My Weekend project: Trike ski * NEW VIDEO ADDED*

[Scootertrash]

I've been wanting to make one for a couple years, I used one I saw on a Yeti as the basis for my design. Came out decent, I need to make a couple tweeks, but I test drove it yesterday and it works good. The only problem I had was traction, the snow is deep and soft since it's been warm and rained all day Saturday. I have Bear Claws on the back right now, I want to try 4 snows, but I have a hard time justifying a set of 4 Snows this late in the year. Ya never know, I may still convince myself to buy a set. The wear rod on the ski has carbides on it, so steering on the ice was OK.

I wanted to be able to use easily replaceable, plentiful ski parts so I based it on a Polaris XLT ski from a 95 XLT. I'm going to swap it out for a Camoplast All Terrain blow molded ski that's 7 inches wide for better floatation and a bigger footprint since the All Terrain ski is 7 inches wide as opposed to 5 inches wide for the Touring Ski.

I used 11 ga. steel, and old ski spindle from a 95 XLT I'm parting out, along with a ski from the same machine. The ski mounting portion of the spindle has a bushing and a grease zerk, I cut the spindle shaft off of the ski mount block and welded the block to the end of the rectangular tubing:





Ready for a test ride:





During the test ride:



I was concerned about the weight of the frame and ski assembly when I chose 11 ga (just a hair under 1/8 of an inch), but I wanted to be sure it was sturdy enough, I figured I could always make another out of lighter material if it was too heavy. I weighed the wheel/tire/brake hub assembly and it came out to 31 lbs, the mounting frame and ski weighs 23 lbs, so I actually dropped 8 lbs. I think I'll stick with the 11 ga.

I ground down the welds for a cleaner look. Well, that and I'm out of practice with my welding so some of my welds looked a little rough. I'm going to finish it off with some Sunrise Red paint, and I'll use plastic caps in the open ends of the tubing.

I'll post a pic or two after it's painted

[dougspcs]

1st rate Scooter..hope you get some good video of the machine in use. Love to see it in action. Hope you can get some before the snow disappears..

Just a suggestion, find a local powdercoater and take it to him..won't cost that much and stand up better than paint.

[Scootertrash]

Thanks Doug. I do have a short vid of me in the back yard I may try to post later. The snow is very soft from the warm temps and all day rain on Saturday, plus we just got about 9 inches last Wednesday. All that puts me pretty close to the depth limit whether I'm running a tire or a ski, unless I try some different rear tires like the 4 Snows. I also think some 4 Snows would give me better traction that the Bear Claws. Every review I've hear about the 4 Snows they rave about them.

I think Fabio just invested in a pair of 4 Snows, maybe he'll chime in with a review on how they perform and if they would do any better than the Bear Claws. I think the Claws may be too aggressive for the powder like consistency of snow. Once I get into the softer snow I chew right down till I bottom out on the chassis of the wheeler, tire or ski.

ETA: I may go the powder coat route. I was leaning towards paint since this was a prototype so to speak, but since it's working nicely....

[coolpool]

Looks good scooter. I've been toying with the idea of fabbing up a ski that rides around the tire allowing an inch or two of tire to protrude below the ski. I think small bushplanes do this type of thing? One thing I've noticed with tires is that the ones that are the least agressive and have a chevron pattern seem to do better in the soft snow. Probably a lot less digging going on then you get with Bear Claws. I think it's totally justifiable to purchase 4 Snows at anytime of the year because you'll have them available for many years to come and the price will only go up. Maybe even find another set of rims to put them on permanently.

[redsox]

looks pretty mint! I rode with fabio and a couple other guys earlier in the year. They had 4sno's and i was running bear claws. the 4 sno's did seem to perform better overall. traction seemed close to equal, but the 4 sno's didn't dig down as much. where they really had it over the bear claws was the much improved ride and the ability to throttle steer and break the back end loose. the 4 sno's are really good tires. i will eventually get a set. in defense of the bear claws, i ran them again recently in some snow that was a little chunkier. more frozen, but about 8 inches. much less powdery then the previous stuff. they were awesome, so, i guess its really condition specific.

[oldskool83]

I'd rubber coat it...not paint or PC.

[dougspcs]

Scooter, you should think about marketing this idea.

I bet you could sell a few kits here!

[Scootertrash]

Yea, I've thought of that. Here and ebay. This design would fit the 185/200/S with front shocks. I have a set of 200X, 350X, and 2nd Gen 250R forks I am going to fab up next. I have a sled motor and a couple of other rebuilds for others to do this week before I move ahead with this.

As with every handmade accessory, pricing is going to be tough, but now that I have one done, maybe the others will be a little easier/faster.


How ever, this one sold for almost 240.00 shipped, and (I think) mine is much better built and would have a lighter, more durable ski, so.........



http://www.ebay.com/itm/Super-Rare-A...p2047675.l2557

[atc007]

Top notch work !! 1 tip from an OLD sled head.. Get a plastic ski. The difference is well,,,,, Like a US90 to a 87 Big Red. I cannot put into words.. Get a plastic ski !! I think Arctic Cat still sells them for around $60 new for the blow moulded. You won't believe the difference !! I realize at this point you're just testing,and wouldn't have invested in a plastic ski till you know if it works. But I think you've got a pretty slick set up there.

[dougspcs]

Plastic ski is a must..agree with Mr J!!

Put me on the list once you are done your R&D and have one to fit the 250ES..I think you got your 1st customer.

[Worden18]

That is cool as hell. What part of MN are you from Scooter? Just wondering if you're close so I could request to see it in person

[DasUberKraut]

I have 3 extra 185s / 200s front ends.
Hmmm....

Awesome conversion, neighbor!

[Scootertrash]

I stated in the OP that my plan is to use the Camoplast blow molded plastic All Terrain 7 inch wide ski, I just used the old Polaris ski since I had a machine here that I'm parting out.

This is the Ski I plan on using:




Camoplast All Terrain Vehicle Skis
Model: 711290121
Color: Black
Use: Powder/off trail
Blow-molded 1-piece performance ski
Great steering control
Lightweight and durable
Keel height: 0.875 inch
Materials: Plastic
Dimensions: 41 inches long x 7 inches wide

[Scootertrash]

That is cool as hell. What part of MN are you from Scooter? Just wondering if you're close so I could request to see it in person

I sent you a PM.

[Scootertrash]

Ordered up a pair of the Camoplast All Terrain skis yesterday. I'm going to try to do another ride today and venture a little farther away from home to try out some different terrain and run some sled trails too.