Best EX Mods

[RobZ_450R]

Here are the best mods to make to your 400EX:

1. If you have an '05 or newer with reverse, unplug the reverse indicator light @ the engine. This will eliminate the rev cut in reverse as well, it will let you start it while it is in reverse.

2. If you have an '07 or older, order the '08 clutch cable, lever, & clutch arm (on/in the engine cover). The '08 is an easier pull clutch.

3. Install '06 450R front knuckles, calipers, brake lever, & brake lines (expect the hard tube line, use the 400EX's). This will give you brakes just like a 450R's.

4. Install the 450R rear brake disk, disk hub, caliper mount, & caliper. Your brakes will be as good as the 450R & last much longer.

5. Bolt on '06 or newer 450R foot pegs, take a flat piece of steel, bend it into a U shape that is 4" long (2 sides) & the width of the 450 pegs. Grind grooves in the top of it. Then weld it to the end of the 450R pegs at a 20 degree angle up from the level of the pegs.

[uchi]

good list, i have nothing to add but im gonna watch this eagerly.

[jcs003]

4. Install the 450R rear brake disk, disk hub, & caliper. Your brakes will be as good as the 450R & last much longer.

i don't think it is this easy...

[krt400ex]

Originally posted by jcs003
4. Install the 450R rear brake disk, disk hub, & caliper. Your brakes will be as good as the 450R & last much longer.

i don't think it is this easy...


it seems like it would probably be a direct swap. if it is, then it would take maybe an hour to do. its really not hard at all.

im going to also add an advance timing key to the list. great little mod. helps mostly in throttle response but the engine hits a little harder in the middle to.

[Wheelie]

450R front brakes are a must have IMO, the stock EX front brakes just don't cut it.

A timing key should be added to that list.

[Moto Pro472]

From what I have read you want to use 04-05 450r spindles and brakes on the front end for better handling then the 06+

[beags86]

450r front shocks!!!

[Wheelie]

Originally posted by Moto Pro472
From what I have read you want to use 04-05 450r spindles and brakes on the front end for better handling then the 06+

No. The 04-05 work great on the 06-up R's, NOT on the EX.

The 06-up R spindles have identical geometry to the EX spindles and are a direct swap. 04/05 spindles cause a lot of issues for the EX.

The brake master cylinder and calipers are the same for all years.

Read my post on the R swap:http://www.exriders.com/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=365496&highlight=Brake+Upgrade

[400exrider69]

what's wrong with stock 400ex brakes i have a built 400ex and it had stock brakes and they stopped on a dime i rode a ds 450 and felt like the brakes worked just as good

and i'd ad to the the list removeing the air box lid i had a stock 400ex and once i removed the lid it really came alive

[Moto Pro472]

Originally posted by Wheelie
No. The 04-05 work great on the 06-up R's, NOT on the EX.

The 06-up R spindles have identical geometry to the EX spindles and are a direct swap. 04/05 spindles cause a lot of issues for the EX.

The brake master cylinder and calipers are the same for all years.

Read my post on the R swap:http://www.exriders.com/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=365496&highlight=Brake+Upgrade

Thanks Wheelie....

You actually helped me with my build because I would have bought the wrong spindles.

:D

[RobZ_450R]

Originally posted by jcs003
4. Install the 450R rear brake disk, disk hub, & caliper. Your brakes will be as good as the 450R & last much longer.

i don't think it is this easy...



Sorry, I forgot to add that you also need the 450R rear brake caliper mount. I will update my list above.

It is a direct bolt on, no mods needed. The only thing you will have to look out for is proper routing of the brake line so that it doesn't rub anywhere.

[RobZ_450R]

Originally posted by krt400ex
it seems like it would probably be a direct swap. if it is, then it would take maybe an hour to do. its really not hard at all.

im going to also add an advance timing key to the list. great little mod. helps mostly in throttle response but the engine hits a little harder in the middle to.

What is the timing key mod? I have not heard of this one yet. Where do you buy it?

[staakej]

curtis sparks makes them it's just an offset flywheel key that advances timing.

[honda400-4-ever]

i would buy one but sounds like a pain in the as* to do

[calebd91]

acutually its pretty easy and straight forward....there are many how to's that have great info about it.

[beags86]

i guess i just don't understand... whats so great about the 450r brakes?? here's the way i see it...

i put dp brake pads on my 400 and now the thing locks up the brakes every chance it's gets. short of the roadway it locks the wheels on command. what good is upgrading the brakes if all you do is lock the wheels up, once that happens it's only going to stop so fast...... and any other type of stop, slow rolling etc. etc. stop doesn't need a fancy upgrade to do the job. i think the 400 brakes are good enough for most type of riding, and i would rather put money elsewhere..

[BEAVER.989]

Originally posted by RobZ_450R
Here are the best mods to make to your 400EX:

1. If you have an '05 or newer with reverse, unplug the reverse indicator light @ the engine. This will eliminate the rev cut in reverse as well, it will let you start it while it is in reverse.


