I think it time for new skins!!!

[92 VMAX-4]

Well if you saw my last post on my vmax the only flaw was it needed new skins. Well im getting the sled ready for the snow and installed my heat seld plug so i figer well let me get the skins off for the new ones. The carbides are in ok shape but here small and i thing im going to order new ones also. Here are the pics of the skins

[RDL 93 V-MAX4]

Yep those are trashed skins. I got new ones in purple they look real cool.

[ALLSEASONRIDER]

Have fun changing those skins! Just did mine last week..

[92 VMAX-4]

yeah i was think about doing a diffent color for the skins and my buddy is a graphic designer with a plotter so he making me factory decals but in diffent colors. I just going to change the pink but i dunno what im going to do yet.

[RDL 93 V-MAX4]

ALLSEASONRIDER

Have fun changing those skins! Just did mine last week..


I had so much trouble getting those inserts in. The tabs are so brutally bent inwards. Anyways here's a pic of them. I riveted the front like some members had done. Looks good enough to me.

http://tinypic.com/igvp85.jpg

[92 VMAX-4]

looks good my factory ones were rivited in the front and rear. Order them today shold be here by the end of the week. Thanks Anthony

[mark the shark]

Here's a little trick from Shark Engineering that I started to use a few years ago to prolong the life of my skins. The insert style are getting harder to find and they're so expensive, that I wanted a way to make them last longer. I bought an 8' length of 3" diameter PVC pipe for about $10 and cut 2' lengths. I cut them into thirds, cut a "V" on the front and drilled for the wearbar studs, cut a notch in the front for the wearbar, and bolted them on the bottom of the ski. The studs on most wearbars are long enough to hold the PVC on. The inside diameter of the pipe wraps around the keel of the ski perfectly. This set of skins have been on my sled for 3 seasons now, and they are still in pretty good shape. I noticed that the sled steers a little better now, too. I know it looks kinda cheesy, but it works great. The PVC is tougher than the plastic ski skin, and I just slap another set on when they start to get worn out. You can't see them when the sled is sitting in the snow.
Shark

[92 VMAX-4]

looks good shark doesnt effect how the ski glides in the snow with the pvc under it??

[mark the shark]

It seems to push the carbide down into the hard pack for better steering, and I can feel the difference in the corners. I don't slide through the corners as much as I used to. The skis still glide through the fluffy snow just like they always did.
Shark

[ALLSEASONRIDER]

My tabs were bent in as well, so I gently massaged them out with a taped screwdriver and started at the front of the ski when I installed the skin.

I found that by installing the rivet at the front 1st I was able to ease the insert into the ski a little at a time(side to side) all the way to the back of the ski with a pair of screwdrivers.

After skin was completely installed I used a taped hammer and dolly and put my body skills to work along the lip of the ski to recrimp. I wanted to be super careful because last week I had spent a complete evening hand polishing these skiis to a mirror shine...ALLSEASONRIDER

[RDL 93 V-MAX4]

WOW great tip Mark with the PVC Pipe. I got to do that too to save those $85.00 Skins.

Thanks for the photos :super: :urock: :goodp:

[vmax4rules]

Great idea Shark, I have the same basic thing on my 92' except I had to buy them :cussing:

[RDL 93 V-MAX4]

I think your idea rocks Shark. I bought the same PVC 3" diameter as you have. Just was wondering what you cut the lenght with? Mini grinder? Circular Saw? What works the best? Thanks for ant suggestions. I got a 10' lenght for $7 dollars so I can make lots of them. :)

http://tinypic.com/ilf86x.jpg

[4with4]

Good idea Mark. I think my skins are still the originals. The previous owner rode a lot of deep powder so he put black wider skins right over top of everything. 5000 miles and everything is still original except I'm on the second set of carbides.

Ian

[mark the shark]

I live where there aren't any trails, so we do some backroad riding if we get a good snowstorm. I go through a lot of carbides and skins. Had to figure a way to save parts!
RDL - I just use a sabre saw. I cut the diameter in thirds and make the cuts on an angle so the edges of the pipe sit flat on the bottom of the skin. I cut the angle on the front with the sabre saw, then file it in with a rough file.
Shark

[RDL 93 V-MAX4]

Thanks for the tips Mark. :urock:

[Merk]

I tackled the dreaded ski skins yesterday. The post here makes it seem harder than it really is!

a) Obviously, you need to remove the carbides. If worn, this would be a good time to replace.

b) Remove both ski's. Trust me, makes life ALOT easier. One cotter pin and two bolts and you are done!

c) Drill out the rivets, if applicable. There is two per ski.

d) Pry out the old skin with a flat-tipped screwdriver. Careful around the mid-section to rear of the ski. The lip gets pretty thin towards the end of the ski. When finished, inspect the channels for dirt/debris.

e) Clean-up the rivet holes and locate a screw to hold the new slide in place to prevent slipping.

f) Go inside where it is warm. Working outside sucks. Bring the ski's and skins with you! Start your oven; set to broil. Remove any racks in your oven (you'll need the depth).

g) Fasten the screw through the new skin onto the ski. Again, this is only to hold the new skin in place so do not worry about tightening it.

h) With the oven door open, CAREFULLY and GENTLY expose the tip of the ski (with the skin) in the heat. You just want to heat up the plastic so it can be molded easier. ATTENTION!! Plastic melts FAST!! 10-seconds is too long!

i) Away from the oven, begin manipulating the skin to fit in the channels. Start from the top and alternate left to right with pressure. You should get as far as mid-ski.

j) For the rest of the ski, Repeat step "h" but place the end (not the tip) in the oven.

k) Away from the oven, finish manipluating the skin into the channels.

l) Re-install ski with new skin to sled.

m) Celebrate with a frosty beverage....you are DONE!!

[Miramichi Mad Max4]

Hey Shark, how much to ship a set of those out to me? LOL ;)

[mark the shark]

Not sure if I have any more made up out in the trailer or not. I saved one for a template. I got another 8 foot length of pipe at a garage sale last Summer for $2, so let's say that the shipping would cost more than they're worth! :3speechle :3speechle :3speechle

Shark

[Miramichi Mad Max4]

wouldn't be a problem from this end hehe