New Custom Sled Project...... [Archive]

Maize

07-02-2010, 06:19 PM

Well....the boat just went down the driveway on its way to Ohio.

That means there is room in the stable for another project.

Enter the wife's new custom sled. It is going to be completely stripped down to the chassis and everything will be powder coated flat black and neon pink.

It is a 2007 MXZ-X 550F.

I got it from Glen, RS Rider on Dootalk.

I will be selling the BR Tech hood, the yellow console, the C&A skis.

Once the RK Tech engine build is done and my stereo is done in the Tacoma, this will be the project.

I go to pick it up on Monday. He are some before shots:

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/9678/550xw.jpg

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/5641/550x2.jpg

Maize

07-04-2010, 06:24 PM

Got the sled home today after a good bath on the way home... It flat out POURED...cars were pulled over it was raining so hard.

It needs a little TLC, but it runs fine and that is all I cared about.

The hood and console are sold. Thanks 02mxz700x

The skis are also sold and delivered. I met up with Socker002. It is always good to put faces with names from Dootalk. Thanks again for meeting up in Dubuque. It was good talking with you.

Also, thanks to Glenn and his son for meeting up with me in Portage and saving me half the trip to Conover. It was good shooting the breeze with you two, and getting to meet you.

I think I can safely say that you won't recognize the sled when I am done with it. LOL

This will probable get going in about August, or so.

Maize

07-05-2010, 05:01 PM

Well....the rain pretty much ruined my golf plans for the day.

So....Olivia and I putzed around in the guyrage (as my wife calls it).

Here are some pictures of the hood and console for honda400ex2003. I have the hood all cleaned up and polished.

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/6889/brtech1.jpg

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/7616/brtech2.jpg

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/7075/brtech3.jpg

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/9807/brtech4.jpg

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/7280/brtech5.jpg

I am waiting on parts for the RK Tech 827 project, namely the cylinders back from US Chrome and a crank bearing from BRP to get going on that project. I am also waiting on Fat-Mat sound deadener for the Tacoma project.

I decided to start in on the easy stuff for this project. I took the exhaust out of the sled. It was pretty beat up. I drilled out the heat sheilds from the muffler. I did some sheet metal work and was able to save those. I will do some DA sanding and then polish that.

The head shield for the expansion pipe was too far gone with parts of it worn away. So I will order new ones of those.

I got the Y-Pipe off the engine, the heat shields off the pipes and I dropped them off a Cool Concepts to be ceramic coated in a matte black.

I also worked out a trade with socker002. I am getting my completely black seat and trunk.

Here is the current state of the sled, with side panels removed, exhaust removed, fan shroud and engine cover all off the sled.

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/8770/5july1.jpg

http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/3696/5july2.jpg

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/9770/5july3.jpg

Maize

07-12-2010, 08:11 PM

I got the exhaust back today from Cool Concepts. Looks like Rick's usual outstanding work.

I am putzing around with it when in between delivery times.

I am supposed to have my crank back on Wednesday for the RK Tech 827 build.

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/193/12july1.jpg

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/2113/12july2.jpg

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/9877/12july3.jpg

I still need to get ahold of Raffi (@RPM Composites) to see if he can find some pink Kevlar/carbon fiber. If not, I will just put a black on it.

Maize

07-13-2010, 05:25 PM

OK.

I just locked up a deal for a brand new Camoplast track. I may put this on my sled. LOL J/K

It is a 121" X 15" X 1.5". I will be putting 96 1.62" studs with power tower nuts.

SAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE T!

YamaDooed

07-14-2010, 07:42 AM

Is that the BHK black satin coating from cool concepts???

Maize

07-14-2010, 12:57 PM

Is that the BHK black satin coating from cool concepts???

That is their Ceramashine Matt Black finish.

I use it on all the sleds. Every sled I own with the exception of the 440fanner has it done. I was going to do it on that, but we are going to be getting rid of that sled.

YamaDooed

07-15-2010, 09:51 AM

Weird the middle pic must be the cat in the matt black finish??? LOL

Maize

07-18-2010, 07:50 AM

Weird the middle pic must be the cat in the matt black finish??? LOL

That is the special, one-of-a-kind kitty-matt finish. LOL.

I got the rest of the front end apart yesterday. It is pretty trashed. I have been trying to get ahold of Matt, but haven't had much luck.

So...I am going to make my own front plate, and engine support plate. It already has the 440X PTO side brace.

Here is the front end apart:

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/9035/17july1.jpg

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/7487/17july2.jpg

Here is the stress crack in the chassis. It isn't a big deal to me. Once the chassis stripped down, I will weld it back up and it will just fine.

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/7968/17july3.jpg

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/1990/17july4.jpg

Maize

07-23-2010, 08:02 PM

Got a bunch of stuff boxed and ready to ship out today.

I also got the engine out of the sled. More bad news. The mount plate is cracked and bent. No biggie. I will just straighten it out, weld it and redrill the hole.

I am glad I am stripping this down to find all these goodies. A lot of rivets are also loose. I will be drilling those and putting in new ones.

I have decided to wait on the Tacoma stuff until fall. I don't really have the room to have 5 sleds in the garage with one torn apart AND tear the Tacoma apart.

The rest of the weekend will be tearing the sled down.

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/3995/25july1.jpg

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/9500/25july4.jpg

Here is the broken mounting plate.

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/7526/25july2.jpg

http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/5833/25july3.jpg

I have been trying to get ahold of Matt for another set of his braces. He is nowhere to be found.

I decided to make my own. This is lower A-Arm support, the PTO side brace and the front end-cap piece. I got them cut out today, and bent up. I still need to drill the holes.

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/8334/25july5.jpg

Here is the engine sitting out of the sled, looking lonely.

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/1271/25july6.jpg

Maize

07-28-2010, 04:48 PM

I was going to work on the sled today, but decided to go play golf instead. I will get it torn down the rest of the way this week. I will need to put in an order for more body parts. Once torn down, I can get the stuff finished up on the body and off to powder coating.

I decided to wait on the Tacoma project. There just isn't enough room in the garage to have 4 whole snowmobiles and a 5th in pieces AND tear apart the Tacoma. It really isn't a big deal, the stereo is OK, it just isn't loud enough.

