Spindle for convertable ski stance

Abstract

A snowmobile is described having a frame with left and right sides with left and right suspension assembly disposed thereon. Left and right spindles are connected to the left and right suspension assemblies. A left ski is pivotally attached to the left spindle and a right ski is attached to the right spindle. Rotation of the left and right spindles alters the ski stance of the snowmobile. The stance may also be altered in other ways, which are also disclosed.

1 . A method of altering a ski stance of a snowmobile, the snowmobile including a frame having a right side and a left side, an engine, an endless track connected to the engine, right and left suspension assemblies pivotally connected to right and left sides of the frame respectively, right and left spindles rotatably connected to the right and left suspension assemblies respectively, each spindle having an axis of rotation when connected to the respective suspension assembly, and a right ski attached to the right spindle and a left ski attached to the left spindle, the method comprising the steps of: 
 disconnecting the right ski from the right spindle;    disconnecting the left ski from the left spindle;    rotating the right spindle by approximately 180°;    rotating the left spindle by approximately 180°;    reconnecting the right ski to the right spindle; and    reconnecting the left ski to the left spindle.    
   
   
       2 . A method of altering a ski stance of a snowmobile, the snowmobile including a frame having a right side and a left side, an engine, an endless track connected to the engine, right and left suspension assemblies pivotally connected to right and left sides of the frame respectively, right and left spindles rotatably connected to the right and left suspension assemblies respectively, each spindle having an axis of rotation when connected to the respective suspension assembly, and a right ski attached to the right spindle and a left ski attached to the left spindle, the method comprising the steps of: 
 disconnecting the right ski from the right spindle;    disconnecting the left ski from the left spindle;    rotating the right spindle by approximately 180°;    rotating the left spindle by approximately 180°;    reconnecting the right ski to the left spindle; and    reconnecting the left ski to the right spindle.    
   
   
       3 . A method of altering a ski stance of a snowmobile, the snowmobile including a frame having a right side and a left side, an engine, an endless track connected to the engine, right and left suspension assemblies pivotally connected to right and left sides of the frame respectively, right and left spindles rotatably connected to the right and left suspension assemblies respectively, each spindle has an axis of rotation when connected to the respective suspension assembly in an initial orientation, and a right ski attached to the right spindle and a left ski attached to the left spindle, the method comprising the steps of: 
 disconnecting the right spindle from the right suspension assembly;    disconnecting the left spindle from the left suspension assembly;    reconnecting the right spindle to the left suspension assembly while being kept in the initial orientation; and    reconnecting the left spindle to the right suspension assembly while being kept in the initial orientation.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising the steps of: 
 disconnecting the right ski from the right spindle;    disconnecting the left ski from the left spindle;    reconnecting the right ski to the left spindle; and    reconnecting the left ski to the right spindle.