tecate ski

[just ben]

this is what happens when you have beer, boredom and parts. The shock was mostly to limit the movement but is functional. I modified the shock so that it is only oil now and to work like a steering dampener does, with resistance in both directions. I still need to do some cleanup and paint it but I think it turned out well.135961135962135963

[TatTooL23]

wow thats pretty amazing man. now we need to c some videos of it in action.

[Kfx-xc-racer88]

get it out in the snow!!! nice

[Swinger]

Sweet! Got enough parts for another one????:naughty:

[bigredridr]

looks like fun to me. any ideas on what you will use for rear tires? paddles? studded?

[just ben]

looks like fun to me. any ideas on what you will use for rear tires? paddles? studded? I am going to stud the rears. I live on a dirt road that is ice /hard packed snow all winter. paddles would be fun but wouldnt be useful for very long,once winter sets in the snow gets pretty deep here. maybe some day I can find a used set of matracks. No snow here to test it yet.

[buzzy613]

i had an idea some what like yours but wow thats awsome!:w00t:

[atc200xkid]

vwey nice!!! what is the shock on the back for and where did you get it? thanks!

[86T3]

Thats awesome. I'd get some paddles, i bet you'd use them more than you think. My neighbor told me in the 80's he and his wife used to ride all the time and the used paddles in the creek beds a lot. I didn't get that swinger off this morning, if you're gonna stop by tonight i can have it off and ready

[just ben]

vwey nice!!! what is the shock on the back for and where did you get it? thanks!I'm not sure what you are asking. It came from a mid 90's arctic cat zr. What its for? if you mean function it dampens the movement and limits the travel. If the front end comes off the ground the ski will stay in the same position as when it left the ground. alot better than a bungee chord like this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=tZYCSbCb2vM

[fabiodriven]

I bet you'd be surprised what paddles can do. I saw a guy on a Suzuki DRZ 450 (Or whatever that fast 'Zuki quad is) two years ago with paddles and I could not believe what he was doing. He was plowing right through really deep untouched snow and even big snowbanks!

[just ben]

I washed the mud off the trike from my last ride and got the ski mount painted. I rode it from my garage to the trike shed. If anyone builds a set up like this I strongly discourage riding it on grass!136075136076

[Swinger]

Looks good. Now, let it snow so we can some video of it in action!

[buzzy613]

i got to pick up one little thing so i can get my idea rolling, and a carbide for the ski, i like the way yours is set up though:TrikesOwn

[TatTooL23]

doesn't turn so well on the grass?? or did the carbide dig in??

[just ben]

carbide digs a bit in the grass. just dont let of the gas with the ski turned. still waiting for snow for a test run and video

[Tecate250]

Very cool idea. Been thinking of doing the same to my 85 Tecate. But I see 2 flaws. One why have the front brake system? If you have the shock to dampen how far the ski can rotate the brake is usless. Also the thickness of the ski. I would weld some sides to the ski to make it much wider to prevent hitting your forks and to alloy for better floatation.

[ezmoney1979]

Very cool idea. Been thinking of doing the same to my 85 Tecate. But I see 2 flaws. One why have the front brake system? If you have the shock to dampen how far the ski can rotate the brake is usless. Also the thickness of the ski. I would weld some sides to the ski to make it much wider to prevent hitting your forks and to alloy for better floatation.

Dont you think the caliper would need a ROTOR if the brake was to do anything? Im pretty sure this hasnt been overlooked and he is just leaving the brake assembly on so he can convert it back to the wheel/tire.

[Tecate250]

So haveing a brake system that will do nothing is helpful? If your going through the process of makeing a ski I think you need it for deep snow. And what 5 or 6 bolts to remove it? Just saying ezmonkey.

[HuffieVA]

So haveing a brake system that will do nothing is helpful?