I will need to rebuild all the shocks, the rear suspension and front suspension. The rear ski will get all new bushings, and the front will get Oilite bushings from Kurt at Goodwin's.

I did get some of the sled torn down before my buddy called to go play golf. I got the chaincase torn down, the engine out (from before), the oil tank out, the gas tank removed, the supports removed, the wiring harness removed and bunch of dents pounded out with the hammer and dolly.

The tunnel in oil canned on the rear. I think I am just going to drill out the rivets and put a new one in. The center piece is only about $38 my cost, so it isn't worth messing with.

I will post some pictures of the progress later tonight. Tonight is "Date Night" with the wife. So no working on the sleds tonight. LOL

Maize

07-28-2010, 04:49 PM

Here are the shots of the sled in its current state:

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/2765/25july7.jpg

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/9883/25july8.jpg

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/4677/25july9.jpg

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/8042/25july10.jpg

Maize

07-28-2010, 04:51 PM

I should have looked at the rear shock better, it is actually a triple adjust shock as well. SCORE!!!

I got the rear skid out of the sled last night, along with the chaincase, axle and track.

I used the body hammer and dolly to flatten the sheet metal back out on the back rear. Once that was done, I took a file and cleaned up the lower edge. Once I get the rest of the front end apart, I will start removing all the bad pieces and make the new chassis pieces.

Here is the current state and rear skid out. The axle front shock axle is bent in the skid, and the right side rail has a slight tweak to it on the top side. The bottom side is straight. I can straighten it with the shop press, no worries there.

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/930/28july1.jpg

Here is the completed body work. I will sand it out with a DA, and you won't even know it was creased in 3 different places.

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/75/28july2.jpg

Here is the rear skid. You can't see the tweak in the rail, but it is there.

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/6508/28july3.jpg

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/9140/28july4.jpg

http://img814.imageshack.us/img814/6797/amaizeingkustoms.jpg

Maize

08-05-2010, 11:05 AM

Well. With all the OT I have been working at Toyota, I havn't had much time to work on it. I decided to not work OT last night or today.

I didn't have to go in until 10a this morning, and got off at 5:30p yesterday. I got some time in on this project.

I pretty much have it torn down, still a couple of things need to come off.

All the damage is exposed, I got the right massaged out and ready to weld.

I also got my parts list of wheat I need to fix everything, and the extra stuff I want to add. I can post that list tonight. It comes to about $200, my cost.

I didn't care what shape the chassis was in, as long it was fixable. It was coming down this far no matter what (for the powder coating) anyway.

The Snow Eliminators should be here this week. So hopefully I can get them mocked up and all the welding done up next week. We have to see how OT goes at work.

I also have sled shocks starting to trickle in for the upcoming season. So those get done up tonight.

Ahhhh......if I could just this kind of sled stuff all day and be independantly wealthy......SLAP!!!!! back to reality. LOL

This side is good, I just need to remove the footwell brace.

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/9470/5aug2.jpg

This side is wasted. I am getting both side steel braces new and the steel center supports from the 440X to add to this sled. Once the aluminum is welded, it will be as good as new.

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/4172/5aug3.jpg

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/6127/5aug8.jpg

Here you can see where the sheet metal is cracked.

http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/650/5aug4.jpg

Here are just some other cracks that need to be welded shut.

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/4255/5aug5.jpg

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/2790/5aug7.jpg

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/5151/5aug10.jpg

This I can't get to flatten out. It just 'oil-cans'. So I am replacing the whole center section.

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/9936/5aug6.jpg

The bracket to hold the oil tank is broken off. Rather than weld, I am just replacing the jack shaft protector.

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/9268/5aug9.jpg

I am making new ones of these from .080" and then flaring the holes to make them more rigid.

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/4479/5aug11.jpg

More to come tonight....

Maize

08-07-2010, 07:58 PM

I got a ton of work done today, tomorrow is get shocks done.

I got the RPM Composites complete skidplate Friday. I went with the traditional carbon fiber. There can be too much pink on this thing. So I opted for the regular look.

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/5831/6aug1.jpg

I found a couple of more 'issues' today. I foun the L rear drop bracket almost broken off, and couple of cracked welds on the NUN. Nothing that can't be fixed.

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/8374/6aug2.jpg

http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/494/6aug3.jpg

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/4083/6aug4.jpg

I have the tunnel stripped down to where everything is off of it that I wanted off.

http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/8687/6aug5.jpg

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/3259/6aug6.jpg

http://img807.imageshack.us/img807/2559/6aug7.jpg

I should have the Snow Eliminators this week. I can cut the running boards out. I may get another set of the Van Amburg edges to go on this project.

So this week will be TIG'ing up the cracked and broken chassis after the Snow Eliminators are fit. Then it is off to powder coating.

Maize

08-08-2010, 06:45 PM

I did a few sets of customer's shocks today. While I was bleeding them out, I worked on the exhaust.

I got the tins all pounded out and sanded down and then polished. There are a couple of flaws, but they turned out pretty nicely. Here is the finished exhaust:

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/2445/8aug1.jpg

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/429/8aug2.jpg

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/3869/8aug3.jpg

braindead1684

08-13-2010, 04:06 PM

That thing looks like it has had a fairly rough life.

Maize

08-15-2010, 05:11 PM

That thing looks like it has had a fairly rough life.

It was a race sled. I knew it was going to need some work when I bought it.

I paid $3200 for the sled. All I cared about was the engine, clutches and chain case were OK. I also wanted to make sure it had a good rear suspension.

I has $2500 of Custom Axis, triple adjustable shocks (used prices), and $300 worth of titanium springs on it.

Maize

08-15-2010, 06:17 PM

Not much done this weekend as still working OT at Toyota, and my sister & brother in law were here. I took to a few of our golf courses.

I did get the 440X upper A-Arms (one was tweaked but I got it straightened back out), the clear gas tank and the rest of the 440X bracing.

I also made the brackets to TIG to the lower arms to allow use of the end-link style sway bar. I am dumping the slide-style sway bar.

Here are the brackets getting evened up to look the same.

