jp1

With all of the video cameras on the hill now days maybe we'll see some sweet 360's from SES 2011 ..............

Thanks, how about some pictures of what others are using as mounts, poles, etc. for different effects :)......

hcw3, I think the reason you haven't received a response is because depth sometimes varies depending on the inserts even within the same board manufacturer. General 'rule of thumb' I have seen here often is to have at least 3 full threads of engagement. Personally, I prefer the maximum thread engagement without bottoming out. I measure the depth of all of the inserts (with a dial caliper) and note the shallowest one, then purchase a fastener the proper length without bottoming out in the insert ( I shoot for 2mm shorter than total depth). If I determine I need a M6 x 1.0 x 11mm (length) and can only purchase a 12mm, I'll buy the 12mm and grind them to desired length (11mm). Hint, screw a nut(s) on the threads first, before you cut or grind it to length. Cutting/grinding the threads often mushrooms or distorts the threads at the very end of the fastener, making them hard to start straight and easy to cross thread, possibly stripping or ruining an insert. If possible, grind a slight chamfer on the very end, the last thread is always the one most susceptible to being damaged when ground or cut. When you back off the nut(s) they will help 'chase' the threads back to their proper configuration. Run the nut(s) on and off several times to make sure the threads are in good condition. Also, I always run a Bottom Tap into all of the inserts (new or used) to make sure threads are clean and good. Some will cringe, but I use a 'drop' of Loctite (Blue 242).

two ravens, you are too much :D Awesome job AGAIN !! :biggthump Already looking forward to SkES 2012......

OK, dumb question: How are you guys making sure the GoPro is "ON" when riding alone ? Do you turn it on and check visually (for the blinking) then slip it into the mount, or do you just press the button and hope it is on ?? Have a helmet mount, but haven't tried it yet.

two_ravens, I have a High School buddy that lives in Jackson :) can I have him pick them up?

two_ravens, Can I just buy one or do they come in pairs

fin, you need to consider two_ravens as the official SES Reporter ..... OR would that be a 'conflict of interest' :rolleyes: ? two_ravens, Thanks Again for the updates on SkES :) !!

Nick, I think I have a couple of Stainless Steel Fender Washers around that would work good for that. I also have a couple of shims I fabricated to fit between the cuff and the boot shell on the pivot bolt (further reduces friction between the pieces) if you want them. Let me know, I could meet you @ Blue. Pins (if I remember right are metric). I measured mine (5mm x 42mm long). The stock pins are 4mm (.1575"). Bombers Pins are 5mm (mine actually measure .199") You'd be better of with 3/16" (.1875") rather than the stock pins temporarily, until you can get the proper pins. I'll scrounge around for some 5mm metric drill rod.

tex1230, Thanks for posting, that's the most I've smiled continuously since SkES Daily Rub In 2010 !!

two_ravens, bring it ........... My favorite part of the year IF I can't be there. You should be a writer !! "Save Snow King"

RDY_2_Carve, " I'd also bet $$ the orange and black are the same stiffness." How much you willin' to bet :D? Unless they changed from different years the orange tongues I have felt are softer than the black. But I also found out that their are at least 2 shades of orange, and they are significantly different in feel.

Brian, cool , I'm looking forward to reading them. Thought I would have had a chance to call, but it has been crazy lately. Enjoy (I hope) -- jp1

Brian, if you see this try to pass the Gizmo's around as I think I'm going to try to ride next week, so I'll be coming to confiscate them. You can email me @ {j p 0 8 8 6 5 at y a h o o dot c o m } or thru my profile on Bomber --- jp1 Phil, Thanks for all you did with organizing 'MAC Tracks', hopefully I'll be able to take advantage of it next year !

C5 Golfer, I had the same issue 2 years ago. I could not find the Boeri anywhere, and no others fit me descent. I ended buying a Leedom (that I am happy with) I just had to grind / compress the foam a little where their was a pressure point right in the middle of the forehead, for it to be comfortable.

Hilux, well your picture puzzled me enough I had to tear my boots apart to try and figure out what the picture was showing. Unfortunately, I do not have the Pro's just the Head Stratos (the tongues are riveted on NOT screwed on) so I had to drill out the rivets. The rivet that the tongue pivots on was simple enough, the other rivet, that holds on the buckle adjuster was blind (riveted from the bottom) . I had to measure and take a guess where to drill since I could not drill from the inside of the boot out. I've been wanting to do this anyway to change the tongues. A while back, I bought a used set of boots for parts and the (light) orange tongues that came with them were signifacantly softer than the (dark) orange tongues that were in the Stratos from new. I have been putting it off since the boots felt awesome the way they were, but being out of commission and having a couple of days off decided to remove the rivets and see what you were showing in the pictures & change the tongues. Now I know exactly how you felt :barf:because both of mine are cracked ....... Do I think it will affect performance? Well it surely isn't a benefit, but I'll take my chances. I don't feel it is a serious structural concern, but certainly something to be aware of. I'm imagining that a fair amount of Stratos ( & Stratos Pros) are cracked in the same manner, although of several pair of Pro's I modified I've never seen it before. A normal person would never even know it on the Stratos (because of the rivets, the tongue is probably never removed). Anyway, I have the 'super soft' (light) orange tongues in them now. All I need is to heal up so I can get my boot on and try them bad boys out ! While I was drilling out rivets, I drilled them out of the 2nd strap up from the toe also. I cut down the width of the 3rd strap when I did the Modifications because my straps were touching ( not the buckles) when boots were flexed. I will now cut down the width of the 2nd strap and hopefully eliminate this interference also :).. All I could think of 1/2 way through this episode was my Mother saying when I was a kid, "why can't you just leave things alone ?" Never could :D Probably never will :)........

