03 Predator

[400exrider720]

I was wondering if this is a good deal. A guy is selling an 03 predator for $800. I think i can get it for $500 or $600. It needs new rings and some plastics. I figure if I rebuild the motor that will cost about $300 ($150 for piston, $10 for pin, $50 for gaskets, $50 for bore and hone) then if i just replace all the plastics it will cost me $450. All in all it will cost me $1400 for the whole thing plus my time. Do you think its a good deal and should I do it?

[deathcorefan2]

Originally posted by 400exrider720
I was wondering if this is a good deal. A guy is selling an 03 predator for $800. I think i can get it for $500 or $600. It needs new rings and some plastics. I figure if I rebuild the motor that will cost about $300 ($150 for piston, $10 for pin, $50 for gaskets, $50 for bore and hone) then if i just replace all the plastics it will cost me $450. All in all it will cost me $1400 for the whole thing plus my time. Do you think its a good deal and should I do it?
hmmm let me think..

YES DO IT NOW.

[somewon]

yeah that's a pretty sweet deal.

[chris hallett]

I am thinking the cylinders are nicasil, so you just cant bore them with out having them recoated,I think you may want to check into it.

[400exrider720]

^^^ Ok not to sound stupid but could you or someone explain this further? I have a 400ex that I have bored and honed so im not completely stupid when it comes to motors, i've just never had to deal with a nicasil cylinder. How much would the recoating cost? and where can I get it done? thanks

[chris hallett]

I have never had to have it done, you can bore them out,but you will need to have it re nickasiled since it is aluminum,It is my understanding that it is cheaper to get a big bore kit than have all that work to the stock cylinder,so I would check it out .

[400exrider720]

Ok so ive attached pics. I know its rough but for $500 you can't beat it right?
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h96/trailbossrider720/129.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h96/trailbossrider720/128.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h96/trailbossrider720/130.jpg

[scuzz]

Looks like an excellent deal to me!

Make sure you get a title.

[chris hallett]

For $500 you got a deal,even if it needs work,

[deathcorefan2]

dude, think about it,
for 500$ you usually cant get a good 50 or 80.

lol
really.. all it needs is a little work, do ittttt

[birdman7389]

It does look pretty beat :(
In that shape, prepare for new sprockets and chain, a-arm bearings, swingarm and axle bearings.......etc.

[birdman7389]

+ all the rust on the frame, check it for cracks.
$500 is cheap, but that is in pretty neglected shape.

[stcblack450r]

where is it at! i want it. jk. thats still a good deal if it needs work

[400exrider69]

I would leave it where it sit's even if he wanted $100 for it
the 03's were junk POOR frames and a bad tranny i wouldnt buy one till atleast an 05
the truth in this a guy that lives near me bought one rode a few trails and rode it to get his mail and he was old like old and the tranny started to go and it had 9 cracks in the frame and he had it 6 months and got it brand new

[MAaudioX10]

Originally posted by chris hallett
I am thinking the cylinders are nicasil, so you just cant bore them with out having them recoated,I think you may want to check into it.

With a nikasil'd cylinder, if you bore the cylinder, you will have to have it re-nikasil. Which at that point, you might as well buy or find a new cylinder.

If the cylinder is in good condition, you can de-glaze the cylinder meaning, a shop will hone the cross-hatch marks back into the nikasil. Which is a good idea anytime you change piston. If you install a piston into a cylinder without cross-hatching, the chances increase the the rings will not seat and, with that, it could lead to blow-by.

[MAaudioX10]

Originally posted by 400exrider69
I would leave it where it sit's even if he wanted $100 for it
the 03's were junk POOR frames and a bad tranny i wouldnt buy one till atleast an 05
the truth in this a guy that lives near me bought one rode a few trails and rode it to get his mail and he was old like old and the tranny started to go and it had 9 cracks in the frame and he had it 6 months and got it brand new

In all actuality, all years of Predator had issues with the transmissions. The weakness is in the shift forks. When power shifting or, slamming the shifter, the shift forks bend fairly easy. Once that happens, the gears don't completely engage and, overtime, the dog ears on the trans gears literally shatter off.

Really, its a hit or miss issue. My first predator was a 2003 and, never had an ounce of problems with the motor or the trans. Then, I bought an 05'. 1 yr in, the transmission locked up solid...even tho the popular conception is the 05' transmission were "fixed". I then, replaced the 05' bottom end with a 03 bottom end and, had NO further issues with the transmission.

The trick with the Predators is, you ALWAYS use that clutch. Never power shift the machine but, even at that, it's only a preventative measure and, doesn't guarantee nothing will happen.

The frame issue was with the upper motor mount where it bolts to the frame. Really, its a simple fix. Just find a good welder and, have some gusset added to the upper motor mount locations and, in my experience, broken frames were caused when the machine was excessively jumped or, rolled, or in my case, I hit a tree.

Basically, MAINTAIN your machine.

[400exrider720]

Ok i decided against it. too much work and im afraid ill end up with a pos quad with tranny probs. thanks for the help. now im lookin at an 06 outlaw :D

[tldPREDATORboy]

dude i'd say sold.

[tldPREDATORboy]

and i frogot to mention my 03's trany locked in second gear over a double.did the whole cart wheele thing like 3 times,broke the frame in a couple spots,but i never got a chance to see what was wrong wit the trany.just threw it in the shed and moved on.


so my question is do u know what could have happend to my old predator.i pulled it out of the shed and fired it up(i do NOT recomend leting ur quad sit for a year and a half) and i got first and second but when i go to 3rd it's like i hit neutral and it ticks.

i really feal like *^&%$# for leting it sit so long but the dealer that sponser's me gave me an 08 525(still had to pay 3g's and put THERE stickers on it)but i dont complain..any help would be good.