Question re: 2000 Polaris Magnum 325 4x4

From: Bluedenim
Dickeyville , WI

I have a 325 4X4 Magnum and my front axle won't drive. I have 14 volts going to each coil. Are my coils faulty? How do I test them?

Thank You,
Bluedenim

Hi BlueDenim,

After a bit of investigating on the Polaris 325 magnum and I would recommend looking into the wiring before I would go anywhere else. Especially if this magnum has been sunk into any deep mud or subjected to consistant water crossings. You need to be sure that the driveline is in good working order as well. Look for tears in the CV boots where debris could gain entry and destroy the CV joint itself. This model should have indicator lights for the AWD or at least when your in full 4x4. Are they lighting up when the front diff is engaged? Check these things and get back with me.

xxx

From: fernando perez pliego
Cabo San Lucas , MEXICO

Hi, i have a raptor 660 and i am gonna sell it, i race desert but i want a 450, which one will be the best, i want a fast but very durable quad, a honda perhaps, in baja race i see 99% hondas, what do you recommend?

Thanks

Hey Fernando,

You have to ask yourself a few questions my friend. First I would sit on any model I think I may like and determine if it feels like I could ride this puppy for a few hundred miles. Then I think you’ll know which one you would want. Racing in the desert is tiring and if your not comfortable then its not fun anymore. That’s just my opinion, but I’ve rode some horribly uncomfortable rigs in my life and I choose comfort first then overall performance. I would say the Honda is a very reliable machine in stock form. Once you start to tear into it to make it faster your putting the reliability on the back burner. Good luck with your choice and most of all have fun.

xxx

From: Hollywood
Catskill , NY

I have recently purpchased an 02' predator and everything seems to be fine other then when i try to give it alot of gas when in gear and it completely cuts out, unless i grab the clutch it will come back to idle. Could that be a problem with one of the jets in the carb? The previous owner said that it sat for awhile. When i start it, it doesn't have any problems only when i go to drive it and hammer on it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Yo Hollywood,

Assuming that the quad had sat for a good while with fuel in the carb I can tell you that it very well could be a varnished mess in there. Taking the carb apart carefully to determine this is the only solution. Using a good carb dip (available at the local parts store) is my way of getting the varnish off the jets and allowing the carb to function. Read the instructions carefully on the carb dip/cleaner. Good luck!

xxx

From: Todd h
Lexington , KY

I have a 2004 honde recon 250tm.I replaced the axle no problems. Now I cant get it to run like it did. It sat for about 2 yrs. I can start it and it idles fine,but when i give it gas it chokes itself out. If I put my hand over carb instead of filter I can get it to rev up some. Filters clean, and I cleaned the carb, drained gas and it made no change. Any help?

Hi Todd,

It sounds to me that you have a varnished carburator. Take a little time and really look into the carb. I bet if you disassemble the carb completely and inspect each jet you’ll find that a more thourough cleaning is all it would need. You definitely need fresh gas and a strong carb cleaner or dip. When gas sits over a long period it begins to break down and a varnish will form that gets into all the tiny holes in the carb. That’s where the problems begin and trouble is, just a regular old cleaning doesn’t get the stuff out.

Put some effort into it and you’ll be running in no time.

xxx

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From: OTIS
Medford , OR

I recently purchased a used Polaris Trail Boss 250 Quad and I guess you are not supposed to get water in them? Well after accidentally submerging it in a puddle, it finally drove itself out, but then at the car wash I pressure washed it and got water in the starter motor and do not know how to get it out. Can you please suggest something that I don't have to take it into the dealer to fix?

Hey Thanks a Bunch, Otis

Hey Otis,

I wish I had more to go on my friend. How did you come to the conclusion that you had gotten water in your starter? What year is the quad? Those are key questions. Is it not turning the motor over at all? Is there smoke and no fire or fire and no smoke?

Hit me back with a more detailed description of why you think theres water in the starter. By the way, it will more than likely dry out in a few days.

xxx

Re Article: 2008 Arctic Cat Thundercat 1000 ATV

From: Tcat2008
Deming , NM

I have a 2008 T-cat and it is awesome fast. But it does need help in the handling dept. My wife has a grizzly 700 with EPS and it turns on a dime going fast or slow. The Maxis tires also need to be changed to something with more traction. As for the sound levels, It is about the same as the Grizzly, both with stock exhaust. So it is not loud.

Hi T-cat,

Im glad your enjoying the ThunderCat. Both the T-cat and the Grizzly make great rides and have awesome power for most riders. Ride long but be safe and let us know if we can help you with anything in the future.

xxx

From: joe boisso
Ellensburg , WA

Hi, i have an 06' sportsman 450, it does not "shift" right the primary remains in the same spot from 1500rpm to around 4000rpm where it then proceeds to move in further "shift". i felt the surface that the belt rides on and there is a small groove in the surface. It has a new belt as of today but still does not "shift" right. My question is, is there a way to resurface the friction plates that the belt rides on to get rid of the grooves?

Hi Joe,

Man I hate to be the bearer of bad news but its time to replace the pulleys on your atv. This cannot be filed away because of the predetermined angle of the drive and as sure as you start filing away the quad would never shift right.

