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5 Quick Tips!

Cassandra

April 16 2009
1,563 views
316 comments

Allen Wrench in a Pinch

If you’re working on your quad, and you need a larger Allen wrench than you have in your toolbox, try using the head of a bolt. You can either use a bolt with vise grips if you’re in a hurry, or you can even double-nut the other side of the bolt and use a socket or a wrench.

The Bead That Won’t Pop

Sometimes when mounting new tires you will get one bead that just won’t pop without putting a lot more air pressure in the tire than the manufacturer recommends. If you have already tried tons of lube and that pesky bead still won’t seat, release the air, break the bead loose, and stretch the bead. Using a good-sized pry bar between the tire bead and the rim, slightly stretch the bead, working around the entire rim a little at a time. use caution as to not bend the rim. Now lube it again with plenty of dish soap and try it again. Be sure to use a clip-on tire chuck so that you can stand at a safe distance away from the tire.

Oil Your Goggle Foam

Before riding in extremely dry and dusty conditions, apply a very light coat of cooking oil to the outside layer of your goggle foam (on the edges of the foam, not the part that sits against your face). This will act similar to filter oil on your quad’s air filter and keep small dust particles from entering your goggles and eventually your eyes. You can apply it with your finger and ride with clearer vision all day.

Keep Cables Tucked

When you change anything in the front of your quad (such as handlebars, damper, plastic, or stem) you need to pay special attention to the cables. After changing out the component you’re working on, put the front end back together and do a cable check. First, make sure that you can turn the handlebars both ways to full lock without interfering with the throttle cable, clutch cable, or brake lines. If you reach the limits of any of these cables, you may need longer ones. But most times you can avoid this by re-routing the cables or using multiple zip ties to ensure that the cables won’t get pinched or pulled when riding. You don’t want that throttle cable getting yanked on when you’re not ready–you’ll be riding a bucking bronco!

Regrease Sealed Bearings

If a sealed bearing has become dry and you can’t replace it, whether time or money is the issue, you can open the bearing and regrease it. Carefully pop the seal out with a tiny flat-blade screwdriver being careful not to bend the seal. Clean the bearing out with WD-40 and pack it full of fresh grease, and then carefully pop the seal back into the bearing. Remember that this is not permanent and you are just buying yourself a little extra time before having to replace the bearing. Do not try this on any bearing within the engine where a seal falling out could cause major damage!

1,563 views | Categorized: Features, How-To, Maintenance, News, Tricks and Tips | Tags: How-To, tech tips, tips and tricks

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