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/4015/15aug1c.jpg

Here are the A-Arms. You can see where they were bent. I heated them and straightened them.

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/7483/15aug4.jpg

Here is the new tank. I have not cleaned it up yet. But it should clean up just fine.

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/1963/15aug3.jpg

And these are the new braces. I still have some others coming. They should be here this week.

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/5126/15aug2.jpg

Maize

10-15-2010, 10:43 AM

Not much going on with the project right now. But I am hoping to get the chassis welded up this week, but we will see.

I took a load of stuff to be powdercoated this morning:

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/6286/29aug1.jpg

Here the chassis is loaded in the truck. I took it out to Cool Concepts today to see if it would fit in his oven. It fits, so we are good to go. I then stopped off at the car wash to hose off the crud so I could start to work this week.

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/497/29aug2.jpg

I got the sled wrap from Casey this week. Here are some shots of that. The lighting makes it look more red, but it is a really cool day-glow pink.

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/1528/29aug3.jpg

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/1685/29aug4.jpg

Here is the VanAmburg edge rails.

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/2576/29aug5.jpg

I need to get the pieces made up to be welded down the footwells to extend the rear running boards. They will be about 1" wider in the back than stock with the VanAmburg rails, the 440X center supports, the front supports, 440X footwell supports and rear drop brackets. They should be plenty strong.

I want to beef these things up because I want to ride this thing. I want to get some frequent flyer miles with it, too. LOL

Maize

10-15-2010, 10:44 AM

OK. Here is what I have so far...

Here is the rest of the stuff ready for powder coating.

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/8239/3sept1.jpg

Here are the tower braces I made. I used .080" instead of the .040" factory uses. I also flared the holes to give it even more strength.

I flattened out one of the old ones that was torn, and used that for a template:

http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/8277/3sept2.jpg

Here you can see the flared holes:

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/8616/3sept3.jpg

You can see the difference in material:

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/7379/3sept4.jpg

Here is a pile of stuff that needs to be welded to be finished up:

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/8845/3sept5.jpg

I circled all the holes that need to be filled, and then sanded down. When I am done, you even know there were holes there. There are LOTS of them to fill on both sides. He had the factory fish skeleton reinforcements, then knubbed plastice riveted to the tunnel. That equals lots 'o holes to fill. LOL

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/2981/3sept6.jpg

This is the piece I am welding in place to make the boards wider all the way back. Once it is welded into place, it will be ground down and smoothed out, then cut to fit the Snow Eliminators I had made up. I used the same dimensions as on my mountain sled project.

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/3595/3sept7.jpg

Here is the way it will be once the Snow Eliminators are in place.

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8921/3sept8.jpg

Here are some shots after spending $5 at the car wash on nothing but the chassis.

http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/770/3sept9.jpg

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/1571/3sept10.jpg

Today, I ordered up the lower control arms, Boyesen reeds, tank supports and I am looking for some nicer spindles.

The engine seals and gaskets should be here Wednesday next week, along with all the bushing for the rear suspension.

I should also have the first round of powde coating back this weekend. So next week things should start hoping....

Stay tuned in.....same bat time....same bat channel.....

Maize

10-15-2010, 10:48 AM

Today was kind of like going through Hades then having X-Mas....I guess.

Worked 7a - 7p at Toyota. Came home, loaded up the truck with the recycled aluminum again, dumped that off. Picked up the first round of powder coating from Cool Concepts and dropped off the second round of coatings to be done.

Here are some shots of the stuff I got back. My computer for some reaso makes them look blaze orange, but they are actually Neon Pink. They almost glow in low light.

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/2227/7sept1.jpg

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/4800/7sept2.jpg

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/2528/7sept3.jpg

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/7287/7sept4.jpg

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/8674/7sept5.jpg

Here is another goody that came in the mail today. I got the Boyesen's. So those will be ready to go.

http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/8179/7sept6.jpg

I should be getting all the engine gaskets this week so I can get the motor and carbs done up.

Maize

10-15-2010, 10:49 AM

Got the skid put together..well...mostly.

I have some parts I forgot to send along to get powder coated. So I will have to wait until I get those back to finish it. I still have plenty to do. I got all the stuff to start tearing down the motor, so that is coming apart this week.

I also got the Boyesen reeds put in. I took a picture so you could see the difference in the styles.

I have to revalve the center and rear shocks yet. I think the fronts will be fine as the Custom Axis shocks are extremely adjustable. But the back ones are a little too stiff, even on the softest settings.

Here is the rear skid, I am still waiting for the Hyfax yet, those will be here Tues.

http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/1818/11sept1.jpg

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/5431/11sept2.jpg

Here are the Boyesens. Stock on the Left, Boyesen's on the Right:

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/7865/11sept3.jpg

http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/2893/11sept4.jpg

Maize

10-15-2010, 06:33 PM

Wow! What a busy last couple of weeks.

Lots o' shocks comming in. Hopefully, we will all get to use them up with good trails.

Well....let's start with the stupid thing that I did.

I was welding Sheila's tunnel the other day and the battery went dead in my auto-darkening welding helmet. I had all the line stuff done, and just needed to do all the 3/16's holes you can see in the tunnel, there are about 70 of them.

So instead of doing the smart thing and going to the store for a new battery. I figured I would line it and just look away...BAD IDEA. I sunburned the white part of my eyes. MAN!!! Does that sting for a LOOOOONG time.

I had never done that before. I didn't know what the heck. I thought I might have gotten a piece of slag or somthing in them. The doctor said it would take about a week for the pain to go away, and my eyes to clear. I could light up the night sky for how red they are. LOL

So, anyway. I got the chassis all welded up, but I haven't had time to do anything else to it. In between customer's shocks, I have the engine torn down, the crank checked (all was fine - THAT's unusual for this project), I trued it to 0.000" runout, hot tanked all the parts and found that one of pickup leads was not put in properly and rubbing on the magneto, it had to be shorting out. I will fix that, put all new seals in it and reassemble it.

Here is the tunnel done up and the flares added to the back of the tunnel. I decided to use a spool gun for this to keep heat soak to a minimum. Since it was all going to be ground down, I didn't really care about the looks.

