woods/xc 400 tips...suggestions..??

[my03-400ex]

alright, i didn't know where to post this so here it is... i'm planning on making my ex into a really nice woods machine... with a budget of +/- $5000 over the next two years or so, as i make the money. If you were doing this project, what parts would you buy and install and why? I'm just looking for some advice so that I have a better chance of doing it right the first time. Thanks a bunch, and I lookin forward to see what you've got for ideas......

edit: i made up a little list of stuff that i thought of...its towards the bottom of this page; take a look

[Sportrax10]

First thing I would get was some bigger 6 ply tires, (20, or 22 inch back) with some beadlock rims to hold the rims in the ruff stuff... Same with from except 22 or 23 inch 6 ply tires and beadlock rims... Next some full body skids, and swingarm skids, a big front bumper, grab bar (all PRM stuff)... Some nerf bars to keep trees from hitting your back tire... Some soft XC suspension on stock or stock sized a-arms or maybe +1... XC back shock A good exhaust with spark arresters/maybe quiet core... and some motor work... Strong handlebars and strong stem, a steering dampner and some hand guards...
Thats all I can think of for now...

[my03-400ex]

yeah, thats pretty much what i had in mind... do you think reinforced rims would be better though? i mean its not like i'm gonna be hitting a ton of jumps, and thats a big reason to get beadlocks...so the rear tires dont come off the bead if and when you land a little sideways. i dunno, i'll have to decide that later i guess.... i already have some of the stuff, its shown in my sig. the baja skid is gonna go though, i just took it off a few minutes ago and its trash. whats the very best skids? i've heard prm, is this right? thanks again

[Zingnut]

Here is my opinion:

Do a two phase build up, start with the chassis first:
Full Skids, including a-arms
XC tires with ply ratings in the 4 to 6 range stay with stocker size unless you are really needing the clearance gains.
450R pegs, kickup for those pegs also
steering stabilizer
front and rear shocks, SSD or ZPS setup, for the rear either conversion or new rear shock.

Ride it after all this is done and see how much faster you are in the woods. If you find your always on the rev limiter, then you need to go to the second phase but after phase one you may really like the ride you have.

Phase two would be the motor phase if you can out ride the motor you have. I have no experience with this since I am on an all stocker motor.
Sorry no suggestions on motor since I am ineperienced in those mods.

I have pretty much everything in the phase one setup and have just started getting into the rev limiter since it made me so much more faster and more confident. Still not to the point that I feel that I am out riding the current motor. So the Motor mods will have to wait.

[my03-400ex]

...thats cool... what kind of skids do you have and do you like them? thanks!

[Zingnut]

A-arms-PRM
Belly- PRM
Swingarm - Armadillo

I have tried to destroy mine but they still keep holding up never had to bend them back either. Very Satisfied. :)

[XCAdam89]

I won't have any other skids but PRM on my quad. They are on order now :devil:

[Sportrax10]

Originally posted by blaster12408
I won't have any other skids but PRM on my quad. They are on order now :devil:

[my03-400ex]

what about pro-tect? i have heard their stainless skids kick *** too? which are less likely to bend or break???

[Zingnut]

what about pro-tect? i have heard their stainless skids kick *** too? which are less likely to bend or break???

They are heavier (not much) and if they ever do bend good luck bending them back. I have never had issues with my aluminium ones, just my opinion.

[my03-400ex]

so, they would probably be harder to bend, but if they do then basically i'm screwed, right?

[Zingnut]

From what I have heard. I have no practical experience with them to be for sure.

