help me turn a 2000 venture into a mountain sled?

[pcp911]

**DONE** W/PICS help me turn a 2000 venture into a mountain sled?

I have just picked up a 2000 venture 500cc sled with a 136 X 1 track and would like to turn it into a mountain / jumping sled. I have a 600cc engine and a 136X2 track to put on it, and the electric start has been pulled off it. What are the best mods and ways to loose weight cheap? I am looking for the best bang for the buck. This will be my back up sled / lender.

my thoughts so far
- pull the reverse
- try to build a mesh hood
- find a cheap 1-up seat

Any idea of how much weight this would save?

thanks in advance for your help

 

[Nicko]

Info and sale

Sorry I can't help with any info on making tha venture better (not my field)
But I will buy your reverse if you put it for sale.....let me know

Thanks

Nick

 

[Viper_Dave]

I installed an SX seat on my 2001 700 Venture for the last TY ride. Colors didn't match, but it was comfy and dropped a TON of weight off the back of the sled. If yours doesn't have the 2 hole drop brackets front and rear, get them. You will need the tunnel clearance for snow evacuation. Is your new motor a triple? I have never worked on a 600 triple but have a 600 twin with the Tech page mods done to it. They didn't help the gas mileage, but the performance is MUCH better. If you aren't studding, you can remove tunnel and front cooler protectors for more track clearance, just keep an eye on track tension. Your Venture is basically a Mountain Max, so any mods to those should work. You will be limited on gear selection with the reverse though. Keep us posted and I hope some of this helped.

Dave

 

[pcp911]

viper dave - the engine is a 600 tripple

nicko - i will probably decide to sell the reverse, when i do i will let you know

 

[GETZY]

to put the 2" track on I believe you will have to find a set of 8 tooth drivers for clearence in the front. I think it has 9 tooth drivers in it from the factory?

 

[Feeze]

Done it & still working on it!!!!

When I go to the mountains I change the the drivers to 8tooth.

You can remove the guts of your chain case and run the non-reverse std bottom gear.

My biggest problem is mine is a 99 and the attack angle on the suspension is not as good as the 2001 & up. I think you will find the same issue.

I crank the limiter straps up, but this creates alot of ski pressure. I also have to tighten the track extra tight to limit the ratcheting.

All in all it is a tough set up to work with & I am presently looking to change the tunnel to accomodate a 144" skid.

Good Luck!!

 

[ragerider]

If you ride in good powder remove all of the idler wheels except the rear wheels and run hyperfax(teflon) sliderails. If you wanted to get serious you could remove alot of junk weight, sway bar most mtn sleds dont have them, oil injection,airbox you'l have to run filters,use plastic skis. I would make my own seat I was going to use a skidoo formula seat from 85-90 for my light weight project. remove rear coolant hose covers.
what ever you do post a picture later I would like to see it!!

 

[ryanwillden]

If you're looking for a project to fill your spare time, then go for it. If you want a real mtn performer I'd suggest you sell it and look for a Mtn Max. Trying to turn a Venture 500 into a mtn sled is like trying to turn my mom's station wagon into a race car... FWIW.

 

[pcp911]

I already have a real mountain sled, a 900cc king cat, but I got a smoking deal on the venture so I figured what the hell why not. I am just trying to set this sled up so it is fun to ride in the early and late season or if my king breaks down. It is also more fun to jump with a short track than with my king cats 162 track. I will post pictures from the project, and I hope to start next week

 

[pcp911]

help me turn a venture into a mountain sled DONE

Well its done, or atleast for now. I started with a 2000 venture 500cc sled and ended up with i hope will be a decent mountain sled. So here's what was done; 600cc tripple, rebuilt primary and secondary cluches, pipe, airbox, eletric, hood, windsheild, 2" riser, hyfax, rear cooler, new ignition, single seat, 136 x 2" track, 8 tooth drivers, new axel, painted the tunnel and trailing arms. Pretty much the only things that are still original are the tunnel, bulkhead, bellypan, and suspension. Ok I know that one might ask themself why, well because i was able to do it without droping that much cash. I have only rode it for a minute or two around vail but i can not wait to take it out and really try it out. I think it looks like a new sled, and will try to post before and after pics tonight.
pcp911

 

[pcp911]

Pics of the finished project.

 

[pcp911]

Before pics

 

[sxblaster]

nice looks good!