Build my 400!!

[Zakradu398]

Well, I have given up hopes on selling my 400 to get a banshee and will dump my money into this instead.

It will be a trail bike that will get used in harescrambles maybe 2-3 times a year. (awrcs).

Right now it has Armadillo skid plate, Tusk bars, Polisport hand guards, PB block off, Yoshimura comp slip on and 450r front shocks i'm getting tomorrow for $40:devil: .

Also, I have the opportunity to get an FMF powerbomb header for $40 and am wondering if it'll fit my yoshi slip on??

Anyways, my quad NEEDS tires, swing arm bearings and a clutch soon i'm thinking.

I have a total of 2000 to spend on it and want to know what to go with. A mix between motor and suspension if possible.

As it sits now, clicky the pics.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/th_DSC_0033.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/?action=view&current=DSC_0033.jpg)
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/th_DSC_0030.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/?action=view&current=DSC_0030.jpg)
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/th_DSC_0026.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/?action=view&current=DSC_0026.jpg)
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/th_DSC_0020.jpg (http://s148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/?action=view&current=DSC_0020.jpg)

[Stickman400]

GT Thunder or Alba arms
Re-valve front and rear shocks
GT Thunder XC link
Whatever tires you want , I like Razr 2s but everyone has their own preference
Stage 2 cam
11:1 piston if the cylinder is still in round
450R carb.
Air Filter
Grind header welds
Mild port and polish if you can do it yourself

I'm not sure what all that would add up to but I think it's right around the $2,000 mark. Depends on where you go for the re-valves on the shocks. That can get expensive.

[HondaRacing83]

This is how I'd build it. Btw yes get the powerbomb header it will fit.

-Shocks and header ($80)
-Alba +2 A arms or GTT ($400)
-4:1 Rocks beadlocks, $90 a piece so roughly ($360)
-GBC Xrex all around ($240)
-GTT link roughly ($200)
-Alba nerfs with heel guards and fatpegs ($180)
All that comes to $1460, with the rest redo all your shocks. I don't really think youd need to redo the fronts though since you'd be sitting on +2 arms. So that could save you money and you could have a tusk axle and nice fatbar setup also

[01boneless]

Originally posted by Stickman400
GT Thunder or Alba arms
Re-valve front and rear shocks
GT Thunder XC link
Whatever tires you want , I like Razr 2s but everyone has their own preference
Stage 2 cam
11:1 piston if the cylinder is still in round
450R carb.
Air Filter
Grind header welds
Mild port and polish if you can do it yourself

I'm not sure what all that would add up to but I think it's right around the $2,000 mark. Depends on where you go for the re-valves on the shocks. That can get expensive.
ive seen alot of people recomend porting diy latley. thats all fine if you know what your doing but you cant just take a dremel and port a head to many think bigger ports are the basis of p&p its more than that were you remove material,shaping valve guides ect... u can hurt power if p&p is done wrong. not shoting the idea down just giving my .02 cents but everything stickman said is what id do and maybe a littloe gearing for your liking

[HondaRacing83]

my dad has a lot of buddies that owns machine shops, when my 400 grenades and i rebuild it and do a p&p i can have it done for free

[01boneless]

Originally posted by HondaRacing83
my dad has a lot of buddies that owns machine shops, when my 400 grenades and i rebuild it and do a p&p i can have it done for free
sweet thats a good deal considering how expensive p&p cost's

[Zakradu398]

I don't have enough confidence to do a P&P. Sure would be nice though.

And I looked on GTT website for aarms but didn't see them..

[CJM]

Look on ebay for the arms, GTT lists the arms on thier site for 2x the price they are selling on ebay,...for some reason.

[Zakradu398]

The 450r shocks fell through of course so can somebody post some links to shocks that'll be good with +2 or +3 arms?

[Zakradu398]

Also, can I run a 12.5:1 on Avgas? I believe motor octane is 103, I heard of it wreaking havoc on valve seals and things, true?

[CJM]

Originally posted by Zakradu398
Also, can I run a 12.5:1 on Avgas? I believe motor octane is 103, I heard of it wreaking havoc on valve seals and things, true?

Id rather run 100LL instead cause its usually cheaper, not sure about avgas exactly.

[Zakradu398]

It is 100LL. and I found a pair of 450r shocks for 80$ so I'm going to get that and the header later on

[Zakradu398]

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/DSC_0250.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/DSC_0249.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/DSC_0243.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/DSC_0240.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/DSC_0239.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/DSC_0238.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/DSC_0236.jpg

[quadmanw]

I don't know how this would work with the stock arms but I have GTT arms and I just back the preload all the way off of my 450 shocks and man what a smooth ride that made it. Maybe give it a try!