It doesn't seem to be in the way, so leaving it in place rather than removing it and the master cylinder every time you throw on the ski (or having to bleed the brakes because you unhooked the line) makes sense to me. You may be onto something with the wider ski but I'm thinking more for a little extra stability in turns rather than flotation (after all, those skinny ski's can hold up a pretty heavy sled) Overall it looks as if you could switch between tire/ski with a few simple tools in a few minutes.

[fabiodriven]

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z259/47of74/JesusFacepalm.jpg

[just ben]

Very cool idea. Been thinking of doing the same to my 85 Tecate. But I see 2 flaws. One why have the front brake system? If you have the shock to dampen how far the ski can rotate the brake is usless. Also the thickness of the ski. I would weld some sides to the ski to make it much wider to prevent hitting your forks and to alloy for better floatation. first off therebrake system is still intact because there is no reason to remove it. it has no bearing on the ski at all and I can put the tire back on in less than ten minutes if I like. second how is the ski gonna hit my forks? edit.. I didnt read the rest of the posts after reading 250tecate"s. even a guy that doesnt get snow gets it. This was built out of boredom and bud light but if stabililty is an issue after testing I will adapt it to a ski doo precision ski which would have a wider footprint than a tire. a wider ski for flotation wouldnt be much help. If there is enough snow to need more flotion in the front there is no way tires on the rear will move it.

[three_wheelin45]

nice... wished it snowed around this hell awfull place....

[just ben]

nice... wished it snowed around this hell awfull place.... trade ya!!

[Motorious]

I like it Ben. Looks like it definitely could function well enough to be fun. Pretty awesome for a 1st design, and it almost looks factory after you painted it and cleaned up the trike.

Wish I could I do something like that, but I have neither the skills nor the tools...:p...nice job.

[Tecate250]

Ok for you guys who dont get snow. Most and id say 99% of sleds have 2 skis. Not one. So thats 2 times the surface are to hold up a machine. Also when the front end does a wheelie what do you think happends to the ski? It will nose dive to the ground without a support. Hmm some of you guys better go back to school to learn a bit of physics. Id love to watch ezmonkey do a wheelie right now and watch the ski bite in and over he goes. Now that would be fuuny.

[ezmoney1979]

Ok for you guys who dont get snow. Most and id say 99% of sleds have 2 skis. Not one. So thats 2 times the surface are to hold up a machine. Also when the front end does a wheelie what do you think happends to the ski? It will nose dive to the ground without a support. Hmm some of you guys better go back to school to learn a bit of physics. Id love to watch ezmonkey do a wheelie right now and watch the ski bite in and over he goes. Now that would be fuuny.

Apparently someone is not following along............. Hey Corona250 go back to post #21, Fabio summed it up already. Nice job on the ski by the way Ben, especially being beer inspired :beer

[Vealmonkey]

He could always install 2 little bungee cords to keep the ski at a pretty level attitude to help prevent the dreaded "nose down ski plant". I have a ski I bought for my honda but never installed it, or removed it from the shipping wrapper either. Of course around here, we either get no snow or it shuts the city down! LOL

[Motorious]

If I'm not mistaken, the modified shock is supposed to help with that problem, but I suppose Ben won't really know how it works until he actually tests it...I guess that's part of the fun of custom fabrication...obviously it's not going to function as well as a snowmobile because it wasn't purpose built for the snow...but still looks like a fun trike mod.

I live in an area that gets LOTS of snow and enjoy snowmobiling BTW.

...and as far as one ski snowmobiles go...ever heard of a Snowhawk?...http:http://www.snow-hawk.com/home.aspx...looks pretty awesome to me.

[HuffieVA]

Ok for you guys who dont get snow...

