I thought I would share my recent modifications to my 1989 LT500R. The track and ski kit uses Camoplast Traxion+ tracks (formerly AD Boivin) in the rear and a custom bracket kit in the front. The front bracket was modeled after the one made by AD Boivin. I have Ski-Doo Precision Skis (twin carbides) mounted on the front brackets. I bought the tracks used and, unfortunately, I heard that Camoplast has discontinued the Traxion+ tracks. The Traxion+ unit is not "gear reduced" and uses a 24" wheel to turn the track.
With three of us working on it, it took about 8 hours to fit it up to my machine. Once it's fitted though, it's relatively easy to switch back and forth. I imagine it would take about 30 minutes to switch over ... an hour worst case.
The second day of riding, I snapped the bolt holding the rear stabilizer bar and the track came ripping up through my fender (original plastic). It destroyed my fender and my fender support bracket. It almost got my leg as well but the fender bracket stopped it in time. Good thing it didn't because it's a studded track. I ordered new plastic and a new bracket for my machine but I was also able to patch together my original fender. I think I will keep the patched fender on it for now just in case it happens again.
I have attached some pictures. I need to take some better pictures and video of it in action. That is a GPS unit strapped on my headlight. I was able to get 62MPH out of it on the ice. I can only seem to get about 52MPH on hard packed snow. I realize the studs are not helping. I have heard that studded tracks can reduce speed by as much as 8 MPH. I recently purchased a spare set of non-studded tracks for this kit so I may give them a try. With the studs on the hard packed snow, the machine begins to bog a bit in 4th/5th and I'm not hitting the power band properly. I'm running the stock 13T front sprocket and a non-stock 42T rear sprocket. I need to tune it up better as I would like to be able to get 60MPH+ on the hard packed snow and 70MPH+ on the ice. Any recommendations on how can I get some better speeds out of it?
I also noticed that I have an odd "dead spot" in the machine and it only seems to happen in 4th gear. As I begin to gain RPM in 4th gear and approach the power band, the RPMs suddenly drop out and the machine begins to bog. If I immediately switch to 5th gear, it seems to recover and operate normally. The RPM slowly increases in 5th and I'm able to reach the power band. Any ideas on this?
This machine is a blast on the snowmobile trails and, to my surprise, it can really go through some deep snow. It's also a blast to open it up on the lake. I have never really been able to use much of 4th and 5th gear on this machine. It's nice to finally use those gears. I have taken some jumps with the kit but I'm hesitant about getting too much air. The tracks weigh about 75 lbs each and all that extra weight is transferring directly to the axle instead of through the suspension. In addition, it really throws off the balance of the machine.
Let me know what you think.
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With three of us working on it, it took about 8 hours to fit it up to my machine. Once it's fitted though, it's relatively easy to switch back and forth. I imagine it would take about 30 minutes to switch over ... an hour worst case.
The second day of riding, I snapped the bolt holding the rear stabilizer bar and the track came ripping up through my fender (original plastic). It destroyed my fender and my fender support bracket. It almost got my leg as well but the fender bracket stopped it in time. Good thing it didn't because it's a studded track. I ordered new plastic and a new bracket for my machine but I was also able to patch together my original fender. I think I will keep the patched fender on it for now just in case it happens again.
I have attached some pictures. I need to take some better pictures and video of it in action. That is a GPS unit strapped on my headlight. I was able to get 62MPH out of it on the ice. I can only seem to get about 52MPH on hard packed snow. I realize the studs are not helping. I have heard that studded tracks can reduce speed by as much as 8 MPH. I recently purchased a spare set of non-studded tracks for this kit so I may give them a try. With the studs on the hard packed snow, the machine begins to bog a bit in 4th/5th and I'm not hitting the power band properly. I'm running the stock 13T front sprocket and a non-stock 42T rear sprocket. I need to tune it up better as I would like to be able to get 60MPH+ on the hard packed snow and 70MPH+ on the ice. Any recommendations on how can I get some better speeds out of it?
I also noticed that I have an odd "dead spot" in the machine and it only seems to happen in 4th gear. As I begin to gain RPM in 4th gear and approach the power band, the RPMs suddenly drop out and the machine begins to bog. If I immediately switch to 5th gear, it seems to recover and operate normally. The RPM slowly increases in 5th and I'm able to reach the power band. Any ideas on this?
This machine is a blast on the snowmobile trails and, to my surprise, it can really go through some deep snow. It's also a blast to open it up on the lake. I have never really been able to use much of 4th and 5th gear on this machine. It's nice to finally use those gears. I have taken some jumps with the kit but I'm hesitant about getting too much air. The tracks weigh about 75 lbs each and all that extra weight is transferring directly to the axle instead of through the suspension. In addition, it really throws off the balance of the machine.
Let me know what you think.
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View attachment 10823