I have a chance to buy a 2006 700 Sportsman from the original owner (a relative) who doesn't want or have the means to have it fixed. The good news is I can buy it for $500 bucks and it doesn't have many hours on it. Still has the factory tires on it with plenty of tread.

The bad news is although it runs, he was told it needs a new clutch and was quoted around $1000 for the repair. That seems crazy high to me, and I think I could fix it for much less. It also will need brakes, but thats no big deal...I have an auto restoration shop and I've always done my own repairs on my ARGO and my Honda quads, but I have no experience with a polaris, so I'd have a learning curve there. Is it worth fooling with?

 

I'd buy it...........

 

Yep, I'd buy it for the parts alone. Rebuilding the clutch and using an EPI kit or similar would be my suggestion.

 

as mentioned you could part it out and make a killing so i wouldn't miss that deal. you can get a new clutch or rebuild it for alot less money then that. you will need to have a clutch puller to get it off and i would just take the clutch if need be to a service shop tp have it fixed as well unless you want to buy a spider tool to take apart the primary clutch which requires a specail tool.

 

Ah..special tools, that was my next question, so I'd need a special puller...I understand it is similar to my ARGO with a CVT and a primary and secondary (driven) clutch, Would both clutches likely be bad?...Can anyone recommend a good service manual, or even better, a manual available in PDF form?

I appreciate the info so far, sounds like it would worth digging into at least....

 

yes you will need this tool to remove the primary(engine clutch)
puller-
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then here is a rebuild kit for the primary Polaris Sportsman 700 X2 2008 Clutch Spider Rebuild Kit | eBay
as you can see it's not that much money ,but you still need the tools to take it apart.

 

Okay...I've got the quad here in my shop for tonight, I'm going to pull the cover to have a look at the clutches and belt. Before any money changes hands... Hate to ask a dumb question, but should I just look for shrapnel inside, or will there be anything else visually to tell which clutch might be the problem, I would guess it would usually be the primary?

 

Even if both the primary and secondary clutches were bad I'd still buy it for $500. Even if both clutches cost you $1500 for all new and you pay $500 for it that's still only $2000 in it. Around my area that would easily sell for around $4000.

 

You can get both clutches and a new belt for $514.86 + tax from the dealer where I live. Just have to order the clutch kit.

 

Thanks for the info...I just found an 05 sportman 700 service manual in PDF online...hopefully its close enough to this 2006 to be useful. I've been in my shop the last hour looking it over...It has at least one other problem.The ignition switch is bad, and he's been cranking it by hotwiring it.( I rode it years ago when he bought it brand new, so I know he didn't steal it!) plus he has the title and new key switch to go with it, BUT i'll have to figure out the wiring to the switch since he's pulled the 5 or so wires ouit of it..I can make the speedo power up and show the hours, but it will not engage the starter...yet. I may have to work on this one a bit. Hopefully this manual will have a decent schematic of the ignition switch....