What to do? (pic heavy) - Honda Foreman Forums : Rubicon, Rincon, Rancher and Recon Forum

Rairdog · 11-03-2011, 07:24 PM

Hello all. Just got my 97 Foreman 400 back from my buddies. Cleaned it all up to think about selling. Then I came here and what a awesome place. Now I want a snorkel and mudders. Thanks in advance lol.

Anyways a few questions from a noob and some background. I was up until 4 am last night reading all the posts on here that seem to pertain. Found the pdf manual. Great bunch of guys and great advice.

Bought it new in late 96. Great machine and took good care of it. Then a daughters bf dumped it upside down in a creek. I made him flush the oil 10 times and it was still milky. 10 more times and it was better. Only thing is I think her overfilled it. Clutch slips until warmed up. Pull up to a tree and warm it up and it goes. Last time I took it riding it went up devils back bone in haspin (Indiana) twice when no one else could make it. That was with bald tires.

Other Cons;
The battery never holds a charge and has been pull started or jumped for last 10 years. Solenoid maybe.
LOST KEY

Pros;
Body and everything else is in good shape.
Boots look good
It rolls fine and brake work somewhat but probably need adjusted.

Question?
1) Do I put it up on jacks and shake/roll the wheels to check bearings and gears?
@
2) Should I bypass key with a toggle switch to get it started? Which wire?

My thoughts are get it started and run it before I invest in a ignition switch and new battery. Solenoid, if that's even the issue. Try to adjust the clutch or end up putting a new one in. Then find out something major is wrong that I can't fix myself or afford over the slow winter season. Just need to figure out if it worth keeping or selling.

REALIZE ONE THING. I could build you a nuclear power plant off a set of good prints before I could tear into and engine or gear box. Everything I wrote thus far was from reading this site and trying to do my homework before asking questions.

Some pics.

rich450es · 11-03-2011, 07:41 PM

welcome to the forum !!!!
boy that 400 is clean !
first off (i only speek for myself!) im not going to tell you how to "jump start" it (there are too manny kids on this site that could be up to no good) please dont take offence man ....spend the 40 or so dollars and buy a switch!
2nd you will never know what the starting problem is without a good battery (can you borrow one to test the starting system?)
3rd yes i would jack up the front end and give it a wiggle (its free ,its easy and will tell you the condition of the front end )
4th as long as the clutch adjustment bolt is loose (not sized) i would adjust it and once you get it moving you will know about it slipping
.............rich

Relheok · 11-03-2011, 08:15 PM

That 400 started my love of Honda's

Rairdog · 11-03-2011, 08:17 PM

Thanks for the reply Rich. Found some ignition switches on ebay for 46 and change. I got a buddy who can switch it, but he is like you. Don't want to go down that road. If I remember right I always jumped it past the solenoid in order to get it started and a ground to frame. I have a rechargeable jumper/compressor that I use. I had a friend work on it way back and he put a new battery in it. It would start fine but eventually not enough charge and the battery died. I will jack it up tomorrow.

I literally took a toothe brush to it. Cleaned/inspected all the bolts, vent hoses, brake lines, boots and everything else. The cleaner it got the more it begged me to bring it to life. I always tried not to store it muddy.

rich450es · 11-03-2011, 08:23 PM

you can start it and see with a volt meater what its charging at it should be between 13 to 14.2 volts running (sometimes you have to bring the idle up a little to get a good reading )
so whats next if you get it running for cheep money ? lift,tires and a snorkle ?

07 foreman 500 · 11-03-2011, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich450es

welcome to the forum !!!!
boy that 400 is clean !
first off (i only speek for myself!) im not going to tell you how to "jump start" it (there are too manny kids on this site that could be up to no good) please dont take offence man ....spend the 40 or so dollars and buy a switch!

Just pm him and tell him what to do! I would never do that

rich450es · 11-03-2011, 08:45 PM

thats like me giving someone directions on how to hot wire a 2007 foreman 500 and your address ...............im not gona do it!!!!!

