This month I’m going to share with you information that I have discovered through other Rhino owners as well as personal experience.   So lets get moving and find out if there is something in here that I can pass on to you…    

Filtration

The very first modification I made to my Rhino was installing a CVT filter.   This one simple installation of a two stage foam filter will keep the grit and sand from entering the CVT chamber and causing damage to the vehicles clutch assembly.   There should be several local ATV shops that carry the filter for this application near you; if not Black Rhino Performance will have the filter available online for about $21.00.

To install the filter, remove the driver’s seat to expose the intake tube with a rain cover on the end.   Remove the four Phillips head plastic clip screws that secure the cover to the backing plate, exposing the end of the intake tube.   Put this box aside, I have a use for it later…   The end of this oval tube is where the filter is to be mounted.   Initially I oiled the filter, but soon found it to be a mess behind the seat, so now I use the filter dry and wash it after every ride.

Install the filter boot all the way on the tube and move it around to insure that it’s secure.   For an inexpensive pre-filter you can stretch a nylon(as in pantyhose) over the filter to catch any mud or gunk that might splash up, and if the nylon collects a lot of debris you pull it off and replace it with another.

Under Seat Storage

There’s a lot of room under that drivers seat, but unless it’s in a box the small pieces will most likely be lost forever.   Not a problem, a fellow Rhino owner found a storage box that fits perfectly under the seat and has enough storage for your tools and supplies.   And the best part is…it’s only $20.00.   There’s a compartment on the top that has room for zip ties, tape, wire connectors, and smaller items.   Underneath there’s the main area which has a large lower compartment with a top tray for tools and smaller items that tend to work their way to the bottom.   I’ve taken this on some long rough rides and it doesn’t move around or unlatch, it’s great!   This box is available at Sportsman’s Warehouse, the name on the box is: Sportsmen’s Plus Utility Dry Box.   If you don’t have a Sportsman’s Warehouse near you, it’s available online at: www.mtmcase-gard.com listed under Sportsman’s Dry Boxes.

Loose Bolts

It was a Saturday ride and everything was going great, how many times have you heard that before?   We stopped for a quick break, and during the break one of our friends asked me if he could take my Rhino up the hill, and I said sure.   Pretty soon I hear my vehicle crank over several times (this isn’t normal).   So I walk over to my friend who’s pumping the pedal, “must be flooded” he says as I walk up to the vehicle smelling of gasoline.   We let the vehicle set for about 10 minutes and I tried it again…no luck, it just cranks but doesn’t even try to start.   This Rhino always starts right up, this is getting irritating…I coast down to the bottom of another hill to get the vehicle level and wait another 5 minutes or so, still no change, so I pull the seats and the center cover to expose the problem.   The carburetor had somehow worked itself completely out of the boot to the motor and was sitting on top of the boot and clamp…O.K.

Fortunately I had metric Allen wrenches available in my under seat storage box to assemble the pieces back together again.   All 4 of the clamp screws were loose, and I mean loose.   When we got back to camp we checked the other Rhinos and all of their boot clamp screws were loose as well.   About 200 miles later I checked the screws again and a couple of them had loosened in that short length of time.   Just a heads up, I was lucky that nothing passed through into the motor, so add this to your list of maintenance items to check on a regular basis, a little checking here and there is better than being stuck alone somewhere miles from camp.  

Digital Starting

Let’s go back to the subject of starting the Rhino and my friend for a moment.   Something as simple as starting a vehicle seems way beyond rudimentary…right?   Let’s see…my friend would get into his vehicle, pump the pedal and crank it until it starts, just like most people.   By the way, my friend had just installed a digital dash in his vehicle, so I could show him this little trick I found, which he refused to believe until he could no longer deny it.   For those of you who have a digital dash on your beast give this a try, it really works.

Get in your Rhino and turn the key to the “ON” position, and then wait for the dash to go through its self-test; when it’s done it will display “0 mph”.   At this point turn the key (don’t touch the pedal) and the vehicle will start immediately.   Let’s prove this method, now turn off the vehicle and try starting it again, this time without waiting for the dash to complete its self-test…it won’t start as easily!

Oil Filter

FYI, you can get Fram oil filters for your Rhino at a mere fraction of the cost of the Yamaha filters.   The only difference is that these are a bit longer than the stock filters, so you will have to add a bit more oil when you change it.   By the way you do know that when you check the motor oil you check the level with the dipstick not threaded in…

The Fram oil filter number is: TG7317.   This filter is available at most Wal-Mart stores and some selected automotive stores.

Cup Holder

Remember that rain cover from the CVT intake that I asked you to put aside earlier?   Well now is the time to put it to some good use!   Now pick up that cover and rotate it so that the oblong hole faces upward.   This is a perfect holder for a water bottle, a can, whatever...

The best out of the way spot for this holder, and yet still reachable is the area on the engine cover just in front of the shifter and parking brake.   Slide the cup holder down to the top ledge of the flange (mount on the removable section of the cover) then center the holder, and mark the location of the holes.   It’s best to drill some small pilot holes before mounting with some half inch pan head screws.   Now it’s time to go out and put it to the test…

As always, ride hard, tread lightly, and travel often…

Mike  

Products

CVT Filter:www.blackrhinoperformance.com

Under Seat Storage Box: Sportsman’s Warehouse or www.mtmcase-gard.com

Oil Filter: FramTG7317 Available at: Wal-Mart