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/912/19sept1.jpg

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/9827/19sept2.jpg

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/9540/19sept3.jpg

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/1250/19sept4.jpg

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/7623/19sept5.jpg

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/5679/19sept6.jpg

Here is the reinforcement plate I made to go across the bottom. This significally strengthens the upward force exherted on the NUN.

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/3433/19sept8.jpg

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/7282/19sept7.jpg

Here is the fix I made for the engine mount. It is plate I welded across the bottom to reinforce the break. I will drill new holes and grind the top down.

http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/5773/19sept10.jpg

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/7426/19sept11.jpg

Maize

10-15-2010, 06:35 PM

I just got back from Cool Concepts to pick up another load of powder coating. I also got the new ball joints today.

Here is the latest load:

http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/3777/20sept1.jpg

http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/2816/20sept2.jpg

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/7079/20sept3.jpg

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/666/20sept4.jpg

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/7897/20sept5.jpg

Here is another goody that came in the mail today. I got the Boyesen's. So those will be ready to go.

http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/8179/7sept6.jpg

I should be getting all the engine gaskets this week so I can get the motor and carbs done up. I need to get the Holtzman ATACC on the way so I can get that installed.

Maize

10-15-2010, 06:43 PM

Maize

10-24-2010, 06:01 PM

Wow! Has it been two weeks since I last worked on this? Man......time flys....

I have been extremely busy with customer's so not much time to work on this project. Customer's are ALWAYS first.

I got caught up on shocks, and had a few hours to work on this project today.

I got the welds all ground down and smoothed out. Here is the rough-in with grinder:

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/3069/3oct1.jpg

Here is the finish with the finer grit wheel:

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/2189/3oct2.jpg

Here is the reason I made the running board wider. Well, that and I wanted them wider. They fit the over-sized Snow Eliminators perfectly. I had Terry cut tem this way, they are the same as my previous mountain sled project:

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/9606/3oct3.jpg

Here is the same treatment to all the holes welded up in the side of the tunnel:

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/2483/3oct4.jpg

After soooo much stuff being torn up and all the welding that was done, I wanted to make sure that everything still fit properly. It does...SWEET!!!

This is the footwell/front axle support in place, along with the footwell brace and 440 brace. They all line up perfectly:

http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/4434/3oct6.jpg

They don't make the center piece for the 550X any longer (I have no idea why) so I had to order one from a different model and modify it to work.

I sheared off about 3", then put it on the break and put a butt overlay bend in it. I then trimmed off the edges and it fits perfectly. Piece o' cake...

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/9929/3oct7.jpg

I then laid out the VanAmburg edge rails and fit those in place. I need to mark up the rear mounting plates and then weld those.

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/6003/3oct8.jpg

I decided to mount these a little differently. This way will give them even more strength.

I marked them out from the top, then drilled the corners. Then flipped the tunnel over and used a larger drill to allow for the jigsay. Then I cut each hole out, instead of one big hole for the whole board. I thought it would take a long time, but it only took about an hour to both sides.

This week, it will go back over them and clean them all up.

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/1689/3oct9.jpg

Here you can see how it all fits together.

http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/9475/3oct10.jpg

Here both sides are done up ready for the finish work. Now that everythin fits, it is just the clean up sharp edges an rivet the center support, footwell supports and drop brackets then off to sandblasting and powder coating.

http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/8500/3oct11.jpg

Maize

10-24-2010, 06:04 PM

WOW! What a shock season so far. Thanks to everyone who has sent there stuff in already.

I haven't had much time to work on the wife's sled with the shock business being in full swing.

I got a little lul today, and took today of work from Toyota to work on the wife's sled.

I got the tunnel back from powder coating. It got a polyurethane micro-tech flat black finish. It is kind of a mini-wrinkle finish.

Here is the tunnel with a couple of the pink things on it to show how it will look.

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/4738/14oct1.jpg

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/5984/14oct2.jpg

So this weekend I can start to reassemble the sled. Once I get the running board on and the drop brackets bolted on, I can mock up the VanAmburg edge rails and get the final load to powdercoating.

Maize

10-24-2010, 06:05 PM

I also got the motor back together and ready to drop back in the chassis.

I have the cases split apart and cleaned the crank and deburred the cases and rounded any sharp edges to avoid stress cracking. I do this on all my motors when they are apart.

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/1417/14oct10.jpg

Then I take a rag with carb cleaner and give the crank a once over.

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/9303/14oct11.jpg

Once the crank is all cleaned up, I loaded it up with ISO grease, put some grease on the seals and installed both crankcase seals.

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/1420/14oct12.jpg

Once the bearings were packed and the seals installed, I then laid down a small bead of 3-Bond sealer to the case halves and put the case together.

I almost forgot, on the 550F motors, you have to put the ignition pick-ups and stator lead in when you put the case halves together. Unless, you want to pull the connectors apart, the connectors will not fit through the opening when the two halves are together.

I just put them in place to avoid pulling all that stuff apart, marking where the wires go and then putting it all back together.
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/8199/14oct13.jpg

Once the case halves were together, a light tap with the rubber mallet and then spin the crank to make sure it is still spinning free, and then put the case bolts in and torque them down. I ran a 3/4 of the final torque specs on the first, starting the middle and work your way out in a spiral.

Then go back and do final setting and go back again to make sure they are all set.

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/5461/14oct14.jpg

Next was time to install the pistons on the connecting rods. Once the wrist pin was in place, I reinstalled the circlips and dropped on the 3 hole gasket. This is the same thickness that came off the sled. Once it is all back together, I will still recheck the quench gap.

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/9240/14oct15.jpg

Next came compressing the rings and dropping the cylinder in place.

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/3820/14oct16.jpg

After both sides were on, it was time to put the upper O-ring gasket in and drop the heads on both cylinders.

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/1050/14oct17.jpg

Maize

10-24-2010, 06:08 PM

Now came the fan housing, fan support, stator and ignition pickups.

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/5561/14oct18.jpg

Next was to install the fan pulley and starter pawl.

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/6816/14oct19.jpg

Then comes the fan belt, fan pulley and fan.

