just purchased two sleds formula's st ( 500) and stx (583 rave),need help in setting up suspension, shocks.also 583 runs a little sluggish,when touching throttle.any help would be appreciated.thanks in advance. SWRules

I bought a StX 583 back in 94.The absolute first thing to do is drop the needles in the carbs one notch.Mine was a pig on gas and fouled plugs like crazy.Afterwards it ran like a dream.I also had the 94 formula Z rotary valve installed.I had trouble setting up the suspension.The sled handled best with the rear shocks cranked up a little to give it more ski bite but then it rode to stiff for me.We finally replaced the stock steel ski's with the ski-doo plastic ones(1997) and it handled like a dream.With the steel ski's it was twitchy and depending on how I set the suspension it would either push or oversteer.With the plastic ski's I just left the suspension the way it came,set in all the lightest settings with the limiter strap out for drag racing.My dad bought it off of me and put a Boivin ETS rear suspension in it.It rode very plush and it added a good 5-7 mph top end (due to much looser track geometry).The front suspension sucked though after adding 11 inches of travel to the rear. :(

Originally posted by oldyeller@Oct 15 2003, 06:31 PM
The absolute first thing to do is drop the needles in the carbs
How do you do this with the carbs?

I'd give the sleds a thorough going over, checking and cleaning everything, ie. clutches, carbs, r.a.v.e.s., chaincase oil and such. Grease the suspension and check idler wheels and bearing and change as necessary.

There really is no way to set up your suspension perfectly until you get out there on the trails and do a hands on tuning. Keep tools handy on the trails and adjust shocks on the fly, increasing/decreasing shock preloads one click at a time until you are satisfied with the ride.

Do a search here on SW regarding servicing your sled, there's a wealth of information here.

Happy sledding!