E-Bay Spitfire with rubber conversion track

big danno 1970 · Post by **big danno 1970** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 12:31 am

Any one ever thought about adding a chain case to the spitfire? May or may not be enough room for one and would probably require removal of the air box (rejetting) This is just a thought but if it would work then it would allow the liquifire track to be used and still allow the spit to have good or maybe a bit better performance.
Any thoughts?

JoeRainville · Post by **JoeRainville** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 12:45 am

MW,

One other issue with using the 6" shorter track is having to move the suspension 'about' 3" forward has problems of it's own. The Spitfire and the other DD sleds have a very steap angle of attack where the track meets the snow. I don't think there is room to move the suspension ahead that far and not have the track at an overly steep angle. Might have to drop in the Polaris skid with that track, and I am sure that would look goofy on the 2-up Snow and Sprintfires.

A longer track is a better choice than shorter one. There should be a longer one out there, but I don't know w/o looking it up.

Danno, a chaincase is a viable option and has been done successfully before. At that point, you can use the entire drive train from a Liquifire, including the suspension. But, making a DD sled a chaincase sled sort of ruins the intent of the design to be simple and light.

Just my thought. The truth is out there. Sometimes WAY out there...
-Rainville

B)

JDT · Post by **JDT** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 12:59 am

Hey guys, I like the train of thought here.

I mentioned the Polaris set up based on what was mentioned in a previous post. I did not realise that it was 108/110 in length.

Therefore I retract my idea of useing it as shorter is not where it is at.

Todd

JDT · Post by **JDT** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 1:25 am

Some follow up....

I looked again and the Tundra is 2" drive with 139" long.

Several Moto Skis/Skidoos used 114x15x2 so that is a real possibility as it would only mean moving things back 1" and maybe not moving at all as the adjusters should make up that difference. These tracks are still available from Kimpex.

What about a mid 70's Yamaha GS setup? That is also 114x15x2.0.

Todd

JDT · Post by **JDT** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 1:27 am

Joe why would you need a new hex shaft with custom 3.39 sprockets?
Todd

JDT · Post by **JDT** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 1:58 am

Actually the best bet may be to go with a readily available longer track with 2" drive. Tracks and suspenion systems are a dime a dozen for this setup.
Skidoo Formula mid 80's
SkiDoo Tundra in both short and long track early 80's - 2000

What I used on the old Scorpion which had 108" and boggies was a 121"x 15 x2.52.

I like the idea of the extra length and I feel it would ecsentuate the rakish lines of the Spit chassis.
It would only add 2.5" in overall length but a modification may be need to avoid snoflap entanglement.

If I had a Spitfire I would start on this next week just to see how it paned out.

hmmm I do have an extra Sprint somewhere out on the farm....

Todd

JDT · Post by **JDT** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:49 am

I just looked at the Spit in question on ebay. Now I am no expert on yellow sleds but that looks like a Doo track to me.
Todd

JDT · Post by **JDT** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:24 am

Doing some house cleaning here....

Pete---- I understand the importance of maintaning the small OD of the original drive sprockets to ensure correct gear ratio and preventing clutch distruction.

Joe---- The Polaris idea is not valid in my opinion beause it is too short and requires extensive mods. Plus the durabilty and availability issues that Pete mentioned.

Joe---- The Spit has a round shaft correct? Why did you want a hex drive shaft?

mwking ---- I do not own a Spit but I can appreciate its value as one fun to drive machine. I think they are worth getting back on the snow.

TK890---- Ernie at Winterhaven had a hand in the devolpment of this awsome machine. Now if you look at ebay item #12021847807 you will see a sprocket. These are not NOS but rather new production that Ernie has had made for him. So if he is willing to disclose his supplier we have found a source if need be. I bet it is LLP.

Danno--- I am with Joe on the chaincase idea. It would be sacroligest to do that.

Todd

That Girl Racing · Post by **That Girl Racing** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:00 am

The small diameter vs. performance is not the issue. There is no room under there for large drivers.

JoeRainville · Post by **JoeRainville** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 12:09 pm

Hi Guys,

There are several reasons I would need to re-make a Spit drive shaft out of hex material if I was to go to tripple 3.29 pitch sprocket and the 80's LF track.

Hex shafts should be stiffer than the original and not deflect under the bending loads from the large diameter driven clutch. The other reason is that you don't have to drill a hole for the center sprocket as you would on a round shaft. That center hole is probably where the round shaft would snap.

I would prefer to make the 3.29 sprockets the "press on" type as Deere did the 82 and up chaincase sleds, but since both ends the shaft stick out of the tunnel, installation would be near impossable. So, the outer sprockets would have to bolt on, where the center could be pressed in place, or use spacers like the 80 LF did.

These Scorpion sprockets might be worth following up on. I just sold a guy a protoype 700 cc TKX hood that has the sled it belongs on, and a "production" 890cc machine two. He and I have already spoken about the sprockets...

More to come...
-Rainville

B)

JDT · Post by **JDT** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 5:45 pm

Gadzooks... I see Ernie is also selling JD drivers! He has a set listed on e-bay right now.

I would not have a problem drilling a hole on the center of a Spit shaft as I do not feel the engine has the grunt to break it. If it was a 65hp mill than I would rethink that.

Todd

JoeRainville · Post by **JoeRainville** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 6:02 pm

JDT,

Who is Ernie? I can't find him on Evil-Bay, and the auction number you listed above is no good. (Note: typo corrected)

I am interested in checking him out, but need more into.

-Rainville

JDT · Post by **JDT** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 6:14 pm

Joe it is Ernie.

Item # 120212847807 is the Scorp driver.

The JD driver is gone so someone must have done the 'buy it now'.

His website is www.winterhavenllc.com

Todd

boaski · Post by **boaski** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 6:40 pm

Could a set of external drivers be made to work with some of the other tracks? The reason I think about external drivers is I made a set for my Snowbug last year.

I used our waterjet cutter to cut the inner and outer profile as well as put in the holes. I used a CNC mill to cut the pocket for a mounting hub. With the waterjet all I have to do is draw up a "2D" drawing in CAD or something similar & send the .dxf file to the cutter.

JDT · Post by **JDT** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 7:28 pm

Joe did you find the listing?
Ernie Leclair is his full name. His son's name is Ernie also so ask for Ernie SR.

Todd