Picking up a 05 400EX tomorrow!!

[mattn03]

I found a good condition, low hour red 05 400EX locally and worked out a deal with the owner. We're going to the bank tomorrow to give him his payment and will be bringing it home. My wife & I are pretty excited (okay, I'm more excited than her lol). It has full skidplates, Pro Armor front bumper, nerf bars, Houser Racing steering stem, titanium handlebar, and PowerMadd hand guards.

Here are a couple pics that the owner sent me (I've seen & ridden it already since it's local). I'll post more pics tomorrow after I get it home.

http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/4294/atv1de2.th.jpg (http://img474.imageshack.us/my.php?image=atv1de2.jpg)

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/5476/atv2vx6.th.jpg (http://img141.imageshack.us/my.php?image=atv2vx6.jpg)

This is my first ATV (I've ridden friends 400EX's before), so give this noob some tips on ATV maintenance & care! :D

[idro]

congrats man!! welcome to the club :D

just wash the mud off of it everytime you get done riding and it will last you forever and look nice :D

[rooster300ex]

Change the oil regularly(no car oils)only rotella T 5w-40 is ok
Keep Clean
Check sprockets,chain,axle bearings regularly
Check air filter regularly
Keep an eye on brake wear

Just a few things I can think of off the top of my head.
The quad looks good too. perfect to customize.

[hornetgod13]

Welcome to the forum! Looks clean and sharp.
I would change the oil, oil filter, and clean and re-oil the air filter for starters.
It's a good idea to get a maintenance manual and follow the service and upkeep schedule laid out in it. Check here for a Manual: http://www.helminc.com/helm/search_service_owner.asp
This website has a wealth of information and people that are eager to help you out if you have questions.

[mattn03]

Originally posted by hornetgod13
Welcome to the forum! Looks clean and sharp.
I would change the oil, oil filter, and clean and re-oil the air filter for starters.
It's a good idea to get a maintenance manual and follow the service and upkeep schedule laid out in it. Check here for a Manual: http://www.helminc.com/helm/search_service_owner.asp
This website has a wealth of information and people that are eager to help you out if you have questions.

Thanks everyone. The owner told me he had it serviced by our local Honda dealer back in August and only rode it twice since then (except to drive it around the block to lubricate everything). He's also including the owners manual and a service manual. This website has been very helpful so far!

[rooster300ex]

Originally posted by mattn03
Thanks everyone. The owner told me he had it serviced by our local Honda dealer back in August and only rode it twice since then (except to drive it around the block to lubricate everything). He's also including the owners manual and a service manual. This website has been very helpful so far!


It is a very very helpful and informative site.

[mattn03]

Woohoo! This thing is a hoot!!! I just got back from riding in the back yard. I'll try to get pics up tonight or tomorrow evening. It's already dirty...:p :devil:

[drsnugfit]

you have probably made the best desicion of your life, you bought a honda, LOL, if you have half the fun I have had on mine you will be a very happy man:D :D

[mattn03]

Here are some more pics of it. :D

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/6109/1garageoc9.th.jpg (http://img219.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1garageoc9.jpg)

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/5807/2bu1.th.jpg (http://img219.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2bu1.jpg)

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/6805/3xg1.th.jpg (http://img143.imageshack.us/my.php?image=3xg1.jpg)

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/1134/4hj7.th.jpg (http://img143.imageshack.us/my.php?image=4hj7.jpg)

My neighbor was riding his Grizzly around and I rode over to chat with him. He proceeded to tell me about some trails just down the road from us, so I have some decent places to ride without loading up the truck and going somewhere. My wife drove it some, but only in our woods which is pretty tight with trees. She just practiced getting it going, since she'd never driven one with a clutch. I'll take her out to the other trails where there is more room so she can practice shifting gears. It was fun day!

[Ruby Soho]

you will be very happy with it!

this site is the best site for help

you can ask any question and within an hour you will have probly over 2 answers

[Chin_Chilla]

That looks like an AC Racing front bumper to me, not Pro Armour.

[mattn03]

Originally posted by Chin_Chilla
That looks like an AC Racing front bumper to me, not Pro Armour.

Not sure, I'll have to check. Any idea what size bolts secure the bumper to the frame? One was broken off, so I need to pull it out and get the correct thread & length of bolt to fit into the frame.

[mattn03]

How much air should I put in the stock tires and where can I purchase an owners manual and how much is it?

Also, where are the VIN's stamped on these? The black plate with the model year & VIN on the front frame section is gone.

[hornetgod13]

I had a bumper bolt issue too. One of the 4 bolts was cross threaded at the factory. When I took the stock bumper off I discovered the bolt was thrashed. I had to clean the threads on the frame and get a new bolt before installing my aftermarket bumper. Just take a good bolt out and take it to a hardware store and buy an identical bolt for just a couple bucks. Make sure it's a good quality bolt after all, it is going to be holding the bumper.

English version of the owners manual is $16.00 from: http://www.helminc.com/helm/search_service_owner.asp

Tire pressures are to be between 3.5 lbs to 4.5 lbs. I keep mine at 4 lbs. It's reall all about your riding style and preference.

[mattn03]

Originally posted by hornetgod13
I had a bumper bolt issue too. One of the 4 bolts was cross threaded at the factory. When I took the stock bumper off I discovered the bolt was thrashed. I had to clean the threads on the frame and get a new bolt before installing my aftermarket bumper. Just take a good bolt out and take it to a hardware store and buy an identical bolt for just a coulpe bucks. Make sure it's a good quality bolt after all, it is going to be holding the bumper.

English version of the owners manual is $16.00 from: http://www.helminc.com/helm/search_service_owner.asp

Tire pressures are to be between 3.5 lbs to 4.5 lbs. I keep mine at 4 lbs. It's reall all about your riding style and preference.

Thanks for the link! WOW! I need to let some out-I put 10 in it yesterday because they were sitting on 0. :eek2:

[hornetgod13]

10 lbs is an awfully bumpy ride. Let some air out and let the tires absorb some punishment instead of your body.

[hondaracer57]

if i was u i would take ur swingarm bolt out and put some aintiseize all oveer the bolt not on the threads but the shaft of the bolt cause in the future u might have problems getin it out cause it gets stuck in the back of the motor....its just a helpful tip that will save u money in the future....ask any other 400 rider they will tell u the same.. there is diff was too u can install a grease fitting in the end of the bold and drill two small holes in the shaft of the bolt...also if i was u just stick too non synthetic oil it aint any good for wet clutches...o and nice ride good luck with her...

[250kid]

congrats on your new ride!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

im happy you like it
my dad got one its got lots of power


put a pipe and jet it its probably the only thing you'll need for a while until you have a need to go faster.

but, nice lookin bike:D

[mattn03]

Originally posted by hondaracer57
if i was u i would take ur swingarm bolt out and put some aintiseize all oveer the bolt not on the threads but the shaft of the bolt cause in the future u might have problems getin it out cause it gets stuck in the back of the motor....its just a helpful tip that will save u money in the future....ask any other 400 rider they will tell u the same.. there is diff was too u can install a grease fitting in the end of the bold and drill two small holes in the shaft of the bolt...also if i was u just stick too non synthetic oil it aint any good for wet clutches...o and nice ride good luck with her...

Great tips! I'll look into doing that ASAP. I need to get the manual out and see what other fittings I need to grease. What is the preferred type of grease for this 400EX?