Sorry man.

xxx

From: Fred Zeller

Hi, I just bought my first quad. It is a Kawasaki Bayou 1997 Quad. When I give it some throttle and let off, It goes down to a fast idle for about five or ten seconds and then goes down to slow idle. I have to wait to shift until it goes to slow idle.

Also, when I start it, It will go on fast idle for about ten seconds and then return to slow idle. It does this even when I don't use the throttle or the choke. As soon as I let go of the throttle, the carb linkage goes right back to the stop, so it is not sticking. The rpms will stay up even when the carb linkage is at the idle stop.  Any information will be very much appreciated.     

Thank you, Fred

Hi Fred,

Sound’s to me like you could have some fueling issues going on. I would make sure there is no trash in my fuel and be sure that there is nothing in the carb as well. Clean out the carburator really good and see if that helps.

xxx

Article Title: 2003 Polaris Sportsman 600 Twin

From: jason
Warenton , NC

Sometimes the bike gets hung were it wont stop rolling. Its like the front or rear centrifical pully are hanging i dont know how to get them off to clean them. If anyone knows how i would appreciate the info.

Hi Jason,

What type of atv are you working with? I need the year and make as well as which model it is before I can help my friend.

xxx

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From: sandbox79
Portland , OR

So me and my wife moving to California in April and i own 2 two strokes a 86 Honda 250r trx and a 99 Yamaha will we be able to ride them in California at all we only ride sand?

Yo SandBox,

I cannot believe you wouldn’t know that sand is king in Cali. There’s plenty of sand there and more than enough for you and the wife. If you aren't afraid of crowds, parties, and love big hills, try the Southern Cal hot spot Glamis (Imperial Sand Dunes). If you want fewer people, smaller dunes with some town nearby, like to ride along the ocean, go to Oceano State Park/Pismo Beach. It's farther north, up by San Juan Capistrano. Dumont Dunes State Park can't be beat for an inland get-away; it's close to Barstow, only a couple hours from Vegas. Plan for HOT and WIND. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in AZ is an easy weekend away, generally nice weather, and the smallest (= less crowds) of all those areas. Also offers some wooded trail riding across the road. Head north just over the border into Oregon and hop onto the dunes along the coast at Florence. Keep going a ways and hit Winchester Bay - home of Oregon's Annual Dune Fest.

There’s plenty so go jump in with both wheels spinning!

xxx

Article Title: Two Stroke Engine Break In

From: kane hodder
Rock hill , SC

I am persistantly looking for an electric starter for my Suzuki quadzilla lt500r bored to a 600 or more. it is practically impossible to start this beast by kicking it. i thought maybe Goki would make a kit but i didn't see one on their web site. if anyone can help me out with this delima, i would greatly appreciate it. thanks!

Hey Kane,

Looks like you have created a monster and it unfortunately going to be your job to get that beast rolling. I have had no luck finding a company who makes a electric start for the Zilla and with the years gone by like they have I doubt anyone ever will. Sorry bro but it looks like you’ll need to drink more protein shakes and work that right leg out a bit more!

xxx

From: Larry Brewer
Subject: Honda 400ex won't shift

Hi I'm larry. I just bought a Honda 400ex and it won't shift out of neutral. When I pull the clutch in I can hear a grinding noise sometimes and it will be in gear but it barely pulls its self with out a lot of rpm's. The guy I got it from said he thinks it is a bent shift rod. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks so much
Larry from Michigan

Hi Larry,

Im willing to bet it is the clutch. Sounds to me like your buddy might have sold you a bike with a worn out clutch. It’s not a big deal to replace but if it were me I would start there.

When the clutch wears it gives off many different signs. Sometimes it will not pull in higher rpm’s but more than not it makes shifting very difficult if not impossible and will not pull at all even if you have managed to get it into gear. Bending the shifting rod is possible but not probable. Replace the clutch and go ride brother.

xxx

From: dolfan
Venice , FL

How do you remove the steering shaft bearing on a 2005 honda foreman with out the special tool?

Hi,

There is an inner spring clip holding that bearing in and if you do not have a pair of the retaining ring pliers to remove it then it will be a pain. The inner and outer retaining ring clip pliers are not expensive and can be purchased at most auto supply houses. Once this clip is removed then you should be able to get the bearing out with a few gentle taps from beneath the mount where it is housed.

Good Luck

xxx

From: guy
Williamston , NC

How do you determine year model of yamaha banshee by model or serial number?

Hi Guy,

I would say the tenth number in the VIN is the second number in the year. If you know its and older model and the tenth number is an 8 then it’s a 1998 model banshee. Got it? Good luck and ride that beast well.

xxx

Article Title: ATV Electronics series: Part 1 - ignition systems

From: corriga
Mendon

I have a 1997 Suzuki King Quad which recently started running strange. Sometimes it runs fine, but occasionally will just act like it shuts down to an idle and will not run faster than an idle. I happened to figure out that if I turn the lights on, it will run fine during one of it's fits. I'm trying to determine if the Voltage regulator or CDI going bad could cause this strange behavior.

Thanks

Hi,

Without the atv in front of me I would be hard pressed to give you a definite answer. Take a good look at the complete electrics from front to rear and make sure your not having a shortage there. I wonder if the lights on is just coincidental. Try inspecting the fuel system as well because there could be a cloggage somewhere that is preventing the flow.

Let me know how it turns out.

xxx

Thanks for the questions this month and keep them coming.

RS