A better alternative is to pop the hood, locate the computer and clip the gray wire with the black stripe. This will also allow you to start it in reverse and eliminate the rev cut, while retaining the reverse indicator light.

[staakej]

Originally posted by honda400-4-ever
i would buy one but sounds like a pain in the as* to do

It's easy the only major thing is the marks on your flywheel will now be off and finding TDC is a little more labor intensive

[Ryan'07400ex]

Originally posted by staakej
It's easy the only major thing is the marks on your flywheel will now be off and finding TDC is a little more labor intensive

:confused: What is TDC

Originally posted by Ryan'07400ex
:confused: What is TDC

top dead center

[brian76708]

here is the best mod SELL YOUR 400ex and buy a 450.

[dbc112]

BEST MOD EVER!!!!

Sell your 400ex and get the new 700XX!!!!!!!!!!

INSANE MACHINE

[sandalanalyst]

idk how you feel about your wheeler, but to me, that would be like selling my son, *******... what's this world coming to? damn swine flu

yeah 400ex brake upgrading I dont think would be worth it. Either you stop fast already or lock them up. Steel braided lines is all you need and you just use a finger to brake. Especially in the sand the back brake is real touchy most of the time your locking it up and the front if you push to hard your locking them up.

[RobZ_450R]

Originally posted by beags86
i guess i just don't understand... whats so great about the 450r brakes?? here's the way i see it...

i put dp brake pads on my 400 and now the thing locks up the brakes every chance it's gets. short of the roadway it locks the wheels on command. what good is upgrading the brakes if all you do is lock the wheels up, once that happens it's only going to stop so fast...... and any other type of stop, slow rolling etc. etc. stop doesn't need a fancy upgrade to do the job. i think the 400 brakes are good enough for most type of riding, and i would rather put money elsewhere..

You are exactly correct. The 400EX brakes are adequate. The benefits of having the 450 pads are:

1. Less force & lever movement required to lock up the front brakes = quicker braking.

2. Surface area of the 450 pads is greater which means less brake pad wear (all of us know if you ride a 400EX in muddy conditions the pads wear out quite quickly - especially if you add sand into the mix)

[RobZ_450R]

Originally posted by brian76708
here is the best mod SELL YOUR 400ex and buy a 450.

Nope, the best mod is to own a 450R, 400EX, Rincon, & Recon...........soon I will add a 700XX to the mix

[uchi]

my stock brakes are great. high speed stops low speed they work great every time. i can lock them up easily. if youre gonna invest the money into brakes then just get some better pads and rotors if available. itll save you the trouble of having to swap things out. my next upgrade is the rear shock. i hit a bump and it kicked me off the seat, off the foot pegs and the only reason i didnt fall off is cause i had a good grip on the handlebars. first time thats ever happened :D

who does re valving for cheap? i saw it mentioned in another thread, that could be added to cheap mods if i recall right its like 70 bucks

[staakej]

you need a gt thunder link with a revalve i think you can get a link and a revale for around 250 just a revalve alone wont stop the bucking

[brian76708]

Originally posted by RobZ_450R
Nope, the best mod is to own a 450R, 400EX, Rincon, & Recon...........soon I will add a 700XX to the mix

agreed but by the time u put all these 450r parts on you have spent as much as a 450 and still do not preform as well. but i guess 400ex are more trail friendly.

[buster024]

agreed but by the time u put all these 450r parts on you have spent as much as a 450 and still do not preform as well.

I wouldn't trade my 400 for a 450 for all the mods in the world. IMO the 400 outclasses the 450 on the trails 10 to 1. Better handling, better comfort, better gearing, perfect low end, no clutch feathering.....etc etc.

Faster doesn't mean better.....ever. R's get whooped all day by most yfz's.....it doesn't mean the yfz is better. My good friends drag banshee will always kick my 400 to the curb in a race, but who wants to go in a straight line. Buy and build your bike according to what riding you are doing, and not what the fastest bike is.

[brian76708]

Originally posted by buster024
I wouldn't trade my 400 for a 450 for all the mods in the world. IMO the 400 outclasses the 450 on the trails 10 to 1. Better handling, better comfort, better gearing, perfect low end, no clutch feathering.....etc etc.

Faster doesn't mean better.....ever. R's get whooped all day by most yfz's.....it doesn't mean the yfz is better. My good friends drag banshee will always kick my 400 to the curb in a race, but who wants to go in a straight line. Buy and build your bike according to what riding you are doing, and not what the fastest bike is.

i never said faster was better also i stated the 400ex was better for trail riding. after riding a 450r I thought it handled much better then a 400ex. I dont know how you can argue when many people upgrade to 450r shocks brakes ext which are all a part of a machines handling.

[RobZ_450R]

Actually in pure stock form the 400 is a better woods quad hands down provided you are slow trail riding. If you are racing/fast woods riding the 450 is a much better quad. But actually both quads suck in stock form. The reason I say they suck is because both need to be modified/tweeked a bit to make them suite your needs better.

That is the reason I have both, I like to trail ride with utilities & there is no way a 450 will ever be able to do that. On the other hand, I do like to race & fast trail ride which is where the 450 fits in.