First off I am brand new to this group and I am a first time 4 wheeler owner. I have been riding 4 wheeler for years but I have always been just borrowed rides from friends. I finally decided to get one myself. It helped that I was able to get (what I think) a great deal on a fixer upper. As the title says I bought a 2002 Honda Foreman 450 ES 4X4. The good is it seems to run good, the ES works, the LCD screen all works, it has like new tires, the plastic is in great shape, and I can drive it around while in 4WD. The bad is that is only drives in 4WD because it appears the rear axle or ring gear is striped. I can look in the differential fill plug and see the ring gear spinning while the thing is in gear but not in 4WD and not moving. It also has the recoil start that does not work. You can pull the rope and it will recoil but it will not turn the engine over. Also, the front brakes are not working. The previous owner said when he pulled the 4 wheeler out of the garage after it has been sitting for a while he pulled the front brakes but when he let go, the cable never released. The front brakes appear to be stuck. Also, it needs front wheel bearings bad. And it has a broken rear taillight.
I work on cars and tractors all the time, so I am pretty good wrenching on things. However, I have never worked on a 4 wheeler so I know I have a lot of learning to do.
I have several questions I am hoping someone can help me out with so I can get this thing back on the trails without breaking the bank. I found a guy who is parting out a 2003 Honda Rubicon 500 4X4 and he says the rearend is in great shape and it will fit my Foreman. Can anyone verify a rearend out of a 03 Rubicon 500 will fit my Foreman 450?
Second, what would be causing the recoil starter to not engage?
Third, what are just some general tips to do when you get a 4 wheeler like this that obviously has not been kept up on it maintenance (at least lately)? I am going to start with changing the oil and probably running some injector cleaner through it.
Any help, tips, tricks are greatly appreciated.
I work on cars and tractors all the time, so I am pretty good wrenching on things. However, I have never worked on a 4 wheeler so I know I have a lot of learning to do.
I have several questions I am hoping someone can help me out with so I can get this thing back on the trails without breaking the bank. I found a guy who is parting out a 2003 Honda Rubicon 500 4X4 and he says the rearend is in great shape and it will fit my Foreman. Can anyone verify a rearend out of a 03 Rubicon 500 will fit my Foreman 450?
Second, what would be causing the recoil starter to not engage?
Third, what are just some general tips to do when you get a 4 wheeler like this that obviously has not been kept up on it maintenance (at least lately)? I am going to start with changing the oil and probably running some injector cleaner through it.
Any help, tips, tricks are greatly appreciated.