Abstract: A snow remover for removing snow lying upon an inner surface of an endless drive track of a snowmobile includes a mounting portion and a scraping portion. The snow remover of the present invention is to be attached to a stationary structure of the snowmobile such that the scraping portion extends towards the inner surface of a lower section of the endless drive, to scrape off snow. Thus, this portion of snow is prevented from being thrown onto the riders of the snowmobile.

Abstract: A side panel for a recreational vehicle, such as a snowmobile is disclosed. The side panel extends from the windshield portion of the snowmobile to the pan portion. The side panel is hingedly attached at a front edge to the snowmobile so that the side panel opens outwardly along vertically oriented hinges. The side panel includes a windshield to protect the operator's legs. The side panel also includes an airbox which provides an air charge to the engine for combustion. In addition, an airbox, divisible into two parts is also disclosed. The airbox includes a portion adapted to be attached to the interior of the side panel or to a belt guard. A second portion of the air box can be disposed within the engine compartment.

Abstract: A snowmobile includes a side panel that is mounted to the snowmobile's frame about a generally vertically extending side panel axis. In a closed position, the side panel protects and encloses a lateral side of the snowmobile's engine. In an open position, the side panel facilitates easy access to the engine. The side panel includes a lower leg support that includes a knee rest, a lower front leg support, and an inner leg support. The lower leg support improves the rider's comfort and ability to actively position himself on the snowmobile. The snowmobile also includes a rewind starter operatively connected to the engine. The rewind starter is accessible through a hole formed in the side panel.

Abstract: A snowmobile includes a side panel that is mounted to the snowmobile's frame about a generally vertically extending side panel axis. In a closed position, the side panel protects and encloses a lateral side of the snowmobile's engine. In an open position, the side panel facilitates easy access to the engine. The side panel includes a lower leg support that includes a knee rest, a lower front leg support, and an inner leg support. The lower leg support improves the rider's comfort and ability to actively position himself on the snowmobile. The snowmobile also includes a rewind starter operatively connected to the engine. The rewind starter is accessible through a hole formed in the side panel.

Abstract: A footrest for a snowmobile comprises relatively large openings and a cover plate attached therebeneath to form a snow discharging passage in communication with the openings permitting snow on the footrests to be forced down therethrough and prohibiting snow from traveling upwardly therethrough and onto the footrest as a result of snowmobile motion. The footrests of the present invention allow the snow and ice to be effectively discharged while the driver is riding the snowmobile, and thereby eliminates the need to stop the snowmobile to remove the snow and ice on the footrests using hands or other tools.

Abstract: A snowmobile includes a pivotally mounted motor cover that moves between open and closed positions relative to the snowmobile's frame. A latch fastener selectively secures the motor cover in its closed position. The latch fastener includes a pin that is rigidly mounted to the frame and positioned such that the pin extends through an opening in the motor cover when the motor cover is in the closed position. A resilient latch mounts to the frame and selectively engages the pin to hold the motor cover in the closed position. When the motor cover is in the closed position, the pin engages the peripheral edge of the opening to discourage the motor cover from moving relative to the frame. The latch covers the tip of the pin to discourage clothing, debris, etc. from catching on the pin.

Abstract: A snowmobile includes a side panel that is mounted to the snowmobile's frame about a generally vertically extending side panel axis. In a closed position, the side panel protects and encloses a lateral side of the snowmobile's engine. In an open position, the side panel facilitates easy access to the engine. The side panel includes a lower leg support that includes a knee rest, a lower front leg support, and an inner leg support. The lower leg support improves the rider's comfort and ability to actively position himself on the snowmobile. The snowmobile also includes a rewind starter operatively connected to the engine. The rewind starter is accessible through a hole formed in the side panel.

Abstract: A snowmobile is described having a frame, at least one steerable ski disposed at a forward end of the frame, and an endless drive track disposed beneath a rearward end of the frame to propel the frame. A seat is mounted on the frame, which may accommodate at least one person. A fairing is disposed behind the seat, and a storage compartment is defined interiorly to the fairing. Variations are also described.

Abstract: A throttle assembly for a tracked vehicle comprises a tube rotatably mounted on a steering member of the vehicle. A throttle housing is mounted on the tube. A throttle lever has a proximal end and a distal end and is pivotally mounted on the throttle housing. The throttle lever is pivotable about the distal end of the throttle lever on the throttle housing. A biasing element provides a biasing force to the tube. The biasing element is connected to the steering member.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to a gauge with a body. A twisted wire is disposed through the body, and an indicator is fixedly disposed on the twisted wire. A light source is disposed adjacent the body to illuminate the indicator. In addition, a float is slidably disposed on the twisted wire in a fixed orientation with respect to the body such that movement of the float along the twisted wire rotates the twisted wire and the indicator. The present invention also provides for the construction of a fuel tank and a snowmobile that include this gauge.

Abstract: A snowmobile is described including a detachable windshield assembly in generally overlying relation to the hood assembly. The snowmobile includes a windshield assembly with a windshield support frame that includes a plurality of elongated support frame members. Each of the plurality of elongated support frame members is laterally spaced from one another and includes at least a windshield locking structure. A windshield is detachably mounted to the windshield locking structure by at least a releasable securing structure attached to the windshield.

Abstract: A throttle assembly for a tracked vehicle comprises a tube rotatably mounted on a steering member of the vehicle. A throttle housing is mounted on the tube. A throttle lever has a proximal end and a distal end and is pivotally mounted on the throttle housing. The throttle lever is pivotable about the distal end of the throttle lever on the throttle housing. A biasing element provides a biasing force to the tube. The biasing element is connected to the steering member.

Abstract: A side panel for a recreational vehicle, such as a snowmobile is disclosed. The side panel extends from the windshield portion of the snowmobile to the pan portion. The side panel is hingedly attached at a front edge to the snowmobile so that the side panel opens outwardly along vertically oriented hinges. The side panel includes a windshield to protect the operator's legs. The side panel also includes an airbox which provides an air charge to the engine for combustion. In addition, an airbox, divisible into two parts is also disclosed. The airbox includes a portion adapted to be attached to the interior of the side panel or to a belt guard. A second portion of the air box can be disposed within the engine compartment.