Rairdog · 11-03-2011, 08:56 PM

When running I remember the lights are dim and react to rpms. Speedometer bounces. I will try the voltmeter and check amps. If not where to next?

Tires for sure. Already hittin up CL. Be nice to find some Rubicons rims cheap.

My prior 86 honda would flip on a dime and I really like the low center of gravity on this one.

A snorkel that looks like it belongs would be in order.

rich450es · 11-03-2011, 09:08 PM

put the borrowed (or new battery) in before you check the charging system ....also check the voltage with the lights on then off . if good then take a test light and disconect the neg on the battery (with the key off) and ground the cilp end of test light (not to the battery or aluminum to a piece of frame),and with the pointed end touch the ground cable . if it light up you have a draw in the system you will need to chase down. if it dont light up your good to go !!!!

Rairdog · 11-03-2011, 09:41 PM

Ok Rich. I will try that. Makes sense and maybe why no one else could figure it out.

What I really want is to get this machine on the ice. I am a diehard ice fisherman and would love to spike it up and go. If you can tell me how to get through more than a foot of snow without plowing out I'm all ears. It will carry my deer out as is.

11-03-2011, 07:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
Rairdog Honda Rider Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: On the river Posts: 29	What to do? (pic heavy) Hello all. Just got my 97 Foreman 400 back from my buddies. Cleaned it all up to think about selling. Then I came here and what a awesome place. Now I want a snorkel and mudders. Thanks in advance lol. Anyways a few questions from a noob and some background. I was up until 4 am last night reading all the posts on here that seem to pertain. Found the pdf manual. Great bunch of guys and great advice. Bought it new in late 96. Great machine and took good care of it. Then a daughters bf dumped it upside down in a creek. I made him flush the oil 10 times and it was still milky. 10 more times and it was better. Only thing is I think her overfilled it. Clutch slips until warmed up. Pull up to a tree and warm it up and it goes. Last time I took it riding it went up devils back bone in haspin (Indiana) twice when no one else could make it. That was with bald tires. Other Cons; The battery never holds a charge and has been pull started or jumped for last 10 years. Solenoid maybe. LOST KEY Pros; Body and everything else is in good shape. Boots look good It rolls fine and brake work somewhat but probably need adjusted. Question? 1) Do I put it up on jacks and shake/roll the wheels to check bearings and gears? @ 2) Should I bypass key with a toggle switch to get it started? Which wire? My thoughts are get it started and run it before I invest in a ignition switch and new battery. Solenoid, if that's even the issue. Try to adjust the clutch or end up putting a new one in. Then find out something major is wrong that I can't fix myself or afford over the slow winter season. Just need to figure out if it worth keeping or selling. REALIZE ONE THING. I could build you a nuclear power plant off a set of good prints before I could tear into and engine or gear box. Everything I wrote thus far was from reading this site and trying to do my homework before asking questions. Some pics.

11-03-2011, 07:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
rich450es Honda Red Wing Rider Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: ludlow,mass Posts: 10,524	welcome to the forum !!!! boy that 400 is clean ! first off (i only speek for myself!) im not going to tell you how to "jump start" it (there are too manny kids on this site that could be up to no good) please dont take offence man ....spend the 40 or so dollars and buy a switch! 2nd you will never know what the starting problem is without a good battery (can you borrow one to test the starting system?) 3rd yes i would jack up the front end and give it a wiggle (its free ,its easy and will tell you the condition of the front end ) 4th as long as the clutch adjustment bolt is loose (not sized) i would adjust it and once you get it moving you will know about it slipping .............rich __________________ 2000 foreman 450 es-s the fking pig 14% 300 foretrax gear reduction 30in gorila silverbacks on C-5 wheels 2500lb warn winch superatv disk brake conversion kit 2in ssatv lift kit and progressive 512 shocks the original 4in PVC storage tube hurculined racks with rear cargo box czr loud exhaust , uni airfilter and drilled main jet foreman 450 parts for sale pm me for info**

