I just picked up a 1982 Bravo for my 10 year old to start learning with. I want to go through the suspension/skid. Not sure how much travel the suspension should have and not sure how stiff it should be. It seems very stiff, very little travel. The skid looks basic. Torsion springs and a shock. Looking for any information on skid removal, skid/suspension maintenance, and any general information on the rear skid/suspension for the Bravo ie how much travel, how firm etc. I'd prefer doing the work myself, just looking for a bench mark to reference and hoping someone on this site can offer up some insite. Thanks!!
Bravo skid/suspension questions
- Thread starter loligager
- Start date
I have the same sled, Skid is very stiff. not to much for maint just make sure you have hyfax and wheels turn, it has a hydralic shock so when you push it down it doesnt push back, more of an absorber. I bought a new one and was the same as the old....wear bars, gas and oil. These are very bullet proof and will run forever. My Bravo went through both my sons and still runs like new! There is very little travel.
Thanks BarneyMN. It seems to be a stout little machine. I will likely pull the axles out and grease them good. The torsion springs seem to be in okay shape and situated as they should be. I was expecting more bounce out of the skid but I guess I have to keep in mind it probably only has an inch or two of travel to begin with. I am confident it will be a nice learner sled for my son.
Roger that. He does have some good experience on two stroke dirt bikes but the snowmobile is definitely a different animal. In his mind he is going to jump on and be a snow cross pro out of the gates... I was thinking about limiting the throttle quite a bit until he gets the handling dynamics down. Hopefully that won't load up the engine and foul the plug.
I popped the skid out this morning. I will definitely need some parts. The axles are very rusted and pitted, I had to pound them out. There is also a crack in the front swingarm (limit strap connected to it). Do you know where a source for parts might be? Also do any of the other older Yamaha skids share parts? The Bravo is an 82. Will parts from an Exciter skid swap out etc?