New 400ex

[HPI_Savage25]

Well this is my first post here. Been doing a bit of reading. I owned a 1999 Polaris Sportsman 500 ATV that I had wrecked about 2 years ago, then fixed it up (~$600) and traded it for a 2001 400ex that is almost like new. Had extra front tires/rims and also the stock tires for the rear that was like new.

Anyways I am getting into racing. I installed a set of Tag CR Hi bars, ez-pull clutch lever, magnum tether and also removed all the PB crap and removed all the switches on the handlebars and just have one button now to start it up. Also installed a K&N air filter and removed the air box lid.

Looking at these nerf bars,

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Foot-Peg-Nerf-Bars-Heel-Guards-HONDA-TRX-400EX-NEW-ATV_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2ea6f6314eQQitemZ20 0369647950QQptZMotorsQ5fATVQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Seen some people like them and some don't. Not sure what to do.

Next is suspension. Stock shocks all the way around......Would love to get a nice set of shocks but I can't afford more than 2-300 for a set of shocks so looking into the trx450 shocks and possibly getting the rear shock redone for my weight (240lbs).

Went to my first race at Gordon Park Speedway in Grovetown, GA for those that know of it and placed 2nd in the ATV novice class last weekend.

[MidnightBlade]

those nerfs will bend when you land on them. if you look at most others they have a bar across the front, these only have the motor mounts to hold you and they bend REALLY easy. do yourself a BIG favor and get some AC's they are cheap and strong. and ya you could get 450r shocks all around and a 450r swingarm. shocks are like 150 or so not seriously bad. here are some good nerfs http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-400EX-ATV-Nerf-bars-fits-years-1999-2010_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5d285e6f92QQitemZ4 00109236114QQptZMotorsQ5fATVQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories . and 450r shocks http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/450R-front-shocks-suspension-TRX-450-R-450ER-04-05_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem19bb1d570cQQitemZ110 513444620QQptZMotorsQ5fATVQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
hope this helps ya some
glad to hear you got rid of the polaris ;)

[clemsonteg]

Originally posted by MidnightBlade
those nerfs will bend when you land on them. if you look at most others they have a bar across the front, these only have the motor mounts to hold you and they bend REALLY easy. do yourself a BIG favor and get some AC's they are cheap and strong. and ya you could get 450r shocks all around and a 450r swingarm. shocks are like 150 or so not seriously bad. here are some good nerfs http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-400EX-ATV-Nerf-bars-fits-years-1999-2010_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5d285e6f92QQitemZ4 00109236114QQptZMotorsQ5fATVQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories . and 450r shocks http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/450R-front-shocks-suspension-TRX-450-R-450ER-04-05_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem19bb1d570cQQitemZ110 513444620QQptZMotorsQ5fATVQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
hope this helps ya some
glad to hear you got rid of the polaris ;)

Do you know they will bend from experience or just assuming because of the way they mount? Not trying to bash or anything Im just curious cause they appear to be the tusk nerfs and I think there were a few people on here that were happy with them for the most part.

[Honda#4]

Theres a bunch of people on here that run those nerfs and so far I havent heard of no problems with them.

[MidnightBlade]

my cuz had them on his 02ex and the first time he landed on them they broke

[HPI_Savage25]

I really like the AC nerfs but liked the heel guards on the tusks, guess I'll just keep the stock plastic guards and order some AC's.

[MidnightBlade]

yea thats what i did it looks fairly good and the nerfs are strong with good mounts. if you dont like the stock plastic heel guards you can get billet aluminum ones for like $50 on ebay

[clemsonteg]

I bought the tusks anyways, I don't make any big jumps and I will hop and down on them and see how strong they are. Plus I am sure if they really are that bad I can come up with something to connect them through the frame.

[HPI_Savage25]

Well after talking with my dad he wants me to save up and get a set with the heel guards and after looking, I found a set that I REALLY Like, and hope they are ok.

Looking at the moose,

http://www.mawonline.com/google/P05300359.HTM

Pricey but hopefully worth it. Going to order them soon I hope.

[Ryan'07400ex]

I wouldn't spend 350 bucks on nerf bars when you can get a set just as nice for 250 or less.
Like the Pro Armor and AC they have the heel guards and pegs with kick up to and only around 250. Spend the extra hundred on a bumper or skid plate etc (didn't see your current mods yet)

[HPI_Savage25]

Alright just pulled the trigger on a set of nerfs. I went with a set of the AC pro peg nerfs with the heel guards. Should be here by Thursday at the latest and will put them on ASAP.

[HPI_Savage25]

Alrighty my nerfs came in today and just got done putting them on. The two bolts they sent for the front mounts were too short....so wound up having to go buy longer ones and still not long enough but we did manage to get them on.

These nerfs are SICK. Now I haven't been able to ride with them yet but seem VERY STRONG!

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n188/HPI_Savage25/IMG00571-20100407-2122.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n188/HPI_Savage25/IMG00570-20100407-2122.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n188/HPI_Savage25/IMG00572-20100407-2123.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n188/HPI_Savage25/IMG00573-20100407-2123.jpg

[HPI_Savage25]

Just great....went to the track today and rode. When I first got the quad I noticed it had some "slop" if I stood on the pegs and tried to "rock" it side to side. Well today I noticed it has gotten MUCH worse. Picked the rear up and then wiggled the axle....lots of play....darn axle bearings are shot and I have a race Saturday....just found this out 20mins ago to so can't get any bearings in time for the races. Hope it holds up....

[dalejiw25]

Ridin like that on bad bearings will ultimately destroy you carrier.... They aren't real cheap to replace. Something else to think about.

[mineralgrey01gt]

is it just the pics or does the nerfs kick up towards the front like that? My old ac's never did that, but then again they were probably bent lol

[HPI_Savage25]

Yep they are kicked up in the front a tad. Not much though and I don't mind.

