Hey guys,
   I am putting a track kit on my new 2011 YZ 450f. I am wondering if anyone has some good ideas for the intake tracts on the shrouds though, I am concerned they may get plugged full of snow. I was thinking about gluing some prefilter material right in the front of the intake tracts to stop snow from getting in. That or just stuff some coarse mesh type material in the front of the tracts and remember to pull it out and clean it off every once in a while. Any more ideas?

Thanks,
   Andrew

Run it and see what happens?

Sounds like you're looking for an answer to a question that hasn't been asked yet.

I would think the temp of the rads and the surrounding engine heat would keep the snow melted just like on the running boards on a sled. i know they aren't called running boards but I can't think of the their name right now.

Def interested in what style of track you are using for the rear and what you are using for the front. I want to build one so I can run with my buddies on their sleds. I always had sleds but could never stand sitting so low. Even the new ones aren't high enough to be comfortable running hard when you are used to a dirt bike.

SnowMule said:

Does that mean you only have answers to questions you have heard other people answer then? why even reply?

YZPaGuy said:

I don't think it will be a problem all of the time, but there is times we ride in DEEP powder. I will be using a Timbersled Mountain Horse, there isnt another snow bike kit that can even touch the Mountain Horse Kit for what I will be doing and where I live.

you can do what I've seen guys do on their sleds.  Just use some good glue and put some small screen on the inside of the openings.  It should be enough to keep snow from dumping in there.  I will say...even if snow does get in the airbox, the oil on your filter should keep it out, and when it melts it should drain out the bottom.  If you have any concerns, just give Allen a call.  His customer service is second to none.

motojunkie101 said:

when i talked to Allen about this (before i got the bike or even thought i would) he said he didnt run a filter, he wrapped a mesh prefilter around the cage that holds the filter down.  i never thought to ask about the intake tracts in the shrouds.

A buddy of mine had a 2010 YZ450F with a Timbersled on it and it was a bit of a pain in the butt.  The reason is the air box is a straight shot down to the engine, and your bound to get a buildup of snow in there.  Espcially if your running a filter, like we did.  Then once you park it in the trailer you have to watch the water that flows downhill into your motor.  It's not the best setup for a snowbike, but I think with some FrogSkinz on the outside and no filter, it'll be less of a build up problem.  We did find his bike had milky oil after every ride, where my KX450F didn't have that issue EVER.

If you already have the YZF run it, otherwise, I'd look at a different bike.

I am installing a Timbersled Mountain Horse on a 09 KX450 I just purchased with low Hrs, my plan it to install the SLP prefilter fabric on the bikes side panel holes and also I heard of someone who filled the air box with foam ( like the foam they use to keep mud off of MX bikes ) and that keeps the air box from filling but I dont know if that will plug up with snow I just heard about it and thought I would pass it along.

I don't think I would fill the airbox with foam.  Its a good idea in theory, but if anything happens like it did with my sled, its counter productive.  The heat from the engine would melt the snow, the foam would suck it up, and then it would freeze into blocks of ice on the inside of my panels..and then you are packing around a lot of extra weight.  I still think prefilter material over any holes is the best way to go.

The air box on a new YZ450f would heat up from engine heat but I dont know if other bikes with the air box under the seat would get much for heat, but I do see your point and it's worth watching out for, that would suck to have a air box ice cube !!!

most snow bike guys run all their carb tubes into the airbox, they just drill a hole and run the hoses in then seal around them, and then put that prefilter fabric over the airbox openings, most let air in and keep water out

I don't think there is any tubes in need of running to air box on a fuel injected bike but you do want to keep the snow from plugging the air filter. Any good ideas ? I am setting up a Mtn horse snowbike on a 09 KX450 and am in need of some ideas what else may need to be done for a good cold weather snow bike ?

In our group, we have 2 of the new YZ's they have found that the Twin air powerflow kits for the YZ's running a sock type air filter/pre filter only with some shielding on the shrouds consisting of snow shedding type pre-filter material keeps the snow build up to a very minimum.  You can wrap foam in the pre filter material to make stuffable little blocks for the small crevaces.

Another thought I had would be to block off the front ports in the rad shrouds, then simply holesaw a 2" hole on each side and cover it with frog skinz.