snowmobiletrails.com
Minnesota North Shore Motocross
Dirt Bikes On Ice

After most of the snow melts off the lake surface and before the ice becomes unsafe, is a great time to ride a dirt bike with studded tires. We studded both the front and rear tires of a Honda CRF450 and CR250R.

Using the gold 1/2 inch motorcycle ice studs pictured below on the front tires. These are available at most motorcycle dealerships or MFG Supply.

Studding the front tire was easy. We used a drill driver, set it to the lowest speed and only went deep enough to seat the screw in the knob.

On the rear tire we used (40) 1 inch Marshall snowmobile ice studs pictured below in a formation of four. Finding enough of these took quite a bit of searching the Internet, but we found 5 packs on EBay.

You may remember these ice studs above, as they were popular on sleds in the '70s and '80s.

After removing the rear tire from the wheel, we cut the knobs off using a sharp knife. See red arrow showing cut knobs pictured below. This was a new tire, so the knobs were still 100% intact. We cut about 75% of the knob off, which left enough carcass to hold the stud under the extreme forces of riding on ice. Then we drilled a 1/4 inch hole in the middle of the cut knob, a snowmobile track drill bit worked best.

Cutting the knobs will allow the studs to clear the a-frame of the swingarm. In the image below you'll see there is enough space for studs to clear the a-frame, though there is scraping on the mud guard. On very rough surfaces or on landings the studs may come closer, not good...

There needs to be enough space or the studs and a-frame will be damaged. You can see a good 1/2 or 5/8 of an inch is required. We didn't have to add any size to the chain or change the number of teeth on the sprockets.

The studs were supplied with a high grade bolt with attached head and a nut. We added an additional 1/4" X 1 1/4" fender washer to the mix. Which should stop the bolt head from pulling through the tire, rubbing or moving inside against the tire.

We also added a cut tube [ cut the long way around - like a half pipe ] to line the inside of tire before we placed the tube back into the tire. This should protect the inflated tube from wear and pinching from the bolt heads.

All bolt threads were treated and cranked down with medium strength blue Permatex® Threadlocker gel. This was the first time we've used the gel version and it seems to work quite well. Medium strength blue will allow removal of the studs without having to use heat or chemicals and should stop the bolts from loosening.

Finished product above, ready for the ice...

The Marshall ice studs have tremendous traction and cutting ability. A hole can be cut up to the bottom of the rear sprocket in less than 10 seconds. Making plenty of ice in a snap for after riding beverages.

Parking is easy - just cut a hole by spinning back tire, almost deep enough to touch the rear sprocket.

Not to mention the incredible roost you can spray if someone smarts off...

Registered OHMs [ off highway motorcycles ] can be legally operated on lake surfaces with registration stickers on the bike. There are also many gravel roads, government property and private riding areas open to OHMs and ATV operation. County, State and Federal Officials are inventorying and signing roads and trails for usage. For more information and maps of riding areas use the links below.

In the Superior National Forest
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/superior/recreation/atv_trails/index.php

In the Grand Portage State Forest
Use of OHVs, [OHMs and ATVs] is allowed on State Forest Roads. Though the maps the DNR has issued seem to leave out the State Forest Roads as legal places to ride. According to the Minnesota DNR; Motor vehicles may operate only on forest roads and forest trails unless they are posted and designated closed in the Grand Portage State Forest.
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ohv/index.html

DISCLAIMER: Operating a motorcycle is dangerous and serious injury or death can occur. Operating a motorcycle on ice is even more dangerous. Perform at your own risk.