For the record, I grew up in Upstate NY and lived their until I was thirty (so that about evens us up in the sled department) in addition I've been riding Tecate's since you were two (according to the D.O.B. your profile) So I think that about evens us up with experience. Now lets move on to the facts: Yes the great majority of sleds have two skis, they also have the weight of the engine mounted above them, I would assume by the list of trikes in your signature that you understand that they tend to be a little lighter in the front end (especially when compared to a sled & less weight means less need for flotation), it also looks like the "ski drop" issue was addressed or at least attempted to be addressed by the shock hooked to the fork brace. After all its a prototype and I'm sure some test & tune will take place as the thing develops.

[just ben]

thanks huffie you get it. with the modded shock I can pick the front end up about 3-3.5 feet and the shock stays put. If this is not enough I will put heavier oil in it. I could have it revalved if need be but I really dont care this was just a time killer. where in NY huffie?

[HuffieVA]

... where in NY huffie?
Just outside of Corning

[just ben]

Just outside of Corningsmall world. thats pretty much where I grew up.(odessa 35 min. from corning). I still have friends in corning

[HuffieVA]

small world. thats pretty much where I grew up.(odessa 35 min. from corning). I still have friends in corning

Definitely a small world, my ol' Lady is from Beaver Dams

[just ben]

Definitely a small world, my ol' Lady is from Beaver Dams ha I spent a fair amount of time hanging out in beaver dams.ask her if she knows the Gee's (hard not to in that town)

[aldochina]

looks killer man!! i have been wanting to build something like that for a few yrs now. crazy how hard it is to find a donor ski!! you fellow ny'ers always seem to be from the wrong end!!

[Swinger]

You out there trying that ski out right now??? I just got done playing in the snow and figured you may be getting some of the white stuff there also.

[just ben]

You out there trying that ski out right now??? I just got done playing in the snow and figured you may be getting some of the white stuff there also.still just mud here.I hear the storm is heading my way but who knows.If we go 8 more days without accumulation it will be the longest on record

[JasonB]

That thing is awesome !

[just ben]

calling for 5-10" inches over the next day and a half. Hopefully enough to do some testing and make a video. I may need some help getting a video up here though.

[bcredneck]

Ok for you guys who dont get snow. Most and id say 99% of sleds have 2 skis. Not one. So thats 2 times the surface are to hold up a machine. Also when the front end does a wheelie what do you think happends to the ski? It will nose dive to the ground without a support. Hmm some of you guys better go back to school to learn a bit of physics. Id love to watch ezmonkey do a wheelie right now and watch the ski bite in and over he goes. Now that would be fuuny.
so that means even thoue ski doo put 1 ski right under the motor on one of there sleds that ski cant hold less than half that weight if engeneirs that build snowmobiles would do the same thing i think you should be the one going back to school for a physics lesson

[just ben]

so that means even thoue ski doo put 1 ski right under the motor on one of there sleds that ski cant hold less than half that weight if engeneirs that build snowmobiles would do the same thing i think you should be the one going back to school for a physics lesson can you name the sled that they put one ski on the front? I'm sure most of them stayed in canada, just wondering if you knew the model. no snow here yet,the weather people were wrong. go figure

[fabiodriven]

can you name the sled that they put one ski on the front? I'm sure most of them stayed in canada, just wondering if you knew the model. no snow here yet,the weather people were wrong. go figure

It's on the tip of my tongue. That's gonna bother me. I'm gonna have to search now.

[just ben]

I believe it was an alpine. just a utility a rescue sled used on the slopes and up north.

[bcredneck]

ya its the alpine theres alot of weight on the ski on those to ive had to move one across a garage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwlv1w7ES2w&feature=related

[just ben]

ya its the alpine theres alot of weight on the ski on those to ive had to move one across a garage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwlv1w7ES2w&feature=related not quite the one I was thinking of bc I was thinking of the one they made in the mid to late 90's . I did some testing today in the whole 3 inches of snow we did get and to be fair I rode another 86 t3 I have (with a tire on front) the trike with the ski on it worked great and would steer alot better than a tire but needs some fine tuning. the one with the tire kind of pushed the tire when turning. the skag needs to be worked to move the carbide turning edge back but after that I think it will handle great.

