HOW TO: Rath Racing Nerfs on 400ex

[NJ450rider]

Ok i have finally taken the time to mount Rath Racing nerfs w/net heel guards on my 2001 400ex. These are for 04/05 450r's. Im not sure if 06 and up will fit but just to be safe order 04/05's. To mount these nerfs the only major mod is trimming the left side upper heel guard mount to clear the battery/starter servo. If you have your battery and starting electrical moved(custom aluminum airbox) you probably wont need to since it wont be in the way. Everyone else will have to trim it like i did. Time for the pics and explanations.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y248/srt4acrnj/400exrathnerfs006.jpg
STEP ONE: Mount the nerf peg mounts to frame like instructions. Next put in the front nerf mount that goes between the frame. Before installation your going to have to take a rubber mallet or dead blow hammer and bend the mounts inwards a lil bit. In between the front engine mount is a tiny bit narrower than a 450r. but not much! It will require a lil finess to get it in there and around the oil tank. But it does fit WITHOUT removing or moving the oil tank!
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y248/srt4acrnj/400exrathnerfs004.jpg
The first photo is the left side of my 400ex. The second photo is the right side. There are two bolt holes for the front nerf mount but you are only going to use one.(bolt holes closer to engine) Get the mount in the frame so that the longer holes are facing up and the smaller side is facing down. Bolt it up and put the nuts on the backside but leave it loose!
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y248/srt4acrnj/400exrathnerfs011.jpg
STEP TWO: Slide on nerf bars. Be sure to slide the front and back evenly so theres no binding. May require a tiny bit of a rubber mallet or dead blow hammer to get em on. But not much! Follow Rath directions for securing nerfs to peg mounts.

STEP 3: Now you can tighten up the front nerf mount at the frame.

By now you should have the nerfs on minus the footpegs and hell guards.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y248/srt4acrnj/400exrathnerfs008.jpg
STEP 4: Put on foot pegs per Rath directions. Okay now its time for the one major mod. the left side heel guard your going to have to cut the upper bracket at the frame back to clear the battery and starter servo. Once that is done you can mount it per Rath racing directions.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y248/srt4acrnj/400exrathnerfs002.jpg
Right side heel guard requires no mods and bolts right on!
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y248/srt4acrnj/400exrathnerfs005.jpg
Shot of heel guards from the back. Excuse the zip ties im going to make mounting brackets soon.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y248/srt4acrnj/400exrathnerfs009.jpg
STEP 5: Make sure everything is tight and install nets per Rath Racing directions. I like to put em on before mounting but its up to you. After that your good to go and enjoy Rath Racing nerfs on your 400ex!!!!

[NJ450rider]

Can an admin please STICKY this? I think the info is of value for people who want better nerfs for there 400ex.

OTHER INFO:

Your going to have to adjust your shifter and brake pedal a lil bit.

The heel guards are close to the tires but nothing hits!!!

The foot pegs are right where they should be and arent to low or to high just right like any other propeg nerfs!

You can order any combo/stlye of nerf or heel guard as long as its for an 04/05 450r.

Im not sure if this will fit the new style 400ex plastic. 99 to 07 should have no problems at all.

Yes my 400ex is dirty! lol

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ASK ME!

I WILL TAKE MORE PICS IF NEED BE!

[jrsmith_80]

Thanks for the write up I was actually looking at these today and thinking about buying them and trying to make them fit. Now I guess I dont have to since you have done all the leg work.

[NJ450rider]

Bump

Also another thought is that if you have taller than 20 inch rear tires the heel guards probably will hit.

[mooseracerX]

What size tires to you have? I'm thinking they would be fine with a +1 1/4 swing arm and 18" tires.

[NJ450rider]

I have the stock swinger with 20" razr's. Stock axle also. Oh yeah with a plus size swinger and 18's there will be tons of room.


Also forgot to mention the front bumper on my 400ex is the 450r XC bumper. Its a perfect fit!!!

[mooseracerX]

I'll probably go this route next year. I have a +4 axle too so there should be fine.

[NJ450rider]

Took my 400ex out for a few hours last night. Man is it nice having good nerfs/heelguards with killer footpegs on a 400ex. I reccomend this to everyone that wants better nerfs for there 400ex!

[NJ450rider]

Its been a few months now and there holding up great. This is by far the best thing you could do to your 400ex!

[justin1022]

never bent anything? the metal looks kind of cheap no offence. i just no alot of people that cheap out on nerfs and when they roll or pile up in a corner there bent.

[liex21]

hey i saw you have the rath front bumper to i cant find them for 400ex's did you custom fit that to or am i just blind at searching ? thanks

[mooseracerX]

Up there he stated it was from a 450r. I've herd that any 450r bumper fits the 400ex.

[NJ450rider]

LOL cheap??? Rath racing nerfs are the best you can get for an atv there is nothing better. That made me laugh haha.

Yes the front bumper is for a 450r. the 400ex and 450r have the same bumper size. all the honda sport quads interchange with a lil mods for some but not much more than bending the mounting locations in or out. alot of hondas stuff is interchangable through out the diff models. like for instance our 300ex has a complete 400ex front end! its the best wat to mod on a budget.

[Pipeless416]

Originally posted by NJ450rider
LOL cheap??? Rath racing nerfs are the best you can get for an atv there is nothing better. That made me laugh haha.

IMS. :o

[justin1022]

i highly doubt there the best i would say ims too ac is pretty popular but i have seen then fall apart

[powermadd400ex]

dude rath and ims are the 2 best nerfs on the market!
why do you think doug gust runs them

[mooseracerX]

Rath and IMS are the best on the market. AC is crap compared to them. Daryl Rath said himself if he can't make the best of something he would stop making it.
BTW Gust uses Pro Aluminum nerfs.
http://teamsuzuki.com/ATV/PhotosMultimedia.aspx

[NJ450rider]

um yeah IMS doesnt make net heel guards. they dont make monster footpegs with 14"s of foot/boot room. they dont make nerfs with the footpegs attached to the nerfs. (at least i cant remember if they do lol.)

Id give ims 3rd or 4th. 2nd would go to REM after Rath nerfs.

I only buy the best parts i can get for my atvs. Rath has the nerf/heel guard department down pat.