Honda Big Bore Kit
I have a 2002 Honda 400 ex with the big bore kit and the hot cam. I have replaced the starter and the one-way sprague gear and now it needs to be done again. It keeps eating the one-way bearing and crumbling it into pieces. Soon after I replaced it, it would wind up and not catch sometimes. This got worse as time went on and then the started began engaging while I was riding. Eventually, the quad would die when this happened and soon after that the gear completely went out. Have you ever heard of such a problem and do you have any suggestions on what you do to fix it?
Trina Eddy

It’s hard to say what could be causing this issue without the engine in front of me. I would be sure that the one-way bearing is being installed the correct direction, as this could be the root of the problem. The fact that it engages slightly while riding leads me to believe this could be your problem.

Honda Rubicon Trans Issues
I have a 2002 Honda Rubicon 500. D1 & D2 of the trans are working super but if I put it in electric shift to do the shifting myself it still shifts on it's on like in D1 OR D2. What can I check to fix this problem? The housing for the shift buttons looks brand new.
Thanks!
Carl

This has to be a lack of communication in the wiring of your Honda. I would investigate the wiring harness by maybe removing the auto-shift button cluster and be sure there are no shorts there. The next item would be the fuse panel. Be sure there are no blown fuses that could control the auto-shift modes.

Arctic Cat Starting Issues
I have a 2001 Arctic cat 500 ATV it starts and runs fine but will not rev up, it stalls and backfires. The tank and the carburetor has been cleaned has fresh gas. Do you know what the float level should be? Sure could use your help Thanks. Jimbo
-James Carty

This could be a number of things, as the four-stroke engine has issues such as timing and valve clearances that can hide the culprit. I’m assuming that the problem got no better with the carb service or clean tank so look into timing. If you do not have a factory service manual, shame on you. This will help you check and set, if needed, the timing on the Arctic Cat. When you are sure this is correct then move to the valve clearance. If both of these check out then you could check the compression on the engine. Somewhere along the way you’ll find the problem.

Yamaha Raptor Value
I am trying to determine the resale value of a 2003 yamaha 660 raptor atv in excellent condition. Will you please help me? Thanks.
-Jane Thomas

The quad is only worth what someone is willing to pay. The market for used ATVs is steady but all sales are down these days. I would get into the local auto/motorcycle trader to compare what these type of ATVs are selling for in your area. Just remember that if you are trying to sell your ATV you need to be flexible. Don’t get hung up on a set price but don’t get taken either.

No Spark
I have a 95 bayou 220. When i put the spark plug on the cylinder and turn the engine, there is no spark. But when i let go of the push button, there is one spark. I replaced the new pickup coil, good running cdi and coil. It does the same thing with the pull start, one spark at last. What’s wrong?
Lambert

I cannot stress enough the importance of having a factory service manual for technical problems like these. The problem could be a number of things, as the ATV is 15 years old and I have no way of knowing how it has been serviced or maintained. Start with timing of the engine. Be sure this is correct first. If this changes nothing then at least you know that has been eliminated. Look closer into the wiring from here. Be sure the kill switch has no chaffed wires and maybe even open this up to be sure there isn’t corrosion in the housing. The pick-up coil could also have corrosion on it as well. It’s going to take some digging, my friend, but you’ll need a factory service manual to get the right info on your machine.

Sportsman Fuel Starving?
Hey i have a polaris 90cc sportsman and ill be riding it up hill or any where and it sound like its gonna run out of fuel but has a full tank. it just loses power how can i fix my problem?
Chas

The carb could simply be starving for fuel due to several things. A dirty or clogged carb could be preventing the fuel from flowing properly, or there could even be water or debris in the fuel itself. Drain the fuel tank and be sure to get everything out. Next, pull the carb off and thoroughly go through it. Be sure the primary jet is clean, and if you’re just not sure then replace it. Start here and let us know how it works out.

SXS Fuel Issue
I have a Motorsport side-by-side 700cc it's spit and spit while accelerating but after it get to speed it's perfect. I change the spark plug, clean the air filter, put gas line deicer because I figure it could have water in the tank. It's has only 458 miles on now. I like to have an idea what to do to it,it's not doing it all the time.
Thanks
Lucien Perron

If you think this SXS could have water in the fuel then this needs to be addressed. Drain the tank completely and be sure to get everything out of there. Intermittent water in the fuel system could very well be the problem.

Power Loss
2001 Trail Boss 325, runs good till about 25 mph then no more power and loses power up hill. Does not backfire or cut out, it just won't go any faster and steadily slows going up hills or under load. Cleaned carburator and adjusted idle per instructions, change air filter, fuel filter, spark plug and not change. Please help
-John

The 2001 Trailboss is a belt-driven ATV. Be sure the belt isn’t worn out first, which would cause poor acceleration and power loss under load. If the belt checks out then I would test the compression on the engine to be sure it isn’t just worn out.

Clutch Kit Install
I have a polaris sportsman 500 HO looking to put a clutch kit in it for all the low end power I can get i play hard in the mud so I want the low end power so what is the best kit and what spring do i use and is there a big bore kit that will fit it its carbureted
James

Having installed many heavy and very large tires, I always turn to the pros in our industry for clutching issues. EPI (Erlandson Performance) has a special kit just for these situations called the mudder clutch kit. This kit will get the mudder moving and keep the tranny under you when you need it most.

