'98 Ski-Doo Formula 500 clutch question

[Steve]

Hi,
I have a '98 Formula 500 DLX (w/ reverse) clutch question. I have
over 7,000 miles on this sled and haven't had any problems with it yet
but am wondering how much longer I could hope to go before running
into the clutch's wearing out or failing?? I had two Arctic Cat sleds
that needed clutch repairs / replacements after only a few thousand
miles..... Also had to replace drive chains on the Cat's in about the
same amount of miles..... Is there something I can do to check for
clutch wear without totally dismantling the clutches? The drive belt
has only needed to be changed once due to "my fault."
Thanks,
Steve

[D Ward]

That's a lot of miles on a clutch without any maintenance. I would suggest
blowing it out with an air gun once in a while just to keep the dust out of
it. Those clutches were pretty much bulletproof. Only maintenance that
should be done is bushings and weights. If it is still shifting smoothly,
don't play with it. Clean the sheaves with a scotch-guard pad once in a
while as well.

Post by Steve
Hi,
I have a '98 Formula 500 DLX (w/ reverse) clutch question. I have
over 7,000 miles on this sled and haven't had any problems with it yet
but am wondering how much longer I could hope to go before running
into the clutch's wearing out or failing?? I had two Arctic Cat sleds
that needed clutch repairs / replacements after only a few thousand
miles..... Also had to replace drive chains on the Cat's in about the
same amount of miles..... Is there something I can do to check for
clutch wear without totally dismantling the clutches? The drive belt
has only needed to be changed once due to "my fault."
Thanks,
Steve

[Steve]

That's a lot of miles on a clutch without any maintenance.  I would suggest
blowing it out with an air gun once in a while just to keep the dust out of
it.  Those clutches were pretty much bulletproof.  Only maintenance that
should be done is bushings and weights.  If it is still shifting smoothly,
don't play with it.  Clean the sheaves with a scotch-guard pad once in a
while as well.

Thanks! That sled seems to run as good as the day we got it! Don't
hear any unusual noises from the clutch area and still shifts smooth.
It has never been back to the shop for anything. If the bushings and
weights were starting to go bad would there be noticeable vibration or
noise?? When the weather warms up I plan to take a closer look at
it.. My '99 Grand Touring has about 5000 miles on it and it has never
needed any clutch service either. I guess it could be the way we ride
too? Thanks again!

Steve

ps I wish more people would use this newsgroup...

[D Ward]

A sure sign of bushing wear is the clutch will start engaging at higher RPM
and there might be flat spots in acceleration where the weights may be
sticking or worn. Try running the engine with the belt removed and slowly
raise and lower the RPM while watching the clutch. It should move in and
out evenly as the RPM increases or decreases. If it snaps shut suddenly,
there may be a worn spot on the weights. A vibration when riding is usually
indicative of a worn belt.

This newsgroup used to get hundreds of posts a day in its heyday - the late
90's and early 00's. Now just us old fart
diehards left.......

That's a lot of miles on a clutch without any maintenance. I would suggest
blowing it out with an air gun once in a while just to keep the dust out of
it. Those clutches were pretty much bulletproof. Only maintenance that
should be done is bushings and weights. If it is still shifting smoothly,
don't play with it. Clean the sheaves with a scotch-guard pad once in a
while as well.

Thanks! That sled seems to run as good as the day we got it! Don't
hear any unusual noises from the clutch area and still shifts smooth.
It has never been back to the shop for anything. If the bushings and
weights were starting to go bad would there be noticeable vibration or
noise?? When the weather warms up I plan to take a closer look at
it.. My '99 Grand Touring has about 5000 miles on it and it has never
needed any clutch service either. I guess it could be the way we ride
too? Thanks again!

Steve

ps I wish more people would use this newsgroup...

[JWentworth]

Post by D Ward
This newsgroup used to get hundreds of posts a day in its heyday - the
late 90's and early 00's. Now just us old fart
diehards left.......

But Dave, to be fair, as I remember those old days, many of those hundreds
of posts were off-topic flame jobs and rants from assorted malcontents and
crazies. Today the posters provide calm, reasoned, and thoughtful comments
focused on the sport of snowmobiling.
Well, okay, so maybe there's still the occasional rant.

Actually, since you wrote the obit for RSS there's been an increase in
traffic. I guess people do like a good wake.

[marika]

Post by JWentworth

Post by D Ward
This newsgroup used to get hundreds of posts a day in its heyday - the
late 90's and early 00's. Now just us old fart
diehards left.......

But Dave, to be fair, as I remember those old days, many of those hundreds
of posts were off-topic flame jobs and rants from assorted malcontents and
crazies. Today the posters provide calm, reasoned, and thoughtful
comments focused on the sport of snowmobiling.
Well, okay, so maybe there's still the occasional rant.
Actually, since you wrote the obit for RSS there's been an increase in
traffic. I guess people do like a good wake.

rant
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norton_PC_Checkup


This is the warez that is on my computer. I got it just shortly
before the problems started at work

If as you say Adobe or Acrobat started the problems on our computers
(as it did on mine), it's searching and phoning home and interfering
with local performance just as it did on mine, I think