Product Updates

This is where the product updates will be placed (e.g. New Product Specifications, Technical Instructions, etc.)

*GP Driven Springs;  All of our driven springs are made of high tensile strength chrome silicone spring wire. Depending on miles, tension settings, riding styles and conditions, driven springs will lose some of their tension over time. We recommend checking springs occasionally with a spring hook and scale. (A fish weight scale works well.) As the preload looses tension, you should tighten the driven spring to compensate for any loss of tension. (Refer to your instruction sheet for specific settings.) Remember, the higher the driven spring preload, the slower the upshift will be and the faster the backshift will be ,resulting in higher engine RPM's, and the lower the driven spring preload, the faster the upshift will be and the slower the backshift will be resulting in lower engine RPM's. If your driven spring has lost more than 10-15% of its original tension, it should be replaced.

*GP Drive springs; All of our drive springs are made of high tensile strength chrome silicone spring wire. They are double shot peened as well as pre-pressed to insure you are getting the highest quality springs available. Depending on your application, miles ridden, engine horsepower, spyder shiming, ect., you should check drive spring condition periodically. For those that don't have a spring tester ,you can measure your spring's free length. If you have lost more than 1/4 inch (6mm) of free length, you should replace the drive spring. Never shim or put in engagement spacers to make up for loss of free length, as coil binding will occur and full shift out will be restricted. Usually loss of engagement and lower running RPM are typically seen when spring sag occurs.

*Belt Deflection; This is a critical adjustment that all driven clutches have. Polaris and Ski-Doo have easy adjust screws on outside of driven. Arctic Cat and Yamaha drivens must be removed to make adjustments. As drive belt wears, the belt drops down in driven, thus changing starting ratio's (it's like starting in 2nd gear.) Also engagement can be very erratic and jerky ,thus altering take off performance. Monitor drive belt wear and keep deflection to OEM spec's. Correct belt deflection will make a big difference in the hole shot that your sled has, so try to keep belt fairly tight. (Be careful not to get belt deflection too tight, as sled creeping and premature belt wear will occur. Also when you replace a worn drive belt with a new one , the width will be wider so you will need to readjust deflection.

*Drive Belts; The drive belt is obviously a very important integral part of the CVT drive system. When the drive belt has exceeded it's tolerances you can be sure efficiency and performance have been lost. For optimum consistent performance, we recommend replacing drive belts before they are worn out. We also recommend replacing the drive belt with the OEM belt , as you can be sure that compound is the same. We constantly see clutching problem's directly related to aftermarket belts that are either the wrong compound ,too long or too short, improper widths ,wrong side degree angle or thickness. When we replace a belt we try to get as close to original belt as possible. (It's a good idea to measure your belt when it's new, keep the measurements for future reference.) We'll measure outside diameter, width, checked in several spot's with a caliper, thickness of belt and we'll turn belt inside out to measure inside diameter. Also proper clutch alignment is very critical to performance and belt wear. Check OEM specifications for your sled's proper measurements. Note: Goodwin Performance clutch kit's are all calibrated with OEM drive belt's.

*Drive Clutch Maintenance; Considering that the drive clutch has to efficiently transmit the torque and horsepower from your motor  through the entire drive train, it's no surprise that the drive clutch has to be in top working order at all times. That's why routine maintenance and inspection is absolutely necessary. We suggest disassembly and thorough cleaning. Inspect weights, pins, bushings ,arms, ramps and rollers. We commonly see worn out drive clutch rollers ,as when they need replacing performance is greatly hampered. Sleds that have a noticeable engine vibration are prone to excessive roller wear. We suggest not using any lubrication as this will only attract belt residue and dirt. Spending a little time maintaining your drive clutch will make the difference from being in the back to being in front. NOTE: When reassembling make sure to line up balance marks on all parts.                                                                 
*Driven Clutch Maintenance; Driven clutches should be removed, taken apart ,cleaned and inspected. (Pay attention to helix and spring settings when disassembling.) Clean driven bushings as well as any build up on helix. (The use of hard coat helixes definitely run cleaner thus improving consistency.) Inspect driven buttons or rollers. Replace if worn, as inconsistent shifting will surly occur. NOTE: When reassembling make sure to line up any balance marks on driven halves.

 

FAQ's

17. What will Goodwin Performance clutch kits do for me?

1. All of our clutch kits are designed to improve acceleration and throttle response, provide better back shifting and improve overall driving.  We test in live conditions: on hard packed lakes, groomed trails and powder.  We test all aspects of the changes to ensure our improvements are better all around.  All kits are relatively simple to install (with the correct tools) and can usually be done in about an hour.

17. After installing a clutch kit, will I lose any top speed on my snowmobile?

1. Providing that the clutch kit is installed properly and belt deflection and clutch alignment are correct, the answer is NO.  During development of our clutch kits, we test top speed before and after the new kit is installed to ensure speed is not lost.   Although we do not emphasize this, we sometimes see slight gains in top speed.   This is due to the increased efficiency of the drive system.

17. When developing new products, how does Goodwin Performance have parts in their catalog before the new snowmobiles are available to the public?

1. Many of our products have only slight changes from year to year.  For new models, we put part numbers in the catalog before we develop the products to avoid repeated changes to the catalog throughout the year.  We do not test prototypes, as there is too much room for error.

17. Why should I rebuild the shocks on my snowmobile?

1. Shocks are one of the most important features for the ride quality of your snowmobile.   When your ride quality changes (which can happen very slowly over time) your shocks must be rebuilt to return your snowmobile to the ride quality you expect.

17. How often do the shocks on my snowmobile need to be rebuilt?

1. This depends on the type of shocks you have.  Each manufacturer has different recommendations.  Ours are as follows:

• FOX – we strongly recommend that these shocks be rebuilt 500 miles after they are new and approximately every 2000 miles after that. HPG rebuildable – these shocks should be rebuilt after the first 1000 miles and every 2000-3000 miles after that. Ride On – These should be rebuilt approximately every 2000-3000 miles.

• Ohlins – Ohlins should be rebuilt every 8000-10000 miles.

17. What are some pre-season or mid-season maintenance tips to improve the performance of my snowmobile?

1. There is a long list of items that should be done to keep your snowmobile performance at its potential.  We recommend you start with the suggestions in the owner’s handbook.  In addition, the items listed below are often overlooked:

• Clutch alignment – Misalignment can result in poor performance and/or excessive belt wear. Clutch center to center – If this is off it can cause poor overall performance, reduced top speed and possibly excessive belt wear. Clutch maintenance – We often see clutches with worn rollers, worn arms and secondary buttons that need to be replaced, in addition to being excessively dirty.   These items can wear out over time and can hurt your snowmobile performance without any indication. Carburetors – Ensure that the carburetors are clean and properly adjusted. In addition, throttle cables can stretch and cause the slides to be out of adjustment.   Check this at least twice a year.  You should also check the fuel filter for dirt at this time.

• Suspension – Always keep the track aligned and properly adjusted for maximum performance.  Also keep the suspension well greased and lubricated