Update to widen your narrow boards on IQ chassis

Himark · Jul 24, 2009

I am one of the die hard 900 riders but the one thing that always made me dislike the chassis was the narrow boards and on top of that always plugging with snow. I picked up a set of Robs Better boards for the newer RAW chassis and put them onto the older one. Makes a real nice set up and you dont have to re-tunnel. As for the coolant line there is an outfit that will make a 7/8 to 3/4 hose for 30 bux a piece and in any color you want. But I had already just ordered the front coolant line near clutch side which can be cut to fit. The rear bracket utilizes the factory bracket but you will have to do some aluminum welding or just cut the pieces and have someone weld it for you. I did talk to Rob about maybe selling those rear brackets pre made so maybe he will doo that for us. Also you cant cut out the last 3 holes as there are support brackets. Maybe if Rob could make a set for the IQ's that have the turn ups on last 3 but not cut out it would make a cleaner look or a guy could put a thin piece of aluminum under it would doo same thing but i didnt have any at the time. As for strength they are just as strong.

donbrown · Jul 24, 2009

Very nice work.

Your rivet gun looks heavy duty.

F-Bomb · Jul 24, 2009

Hey that is great workand a very cool concept! Lot's of complaints from the lack of footbed on the original IQ RMK. We can custom make any pattern and any cleat placement so that it would work with the support bracket for that setup. I can also easily make a clean up section for the rear below the cooler lines. Haven't studied the engineering in depth but it appears that rather then the heavier stock for that area a sheet the heft of the original tunnel would make sense as it doesn't appear load barring. I don't know as it has to be examined but that is a thought from a brief look. We have several design proposals of similar fashion going on right now so I will add this one as something to definately look at.

After designing, manufacturing, and RIDING many many thousands of Better Boards we are getting really good at what we do! As long as the design of custom work is within the model of our process we can whip out cool stuff almost as easily as we do our factory stockers. (we have built a collection of cleat dies and press dies that you can't believe!) Just requires a little more hands on and the production crew can't be asleep at the wheel or on cruise control like our everyday stuff. We are up to well over 50 custom sets of individual boards to date and most were done in the very last half of last season with just a very slight upcharge from our stockers. (they do take a couple weeks though so time is the most difficult factor)

Obviously for production we have to have a marketable model so sometimes amping up for a cool new product doesn't make as much sense as simply one off'ing them per order. (when you plan design, build dies, setup CAD specs both cut and bend, designate print ad's, packaging, and all other marketing aspects you need to move a bunch to warrant that work...then the HUGE deal...it has to be completely reliable, functional, to go with marketable to get branded Snowmobile Better Boards. Too much at risk now!

LPIdaho · Jul 24, 2009

This is awesome!!
Keep us in the know

guidoxpress · Jul 24, 2009

I LIKE IT..post your results after a few test rides and if you come up with any more tips...great work...

dansyl159 · Jul 24, 2009

Thats a helluva an idea Tim, very nice work. Looks to me that would also work for the folks with edge rmk's also.

Himark · Jul 24, 2009

dansyl159 said:
Thats a helluva an idea Tim, very nice work. Looks to me that would also work for the folks with edge rmk's also.

Yes you are right. I am 100% sure it would work the same.

Himark · Jul 27, 2009

I have gotten several messages about the length of the board..Im not close to the sled but think it is 39.4" long. Rob can confirm that.

RKANYZ · Jul 28, 2009

some "better" better boards would be sweet!

LPIdaho · Jul 28, 2009

if this was sold as a kit from betterboards, I'd certainly buy one.

ericbigbore · Jul 28, 2009

LPIdaho said:
if this was sold as a kit from betterboards, I'd certainly buy one.

X-s, with no welding, just cutting and rivits!!

guidoxpress · Jul 28, 2009

X 100000

LPIdaho said:
if this was sold as a kit from betterboards, I'd certainly buy one.

DITTO...i would be down for 2 sets tomarrow if Rob would get these out for us..i am sure there is easily 30 people on here that would do this if the price was right...

Himark · Jul 30, 2009

I have a custom hose maker that will throw in the tooling if I order 25 sets and can be any color. Problem is he wants 160 bux to tool it. Cost would be around 50 bux a set once they were tooled. The front hose that I ordered is a bit too big to try and tighten down.

diamonddave · Jul 30, 2009

Nice job Himark!! I've wanted some better boards but due to the fact that I like my HMK boots, the width of my boards has prevented m from installing Rob's boards. I guess I've been afraid of my boots slipping off the sides during "adverse attitudes" as the cooler tube height may not catch and sort of "hold" my boot in place with the added height(very small I know) of Robs boards??

I wear a size 13 boot so I may be in the minority with this possible issue.

Of course this is all speculation on my part as to "what may happen" but this idea definately interests me.

guidoxpress · Jul 30, 2009

Dave...

i thought the same thing you are talking about..and i have size 14 Castle Boots and 13 HMK boots and never once had an issue with my better boards and the stock tubing with the chitty stock floorboard width

put it this way..i can do a 12 o'clock wheelie into a truck and i didnt slip at all....LOL!!!

coyoteman · Jul 31, 2009

nice, tim. you have been busy, we'll have to come check out the progress one of these days.:beer;

mountainhorse · Oct 16, 2010

I've looked around and don't see good finished pics of this mod..
Any more pics from all angles that you can post up for us??

SWED420 · Dec 8, 2010

I WANT IT! this needs to be made into a kit, i bet it would become the most popular kit for the 900!

F-Bomb · Dec 8, 2010

You make the kits...I'll supply the boards! :first:

Update to widen your narrow boards on IQ chassis

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