I do realize it will mess the carrier up riding on bad bearings but I figure I have been riding on bad bearings for the past 2 months and didn't realize what the issue was until now.....I am going to the races with the intention of having to replace the carrier when we are done.

[gtt416ex]

the front of the nerfs are picked up in the front because you have the pro-peg mounts upside down, the tube is supposed to be at the top. ;)

[HPI_Savage25]

Your kidding me right? lol...guess they will have to do for now man cause I'm not taking them off right now.....might explain some of the issues we had! LOL. I'll put that on the list to do when we tear it down after the races....

Appreciate the info!

[gtt416ex]

yea i'm serious. i'd just hate to see them get bent the first time you bottom out. are you racing mx or xc?

[HPI_Savage25]

MX ; It is all tight technical track, biggest jump you just get into 3rd and its a smooth as silk landing. Should be good for one race, I will most likely grab my 3rd place position and then take it easy for the rest of the race. 4 lap practice, then (2) 4 lap motos

[gtt416ex]

i think you should be fine for one race. what else do you plan on doing to the quad?

[HPI_Savage25]

I plan on getting a set of 450r shocks for the time being along with a G-force axle and then later on down the road get a set of +2 or +3 a arms. Just taking it a step at a time....Top priority right now is those darn axle bearings then go down the list.

[HPI_Savage25]

Here is a video I found of the track.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3TOCK-cEFo&feature=related

[tri5ron]

HPI,
Yes, you installed the peg mounts upside down.

This causs a couple of things,...
like your pegs are so low that your foot ends up riding on the rear brake pedal, you toast your rear brake.

as well as the gearshifter is harder to operate with the toe of your boot.

You REALLY do need to turn them over,
BUT !,...
Be forewarned,.....

They are a BE-OTCH to get to fit.
you will SWEAR that it cant be done, or that something is wrong with them.
I actually had to use a floorjack just to get the peg mounts to rotate up and align the bolt holes to the frame.

Everyone on here that has those nerfs, (Myself included), was pulling our hair out, trying to get them mounted.

there are a few older threads that you can search on, that explains all the difficulties we had getting them installed, as well as what we did to get them to fit.

just thought you would want to know.

[HPI_Savage25]

Appreciate the info tri!!!

Yeah I put them up and thought for sure that is how they went, haha. Bolted right up exactly, lol. So much for that.....I'll keep it updated with how the reinstall goes.

[mineralgrey01gt]

ac nerfs are known for being very difficult to install but damn they do not move when installed. I guess thats a benefit

[tri5ron]

here's a link to one of the threads I mentioned...

http://www.exriders.com/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=351428&highlight=install+nerfs

[HPI_Savage25]

Gotcha, appreciate it. Just got back from the races...Got 2nd for ATV novice again and nothing broke minus the messed up bearings that I already know about.

And the tear down will begin....Have two weeks to get it back together for the next race

[HPI_Savage25]

Got the nerf bars flipped around like they are supposed to be. Much better IMO.....glad you guys pointed that out to me! Also got the axle/carrier out getting ready to replace the bearings, just waiting on them to come in. Believe I am going to be putting a G-Force axle back in along with a 440 big bore kit....

[HPI_Savage25]

Alright so I got my axle bearings replaced and got it back together. Just one question. Can you actually over tighten the axle nuts? If like a car (not wheel nuts...but kinda same theory) you can mess the wheel bearings up.....just wondering...

Thanks

[400ex=awesome]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Tusk-Foot-Peg-Nerf-Bars-w-Heel-Honda-TRX-400EX-1999-07-/170467708341#ht_3226wt_725

check those out they are nice ones!

[HPI_Savage25]

Thanks but I honestly saw a set of the tusks (without heel guards) bend by just taking them off.

Very glad I went with the AC nerfs with pro pegs and heel guards. I weigh 250lbs and can jump on one side and they don't bend a bit...


Next up is a 440 big bore. Getting a complete setup for the cost of a gasket set/rings for my stock setup ($80-100).

Not sure exactly what it is as the local shop/sponsor is giving it to me at the special price, I just have to help him swap it all over.

Will it be a noticeable increase without a cam/exhaust over the stock 400?

After the big bore will be a cam/exhaust when the funds allow.


Thanks!

[clemsonteg]

Originally posted by HPI_Savage25
Thanks but I honestly saw a set of the tusks (without heel guards) bend by just taking them off.

Very glad I went with the AC nerfs with pro pegs and heel guards. I weigh 250lbs and can jump on one side and they don't bend a bit...


Next up is a 440 big bore. Getting a complete setup for the cost of a gasket set/rings for my stock setup ($80-100).

Not sure exactly what it is as the local shop/sponsor is giving it to me at the special price, I just have to help him swap it all over.

Will it be a noticeable increase without a cam/exhaust over the stock 400?

After the big bore will be a cam/exhaust when the funds allow.


Thanks!

I had a set of cheapos with the cross bar that bent as I was removing them. I ended up going with the Tusk with the heel guards and I did the same thing, hoped up and down on them (I'm 200lbs) and they didn't budge either. Glad you liked you AC I know they are good as well.

[HPI_Savage25]

Yeah I can't speak bad about the heel guard ones, only the standard ones that bolt up to the foot pegs.

Shop that sponsors me bought a 450r used and when he went to pick it up the guy slid into a post and bent one side so we took the other one off and it bent like butter...

Knowing my weight I was surprised...time will tell. I may end up trying a set of the tusks on something else later on though.

[HPI_Savage25]

Well torn it all down yesterday getting it ready for the 440 kit. Should have it back up and running mid this week....then hope to have broke in this weekend then ready for the races the weekend after.