Fed up of my no action 136" Venture skid

[Vincent]

As the titles says. I'm at my wits end with my 136 proaction skid....

My problem is the rear suspension either rides stiff as heck, or if I back off the rear spring tension or quick adjust, the rides improves a bit but then it kicks back frequently.... It's really taking a toll on my back as either scenario leads harsh hits threw my spine

Everything else about the sled is awesome and I couldn't be happier, including handling, acceleration, weight transfer, ski tracking, overall traction etc..... The overall package is great, but the rear suspension comfort need immediate attention.

My current 136" proaction skid is in excellent conditions as it's ripped out, full dissassembly every fall. I replace, lubricate and shim everything so it's as tight as new. Even pulled off both springs off my kimpex shocks to verify their function. Both work like new.

 

[Vincent]

I started looking around for a set of rear 2002 -2004 Viper gas shocks, as this would probably be the simplest way to gain some improvement.

Also considering other 136" skids, like Yamaha mono skid, or Sc3, or Sc4 skids.... We will see what my local salvage yard may have available..

 

[northern srx]

I've posted this before, (MY OPINION), putting a Mono skid in this chassis is THE single, best, upgrade you can do. The difference in the ride quality is simply amazing. I did this swap to my '02 SRX approx. 7 years ago and still trail ride the sled every season!!!

 

[Vincent]

Thanks for posting!

I called out to my local snowmobile salvage yard ( bent toys) for Viper rear shocks. Hours later then called and said they had a rear one. 225$ used + tax !!! Ouch... Drove 45 kms to there shop and picked up my shock. Right off the start it didn't look right. It had a collar instead of the threaded body, and didn't look rebuildable.... But I was desperate to try a different spring and shock combination so I paid the heffty 250$ and made my way home.

Spent the night kinda regretting my move. I figured no way this used 250$ apparent "viper" shock is going to change much of anything, . Turns out the shock I bought is actually from a 2004 mountain Viper. Thus not rebuildable... took the spring off and it was partially seized and took a bit to start it to move... Yup I had major buyers regret... No way this would drastically change anything I thought...

Anyways spent two hours switching the rear shocks outside on this bitter cold day.( -20C). Luckily doable without pulling out the entire skid!


Finally hit the trails expecting little to no change from prior.... OMG I was wrong! It's sooo much smoother and compliant now... No more rear kick backs at all. I ended up doing 60 kms just because I was sooo happy to enjoy the new ride quality... the difference is down right Unbelievable.. I'm happy to say my gamble and efforts paid off big time!

 

[northern srx]

GREAT to hear! Enjoy the comfy ride!

 

[Vincent]

GREAT to hear! Enjoy the comfy ride!

Thank you

 

[MURDER YAMAHA]

Yes, I hear a lot of people complain about these suspensions. Have to wonder how may have shocks that have no charge at all.
I remember rebuilding mine for the first time after 15 years, night and day improvement.
A lot of times, the rebuildable shocks just need a recharging.

 

[roudyroy1]

flat shocks will do that!

 

[low slung]

Last sled i had without rebuildable shocks was a 98 indy500,never again......it felt like riding a wet noodle after a couple thousand miles

 

[Vincent]

Well my excitement was short lived.... The replacement shock has started to kick back with only 200 kms on it.

Back to the drawing board

 

[MURDER YAMAHA]

That stinks.

I would find a rebuildable Viper shock.

 

[Vincent]

That stinks.

I would find a rebuildable Viper shock.

That is the plan....EBay has a few

 

[BETHEVIPER]

If your going to replace the shocks in that skid with a stock shock, find some from an sxr or xtc. These were the best stock valving. next would be viper update shocks. The xtc in that skid will work ok. Better is to have them revalved for your weight and let them know it is on a 136 sled not an extension on a 121 because of a geometry issue. The rear shock is mounted several inches further back for the two up sled. This completely changes the forces on the rear shock. Imagine you move all your weight 7inches further forward? The xtc valving is the softest valved and sprung stock rebuildable shock yamaha ran. This one has the best chance of getting you close without a revalve.

as for the front shock, use a straight rate spring on the front track shock that is larger than the stock venture spring. it will make the sled hook up better.

 

[MR. X]

Vincent,

check with Star Suspension. They are located in the province of Quebec. They are the best. Ask them about your weight and the set-up you have. They might have some already revalved and ready. I bought used rebuildable ones from e-bay and have them rebuilt by Star suspension. OMG they are like I wanted!

 

[Vincent]

Thanks guys, I do appreciate all the advice

 

[Vincent]

Well all eBay sellers won't ship to Canada, and all our local snowmobile salvage yards were shut down because of covid.... out of desperation I bought a new rear gas shock from Royal D witch I installed with the viper spring. Still rod like shit.....

At this point I was REALLY desperate to save my season, so I ripped apart two old 121 skids, and built a myself some 121 to 136 rails like I did for my brother's sled three years ago. Then I install all my suspension guts from my factory Venture 136" rails to these stretched 121s.

 

[Vincent]

New skid geometry installed

 

[northern srx]

Nice! I hope your trouble free for the rest of the '21 season!

 

[Vincent]

Racked up some 150 kms of aggressive riding without issue

 

[Vincent]

Rod my sled for another few hundred kms, but got fed up of the back and knee pains associated with the outdated chassis / suspension. Couldn't risk damaging my body anymore

So went out to the dark side and bought a used 2017 Renegade 850 with only 1300 kms.