[Zakradu398]

I'm gonna back them out. Is it on the top or bottom of the shock im turning all the way soft?

Are these even 450r shocks? lol I didn't know which ones came white.

[quadmanw]

Yup those are 450r shocks lol. And you need to back the top off and then adjust the bottom.

[Zakradu398]

huh? lol

[quadmanw]

The nuts on top of the shock.. That's how you adjust the preload lol.

[Zakradu398]

Ok, on the ressie set that all the way soft and the bottom do what?

[quadmanw]

Mine are set to soft but they need some adjusting

[Zakradu398]

Alright, thanks for the help. Ordering some good things tomorrow ;)

[quadmanw]

Where's monongahela PA located? Ever hear of Forest Hills right outside of Pittsburgh? Across the river from West Mifflin.

[Zakradu398]

It near Charleroi, Donora, Finleyville, or bentleyville.

but I think I want the Alba a arms, is the long-short travel adapter seem safe? thats the only thing holding me back. I was going to get the one that comes with brake lines also.

[quadmanw]

What's the adapter?

[Zakradu398]

You can see it here,

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-TRX-400EX-TRX400EX-2-A-ARMS-BRAKE-LINES-CLAMPS-CHROMOLY-ADJUSTABLE-/190662163542?pt=Motors_ATV_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c6459bc56&vxp=mtr

[TheAwesomehonda]

I'm no expert on shock adjustment but there seems to be some confusion. The preload adjusts the ride height, the adjuster is the two nuts on the top of the spring. First back off (counter clockwise) the top nut and then turn the bottom nut clockwise (for stiffer ride) or counter clockwise (for softer ride). Once you've adjusted the bottom nut turn the top nut clockwise til it seats tight agenst the bottom nut. Most people adjust it a few turns from softest. I'm not an expert at the rebound or compression so i'll stay away from that lol

[Zakradu398]

I'm not quite sure i still understand lol as you can tell i've never messed with shocks.. could someone maybe make a picture diagram and any feedback on alba a arms?

[TheAwesomehonda]

Ok the two preload adjustment nuts i'm talking about i have circled in this pic...
<a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=33wqdjq" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.tinypic.com/33wqdjq.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

[Zakradu398]

Thanks man, so back them all the way off and leave like 2 threads or so? What klind of tool should i use?

[TheAwesomehonda]

Originally posted by Zakradu398
Thanks man, so back them all the way off and leave like 2 threads or so? What klind of tool should i use? Yeah it is personal perference depending on how much you weigh but i don't like alot of body role and you'll get the if your preload is to soft. You can use a punch and a hammer and or a very large pliers to turn the nuts.

[Zakradu398]

Ok, Ill do that later. Do you know what year these shocks are from?

[TheAwesomehonda]

I'm not sure but i think they switched to gray springs in 07.

[Zakradu398]

Ya, he said 07 but i was just checking. They need bottom bearings, the top dont have any do they?

[TheAwesomehonda]

http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche.com/teammotorsports/showmodel.asp?Type=13&make=hondaatv&A=246&B=20 Check out that link, it looks like the top has a bushing to.

[Zakradu398]

I saw that but no bearing im guessing

[Stickman400]

Yea, the top is just a bushing. The bottom has a needle bearing with a metal sleeve and 2 dust seals.

[Zakradu398]

Got some stuff in yesterday.


http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/DSC_0261.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/DSC_0259.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/DSC_0258.jpg

[HondaRacing83]

Your a lucky man. Youll love the x rexs! Ilove mine! How much did the xrecs on black bajas run you?

[Zakradu398]

X rexs were somethin like 310 all around and I think the bajas were like 100-110 each. I got them off motosport I can't remember. They look pretty nice though

[TheAwesomehonda]

Hey what dirt bike is that? I just traded my 01 400ex for a yamaha yz250f kinda excited to ride it but it need a new rear rim first.

[Zakradu398]

It's an 09 yz450. Fun bike

[TheAwesomehonda]

Originally posted by Zakradu398
It's an 09 yz450. Fun bike Oh nice thats a fast bike!

[Stickman400]

I love it when you get a bunch of parts like that and you lay them all out and just start freaking out because you don't know what to put on first, lol.

[HondaRacing83]

dude me to, imho its BETTER than christmas. sometimes i purposely save up and buy a bunch of parts at once like that lol

[Zakradu398]

It's all better knowing I've bought it myself.

Put on my back tires and got my Tusk clutch and HD springs in today.

Went to do the swinger bearings and I can't even get the nut off the damn bolt so I'll take an impact to it tomorrow I guess. Been spraying liquid wrench on it every few hours all day.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/DSC_0270.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/DSC_0267.jpg

[Zakradu398]

I happened to notice today that my front Is narrower than the back even stock. is this normal?