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/9785/14oct20.jpg

next comes the adapter ring for the recoil and oil pump.

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/6154/14oct21.jpg

The next step is to add the recoil. You have to make sure the oil pump drive gear is seated into the end of the crankshaft.

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/8343/14oct22.jpg

Now I put the oil pump on, you have to spin the crank a littl to line up the gears, then connect the oil lines to the case ports, put the rubber plug in the case for the electrical leads and bolt the leads to the fan shroud.

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/5413/14oct23.jpg

I dropped the Boyesen reeds in for kicks:

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/3593/14oct24.jpg

Next came all the all the fan shrouds for the motor.

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/8818/14oct25.jpg

and the final assembly done, and ready to drop in the chassis:

http://img813.imageshack.us/img813/3250/14oct26.jpg

I am hoping to get a lot done this weekend on the chassis, but we will have to wait and see what the business does this weekend.

Maize

10-24-2010, 06:10 PM

With work yesterday, the Michigan game, the Wisconsin game and some shocks to finish up. Didn't get much done on the sled.

Today I had no customer shocks to do and the whole day to work on the sled.

So, I got the Snow Eliminators on, the rear drop brackets, the front brackets, the 440X footwell bracing, the footwell supports and foot adjusters all in place:

http://img814.imageshack.us/img814/3649/17oct1.jpg

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/3285/17oct2.jpg

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/8900/17oct3.jpg

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/3567/17oct4.jpg

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/2375/17oct5.jpg

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/6228/17oct6.jpg

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/954/17oct7.jpg

Next, I got the chain case put on and properly aligned. Then the MAG side 440X brace, all the upper pyramidal supports. I also has to re-install the brackets that hold the head light in place, hence the headlight seeming to be a bit pre-mature. LOL

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/6627/17oct8.jpg

Then came the front plate, all the steering pulley and post pieces:

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/4365/17oct9.jpg

http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/8053/17oct10.jpg[/

Maize

10-24-2010, 06:12 PM

Lots of activity at the shop....customers dropping by, lots of shocks in the mail. Thank you, everyone.

I got the new track in the mail on Friday, today I set out to pull all the old studs out of....at least what was left of them.

The track is a Ski-Doo snow-cross track from 2002. They track is in mint shape, the studs.....not so much.

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/2148/22oct5.jpg

http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/5985/22oct6.jpg

It has Stud Boy double plates on it. It had 96 studs in it, which is perfect as that is how many are going back in it. Whoever studded it put 1.75" studs in it. The track is a 1.450" so they were way too long. I will be putting 1.515" back in it, with 3/4" locking nuts on it.

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/9426/22oct7.jpg

You can see the double plates. Now that they are off the track, they are going to powder coating to done in pink, also. I have one trip left for the VanAmburg edge rails, and these. I have to redo the steering post. I forgot that I have to modify the steering post to fit the Sea-Doo riser. I didn't do that before sending it off the first time.

Out of the 96 studs that were on the sled, only 21 remained. The rest were broken off as the lock-nut.

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/3803/22oct8.jpg

I still have to cut open the 3rd windows on this track, that is always fun.

I dropped the axle into the open windows and it barely fit. Whoever lined up the sprokets set them at 9.25" on center. They should be 9" on center.

So I put the axle in the sled, took my measurements and moved the drivers so they are centered in the chassis.

http://img815.imageshack.us/img815/1918/22oct2.jpg

Then I took the measurements from each side, and center to center. All good now.....except.....

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/3560/22oct3.jpg

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/5596/22oct4.jpg

After everything was lined up, the bearings all cleaned out I put the axle in the chassis and spun the axle. It is bent...not much...but too much for my liking.

I may just get a different axle and put the drivers on that. I am not sure it worth hasseling with trying to straighten. My guess is it has about .008 - 0.010" runout on it.

I may have another one here, I will have to look tomorrow.

Good news....I got my shock decals back from Jordan at ArcticFX today. They look killer with the clear background. I had make some up in Pink for the shocks on the wife's sled. I also had him make a bunch of red ones, blue ones and yellow ones. They look really nice....

http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/5971/amaizeingkustomsdecals.jpg

M7LIMITED

10-25-2010, 12:26 PM

Been following your build up and as always its top shelf. Cant wait to see the finished pictures.

Maize

10-26-2010, 08:22 PM

Has Stacia seen it yet? LOL

I went through the shed and found a drive shaft I had from a REV race sled. It is lightened. Basically is drilled down the middle and is hollow. It weighs about half as much as a standard drive shaft.

So, tomorrow I will remove the old drivers from that one, and put the extroverts back on it and get that all lined up.

I have my last pile of stuff ready for powder coating. I also finished up the welding and tweaking of the VanAmburg running board edges.

I will be dropping off the last of the powder coating tomorrow night.

I have put Olivia to bed, and I will get some shots of the running board edges before calling it a night.

Maize

10-26-2010, 08:23 PM

OK...Liv is put to bed, the truck is loaded with customer's shocks to be shipped tomorrow and the last of the powder coating is loaded up and ready to roll tomorrow.

Here is the final pre-fitment of the VanAmburg edges before they came back off are headed to Cool Concepts.

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3970/26oct1.jpg

http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/171/26oct2.jpg

I forgot to fit the steering post to the SeaDoo riser before I sent it off last time, so I got that all fitted up and ready to go tonight.

I have 48 double backer plates to powder coat pink, the upper and lower spring retainers along with the spacers ready to powder coat.

I will be leaving the front springs natural colored as they are titanium. I have never tried to powder coat titanium....hmmmm....naw...I will leave them as is.

Maize

10-27-2010, 06:48 PM

No real photos tonight as they would look the same as they did previously.

I got the drivers pressed off the lightweight shaft, and the extros off the bent shaft. I measured the end to end measurements before I took them off the bent shaft.

I pressed the extroverts onto the lightweight shaft and centered them.

While they were out, I weighed them. The lightweight shaft is about 6.25oz lighter. It is pretty incredible how much easier it is to spin when put into place.

I also measured the runout on the bent shaft. It a 0.015" bend about 1/4 of the way in from the left side of the chassis. That is the side that had all the damage and had to be welded back together.