11-03-2011, 08:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
Relheok Honda Lover Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Kingdom, VT Posts: 265	That 400 started my love of Honda's __________________ 2002 Foreman 450ES - 2" HL Lift - 27" Dirt Devil XT - LT2000 Superwinch - Moose Utility Seat - K&N Air Filter - 5233 Miles and counting! 2003 Recon 250ES

11-03-2011, 08:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
rich450es Honda Red Wing Rider Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: ludlow,mass Posts: 10,524	you can start it and see with a volt meater what its charging at it should be between 13 to 14.2 volts running (sometimes you have to bring the idle up a little to get a good reading ) so whats next if you get it running for cheep money ? lift,tires and a snorkle ? __________________ 2000 foreman 450 es-s the fking pig 14% 300 foretrax gear reduction 30in gorila silverbacks on C-5 wheels 2500lb warn winch superatv disk brake conversion kit 2in ssatv lift kit and progressive 512 shocks the original 4in PVC storage tube hurculined racks with rear cargo box czr loud exhaust , uni airfilter and drilled main jet foreman 450 parts for sale pm me for info**

11-03-2011, 08:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
rich450es Honda Red Wing Rider Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: ludlow,mass Posts: 10,524	thats like me giving someone directions on how to hot wire a 2007 foreman 500 and your address ...............im not gona do it!!!!! __________________ 2000 foreman 450 es-s the fking pig 14% 300 foretrax gear reduction 30in gorila silverbacks on C-5 wheels 2500lb warn winch superatv disk brake conversion kit 2in ssatv lift kit and progressive 512 shocks the original 4in PVC storage tube hurculined racks with rear cargo box czr loud exhaust , uni airfilter and drilled main jet foreman 450 parts for sale pm me for info**

11-03-2011, 08:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
Rairdog Honda Rider Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: On the river Posts: 29	Thanks for the reply Rich. Found some ignition switches on ebay for 46 and change. I got a buddy who can switch it, but he is like you. Don't want to go down that road. If I remember right I always jumped it past the solenoid in order to get it started and a ground to frame. I have a rechargeable jumper/compressor that I use. I had a friend work on it way back and he put a new battery in it. It would start fine but eventually not enough charge and the battery died. I will jack it up tomorrow. I literally took a toothe brush to it. Cleaned/inspected all the bolts, vent hoses, brake lines, boots and everything else. The cleaner it got the more it begged me to bring it to life. I always tried not to store it muddy.

11-03-2011, 08:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
Rairdog Honda Rider Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: On the river Posts: 29	When running I remember the lights are dim and react to rpms. Speedometer bounces. I will try the voltmeter and check amps. If not where to next? Tires for sure. Already hittin up CL. Be nice to find some Rubicons rims cheap. My prior 86 honda would flip on a dime and I really like the low center of gravity on this one. A snorkel that looks like it belongs would be in order.

11-03-2011, 09:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
rich450es Honda Red Wing Rider Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: ludlow,mass Posts: 10,524	put the borrowed (or new battery) in before you check the charging system ....also check the voltage with the lights on then off . if good then take a test light and disconect the neg on the battery (with the key off) and ground the cilp end of test light (not to the battery or aluminum to a piece of frame),and with the pointed end touch the ground cable . if it light up you have a draw in the system you will need to chase down. if it dont light up your good to go !!!! __________________ 2000 foreman 450 es-s the fking pig 14% 300 foretrax gear reduction 30in gorila silverbacks on C-5 wheels 2500lb warn winch superatv disk brake conversion kit 2in ssatv lift kit and progressive 512 shocks the original 4in PVC storage tube hurculined racks with rear cargo box czr loud exhaust , uni airfilter and drilled main jet foreman 450 parts for sale pm me for info**

11-03-2011, 09:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
Rairdog Honda Rider Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: On the river Posts: 29	Ok Rich. I will try that. Makes sense and maybe why no one else could figure it out. What I really want is to get this machine on the ice. I am a diehard ice fisherman and would love to spike it up and go. If you can tell me how to get through more than a foot of snow without plowing out I'm all ears. It will carry my deer out as is.

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