This is my first 4 wheeler, I got it from a neighbor last week. I'm pretty mechanically capable (in the last year I have completely rebuilt my powerstroke diesel and 4 antique tractors). I've owned motorcycles in the past so I'm familiar with these kinds of things. However I know how valuable it can be to know what your working on and to get tips from others. That said, what do I need to know about my new ATV?
Anyone want to clue me in on what stuff to look for and what all maintenance items need to be done before I start riding it?





Here is a quick cell phone shot of my new toy;

 

Of course change the oil and clean the filter screen. Check the oil in the rear end. Mine had problems with the float valve not closing when I got it, just clean the carb. Grease all the fittings on the front end and if it runs, go ride.

These things are built like tanks, and wicked quick too.

 

Thanks Roy for the response;
I had been parked for about 3 years, so far I have cleaned out the gummed up carb and fixed a leaky fuel valve and changed the oil and ordered a new air filter and service manual. It will crank and idle on the first pull every time (battery is bad). I can't find where to check or change the rear axle fluid. I think the valves may need some tweaking because of a slight ticking at idle.
I've road it around the house once and it seems to work good, I'm just looking for any advice on what all I should do to it.

 

If I remember, there is an allen screw on the rear diff. It is on the rear side of it, very near the top. I'm not sure about the valve settings, mine don't tick so I never fooled with it. That leaky valve, would it be the one on the tank? Mine started leaking because the rubber gasket inside got a cut in it somehow. Whatever I did it got worse, the rubber kept peeling off and eventualy stopped my fuel lines up. A new one cost me 15 bucks.

 

Yea, the leaky valve was the one that bolts to the tank. I took it off and cut a piece of gasket material and put it back together, so far no more leak. I can't find a plug on the rear end, there is a plastic cap that looks like there may be a plug under it but I'm afraid to pry it off until I research it more. We just got done riding it around the yard and as it got warmer it rattled louder so I'm fixing to try and do some maintenance on it like adjusting the valves and maybe the timing chain tension, I'm just going to follow the manual I got but I can't see the pictures in it cause it is a cheapo scanned copy of the original.

 

alabamafrog,

I still have my 87 YFM Moto 4 and it is a great little bike; don't know how similar it is to the 200, but generally these little things don't require much maintenance other than regular oil changes and keep the front zerk fittings greased. My valves have always had a slight tick even after adjustment by the dealer. As Royz4x4 said, they are built like tanks, I wish my new one was built more like it. I never even bothered to get insurance on it because you could literally roll the darned thing and not even tell it; my Grizzly would cost a ton of money to fix if I ever did that. Good luck with your bike, you will enjoy it. Nice John Deere, looks like an old "Johnny Popper".

 

Frog, you can go to the Yamaha website and pull up parts schematics. That will give you a good idea of where stuff is at. That is generally what I do.

 

Hey, thanks for the advice about the Yamaha parts site, I went and registered with them and found great pics of stuff. That was a big help.

The tractor is a 1948 model A, I got 2 A's a 60 and an MT, All old 2 bangers from 47-56. Family heirloom tractors that I just got done redoing.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: alabamafrog

Hey, thanks for the advice about the Yamaha parts site, I went and registered with them and found great pics of stuff. That was a big help.



The tractor is a 1948 model A, I got 2 A's a 60 and an MT, All old 2 bangers from 47-56. Family heirloom tractors that I just got done redoing.</end quote></div>

Our neighbor had one like that when I was growing up and I will never forget the sound of those things. I saw an old John Deere at a dealer south of here that had been restored and in order to start it, you had to spin the flywheel by hand. I never heard it run because no one was strong enough to spin it. The guy who rebuilt it had thrown his shoulder out starting it and was off work. Those old farmers were TOUGH.

 

Here is a shot of all 4 of my 4 wheel babies;