Shock Valving Change - Aggressive Riding

[Steve800]

I finally got to try the sled out. WOW!! The sled is amazing.

With the stiffer valving I was able to lower it by 3" (as planned) an still haven't managed to get it to bottom out yet, even with big hits and moderate air.

Finally - it handles/rides the way I wanted it to. Corners like it is on rails, takes the rough trails well at high speed, takes big hits without bottoming out and is comfortable enough for cruising.

I highly recommend Carver's (Mike) valving setup's. Very, Very impressive.

Here's my "final" setup:

- Camoplast 9860 1.25" track
- 8" of carbides on a 1/2" bar
- front track shock spring loosened off to the point that I can remove the retainer by hand (just) - when the shock is off.
- HD rear track spring on the lowest setting (~5" of sag when I sit on the sled from lifted all the way up before sitting on it - 220 lbs).
- both track shock's valving changed similar to newer XCR 440 valving with a slightly softer first stage (huge improvement - nice and stiff but not too harsh, also doesn't bottom at all, much, much more compression damping especially).
- ski shock springs loosened off to the point where the retainer is just held in place with the shock fully expanded.
- front arms for the rear suspension installed in upper hole (lowering the sled).
- Rear scissor stops on lowest setting (with the front arms raised there still isn't too much transfer).
- Front scissor stops on medium setting.
- Limiter straps loosened to the point where they just stop the shocks from topping out (maximum droop when in the air).

Steve