9 replies to this topic

[OldViperRider]

Hi All,

I went out today for a short ride, only about 40 miles. Every trail I was on was good or better. In fact some were awesome. Yes, I was running over the speed limit* at times in areas were it was safe to do so. You need to pick your spots, not blind hills or blind corners!

With the cold temperatures and the new snow expected tomorrow and this weekend; this weekend and next week should be some of the best riding this season.

Mark

*p.s. Don't tell F&G.

[RX1TON]

OldViperRider, on Jan 17 2008, 06:32 PM, said:

Hi All,

I went out today for a short ride, only about 40 miles. Every trail I was on was good or better. In fact some were awesome. Yes, I was running over the speed limit* at times in areas were it was safe to do so. You need to pick your spots, not blind hills or blind corners!

With the cold temperatures and the new snow expected tomorrow and this weekend; this weekend and next week should be some of the best riding this season.

Mark

*p.s. Don't tell F&G.

I saw you stop by the groomer garage on your ride while I was working just to rub it in.
Any interest in showing up tomorrow morning to help with lnstalling 4 new belts for the tracks?
we need someone to put locktite on the 900+ bolts for installation like an assembly line
so we can get this machine back together for Friday night and make everyone HAPPY.
I'll be there by 7-7:30.
Keith

[OldViperRider]

RX1TON, on Jan 17 2008, 07:39 PM, said:

I saw you stop by the groomer garage on your ride while I was working just to rub it in.
Any interest in showing up tomorrow morning to help with lnstalling 4 new belts for the tracks?
we need someone to put locktite on the 900+ bolts for installation like an assembly line
so we can get this machine back together for Friday night and make everyone HAPPY.
I'll be there by 7-7:30.
Keith

I will be there as long as I can come by sled! I will see you in the morning, what safety equipment do I need to put the Locktite on? Safety glasses, rubber gloves, etc.....

Mark

[RX1TON]

OldViperRider, on Jan 17 2008, 07:45 PM, said:

I will be there as long as I can come by sled! I will see you in the morning, what safety equipment do I need to put the Locktite on? Safety glasses, rubber gloves, etc.....

Mark

Hopefully you are not that dangerous to be around! No protection necessary, its not harmful unless maybe ingested.
See you in the AM.
Keith

[OldViperRider]

RX1TON, on Jan 17 2008, 07:51 PM, said:

Hopefully you are not that dangerous to be around! No protection necessary, its not harmful unless maybe ingested.
See you in the AM.
Keith

Shoot, I was hoping I needed at least a welding mask and breathing apparatus.

Mark

Edited by OldViperRider, 17 January 2008 - 07:59 PM.

[OldViperRider]

Keith,

I almost forgot, bring me a cup of coffee with cream and sugar and a glazed donut!

I'll get BOT to reimburse you.

Mark

Edited by OldViperRider, 17 January 2008 - 09:30 PM.

[OldViperRider]

Hi All,

Well, this morning I arrived at the groomer shed at 7 am. RX1TON was not there. Around 7:20 am he finally arrived, without any donuts and not even a lukewarm cup of coffee. Come to find out he spent a leisurely early morning at the Happy Corners Café having a sumptuous breakfast.

Well, we went to work.

[attachment=1372:RX1TON.jpg]

I want you to notice he actually was getting his hands dirty.

The tracks needed to have four belts replaced. Sandy Young, who RX1TON called in on Sandy's day off and Pete pitched in to get it done.

[attachment=1373:Sandy___Pete.jpg]

Finally after many hours the tracks were finished with over 900 bolts installed with Lock-tite and torqued down to the proper tension.

[attachment=1374:completed_track.jpg]

Finally the tracks were pulled onto the groomer ready for the nights run.

[attachment=1375:The_tracks_are_on.jpg]

All in all it was an interesting and very tiring day. It is a job that every able bodied snowmobiler should experience ONE TIME!

As I was leaving after 7 hours with only a can of diet coke; RX1TON said that after I get back from Jackson Hole next week, I get to do it again on another one of our groomers.

Who ever said snowmobiling is not fun!

Mark

Edited by OldViperRider, 18 January 2008 - 06:29 PM.

[ct_skidoo]

That is quite the operation! Looks interesting in the pictures... Thank god for Loc-tite eh?

[OldViperRider]

ct_skidoo, on Jan 18 2008, 07:27 PM, said:

That is quite the operation! Looks interesting in the pictures... Thank god for Loc-tite eh?

Yep, real interesting! I am licking my wounds and trying to forget I am 63 years old. But my body won't let me.

Mark

[RX1TON]

OldViperRider, on Jan 18 2008, 06:21 PM, said:

Hi All,

Well, this morning I arrived at the groomer shed at 7 am. RX1TON was not there. Around 7:20 am he finally arrived, without any donuts and not even a lukewarm cup of coffee. Come to find out he spent a leisurely early morning at the Happy Corners Café having a sumptuous breakfast.

Well, we went to work.

RX1TON.jpg

I want you to notice he actually was getting his hands dirty.

The tracks needed to have four belts replaced. Sandy Young, who RX1TON called in on Sandy's day off and Pete pitched in to get it done.

Sandy___Pete.jpg

Finally after many hours the tracks were finished with over 900 bolts installed with Lock-tite and torqued down to the proper tension.

completed_track.jpg

Finally the tracks were pulled onto the groomer ready for the nights run.

The_tracks_are_on.jpg

All in all it was an interesting and very tiring day. It is a job that every able bodied snowmobiler should experience ONE TIME!

As I was leaving after 7 hours with only a can of diet coke; RX1TON said that after I get back from Jackson Hole next week, I get to do it again on another one of our groomers.

Who ever said snowmobiling is not fun!

Mark

It was more like 7:10- 7:15 Thanks for your help today Mark
Enjoy your trip, hope your back don't hurt too much to ride!
Keith