I did have plans to drop the track using a Tundra 2 style rear arm. I even went as far as to purchase a complete arm setup from a local yard Thanksgiving 2015. I had some time in the Spring 2016 and had anticipated handling the conversion then but I could not find where the arm had went to. 2017 I have spent over a month on and off looking for that rascal 2 large garages, semi trailer, storage container, in and out of cars and trucks upstairs and downstairs, over and under you get the idea, kind of like a Dr. Suess book . The problem is I put it someplace special that I wouldn't forget.
The only problems I have had with my track and clearance issues are the way I have adjusted the track tension or the weight bias to the skis. I had the track really loose hoping to find where and when b550's sprockets would skip. When I would go down a hill or let off after acceleration the track would rub on something due to centrifugal force not because of the sprockets they have proven to be a bullet proof addition. I tightened the track tension and this problem was solved.
I have the suspension set up very loose in the front, low ski pressure. I am hoping for big powder (fingers crossed). This has left the sled with very poor trail manners at speed. I tend to stay off of trails and lots of time going slow in the woods preferring to steer with body weight instead of steering. I will find a happy medium at some point.
When I find my Tundra 2 arm I will be adding it to my suspension along with the 8 inch rear idlers that you are running instead of the 9 inchers I have on it now. Other thoughts I have had is maybe a neutral weight balance between the front and rear of the sled. I.E. 50 % of the weight in the front and 50 % toward the rear. Wonder where an Elan falls on this balance issue? What is the perfect attack angle of a track? I weigh around 230 and usually don't carry anything with me for gear on the sled.
Always thinking about stuff like this and never really come up with a carved in stone answer.
I was just curious enough to buy a hanging scale and weigh the machine. It weighs 385 lbs wet. Any weight losses are hard to come by. It sounds heavy but then again I feel it has reached a balance with its flotation / traction. I was thinking of lightening it up some but the easy items for removal are things that I like ie rear rack. The height it provides is perfect for lifting the rear of the machine when it needs a little persuasion and of course carrying things.
here is a picture of how loose the track is and no slipping or sprocket ratcheting to date