All is good now, and true.

I dropped off the remainder of the powder coating at Cool Concepts after work. I also ordered up the new 1.512" studs, and the 3/4" aluminum long nuts.

I placed the last order of parts for the windshield, BRP logo and some other little odds and ends.

It should be going together pretty quickly once I get that stuff back.

Maize

10-29-2010, 08:37 PM

Got home from work tonight, and got to cutting out the 3rd window. I HATE doing that, but it is done.

I also got the snowflap in the mail, the new 1.512" studs and power tower nuts. I am just waiting on the backer plates to come back from powder coating to put them in.

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/9455/29oct1.jpg

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/5888/29oct2.jpg

http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/2496/29oct3.jpg

http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/9522/29oct4.jpg

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/4158/29oct5.jpg

Maize

10-30-2010, 09:29 PM

Well, I got a lot done today before the Michigan game. I also had some customers in from the Quad Cities.

I got the front end pretty much done up. I just need the spring retainers, spacers and steering post back from powder coating.

I got the front suspension done up, the belly pan and front bumper are also on permanantly.

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/4585/30oct1.jpg

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/1460/30oct2.jpg

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/5461/30oct3.jpg

Maize

10-31-2010, 06:33 PM

This is kind of a two fold thing. My wife loves pink, and we have lost a lot of our family members (including my wife's mom, and my dad) to cancer.

So this is kind of my tribute to remember them AND give the wife a really nice ride in the process.

So......I got the front end finished up as far as I can without the steering post. I got the tower braces on and bolted in place.

I got the drive shaft installed, the speedo end with fresh Amsoil synthetic grease, the inner grease seal on, the guts of the chaincase in place, the jackshaft seal, jackshaft and wave rotor all put in, too.

I dropped a ton of reciprocating mass off the driveline. I dropped 4oz from the brake rotor by chaning out to the wave rotor, another 3oz by changing from steel lower gear to the all aluminum lower gear and then the weight from changing to the hollow race axle on the sprocket drive shaft.

Hopefully, that will make it a little snappier in the trails for her.

Once the steering post comes back I can get the front end back together. Along with that will be the backer plates for the track and the edge rails.

I did have a minor oversight. It was easily rememdied, though. I forgot that the rear bumper would not clear the VanAmburg plates. Forgot I was working on 121" and not a long track. But, instead of using 3 bolts per side I will cut it after the second and it will be fine.

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/6110/31oct1.jpg

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/746/31oct2.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/9793/31oct25.jpg

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/2461/31oct3.jpg

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/8210/31oct4.jpg

Maize

11-01-2010, 06:53 PM

Got the final load of powder coating from Cool Concepts tonight after work.

I played indoor golf, then came home and test fit everything.

I have to sand off some of the inside of the ring spacers for the front shocks.

Tomorrow, I will get the VanAmburg running boards mounted up tomorrow after work, and hopefully all the studs in the track.

I am hoping to have a lot of done up by the weekend.

Here are 6 of the studs in....only 90 more to go.

http://img808.imageshack.us/img808/4040/1nov1.jpg

Here is the front suspension ready with the Custom Axis shocks, titanium springs and ready to have the skis lined up.

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/7201/1nov2.jpg

Here is the VanAmburg running board edges clamped and ready to be riveted and bolted in place.

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/3491/1nov3.jpg

It is kind of starting to look like a snowmobile, now.

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/5194/1nov4.jpg

Maize

11-02-2010, 08:12 PM

Keep on, keepin' on!

I took a couple of hours off early at work. Had a bunch of customer's shocks to do up, and I still wanted to get a couple of things done tonight.

Man! Do NOT buy cheap studs. They are fine AFTER you run a die over E V E R Y one of them! What a PIA!

Anyway. I got all the studs in the track tonight, I also got the steering post, riser and bars on tonight.

I decided I didn't like the pink shock spacers and retainers. So I pulled them back off and took them to Rick at Cool Concepts and having him strip them and redo them in flat black. It just didn't look right to me....so....off they came. It looked better in my head, than on the sled. It kind of looked out of place, to me.

I also got the clutch guard put back together and the mountings put back on.

I have Thur off and only about 5 sets of shocks lined up. I got the new fan shroud, bar pad and windshield in today, along with the used clear wind deflectors.

I also got the pink base coat on the gauge trim rings and I will clear them tomorrow.

Here is the track ready to have the rear skid put in:

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/2024/2nov2.jpg

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/731/2nov3.jpg

Here is the steering post installed with the riser, the bars and one of the handguards in place.

http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/4041/2nov1.jpg

Here is the clutch guard in place with Jordan's (Arctic FX) killer decal he made up for me.

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/203/2nov5.jpg

Here is the sled starting to look actually like a sled:

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/4978/2nov4.jpg

http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/3403/2nov6.jpg

Maize

11-02-2010, 08:24 PM

I wasn't going to tell the wife until it was finished. I told her last night that this is my way of showing cancer awareness to our family that have lost their battles. It hit her pretty hard, emotionally. She loves the idea and just got overwhelmed.

I lost my dad about 15 years ago to a VERY aggressive cancer in his liver and kidney (and lymph nodes and pretty much everywhere els). He held on long enough to see his only son get married, then passed 8 days later. Sheila and I got married on October 7, 1995, and we lost him on October 15, 1995.

We just lost Sheila's mom to bone cancer as a result of a mastation of her previous breast cancer. It was in remission for 10 years then showed up in her bones and we lost her on March 29, 2009.

Jordan at Arctic FX is working on bumper decals for them to be on the sled.

It is hard working on this and remembering how they fought and eventually lost. They never gave up, never complained and thanked God for the time they did have.

Every time I work on this I remember all the stuff me and dad used to do. I still miss him 15 years later.

This is what I do best, and is something I can do to tell them how much I loved them and miss them.

Anyway...enough of the mushy stuff....

Maize

11-04-2010, 07:41 PM

I got a ton of stuff done today. I took the day off from Toyota, AND I had no shocks to do in the shop. I got a bunch in this afternoon to do up this weekend, though. So today was a good day to get it all done up.

