’m moving as far south as I need to get the hell away from winter and ride all year.

I’ve lived in nunavut in the past. I have seen enough snow to last me a lifetime.

Pickup_man > WRXasaurus 11/10/2016 at 16:39

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That does look like a great deal. When the snow starts to fly I’ll have to have a look at the ol’ budget. I’m hoping to upgrade motorcycles next year so I’m not sure if a snowmobile would get the go ahead, at least not without sacrificing the bike.

WRXasaurus > Tristan 11/10/2016 at 16:39

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My goal is a new sled and one mountain trip next year.

WRXasaurus > bob and john 11/10/2016 at 16:41

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I love seasons too much to give them up.

bob and john > WRXasaurus 11/10/2016 at 16:43

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I’m sure I’ll miss it time to time. But riding is worth it.

WRXasaurus > Pickup_man 11/10/2016 at 16:44

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Remember to factor in gear if you don’t have any.

WRXasaurus > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches 11/10/2016 at 16:47

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Good luck, they are impossible to find not beat to scrap.

WRXasaurus > bob and john 11/10/2016 at 16:52

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To each their own. I want to move to Montana or Idaho personally.

Pickup_man > WRXasaurus 11/10/2016 at 16:58

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I’ve got coveralls, warm coats, good gloves etc. Maybe not “snowmobiling” gear, but good enough for what I want to do. I do some river riding with my 3 wheeler and haven’t really had a problem thus far.

WRXasaurus > Pickup_man 11/10/2016 at 17:10

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I suggest a good helmet and boots then.

Pickup_man > WRXasaurus 11/10/2016 at 17:27

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Got those too, just didn’t mention them. Good hunting boots work great, and an old beater helmet with neck gaiter, and balaclava do the trick.  

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > WRXasaurus 11/14/2016 at 11:16

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those are crazy. there was one for sale here a few weeks ago, didnt last long.

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > Pickup_man 11/14/2016 at 11:17

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We tried a cheap car challenge, but we all bought crazy modded cars and non of them ended up working. We made it about 1/4 mile from home base before we had to turn around and try and fix them. This is much easier.