FX-1 Can you shorten an AC pole?

[seatsR4toilets]

My pole is just a little too long, especially when I run a UMI steering on it.
I have the stock steering on it now, but I'd like to go -2 or so. It looks like you could do it, because of that flat area on the pole where the bolt goes through.
Anybody done it?
If so, how did you do it?
Details....I need DETAILS!!!!




Thanks for the help.

 

[Proformance1]

Search, is your friend! LOL

 

[Motorheads5]

Buy a new one from Mark Gomez/Fearlessnut's and sell that one! Mark has some killer deal's right now unless you do all your own tig welding, I think it would be almost as cheap to buy a new one from him than to hire a fab shop to shorten that one?????

 

[seatsR4toilets]

Good point.
'cept Daytona is less than 3 weeks away and I don't have a ski to ride (yet).
Everything I've got is in still in "project stage".


I gotta get off line every night and get some freaking work done.

 

[Motorheads5]

He ship's fast just a thought we had our's in 4-5 day's you know where we are located lol

 

[chriselmore_1]

i just got my ac rick roy version shortened -3 today. the guy cut it at that plate above the boltholes. came out tits. but i lost the hole for the scupper. ill have to recut it

 

[seatsR4toilets]

Can you post some pics?
I'd like to see how you did the new bolt hole

 

[seatsR4toilets]

...and what did it cost you?

 

[nokfir]

why dont u just get a -2 turnplate? im running a -2 ac pole with a -2 plate. i like it alot, unless you tryin to go shorter.

 

[Speedfreak]

I have a -4 inch alum pole. I shortened it 2 at the top and 2 at the bottom and took the arch out of the pole so that is lays flat on the hood of my RN. Just take the pole off and chop it down with a hack saw. Get it ground so that the ends meet up and it is exactly the angle you want it.

Then drop it off at a welding shop and $20 and an hour later you can smear a bit of bondo on the welded area so that it smooths out the weld area repaint and reinstall.

Can't beat a shortened pole for $20

 

[seatsR4toilets]

Hmmmm......thanks for thoes pics.
Got me a thinkin'.

 

[orangefinger]

On RN AC poles the material needs to be backed, the outer thiner layer will not hold up, and experienced TIG welder will also heat up the overall material to get a smooth weld. To cut the pole you want to insure its done as close as possible to the bottom wider part or top part as mentioned on previous posts, I had mine backed with L shaped angles inside the pole. The last thing you want is a broken pole !!! Naty Matty or ski innovations used to reweld the poles but he is selling is welder and going out obusniness

I dont have pics from my shortend AC pole soem SN pics

 

[accbr]

I had an AC pole a couple years ago I was thinking about shortening. I ended up selling it instead. I checked with a local welding shop, and they only wanted $20 to $30 to tig it back together for me. It shouldn't cost that much if you can find a good welder. I could've had it powder coated for another $40.

 

[wavegoddess]

PM Only-FX1, he shortened my AC pole last summer.

 

[seatsR4toilets]

cool.
Thanks!

 

[chriselmore_1]

i had the reinforced rick roy ac pole. so my welder had to cut it to length, then cut a window so he could weld the inside support tubes back. he put a bead inside. then welded that window shut and put a bead around the outside. ill break before the pole does....

by the way i paid 100$ if you cut it yourself youll save alot of money too. but a standard ac pole should be cheaper because there is no reinforcing to be welded either

 

[Speedfreak]

Mine is just mig welded on both ends then the outside welds are ground flat. I have hyper extended it a number of times to the point that I am worried about tearing the bracket out of the fiberglass. I do not have a limiting rope and still have no problems. Just a FYI

 

[seatsR4toilets]

I should have thought about this freaking project two months ago, not two weeks before Daytona.

However, like the idiot that I am, I took the pole just about all the way off today.
Now, I officially have NO ski to ride at the present time.
Thus, I gotta lay off the interenet at night so much for the next two weeks or I ain't goin'.
The ONE stupid event that I REALLY like to attend, and I start all these major projects NOW.
MIght just as well put the SJ fuel tank I bought in it if I've got it this far apart anyways.

Yes, I'm the moron today and I admit it.

 

[BruceSki]

just had mine done by a friend.


Keep in mind i asked for STRONG and STRONG only, not Pretty. It was welded around in a ring then he added a plate over the top for extra strength. Might be overkill but id rather be safe than sorry(or impaled).

The pole was a blem AC pole anyway and sat crooked in the hood channel. It only works with an aftermarket hood. It gave him a hard time trying to make the pole straight again since AC did such a crap job. Oh well im not complaining it was cheap. It will be covered with some turf tomorrow. I can't justify spending 600-1000 on a fancy pole. I'd rather put that towards more motor.

The pictures look funny because I just took the pics with wet clear and paint on it.

 

[seatsR4toilets]

Wow.
Can't you grind that weld down a bit?
I mean, I'm totally into FUNCTION over FORM in my world, but man....can't you pretty that up just a bit?

BTW, how short did you go?
I'm assuming that's for an SJ, right?