[my03-400ex]

____________THE LIST__________
Rocky Mountain ATV
1. Trail Tech Computer $74.99
2. Trail Tech Clamp Kit: Billet Logo and Speedometer Computer Adaptor $169.99
3. Red Anodized Folding Shift Lever $24.99


Carbides Moto World
1. Power Up and Dyno Jet Kit $109.99

National Tire & Wheel
1. ITP Baja 10x5 x2 $92.95ea $185.90
2. ITP Baja 9x9 x2 $87.95ea $175.90
3. ITP XCT 23x7x10 x2 $59.95ea $119.90
4. ITP XCT 22x11x9 x2 $69.95ea $139.90

PRM Products (or Pro-Tect, I don't know for sure what I'll get)
1. Z-Plate Swingarm Guard .250 (1/4) $104.95
2. Bottom Frame Plate .190 (3/16) $114.95
3. Desert Grab Bar $52.95

Golden West Cycle
1. IMS/Roll Design ATV Foot Pegs (kick-up) $219.99

K&K ATV Racing
1. Seat Cover and Graphics Kit $119.99

Team Factory Racing
1. Yoshimura Comp Complete with S/A $444.95
2. Pro Design Tether Switch $32.95

Denton Racing
1. Denton Steering Damper $139.99
2. Works Rear UltraCross Shock AL$449
3. Works Front AT Steelers Shocks AL$299

Ronnie’s Mail Order
1. HOTCAMS Performance Cam Stage 1 $149.95

MotoSport Outlet
1. Magura Hydraulic Clutch $189.95Mst

[my03-400ex]

what do you think about that little list? what should i add, take out, or change???? btw the tires are 6ply...and the grand total so far is $3321

[my03-400ex]

damn, i'm responding to my own topic a lot...... anyway, i'm gonna get the Pro-Tect stainless 1/8 inch swingarm skid, and my dad is gonna help me try to fab a engine skidplate out of some stainless at the place he works... so, now the total is at $3341... keep suggestin

[rider250ex]

new a-arms and shocks. probably +2+1 possibly long travel. new rear shock. 22 inch tires all around on either beadlocks or get rims with reinforcing rings. full body skid. handguards and braided steel brake hoses. thats a start.

[my03-400ex]

who makes some good handguards??

[my03-400ex]

???

[Taco]

cycra handguards:D

[MY450R]

you guys are from mass
where in ma
im from pittsfield

[XCAdam89]

Originally posted by Taco
cycra handguards:D

:devil: :D

[my03-400ex]

me and rider250ex are in dracut, next to lowell
where do you usually ride? ... maybe when nick (rider250ex) gets something to tow our quads around we could meet up somewhere.....

[FST426EX]

Here are the mods that were performed by Mickey Dunlap at FourStoke Tech on my 400ex. I think that all came in under $5k. The article on the build up was in the August '03 issue, "How to Build a Cross Country Racer on a Budget". By John "Doogie" Howell.

Here is a list of the mods that Four Stoke Tech performed. - Nice work Mickey!

List of Mods:

11:1 High-compression piston
Black box modification
Three-angle valve job and Blueprint porting
FST/Wiseco big-bore sleeve and gasket kit
FST billet cam
FST heavy-duty clutch springs
FST jet kit (160,162,165 main jet)
FST secondary oil cooler
FST valve-spring kit
White Brothers slip-on pipe
AC nerf bars with Pro-pegs
AC front bumper
AC belly pan
AC rear skid
Braking brake pads
Douglas wheels
Elka Sport & Racing adj-comp triple-rate front w/ piggyback res
Elka Sport & Racing adj-comp/rebound dual-rate rear w/ piggyback res
FST/Ceet Racing seat cover & graphics kit
Maier 400EX Orange plastic
Suzuki Z400 nosepiece
Maxxis Razr tires 21x7-10 front/20x11-9 rear
Motion Pro cables
Renthal 400EX-bend handlebar
Renthal grips
IMS fuel tank 4.3gal


http://forums.atvconnection.com/i/GalleryImages/40735/ACF5A2F.jpg

[my03-400ex]

nice, i like all the orange! :) thanks for the list

[my03-400ex]

oh yeah... what was the article in?

[FST426EX]

I like the orange too. That color was used b/c we decided to make it an FST replica race bike for the story. Yea the magazine name would help. It was in ATV Rider Magazine August '03 issue.

Mike

[my03-400ex]

alright thanks