Seraph, Yes, I did......

Hilux, sorry I can't really see anything in those pics. All I can see is the line where the 'rubber absorber' (at the base of the tongue) mates to the toe of the boot shell. Does not appear to be anything to do with the tongue overlap though in that area. Stephane, When I went to look at my boots better to see what Hilux pictures were showing, I noticed the stem on my (front boot) is bent again. I spoke wrong above . The boot that is affected by the chair lift hitting it would be the front boot (the one that stays in the binding while riding the lift). Check it out while loading on lift, I didn't think that was the case for me either, but it was (or I guess, still is). I guess when you get old and fat (me) it gets harder to push the front foot forward out of the way of the chair. Some are a lot lower than others and using a plate system compounds it more because of the added height. Luckily, I bought a spare while @ Bomber time to go put it in & order a couple more.

Hilux, Need picture of crack (in boot :)) not sure without seeing, but it sounds as though it may be another case of not having the tongue overlap precise?? Just think, the BTS was on sale for a while for $50 and I did the Mods for a friend and could not talk him into them! Not a very good salesman I guess. NickG, if you see this call me @ nine-zero-eight-for-ate-for-for-ate-for-for, if I get the call I'll run up with boots, can't ride yet.

NickG, you just answered your own question, but you would not know it without having the BTS. You can NOT feel any difference because the stock system is limiting the amount of travel. IF you have Heads that are NOT modified the interferance (friction) between the boot pieces and the back 'wings' are severly limiting the ability of the boot to pivot. ' Please don't take this post the wrong way - anything I can do to make these boots better/softer is a must for me at 150lbs. I'm just looking for an explanation.' Buddy you need to start hackin'. What size boot are you wearing? I'll meet you @ Blue one day and show you a Modified boot. You'll be ordering BTS and hacking them suckers up as an off-season project, if not before ! jp1

Stephane, I'll go out on a limb here and guess that you bent the stem on the back boot ? No, I'm not phychic ;). I know (or I am wrong) because that is the one I bent, and Fin told me why. That is the one that the chair lift hits and bends he was right (as usual). It is pretty common. I never noticed it before, but did afterwards when paying specific attention to it. Hilux, If you think the BTS is a rediculous price, build your own and see what it costs, I looked into it. The hardest part of the BTS installation on Heads is locating the top pin accurately and drilling. When ordering the BTS, order the Long Pins also, they are the Proper Diameter for the BTS. Refer to past threads for extensive information on both and more. Once you've done the Boot Modification, the BTS is a piece of cake ! It'll be your Favorite Cake !!

Hilux, I've done the Modifications on the orange, black and the smoke (not Pros) colors of HS & HSP. While I have no gauge to measure durometer, they all feel slightly different and for sure work different when cutting sanding and drilling. 1. They all appeared to be out of the same mold, difference being in feel and workability. My opinion without a doubt, cut the back wings, how much is your decision. I went small and ended up full cut out. I like a boot that bends at the ankle like my foot. I control the feel with BTS. 2. I forget what the stock system was, do yourself a favor and trash it for the BTS :) (you'll thank me). 3. Confirmed, the orange tongues I have had are the softest of any of the colors. The silver tongues are by far the stiffest.

piusthedrcarve, I always run a (bottom) tap into all inserts, blow them clean, visually check the threads and check the depth of each insert with a dial caliper. The inserts seem to vary alot from different manufacturers as to where the threads start from the actual topsheet surface. I want the maximum tread engagement (without bottoming the fastener) for best hold. Often (in a used board) the threads closest to the top of the insert are worn (diameter) damaged from starting screws cross threaded or stripped. If it means I need to grind down a longer screw to get the length I need, I do it, and make up a couple of spares and keep them in a small plastic bag. It's a little extra work, but you only need to do it right once. JMO/jp1

tripine, like John Gilmour said, " Be careful when buckling in... if you have the overlap done wrong... in cold conditions it will tear the shell." I my modified Head Stratos, but if their is one thing I'd like to see it would be a w i d e r tongue. I even thought about trying tongues (I like the orange) from a larger shell size to see if they would be any wider. There is very little overlap down the side of the tongue to the shell. I figured it was because I have a wide (5E) foot, but it is sounding like others may have same issue? I found I really need to be careful (like put my glasses on) to keep the tongue overlapping the shell properly. More than once when riding, something just didn't feel quite right and I could not put my finger on it until I went to take off my boots and noticed the tongue 1/2 under and 1/2 over the shell. Thus causing it to bind (that's what didn't feel right) and causing small tears in shell :( and tongue. Not sure if this is what caused your issue, but that is my experience, and it sounds like JG has had it also.

heroshmero, I've worked with the orange, black and silver HSP tongues.The silver was by far the stiffest compared to the others that I felt, if that is what you are looking for.