[Basic Maintenance] - ATV Riders Forums - Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Polaris, CanAm, Arctic Cat, Kymco ATVs

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Basic Maintenance
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Posted by: gregmercer

I just got a used 2000 Trx400ex about a week ago and was wondering what you guys would recommend me doing to be sure it lasts many years. I changed the oil and oil filter the first day I got it. I also cleaned the air filter and hit the chain with some WD-40. Any other suggestions? A local store does a "check-up" for $85.... Think it would be worth it?

Posted by: spindles

if the machine has lotsa hours on it it needs maint.
i know the honda will last but if it has been trail ridden it should be serviced big time. once or twice a year i take every a arm swing arm , susp link apart and add grease . it is a big job but worth it . get a climber manual or similar. maint = life

I will be soon posting a segmant on how i make every moving part on my trx450r greaseable. its very cool. just grease once every couple months w/no need for disassembly

other than that oil air filters brakes! just keep an eye on them

Posted by: 47501exracer

I would spend the $85. Who knows what previous owner did with it. You probably need the valves adjusted anyway. WD-40 can eat the O-ring seals up. I would definately grease all the moving parts of the chassis. Tighten the hub nuts, check for brake pad wear.............

Posted by: nosliw

quote:
Originally posted by 47501exracer
WD-40 can eat the O-ring seals up.

well, according to WD-40, "their product will not harm the rubber O-ring seals used in chains of off-road recreational vehicles."

i used wd40 and i love the stuff. keeps whatever your riding on from sticking to your chain, too.

Posted by: PBlackmon

So, do I need to keep using WD-40 or stop using it???

Posted by: Rico

quote:
Originally posted by PBlackmon
So, do I need to keep using WD-40 or stop using it???

WD-40 is the perfect thing to use on Chains. Coat it down after every wash and before each ride. IT will NOT hurt your chain.

What i recommend on maint. more than anything is pulling out the swingarm pivot bolt ASAP before it siezes in there and you ahve to cut it out like I did mine...

Posted by: MOFO

quote:
Originally posted by gregmercer
A local store does a "check-up" for $85.... Think it would be worth it?

if you dont know the shop, I'd think twice. You could be spending $85 for them to charge you more...if you know what I mean.

Just clean the quad up real good... check over all the wires, pivot joints, check the frame, change the oil (take note of the oil - color), check the spark plug, listen to the motor at idle and see if there are any strange noises, see if it burns smoke on a cold start, see if it burns oil at WOT....

Posted by: DaleJrFan

clymer makes a great manuel for all your maint needs. $85 may not be worth it-ask what you get for that amount of money. also, i have used wd-40 for a long time and it is the best thing you can do for your chain.

Posted by: Scott-300ex

don't use wd-40 on your chain, clean it with kerosene, drive it to warm it up for like 5 minutes, then put maxima Chain Wax on it, works great.