[Max Hartry]

Has anyone tried this before.

I'd love to make a full-blown mini snowmobile but fab skills aren't there yet, so going to try this instead.
Will either use a skateboard deck or use some homemade ski for the front. Just need to weld the back up. We never get heavy snow in the UK, if we get more than 2inches its considered a heavy load, lol.
Probably building something I'll use for a few days every other year but I'm committed now and think it could be great fun.
Will these engines run alright in snow, cant imagine it'll do any harm as long as you keep the intake free of buildup. Ordered another FCC/BBK kit so engine should have enough poke. Gear reduction box will also help turn the big rear wheel. Thoughts or advice always welcome.

Rough sketch of front ski design.

 

[MrKitty]

I would just chop an old snowboard in half for the front ski.

These engines run great in the snow the cold weather really helps...

 

[Max Hartry]

Well,
Whilst no longer a snowbike I didn't get board of the project and decided in the end to sacrifice one of the quads and make a mini snowmobile instead.
Fab skills not up to making a track so just going for the large rear. This is the UK and if we get any snow at all it'll only be a couple inches so should work fine.
Bare in mind ive only just taught myself to weld and only have a cheap arc welder, the original quad frame is made of very spurious chinesium and it is so easy to burn through but its coming together.

The best inch i managed, lol.

Very tricky getting everything aligned and straight but after a load of faffing managed to get it all together.

Had to order a stiffer rear spring but at 11quid its hardly a disaster. Made a few iteratons of the chain tensioner but have finally got that sorted as well. Had issues with it touching the new swing arm but an additional chain guide sorted that.

First start up.

https://flic.kr/p/2kiCg4R
Chain tensioner still wasn't right so redid it again, welded a cheap silencer to the exhaust And had a first drive. Fitted the front wheels back on for testing. Its an interesting drive, lol. Just need to make a couple brackets and fit the skis and I can sit anxiously awaiting our possible two day annual white out.



https://flic.kr/p/2kiAUn7
Got some black exhaust wrap coming to save your legs and onto the next one, lol.

 

[MrKitty]

Wow that's truly a awesome reverse trike and you completed the project in such a short time...

 

[FutureWorld]

Looks awesome! Is that a homemade exhaust?

 

[Max Hartry]

Looks awesome! Is that a homemade exhaust?

Cheers mate, yeah it is. Its a polini exhaust. I removed the header cut an old CAG exhaust down, welded it up also welded a small silencer to the end, doesn't do much but it helps.

 

[Max Hartry]

Right just a quick update.
Got the skis fitted and then by some miracle we were due snow about an hour away from home so we packed up the kids and dog and headed for the moors, lol. Found some and had a day messing about in the white stuff.
The bloody thing works, desperately needs a larger rear sprocket, 54 fitted ive got a 72t on the way. Gearing was way too tall and it was cooking the clutch but besides that it worked way better than I thought.
Think I need to play about with the ski angles to improve turning, but it was tarmac under the 1inch of snow so think more snow and a field would improve that anyway.
Very happy considering its my first fabrication project.
Hope you enjoy, just need more snow now.

Videos don't show it clearly but the carpark had quite a steep gradient hence why its struggling coming up the hill. Bigger sprocket is a must.

https://flic.kr/p/2kooEX9
https://flic.kr/p/2koB8tA
https://flic.kr/p/2koBTno

 

[MrKitty]

Nice 👍 looks like a lot of fun