I got and headed to the post office to sign for the starter that I got, I dropped an 08 Dragon 700 crank off at the shop to have new bearing put in it and headed out to Cool Concepts to get the spacers and retainers that I wanted redone from pink to black.

I had to clean out the furnace in the garage and get it ready for winter. I always pull the burners and clean them every fall before I fire it up. I also have to change out the pulley on the blower. Do I got all that done and set the temp at 65 and she fired right up perfectly.

I also cleaned the grill out and got it all ready for the winter BBQ's on Saturday nights.

So then it was at the wife's sled....

I got the motor put in, the front shocks on, the cotter pin in the top gear nut, the cover on, the HPV roller clutch set up with a 47-44 helix and a Goodwin Performance spring. I have the primary set-up where I think I want it, and the starter ring put on the primary.

I also got the wiring harness put in, the gas tank, tail light, headlight, console, kill switch, ignition key, seat and trunk all put in place.

I got the support plate bolted to the chassis on the underside, the primary side support plate in and the new holes in the motor mount drilled out and got the motor in the chassis.

I am still trying to find a pink paint that will match to paint the trim rings on the gauges.

Here is what got done today:

Here is the shock with the black spacers on it. This looks much better.

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/631/5nov1.jpg

http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/2999/5nov2.jpg

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/9722/5nov3.jpg

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/5677/5nov4.jpg

http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/6843/5nov5.jpg

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/3720/5nov6.jpg

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/9647/5nov7.jpg

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/6930/5nov8.jpg

http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/9867/5nov9.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/2774/5nov10.jpg

Maize

11-06-2010, 07:52 PM

I got a bunch of little stuff done up today. I had to work until 1p, the watched the second half of the Mich/Illini game....what a slug fest...or should I say....what a lack of defense on both sides...WOW!

Then I had a few sets of shocks to get done up.

I got the Y-Pipe back on...That is my least favorite job on any sled. Tight quarters, no room....YUK!

I then got the starter put in, then had to drilla hole in the PTO side support for the muffler stopper. I also still have to drill a place to mount the center spring, and drill out a rivet on the muffler side to put the spring support.

I got the oil tank cleaned up, the recoil done, the oil lines finished and the brake caliper cleaned and put on.

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/3830/6nov1.jpg

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/4682/6nov2.jpg

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/7138/6nov3.jpg

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/8886/6nov4.jpg

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/442/6nov5.jpg

Maize

11-09-2010, 09:50 PM

I took today of work to get a bunch of customer's shocks done.

Tomorrow and Thur I have Tech Training for Toyota. So I will be out of town.

I got the shocks done up this morning and worked on the wife's sled this afternoon.

I have to make a fuel tube for the fuel line. It mounts in a different location on the clear tank, than o the orginal. No big deal, just time and $3 in parts.

I got all the wiring on the handle bars done up. I have to put a new electrical connector on the throttle side as when the previous owner changed out the pin connectors, they hogged out the connector so they will not stay in.

I had another old junk throttle that the thumb warmer burnt out, so I just used that one.

I did find out that the hand guards I got won't work...so....bummer there.

I got the brake system installed and bled out along with the handwarmers all finished up. I am just waiting on the J-Hooks to finish that out. Those will be here Friday.

I got the carbs done all back to stock. They were supposed to have 45 pilots, and 260 mains. They were running 55 pilots and 220 mains.

So those are all cleaned up and ready to go. I also synchronized the carbs. They were off a tad, but they open at the same time, and at the same distances.

I got the rear skid in the sled, and then played around with different front ski shock lengths to try to help Darcy out with his SC4 conversion.

That is it for today..I am heading to bed. I have to be on the road tomorrow by 7a.

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/9674/8nov1.jpg

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/286/8nov2.jpg

http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/6492/8nov3.jpg

Maize

11-10-2010, 08:39 PM

I got the billet stuff in from Brian at Tricked Toys. As usual, the stuff looks FANTASTIC!!! His stuff is second to none!

I got the wheels on then saw how crappy the washers and bolts look on the REALLY nice wheels. So I will be getting those powder coated black to blend in.

Here is the sled to date:

http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/2742/10nov1.jpg

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/8465/10nov2.jpg

I just have to attach the rear bumper, polish the wind deflector on the secondary clutch and get with Jordan at Arctic FX about the new wrap. I sent him a piece of the powder coated pink so he can match it up. He will back in his office on November 12.

Maize

11-14-2010, 09:50 PM

The wrap and powder coating clash now. Jordan at Artic FX is getting that taken care of.

I didn't get a whole lot done this weekend due to customer's shock coming first. Keep em' coming guys and gals.

I did get the sled fired up today.

I filled up the gas tank, then removed the plugs and spun it a few times with the plugs to prime the fuel pump.

I put the plugs in her and she spun maybe 3 times and fired.

I don't know if you can see the smoke in the pictures, but she is running fine.

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/4549/14nov1.jpg

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/5719/14nov2.jpg

http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/7633/14nov3.jpg

Not much left to finish her up. I just have to attach the Van Amburg edge rails, cut the rear bumper down and mount that, put the carbides on and line the skis up and put the new wrap on it.

It will be done by this weekend as it will be on display in Storm Lake, IA at the ISSA convention.

Maize

11-21-2010, 03:22 PM

I was in the shop today.

I did up some customer shocks, then had some extra time to work on the wife's sled after taking a vacation day off this week to do shocks.

I got the gauge trim rings painted up and put on, the wires extended for the handwarmers, the VanAmburg edges bolted and riveted in place, the snowflap mounted permanantly, the rear bumper cut down and put on (I did find out BRP sent my two of the same side ends caps, so I need another of those) and the clutches cleaned up and are on permantly.

Jordan is working on the Pink Ribbon Riders' sled wrap and I still have to get carbides, shorten the front shocks, put the RPM Composites belly pan on, and powder coat the rear wheel and idler wheel washers and bolt heads.

