Hello all,

I just purchased a Polaris Xplorer 500 4x4 from a neighbor. He tells me he thinks its a '97 model, but wasnt sure. It is a shaft drive with headlights under the front rack. any Idea what year this is? Also, His son had rolled it and broke off the master cylinder so it has no front breaks, but in checking it out more thourghly, ive noticed the back breaks dont work either. Do these all work with the master cylender. And last but not least, The 4x4 appears to be in-op also. Where should I start lookin? Im sure more stupid questions will come later till I learn more about these. Any help would be appreciated.
Buk

 

First of all someone in your shoes, will NEVER have a stupid question! You need help, so we will do just that! Now that that is put to bed,[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] The handle bar mounted lever provides brakes to front and rear. The foot lever only gives brakes to the rear. There should be a small resevoir near the foot lever. Put the vin on here and COLT(someone) (sorry colt...) will tell you what year it is! Lets find out the year before we dig into the 4X4 issue!

 

I have been looking for the VIN all morning. Where might i find it? Also just a note. I just moved it into the garage cause its too cold for this Texas Boy. The 4x4 light came on and it appears to work in forward gears, but goes off in reverse. Going back in search of VIN now.
Buk

 

You need to push the "yellow" button for 4x4 to work in reverse. Tr the frame rail on the right side going down near the exhaust pipe

 

The yellow button does 2 things, 1) it makes 4x4 work in reverse. 2) it overides the engine rpm limiter in reverse. Try going fast in reverse with out pushing the button, you will see the speed is limited!

 

ok, VIN# is 4XACD50AXVA040862
Buk

 

Great, I hope "Colt...." sees this tread!

 

Thank you very much, In process of taking body off now so I can get it mechanicly sound and clean it up a bit before hitting the woods with it. Wife says I have to have breaks before I use it, LOL.
Buk

 

Persistance has aquired my answer on the web, and it turns out it is a '97 model. And now that i know the 4x4 works i feel much better about the deal.

So, I suppose the master Cylinder is going to need to be my first step. Question now is where to get the parts. Should I use OEM from the dealer, or do you guys use a web sight to get parts, accesories, tires, ect?

Also I need to do some body repairs. Can the cracked or broken plastic be repaired, and what should I use. Can I paint it?

Last, but not least, what kinda PM do i need to do before I damage other things that could be wrong, I might not have discovered yet? It seems to start and run fine, although its a little cold natured that I hear is common on most ATV's. And just to clarify The back brakes will not work with out the master cylinder, Correct?

I paid $800 for it, was it the deal I thought it was?
Thanks for all your Help,
Buk

 

Good deal? Sounds great to me. The rear brakes should work fine as long as the rear pads are good and the res. has fluid. May need to adjust them up a little. Not very knowledgable on 97. I know 95's and 01's.

Cracked plastic is a thing of your own enginuity. Whatever you can do to make it look as good as you can stand it. Maybe Zipties like a stitch job, to keep stuff from flappin' depending on how bad it is.

Paint it? Probably that Fusion stuff would work. Others have asked, but I have heard no results. Do it, and you can teach us something. Forum is great isn't it?

Master Cyl. is pretty expensive new, eBay has them all the time. Your choice!

Pm? change all the fluids soon, that way you have a starting point to begin the maintenance intervals that you choose. Check the air filter and CHANGE the fuel filter. They are cheap enough to just replace it. Don't forget the coolant, Many people do. Just like an older car, every 2 years! Grease everything that has a zerk. Even if water comes out, keep pumping that grease in. Be careful of grease spilling out near the break pads, obviously no grease on the rotors or pads.

Do these things and look for other signs of wear, you are on your way!