ATV Answer Man, May 2008

Is your ATV giving you fits? Ask the Answer Man!

May. 28, 2008 By Ricky Sosebee
Got questions for the ATV Answer Man? Send 'em on over.

From: Fernando Perez Pliego
Subject: Raptor 660 rear suspension
From Cabo San Lucas Mexico

Hi, I have a Raptor 660 model 2005, I tried to adjust the rear shock, but I just messed it up, what is the basic setting, now it rebounds too much in big woops and it wasn’t like that, also in the reservoir there is a 17mm nut, what happens if you move it?   Not talking about the small screw in the middle, I moved the big one almost out and put it back in.

 Thanks

Hi Fernando,
Without the resource of exact factory settings for shocks or their spring rates I would have to suggest taking your quad to the local dealer and have them reset the shock to factory specs. I could give a long, tedious description of how I get my shocks to perform to my liking, but I’m not sure just how much you have adjusted these yourself, spring rate or rebound, and I wouldn’t know where to start.

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User: Ray Betts
Subject: Yamaha Blaster


I have a 2001 Yamaha Blaster that will not accerate. It will only will idle. I replaced the carb safety switch with a new one, nothing changed, jumpered the wire and then the bike will run, Please help...

Regards
Ray Betts


Hi Ray, Sounds like the control unit assembly could be giving some trouble. There is a switch for the thumb throttle and carb as well and they are both controlled by this small box with a single grey connector on the front of your Blaster. When you disconnect this single grey plug/wire from the controller it bypasses both switches. Try this and let us know how it works.

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From: mark aguirre
Subject: 07 YFZ-450

I bought a my 450 last year and 99% of the the time I am dune riding... I'm very happy with it. However I like to get the most power possible without wrenching to much. I have heard replacing your air intake with a K& N system and slip-on pipe will help but which one? There are so many out there?

Help!

Thanks,
Mark

Hi Mark,
You are so right about the extensive variety of pipes and add on parts available today to us for our rides. I have had great experience with the HMF Engineering line of pipes and Bill Ballance has several championships on these as well so give them a try. Most pipes are going to give minimal gains at best.

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User: Jacob
From: Taylorsville, KY

Hi I'm Jacob. I am having trouble with my utility four wheeler. It is a 4x4 and the only wheel that is pulling is the front right. Somehow or another it got broken. My front wheels are pointing out. wht do you think is wrong with the mechanics and how much will it cost me if I take it to a honda dealer? This four wheeler is a very important thing in my life and i need to get it fixed before the summer gets here.

Hi Jacob,
It sounds like you could have a severely bent or broken tie rod and that would explain why the wheels are pointing outward on the front of your Ute. Are the rear wheels still pulling? It could be that the drive shafts are not getting into the front differential enough to be turned by the transmission. It’s obvious this one needs attention by an expert so bite the bullet and visit the local dealer to fix the problem.

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From: Todd
Subject: EFI Commander

Hi there I bought a brand new 2008 Raptor700R. I am making a few modifications to it but nothing to the motor. I put an FMF Powercore 4 slip-on on it. I also put an aftermarket air intake with K&N filter on it. I just bought a Stage IV EFI commander from Trinity Racing and installed it. Is there a trick I should know about it when I'm tuning it in?
Thanks, Todd from TN.

Hi Todd,
The only trick I know is try and try again. I have installed these EFI controllers on several quads with some gain and without any gain. Most of these controllers come with standard mapping for the quad they are sold for and that’s a great starting point. To get the perfect amount of fuel at set RPMs without fouling plugs or frying pistons you’ll need a dyno but for us laymen I just monitor my plug and try to feel out the response from the engine to each increase or decrease in levels for every throttle position.

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User: Phil
From: Leesburg,FL

I have a 2003 rincon. 1600 miles and suddenly will not go over 15 mph. Starts and runs ok but will not get up and go as it use to. No other problems.??
Thanks Phil

Phil,
 Have you tried checking the fuel to see if there might be any kind of contaminants in it. Maybe drain the carb and put some fresh gas in the quad. Even in great gas cans there can be condensation and water in small amounts can reak havoc on your acceleration.
From here I would move on to the plug just to make sure any bad gas in the past hasn’t fouled the ignition to extinction.

