Running a stiff pole

ksarge91

ksarge91

Location
King of Prussia, PA
My spring broke so I'm planning on just cranking my pole tight for a while to see how I like it then getting a spring if I can't stand it. Before the spring broke I ran a decently tight pole but still had the spring in so it wasn't unbearble to lift up, but if I lifted the pole up it would stay there.

I've done some reading and it seems like everybody has a different opinion on how to do it. I'm playing around with a couple different ideas...

Getting two shoulder bolts and double bolting it like the X-metal set-up, and putting washers on either side.

Just Clamping it down with the stock pole bolt, minus the spring.

Or...

Running the stock pole bolt with a bushing on the inside of the pole.

Which one of these ways will put the least amount of stress on my bracket and is there anything I should do to help prevent my bracket from breaking?

Thanks,

Kevin
 
keefer

keefer

T1
Location
Tennessee
SJKny said:
What's that made of? SS or aluminum
Click to expand...

SS and the price is right. Simple and effective. Just trim the tube to the proper length to fit the inside of your pole and tighten it down. The only drawback is no spring, but you will not miss it if the pole is tight.
 
yamanube

yamanube

This Is The Way
Staff member
Location
Mandalor
The problem with using dual bolts in your aluminum bracket is you will have to drill the threads out of one side of your bracket. What kind of bracket do you have?
 
Shadow7874

Shadow7874

Location
Ocala, FL
When i reinstalled yhe bracket cover on my fx1 i overtightened my bolts on accident and it was enough to hold the pole in place easily (with a weak old spring) but it was only a a turn or so more then needed. I didnt ride it like that but the bracket didnt warp or anything.
 
Big Kahuna

Big Kahuna

Administrator
Location
Tuscaloosa, AL
Shadow7874 said:
When i reinstalled yhe bracket cover on my fx1 i overtightened my bolts on accident and it was enough to hold the pole in place easily (with a weak old spring) but it was only a a turn or so more then needed. I didnt ride it like that but the bracket didnt warp or anything.
Click to expand...

If it breaks it is not gonna happen on its first ride, or second. After that who knows, may never crack or it may explode.
 
Speedfreak

Speedfreak

Location
So. IL
I just crank my stock setup down on both skis and it holds it fine. Haven't had any problems for years. There are a TON of people doing it that way.

If you get your pole tight enough that it doesn't creep down when riding then it takes a bunch of force to pick it back up. So I would order a new spring and run it with the tight bolt. 2 reasons, 1. you don't have to tighten the bolt as tight since there is some upward help and 2. the spring helps with the upward force so it won't kill you to pick it up.
 
Shadow7874

Shadow7874

Location
Ocala, FL
What he said ^^
With the weak stock fx1 spring i have i didnt have to tighten it a whole lot so it wasnt hard to raise, but it stayed in place for the most part.


And yeah, i know it may break over time, i was just trying to point out i only had to add a turn or so on the bolt to get it to stay so it probably wasnt alot more stress
 
ksarge91

ksarge91

Location
King of Prussia, PA
I rode with it tight yesterday without any problems. I love it. When doing stabs and stuff it forces you to keep the pole closer to the hood.

When you're just cruising it's much easier because you put it where you want it and it stays there.

Think I'm gonna order the RRP or Xmetal bolts eventually but right now I have other things I need to take care of first so hopefully it will hold up.

Thanks guys,

Kevin
 
ksarge91

ksarge91

Location
King of Prussia, PA
Thought I'd update this for anyone looking to tighten their pole and say I have 5 rides on this thing just cranked down and it has yet to break (knock on wood) so I'm hoping it's gonna hold up.
 
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