Here is what it looks like to date with the old sled wrap on it:

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/7814/20nov1.jpg

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/2172/20nov2.jpg

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/3422/20nov3.jpg

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/1200/20nov4.jpg

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/6328/20nov5.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/9980/20nov6.jpg

http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/255/20nov7.jpg

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/709/20nov8.jpg

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/1122/20nov9.jpg

http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/5451/20nov10.jpg

Maize

11-21-2010, 03:35 PM

The internals are complete and all fluids are in the sled: (I still need to put clamps on the front ressies but will wait to do that after I shorten the shafts. I have to order a different tool to get the bearing heads out of these.)

Here the final assembly shots of the all the internals.

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/486/20nov11.jpg

http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/6425/20nov12.jpg

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/734/20nov13.jpg

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/991/20nov14.jpg

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/8753/20nov15.jpg

Maize

12-05-2010, 09:38 PM

I got the shocks shortened up and back on the sled.

Earlier this evening, Jordan sent me the proof of the sled wrap. So here is the new sled wrap that is going on her:

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/4283/pinkribbonriderwrap.jpg

Maize

12-11-2010, 08:51 PM

OK....I got the new wrap from Jordan. AWESOME!!! I must say.....

I still have a few a things to finish up.

I have to put the carbon fiber skid plate on, I just got a new set of USI Triple Threat pink skis, change out the center spring, put the lower rubber straps on and mount the front remote ressies and it is done.

Look for some up coming posters. Dootalk's own Dani Medin is going to be modeling with the sled. We will be selling the posters. After I recoup my cost for the posters, all the procedes will be going to Pink Ribbon Riders.

I will be displaying the sled at several Pink Ribbon Rides this winter, along with club fun runs. The sled is to help raise awareness for cancer. I have lost my dad to cancer, and my wife lost her mother.

Pink Ribbon Riders is a GREAT foundation that assists with in-home help for cancer patients. My dad needed these types of services and I want to help not only raise awareness for them, but also try to raise some money for them.

Dani is heavily involved in cancer awareness and she was a perfect fit for this project. We should be doing the photo shoot soon. I will also be taking my blue sled and she will be modeling with that sled, also.

Here is the new sled wrap:

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/1913/10dec1.jpg

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/1240/10dec2.jpg

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/1731/10dec3.jpg

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/9131/10dec4.jpg

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/5532/10dec5.jpg

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/8827/10dec6.jpg

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/2245/10dec7.jpg

YamaDooed

12-16-2010, 11:22 AM

Any plans for EGT or CHT gauges to monitor temps?
As a founding member of the Haul'n Fannie club I'd like to be flown in for any and all photo shoots...:D

Maize

12-27-2010, 07:26 PM

No gauges on this one. It's a fanner....and it pains me to say this...but the motor is all stock...DOH!!! Did I just say that???

I do have plans for a Holtzman ATACC soon, though.

I can let you know the day of the shoot if you want to go along. I am going to be taking some "behind the photographer" shots to put up on the website. Kind of like the "making of" kind of thing.

I did put the finishing touches on the sled and took it on its first run today.

I had a bear of time bleeding the brakes. I finally had to take the caliper off and put the bleeder screw on the high side and used a vacuum pump to pull all the air out of it.

I then filled up the chaincase with Amsoil synthetic chaincase oil.

I got the RPM Composites skid plate and belly pan on it.

I got the new USI Triple Threat skis with Woody's shaper bars put on it. I then aligned the front end with the track.

I finished up the decals and took it for a quick spin. It had a heck of knocking sound from under it.

I pulled it back in the garage, and found that I missed one window when I was cutting them out. Easy fix. All is working perfectly now.

This thing goes airborn sooooooooo easily. I have a little berm from the snowplows at the end of the street.

I may have been doing this all wrong with going bigger, bigger and bigger on the motor. I REALLY like this 550fan...at least until I hit a lake. Then I will REALLY want the bigger, bigger...LOL.

Here it is done and ready for the riding season.

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/8746/25dec1.jpg

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/6862/25dec2.jpg

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/2982/25dec3.jpg

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/8909/25dec4.jpg

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/1588/25dec5.jpg

Maize

12-27-2010, 07:29 PM

Well...a lot of phone time today. I locked up the photographer. Wayne Davis of Wayne Davis Photography (http://prints.wayned...photography.com) is going to be doing the photo shoot. He does alot of Ski-Doo factory photography. You would reconognize some of his shots from the product booklets.

Dani Medin (http://www.danimedin.com) is going to be doing the modeling for this shoot. She is the Dootalk sponsored rider, 2008 Pro 500 Hilldrag Champion, 2008 Pro Women’s Hillcross Champion, 2009 Pro Women’s Hillcross Champion, and was runner up in 2009 in both Sport 500 and Sport 600 Hillcross classes.

We are locked and loaded for the photo shoot for January 6, 2010.

Once the photoshoot is complete. We will be making posters of Dani and the Pink Ribbon Riders sled. I am only keeping the money I will have invested in the photo shoot, model and posters. All the rest of the profits will be given to Pink Ribbon Riders. They can be found at www.pinkribbonriders.com.

Pink Ribbon Riders© (PRR) provides financial assistance to both men and women diagnosed with breast cancer. PRR hosts snowmobile and many other events as our fundraisers.

The Pink Ribbon Riders is a small volunteer based organization. The organization is a donor based organization, this means that they need the support of donations.

So in the upcoming months, look for the poster of Dani with this Pink Ribbon Riders sled. Help out a GREAT cause, the Pink Ribbon Riders. I lost my dad to breast cancer, and my wife lost her mom to breast cancer. This is going to be my way of giving something back to help promote awareness and fund raising with something I know how to do.

Please help make a difference....Thanks to EVERYONE!

UPBrett

01-03-2011, 06:14 AM

Maize

01-03-2011, 09:15 PM

Awsome build Lynn, my 6yr old asked when your going to do that to her kitty cat for her. She has been on me to make it pink for 2 yrs now. We'll be getting one of the posters for her wall, let me know when they are ready, she can't wait to help a good cause. My wife lost 2 aunts to breast cancer as well.

Brett

P.S. let me know when you plan on going west and I'll see if the dates work for me.

Don't show your daughter these pictures then....LOL

http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/7186/minihood1.jpg

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/7140/mini1bl.jpg

http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/6234/mini3.jpg

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/7839/mini7a.jpg