[CJM]

Yep.

[Zakradu398]

Maybe Ill keep a stock width axle with my +2 arms then

[dxcody]

My buddy had the same problem when he bought these tires for his LTR.

The tires are so big it makes your rear end about 1" - 1 1/2" wider than stock.

Which is a little bit bigger problem on a LTR than a 400ex since a LTR is 49" wide stock.

[Zakradu398]

GEtting back on track, swing arm is off but the bolt is seized in the motor. My friend who owns an arctic cat dealer is going to get it out for me and is bringing it back to my house Saturday.

I got my front end on at least.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/DSC_0272.jpg

Half on showing the difference compared to stock.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/DSC_0274.jpg

[quadmanw]

Lol seems like I got the only arms with stickers. Im almost positive that my top arms dont have grease zerks tho..

[Stickman400]

Why does one upper arm have grease zerks on the top and the others are on the bottom?

[Zakradu398]

they both face down

[Zakradu398]

Just ordered DDM HID bulbs :devil:

[HondaRacing83]

haha i love this thread.

[Zakradu398]

Me too, especially since it's mine lol.

All I need to get now is a tether, nerfs, hotcam, piston and front bumper and ill be set

[Stickman400]

Oh, you had the ball joint in up-side down in one of the arms. :rolleyes: That is odd though because my Houser's come with grease zerks in the top that you remove and replace with set screws to plug the hole once you get them greased and ready to go riding.

[HondaRacing83]

i ordered a blingstar iron cross saturday and they told me it wont be here till next tuesday.. wtf

[Zakradu398]

Originally posted by Stickman400
Oh, you had the ball joint in up-side down in one of the arms. :rolleyes: That is odd though because my Houser's come with grease zerks in the top that you remove and replace with set screws to plug the hole once you get them greased and ready to go riding.

Ya, the pic where they are just sitting out all the balljoints were loose and could spin freely, thats why :p

[Zakradu398]

Went riding yesterday.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/400.jpg

[Zakradu398]

HID's came in today


http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/DSC_0323.jpg

[Zakradu398]

middle of day shot, I'll get one tonight


http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/IMG_6572.jpg

[Stickman400]

Did you do the way the How-To did it or did you just wire into the factory harness?

[Zakradu398]

Factory harness, I wired them either both on or both off. I'd never need a "low" function.

[Zakradu398]

Got a new caliper and tether hooked up. :)


http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/DSC_0442.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/DSC_0441.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/DSC_0440.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/DSC_0439.jpg

[HondaRacing83]

more pics haha

[Zakradu398]

You sayin you want more? lol and anyone got an idea what I can use for a starter button on my bars. I'd appreciate a link to it.

[HondaRacing83]

yeah more haha i like them bajas. one guy used a kx250 killswitch and like a pushbutton starter? idk his name was like mooseracer somethin. sick quad

[Stickman400]

Yea, just wire up a KX style kill switch as a starter button. That's what I did and it works great.

[Zakradu398]

I'll take some later. its all dirty from riding today

[Zakradu398]

Here you go :)

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/DSC_0466.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/DSC_0464.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/DSC_0462.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/DSC_0461.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/DSC_0460.jpg

[Zakradu398]

Just got the case saver btw. Couldn't pass it up since i had $50 free on RMATV :devil:

[HondaRacing83]

damn, that looks good!

[Zakradu398]

Thanks man. Any ideas what else I should do to it? For this summer I'm doing a 12.5:1 piston and hot cam for the motor until winter. I think I want to do a FST 465. :devil: :devil:

[beastlywarrior]

Id have gregs atv redo your shocks

[on the rocks]

^^ right down the road from me lol

[HondaRacing83]

get some nerfs, and some nice bars with wrap arounds would be my next step

[TacicalRedneck]

a nice shiney bumper!

http://duncanracing.com/images/BuyersGuides2009/big-HONTRX450-bumper.jpg

Can you add a hood/shave plastic?

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d75/atvkid4eva/My400004.jpg

Graphics are cool to! Nerf bars, a given!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/mxblasterx/400002.jpg

Shrouds?

http://i41.tinypic.com/1zd582h.jpg



ok... maybe i'm just thinking of things that Look cool... :D

[Zakradu398]

I do plan on a bumper and shrouds would be cool but I like things to function, you know..

But after riding hard these past few days I've developed an oil leak on the head. I just got home and didn't get to take anythging apart yet but any ideas? I'll throw in a hotcam while I got it open.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/DSC_0486.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/zakrad_u/datFOhundy/DSC_0485.jpg

[HondaRacing83]

bad gasket?

[Zakradu398]

It's leaking above the headgasket it looks like.