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User: Ronnie Sorters
From: Farmington,NM

Hello,
Will a carburetor off of a Yamaha Grizzly 660 work on a Grizzly 600? Eldelbrock makes a performer carb for a Grizzly 660 but not for a 600.
Thanks, Ronnie J Sorters

Hi Ronnie,
 Well, the carbs on both quads are eerily similar but I’m not sure if they are interchangeable. If the Edelbrock carb will fit into the intake and air filter boots and you can get the throttle cables to interchange then I’d say its possible. The only problem I could foresee is the Edelbrock carb is going to be jetted way high for your 600 and may need to be detuned a bit. Just as a warning for you: I have heard horror stories about these kind of carb swaps so bring crying towels and a nice easy chair to relax in just in case it doesn’t pan out.

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User: Quad kid
From: Socal,CA

Hey im 13 and live in socal i want to race quads specifically woods racing but by this point dont care and also my quad is a kawi sport utility 300 could i race with this.

 
Hi Quad Kid,
 Yes you can most certainly race with your 300. Im assuming it’s a Bayou 300 you are talking about? Mike Penland has made a career out of racing utility quads and with the right practice and well prepared equipment you could as well. But remember this, your grades are very important and while racing is fun ,school is most important. Plus great grades may motivate dad and mom to come off the hip with more cash for the racing!!

User: gtewatt
From: Albany,OR

Is there such a thing as a locking gas cap for a Yamaha Grizzly 700 fi atv?

If there is I have never seen one. Are you having a problem with siphoners stealing your rides gas?

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User: RIDE AK#308
From: Wasilla,AK

I have a 2003 that I am having problems with the rear chain adjustment. It has been raced since new and this is a new polaris
factory swing arm, problem is that it keeps rotating foward in which it rotate’s the cam and loosens my chain during normal conditions. Thanks,

Oh ya this has won me 206 1st place awards so I'd have to say that it is better than a stupid yamahammer!LOL
thanks guys! Adam #308

Well Adam I wish I knew what kind of Polaris you might have. I will take 2003 and race oriented and guess that it’s a predator or Scrambler of some displacement?.. I really need the whole description to make suggestions. Sorry my friend. WBS

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User: OHiO RaCeR
From: north Olmsted,OH

Can u help me with finding a race for atvs in ohio cause i want to start racing for a while but no one will help me so please send me something on races going on in ohio.

Ohio Racer,
 Look into the AMA website for all your racing needs. Many forums exist and many racers from Ohio visit our ATV racing forums everyday. I know that GNCC racing series visits Ohio once a year at least. There are tons of clubs and riders in Ohio so type “ATV racing in Ohio” in your Google search engine and you’ll find them all waiting for you.

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User: Mark Easton
Subject: 2001 polaris trailblazer

Is it hard to replace the pull rope, it broke, also is the battery the major reason the auto start doesn't work...
Mark Easton

Hi Mark,
 Yes it is fairly simple to replace the pull rope on your quad. Get a factory manual and it should have a service section for just this procedure.
If you have a low battery or one which isn’t charged this could very well be the reason the auto start isn’t working.

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User: CHADD
From: St. Ignatius,MT

Do you know how to tune the engine of a 2008 articat. so I can go faster.
Thanks,
Chadd Anderson

Hi Chadd,
 Yes I can tell you exactly how to tune your Arctic Cat to go faster. But you have to give me a reason for going faster first. Is it because your buddy has a drag car and he keeps beating you down the street or to the first stop sign? Why are we so fascinated with getting more speed out of our quads? Are you drag racing? Because that’s when it would matter anyway.
 If you’re looking for more speed in the woods I would forget the motor and start with the suspension. Most riders cannot use the power given to them with the stock motor because they cannot get comfortable on the quad at high speed. Start with suspension and when you get really comfortable on the Cat and can hold her open at any point in the trail then work on the motor. I think you’ll find that you’ll never get to the full throttle position and realize the great new shocks were worth their weight in gold.
 You live in Montana so slow down and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
RS

Got questions for the ATV Answer Man? Send 'em on over.


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