[bcredneck]

artic cat did that to but i dont remember the name but it had a single wide track and you have to lower the ski 2'' just to make it turn

[just ben]

we finally got some snow here and I was able to ride around the yard but it definitely needs more traction. A set of paddles would probably help but cash is short at the moment so they will have to wait.

[Tordeur]

Very nice set up!!!

I'll probably take inspiration of yours to plan mine!
To ride with 4snow on rear,.....ONLY!
And if I can add an idea,...putting at least the plastic cover under the ski,...those for snowmobile for deep snow.

[BWard]

I Like It, I too grew up in new york, Born in Bath and Moved to Marilla, Near East Aurora, Did a lot of riding both Sleds and wheelers, I had never had a ski on my wheeler but I use to ride alot of trails in the winter with Trail Pros. Worked great. There was a guy who used paddle tires while ice racing, worked good.
again I Like it.
If I had snow and wheelers I would do what you did.
Great. Enjoy if you ever get snow.

[fabiodriven]

Listen to Tordeur, he knows what he's talking about. 4snows and a plastic ski cover would make a huge difference.

[ezmoney1979]

I have run STU sand skate IIs in about 8-12" of snow and they did great, but they dont have that ballooning/expanding factor that probably gives the 4-snows an advantage. And you can run 4-snows on harder surfaces and not feel guilty.

[just ben]

I Like It, I too grew up in new york, Born in Bath and Moved to Marilla, Near East Aurora, Did a lot of riding both Sleds and wheelers, I had never had a ski on my wheeler but I use to ride alot of trails in the winter with Trail Pros. Worked great. There was a guy who used paddle tires while ice racing, worked good.
again I Like it.
If I had snow and wheelers I would do what you did.
Great. Enjoy if you ever get snow.if we are in the same age range I may know you,well depending how long ago you moved away I live on hemstreet for 8-9 years. @ fabio there is no problem with the ski staying on top of the snow its just the traction in the rear. I bet it would fare fine on a packed snowmobile trail but the kinda frown upon that. tracked atv's arent even allowed on them

[fabiodriven]

The plastic I'm thinking of doesn't increase the footprint of the ski. It's the same size as the original ski but it offers a lot less sliding resistance. I've ridden a sled before and after the install of a plastic cover and the difference is huge.

[86T3]

I Like It, I too grew up in new york, Born in Bath and Moved to Marilla, Near East Aurora, Did a lot of riding both Sleds and wheelers, I had never had a ski on my wheeler but I use to ride alot of trails in the winter with Trail Pros. Worked great. There was a guy who used paddle tires while ice racing, worked good.
again I Like it.
If I had snow and wheelers I would do what you did.
Great. Enjoy if you ever get snow.

What years did you live in Marilla? I've been in South Wales my whole life, maybe we've crossed paths

[Tordeur]

The plastic cover i'm talking about make it a little bit wider ,...
I dont have a pic now but in this vid at 5:35 to 6:00,...you can see quads with ski,...The red(450) dually have the cover on his skis,.........
It use more for floatation than sliding property.


http://youtu.be/0PNZ2O5hPbE

[250x]

ben...build me one of these for my 200x. I have paddles on it now, and my sand geckos will out match any 4 snow..lol

[just ben]

The plastic I'm thinking of doesn't increase the footprint of the ski. It's the same size as the original ski but it offers a lot less sliding resistance. I've ridden a sled before and after the install of a plastic cover and the difference is huge.I know what you are speaking of, the skins were for the metal ski's mines plastic. I bet it was a polaris that you rode, they were the only sled company to use 1970 metal ski technology past 1990

[fabiodriven]

Oh, you already have a plastic ski? Belay my last then!

[Husky250]

nice... wished it snowed around this hell awfull place....

Spoken like someone who doesn't know what the snow belt is! YUK!