Elevate alternative for Sidewinder / King Cat

[0neoldfart]

So, I've been trying a few setups on my 17 King Cat, thought I'd share them with you. Like many, I stepped up the boost with a flash, etc, changed clutching to make use of the added hp, and added a coupled rear skid to keep the front end down. I repurposed a Kmod I had on my 1100T, but found that it took a lot of the playfulness out of the sled (nose heavy). After talking with Kevin @ Kmod, I moved the rear attachment point up 3/4", but track not sitting flat. Not to give up, I considered using spindles from Ice Age ($$$), but instead found a low cost alternative that I feel really improves the entire sled's handling by raising the front end 1.5". I bought a set of SX race sled spindles (also found on the Riot for 2020), replaced the tie rod ends with a bolt through design, and made some spacers so the tie rods will clear. After a bit of testing, I can say that this mod transforms the sled into a machine that handles / feels more like an Axys then a 4 stroke, not sure why Yamaha or Cat never incorporated this setup on the mountain sleds.

 

[0neoldfart]

Just a rundown of what I've changed (personal preferences):
- Fly aero taper bars with polaris grips and Pro RMK master cylinder / brake lever (not a fan of the big Cat lever or the bars)
- Vertical steering post setup from the Viper with CSP bushings
- Slydog Attack skis / Riot spindles
- B&M Fab skinny boards
- Kmod turn key rear suspension with Raptor shocks and custom spring rates
- Cat front and rear bumpers
-911 clutch cover / SSi clutch springs / weights / helix (still fine tuning the clutching)
- EVO stage 4 reflash, BOV / charge tubes / CAI / exhaust
- All Go Customs Intercooler screen
- Tether / windshield bag / Mtn Addiction gas can. There's a few more little things not worth mentioning. The sled rips, and I can honestly say I wont be on a 2 smoker (boosted or not) anytime soon. The machine (fully fueled with tool kit and spare belt weighs only 90 lbs more then my wife's Pro RMK 660 with 155" track, but feels a lot lighter when riding. Pretty impressive for a 4 stroke turbo...

 

[M1ryguy]

So, I've been trying a few setups on my 17 King Cat, thought I'd share them with you. Like many, I stepped up the boost with a flash, etc, changed clutching to make use of the added hp, and added a coupled rear skid to keep the front end down. I repurposed a Kmod I had on my 1100T, but found that it took a lot of the playfulness out of the sled (nose heavy). After talking with Kevin @ Kmod, I moved the rear attachment point up 3/4", but track not sitting flat. Not to give up, I considered using spindles from Ice Age ($$$), but instead found a low cost alternative that I feel really improves the entire sled's handling by raising the front end 1.5". I bought a set of SX race sled spindles (also found on the Riot for 2020), replaced the tie rod ends with a bolt through design, and made some spacers so the tie rods will clear. After a bit of testing, I can say that this mod transforms the sled into a machine that handles / feels more like an Axys then a 4 stroke, not sure why Yamaha or Cat never incorporated this setup on the mountain sleds.
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Thanks for the info! have you tried this setup for climbing? I know you say it handles better but I just had my sidewinder out for the first time this past weekend in valemount and it has some serious problems keeping the front end down on climbs. Just wondering if your setup with the new longer spindles would make this even a bigger issue ?

 

[0neoldfart]

Haven’t had it on anything crazy steep yet. But as I mentioned, I have a Kmod coupled skid, so ski lift isn’t a big issue anyway. On setting #1, 1 can lift the skis at will, but still easy to control with the throttle. The big benefit to this change was that it made the the machine a lot more balanced, as in my case, the Kmod increases the rear ride height of the sled, shifting the weight onto the skis. Might want reduce the front track shock preload for trails, as there isn’t a ton of ski pressure...but I don’t much care about trail handling. Without a coupled skid the additional ride height (if you don't match the rear) would likely amplify ski lift.
I actually found that raising the front end made the sled as easy to ride as my wife's Pro 660 (which has Kmod front and rear suspension with a 153" Powerclaw track), so for me, it's a win.
I should mention: IF YOU ARE NOT A RIDER WHO DOES PRE RIDE CHECKS, I'D RECOMMEND YOU GO WITH THE AFTERMARKET KITS. I used very high quality heim joints for the tie rod ends, and the spacers I fabricated are made of substantially heavy material, and are perfectly flat to match the mating surfaces of the heim joint and spindle, so they are quite rigid. I also used high quality bolts and locking hardware. But anytime you engineer your own parts, there is a chance of failure. I have been fabricating my own stuff for years and feel confident in the quality, but it's my a## if it fails with me on it, so using this "alternative" idea is at your own risk. I'll answer any questions regarding this, but I'm not building / selling for public use.

 

[2Turnipsinheat]

Do you recommend this mod with the stock rear suspension or just a a combo with the Kmod? Thx

 

[powder dreams]

Iv been thinking about doing this on the wife's alpha and maybe my winder cuz I don't totally buy into what ice age has to say about their rails when the alpha doesn't require anything. I also have a kmod that's in my spare sled iv thought about putting in the winder but IV never been able to get it setup to ride playfully like I want.

Why is it that you had to space out the tie rod? Does it have clearance issues with the new spindles? Do you mind sharing roughly what the spindles cost you?

 

[0neoldfart]

Iv been thinking about doing this on the wife's alpha and maybe my winder cuz I don't totally buy into what ice age has to say about their rails when the alpha doesn't require anything. I also have a kmod that's in my spare sled iv thought about putting in the winder but IV never been able to get it setup to ride playfully like I want.

Why is it that you had to space out the tie rod? Does it have clearance issues with the new spindles? Do you mind sharing roughly what the spindles cost you?

The Riot spindles when installed cause the tie rod tubes to contact the lower a-arm when suspension is at full drop out (skis in the air). Total cost for everything was under $475 Cdn. For those asking about installing with a stock skid, you woulld likely need to relocate the rear skid, perhaps even add larger anti-stab wheels and trim rail tips to prevent track stabbing, but I can't verify this as I never tried with the stock skid, I sold the stock skid a couple rides after I bought the sled... the Kmod ride and build quality (able to take a beating) made that a no-brainer for me.