rtbme
Feb 6 2004, 08:10 PM
I posted a couple of days ago (see rtbme 2/5 posting) regarding weight tuning your sled. 35 hits and not one comment. From what I was told some of the sleds snow tech checked were off by 30 pounds left to right. It all sounds like cool thing to check into and get some bench marks for the sleds handling. I don't think the weight is supposed to be tha same at four points, but there must be some sort of referance point to start from. Does anybody know anything about weight tuning?
pockets
Feb 6 2004, 11:19 PM
I remember the article, they weighed the sleds at 3 points, to show weight distribution differences. It was not an article to show/tell you how to tune the points for the same amount of weight. I would say it would be a benefit to do so, but you would have to ballast whichever area needed the weight, or figue out where weight needed to be taken off. And only off the chassis, not suspension pieces, or rolling parts, as this would effect the unsprung weight side to side, which you want kept even. The engine/exhaust/chaincase/clutches/oil/coolant tanks would be the main parts that are not symetrical on the sled.
NH trailrider
Feb 7 2004, 05:42 AM
The snow tech article summed it up pretty well. Most sleds have uneven weight balancing. 4 points of contact for a sled; two skiis, front torque and rear torque arm. Skiis should be evened out by preload on springs (either done with shimms or the adjustment on the shock. The front and read torque arms both have their own adjustments with limmiter straps and preload adjustment.
If skiis in the air fast starts and high speed are the goal: Light ski and front torque arm #'s with maximum transfer set-up in the scissor stops. A balanced trail sled will have lighter front torque arm #'s than rear. Ski lift will be less and the sled will track better. Check the article for how each brand stacks up stock to see what your's most likely needs.