Hello, I am new to the world of ATVs but we have been enjoying our 2001 Sportsman 500 HO.

Anyhow, the machine has been working great. WE do not use it for long rides, but use it on short trail rides and for moving boats and campers around our property. However, on a few occassions after running for over 25 minutes, there has been a sudden loss of brake pressure.

I figured I was low on brake fluid and I filled it up (did not take much). Then it happened again several weeks later. If I pump the break lever, the pressure comes back momentarily. After shutting off and cooling down, the brake pressure is back and I may not have the problem again for a few weeks.

I'm not finding any brake fluid on the floor.

Any ideas?

thanks for your help

 

Sounds like air in the brake lines. I see you have added fluid, but have you bled the system?

Welcome to the forums, Madhammer. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

sounds like air in the brake line. Bleed the brakes and they will probably work fine.

 

Thanks.

I had the same thought. Easy to do??? I'm kind of a novice.

Thanks

 

I was told to bleed the brakes on these you must do them at every single point starting with the hand brake to do it correctly. Not hard to do but just time consuming.

 

That is correct. Start with the one closest to the master cylinder and work back.

 

Thank you very much. I appreciate your time and will give it a try.

BTW, when I bought our Sportsman, it came with an original but general owners manual. It made refernece to more specific manuals for each model. That, I don't have. Do you know where I could get my hand on one specific to my 2001 Sportsman 500 HO?

Thanks

 

Ebay is a good place to look for a service manual.

 

While you are bleeding the brakes keep going from fitting to fitting a few times and keep adding to the reservoir that way you will bleed out the old brake fluid at the same time...