Lost Spark
I need help. I have a 2003 Polaris Predator and its lost fire to the spark plug and dont know how to fix it
John Leahr

There could be a couple of things that create this problem but the most basic I would start with is any after market or factory kill switch. There could be shorts in this wiring that could cause this trouble. There are also several fuses and a fusable link in the wiring that may also cause problems.

Track System
Where should I buy an apache track system for a Can Am 650 Outlander 2011.
Lamar Guthrie

I would go directly to a Can-Am authorized dealer. Buying these type of high-priced items used could be trouble.

Brake Bleed
I have a 1996 Honda TRX 300 and when i bleed the front brake. the brake fluid is coming out but no press on the brake? is there anything that i have to check?
Alan Thomas

Bleeding brakes is a real pain in the rear. Getting the fluid to the right places doesn’t always happen fast at all. The fact that the pedal isn’t getting stiff indicates that there is still work to do. Getting a specialized tool for brake bleeding may help the situation. Companies such as Pit Posse and Motion Pro make kits for speeding up this process. Check them out.

Smokin’ Rancher
I have a 2005 honda rancher and it smokes pretty bad and i found out it was the piston rings. I was wondering how much it would cost for the rings and mechanic to replace them? any info would help, thanks,
Todd Matthews

Labor charges vary from state to state and even from town to town but I believe the hourly is around $70 per hour. The rings for a Rancher will average around $30-$40 for the set. Don’t forget gaskets for the reassembly.

Not Running
My 2009 LTZ 400 just stopped runnning while i was riding it. I simply took it for a run on the road and it just turned off and i can't start it back up.
Frank

Well it probably recognized you were on pavement with the PRIS or Pavement riding interruption switch and has set you on restriction for a month. They are made for trails and tracks, ya know.

Used 50
We recently bought a used 50cc Action buddy, the rear axle is broken and we are having a very hard time finding one. Is there any way you would be able to help out with this or let us know of someone who might be able to. Any feedback would be great!!!!
Thanks
Sara Mowen

Its tough to break the news to you this way but you maybe should have bought two of these non-supported off-brand ATVs so you would have parts. The price is good on these units until they break. I understand we want to save money, but if there is no local dealer with a good reputation that can off product support then I wouldn’t buy it. Here’s the last known info on the importer: Action North America, Inc., 6063 Janes Lane, Naples, FL, 34109,#941/566-9666.

Water Run
My daughter has a 2006 Arctic Cat 250. When we go four wheeling it runs fine but sometimes when running through standing water it just dies. It will eventually crank but it's after about 5 minutes of trying. It seems that something electrical may have to dry out. The thing is we have not moved it from where it died, so it is still wet???? It does not appear that water has gotten into the carb. I don't know, I am lost?
J.D. Owens

This could be an electrical issue but I would check the vent tubes on the carb first. Be sure you’re not getting water or mud into these lines, which run down from the carb to the bottom of the frame and allow air to get to the carb. You’ll need to move this quad to the garage, my friend!

Swing Arm Bushings
Do you have to press bushings into the swing arm on a 03 yamaha kodiac 450 4x4?
Kevin

There are bushings in the forward end of the swing arm that would need to be pressed in or out. It probably will not take much pressure to do this at all, and the Deluxe suspension bearing kit from Motion Pro will help. The axle has a circlip on the left side that retains the bearing and the right is behind a seal in the differential. These will require a press as well.

RZR Weights
I was wondering if you could tell me the oil weights for front & rear diffs and engine & trans. for 2009 polaris RZRS
David Brown

Your RZR will hold 1.9 liters or 2 quarts of oil in the engine. The oil most recommended by Polaris is the 0w-40 synthetic. The Polaris part number for the oil is: 2871281. The oils filter is part number is 2540086. The front diff takes Polaris part number: 2876251 and the rear diff takes Polaris part number: 2871653. The tranny in these beasts take Polaris part number: 2873602.

Noisy Motor
I have a 2010 polaris 550xp with 10 hours on it. The motor is noisy at high rpm, is this normal or should i concern? thanks
Gary

I really need to know what your idea of noisy is. I also would be able to help more if I knew where the noise is coming from, engine or transmission, etc. Get back to me.

STOP YELLING!
DO YOU NEED A DRIVER LICENSE TO OPPERATE A (QUAD) ATV? WHILE ON A SUSPENDED/REVOKED LICENSE CAN YOU OPPERATE AN ATV.
VICTOR A. ZARAGOZA

Wow dude, seems like you may have some troubles. You are not required to have a license to ride an ATV, but they are not made for the street either. At least not in the USA. 

Looking into the 2010 winter riding season is exciting. Maintaining the quads in your garage may not be exciting but there are plenty of specialized tools and equipment manufacturers out there to make the job easier. Check out Pit Posse and Motion Pro for all your shop needs to take care of the atv’s in your family. Until we meet again, ride safe and often.
RS

Have an ATV or side-by-side tech question for the Answerman? Send an e-mail with your name, vehicle yearmodel and a detailed description of the problem to editor@off-road.com.