ugggg, more problems!!

[04EX721]

I bought my 400ex off of craigslist about 2months ago. The guy said that the carrier bearings, and swingarm bearing were just redone, as well as a valve adjustment. Well I got to ride it 4 times about 2 hrs each time, before it blew. Now while saving money for the engine rebuild, I decided to repaint the frame, and grease everything up. The rear axle bearings fell out in pieces, I cant get the swingarm bolt out, all the brakes are worn to hell, and the wheel bearing in the front are going out. How reliable are the 440 kits? How should I get the swingarm bolt out, it spins but wont move out. I guess now I am going to add wider a arms, new brakes, rear bearing carrier, and 440 kit.... Also where can I get a motocross style chain guide for the swingarm.

[jcs003]

sorry about your luck. send your motor to "four stroke tech" it is in pennsylvania and talk to mickey.

kep at the swingarm bolt it will eventually come out.

[buster024]

Sorry about your luck. What type of riding do you do? Why the 440 kit? As far as reliability it isn't as reliable as a 416 or 426. Put a stroker crank on either of those (preferably the 416), and you've got a screamer that's exremely reliable.

Keep at the swingarm bolt. There are a ton of threads on how to get them out, but everyone of them basically requires time, a sledghammer, a six pack and some patience. I just took mine apart for it's spring makeover, and after lubing mine up last spring with a good marine lube, it dropped out like Wake Forest in the 1st round...like butter.

My advice on your bike is to determine what type of riding you do the most, and build your bike to best fit that. The fastest bike, or the bike kickin' out the most hp's, might not be the best bike for you.

Invest in suspension before you touch the motor. Those stock shocks suck. You won't believe how much faster you can ride with better suspension.

[04EX721]

I do mostly light mx, not a lot of big jumps just fast and choppy stuff. I already pressed my sleeve out of the cylinder, and I saw a 440 sleeve and piston kit on ebay that is why I wanted to go that route, stock would be fine also. The suspension seems fine for now, once I get the wider arms I want 450 shocks for the front. Besides mx i ride some medium to fast paced trails. Well, now I can't get the broken bearing races out of the carrier. I've been pounding the swingarm bolt for atleast an hour.

[Sanddraging28]

i agree with "jcs003" call four stroke tech. when i first got into building strokers that where my parts came from. i always liked the 465 kit he has. it will make a Hot Rods 460 stroker kit look like 250ex. never stroke a motor that you don't have to, strokers put alot more stress on everything.

[brokenmike]

I have had my 440 kit in my 400 since 2004. Still on the same bore, piston, and rings. I bounce it off the rev limiter all the time and still runs great.

[04EX721]

Still can't get the swingarm bolt out. After 1 can of wd40 a lot of pounding and a torch the damn thing hasn't moved. Whoever designed them from honda should be fired. Now what should i try? Cutting it out?

[rob_990]

get some pb blaster

[04EX721]

got some pb blaster tonight i sprayed it down good and i'm going to let it sit overnight. On another topic the 440 kits are reliable I am assuming.

[Sanddraging28]

i have built many 440 kit 400ex's. if it is jetted right you will be ok.. but i have dyno'd a few and have made better power with a higher compression 426 than a 440

Originally posted by Sanddraging28
i have built many 440 kit 400ex's. if it is jetted right you will be ok.. but i have dyno'd a few and have made better power with a higher compression 426 than a 440

What about a 416? Im debating whether to go 440 or 416...

[04EX721]

no luck with the pb blaster. I am about to weld a chain to the bolt end and yank it out with my truck,lol. Wait... maybe that wouldn't be a bad idea if I strapped the quad to my brother in laws truck. Maybe as a last resort.

[Sanddraging28]

i would go with the 416. its a lighter piston and makes better power. plus you dont have to have a new sleeve put in.

[copperhead84]

i had the same problem with my swingarm bolt. i tried everything it says on here. P.B blaster, heating it up,sledge hammer, etc... finally i cut it out with a saw-zall. it was a huge pain in the neck. once you get it out and ready to put the new in buy a stainless steel bolt and grease it up good. you shouldnt have a too much trouble if you ever take it back out

[04EX721]

ok, I finally got fed up and cut the swingarm bolt out, and once again the bearings fell out in pieces. Which way do I press the remainder of the bearings out?