I want to set up a couple of bikes for play on the local lakes. Is there any rhyme or reason to patterns and how you position the head of the screw in relation to direction of travel?
These are XR50s so they are low power bikes that just need traction to do a little fun circle racing and buzzing around while we ice fish.
If you're just doing 50's, don't worry so much. I studded my sons Z50R with one per knob so he could bomb around while I'm trying to carve up the lake on the KX. On a standard knob, put 2 screws per knob in a diagonal pattern in relationship to wheel travel. Make sure you put in screws that are long enough to grab tire cords, but not too long top poke through. On a 50, if the screws just protrude, a piecs of carpet works great for a liner.
If your going to do a high horsepower bike, then screw placement, angle, amount, and orientaion make a world of difference. I sure wish I knew what I was doing there!
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Lobster »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
If your going to do a high horsepower bike, then screw placement, angle, amount, and orientaion make a world of difference. I sure wish I knew what I was doing there! </TD></TR></TABLE>
I wish I knew too! My only other therory is that 4 studs per knob doesn't work as well when the ice has a layer of snow on it. This year I also tried putting the studs in at an angle (away from the direction of rotation), and that seem to work ok.
(FWIW I'm using Kold Kutter studs, and just doing some recreational river riding, no racing)
First is a picture of a set of Fredette ice racing tires. Kinda gives an idea of a screw pattern. The rear tire is a Kenda 335 ice tire. That's what we all pretty much run with us cheap guys putting em in ourselves. Bottom pic is the KX having a day on the lake with me trying to keep it under control. We just ride recreationally too. Usually we get 10-15 bikes out on a mile or so plowed track. Would be nice to have an e-start on teh KX, it's gets hard to fire when the temps get below zero (F.).
Our riding is on a small river, about 20 - 30 feet wide, with lots of turns, low hanging branches and blind corners. There's too much snow now, but up until the 1st week of January it was great. You can still ride on the river, but once you have to start worrying about sleds coming the other way it takes a bit of the fun away.
We also ride on a plowed track, but I haven't done that this year. I'm just getting back into it this year, so I've got to call some of my old riding friends.
Are you running a tire liner with the longer studs?
Yes! There are a couple of groups. Some flat trackers to the west and then a bunch of mostly CRA guys on different lakes. Lake Marion, Lake Swede and Goose lake are the favorites. There is an email list. If you want to get on it, send me a note: qhome@bitstream.net
Here we are again. It is getting close to ice riding time here in Michigan. XR50's again this year. Last year I ran some 3/8" Kold Kutters into Starcross MX tires. The front screw stayed in but I lost at least 50% of the screws from the rear in one day. I need a better solution for the rear tire.
I am going to do the front the same as last year.
You can see on the rear tire that the tread is to far apart to get a good grip on the ice. The knobs also flexed to much to keep the screws in. I think I am going to go with a stocker on the rear with a carpet liner in there. Wish me luck.
Now you uncovered my side no one really knows about. I am addicted to riding mini-bikes. Check your pm over on labusas. I will send you links to a couple of videos from last night's indoor racing.
All that cold weather we had wasn't helped by the temps yesterday. We were ready to go out and ice race a little bit but the lakes are really unsafe now.
if you want real traction, buy a set of Fredettes. they may be a little more expensive that making them yourself, but you will NEVER build a set a good. if you take care of them, they will last you for seasons(always use ice wraps any time you are not on the ice).
once you get much snow built up on the ice, you grip goes to crap. i have a 4 wheeler with a plow on the front and just switched my powerbroom to a rear mount trailer style set up. it takes a little time to groom, but you end up with glare ice.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cb186 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> i have a 4 wheeler with a plow on the front and just switched my powerbroom to a rear mount trailer style set up. it takes a little time to groom, but you end up with glare ice. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 2 Strokes Forever »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
We need someone like you up where I ride.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
lol. yeah, that is a popular though, especially with guys that are a little more serious about riding ice. i tried out the new broom setup on New Years Day, worked good, i just have to get chains on the wheeler so i can turn corners faster.
Here's a link to Joey's site that gives some ice tire tips. I'm running aFredette rear this year, but ended up screwing my own front. It's ok for leisure riding, but when push comes to shove, you can't beat a set of Fredette's or Cliff jr's. http://www.dieseljo.com/ice_mo...e.htm
We use an old Jeep Grand Wagoneer to plow our tracks, we just take the plow pads off and it gets er done with minimal fuss. The snow on the corners add to the "fun"!
We're going out tomorrow, supposed to be a balmy 3 out. Hope to shoot some vid as well.
Any ice riders in here?
I'm lucky if I replace my studs every third year. 
Linear Mode
