New to the snowbike world please help me !

YZ's are great snowbikes and easy to set-up.

I try to keep mine as simple as possible, he's my list

-Thermostat with temp sensor
-Engine cover
-Pod filter
-Handgaurds
-Stiffer forks

IMO that's all you need to turn a YZ into a kickass snowbike that will compete with anything else on the hill.

I just bought a 16 YZ450F hold over for my snow bike . The items mentioned above are a pretty good list of Must haves and that's pretty much what my set up Is right now .I choose to try an airpro for the forks before I re-spring them hoping I can get away with just that since the fork work is really the only considerable expense when going back to dirt. Like you I will make my own engine blanket. I made a knock off of a CR racing intake and will probably make my own skid plate. I am a machinist with 24/7 access to a the shop so It makes those things easier for me to make and a lot cheaper. Some sort of lighting would be a good idea too. I think I will go with the new light from Cyclops or a frankensled helmet light.After that there is no end to the things you can do. New ECU ,larger foot pegs the list goes on and on.

Buy and use a dedicated master cylinder that always stays connected to your track kit.