First things first, I am a Noob to ATV's. I have had dozens of dirtbikes and have rebuilt twice as many for friends.

Ok I have been looking to get an ATV for a long time now and have been looking around. I usually buy things that need a little work and turn them into great running machines. I can work on anything with a motor. That being said, a friend of a friend has a 2004 Polaris Sportsman 500 HO Mossy Oak project. And when I say project I mean project. He got the ATV on a package deal where he wanted to buy a sidebyside from a guy and had to take both as a package. The previous owner had some money but little mechanical ability. The plastics are in great shape. The atv has the top end off at the moment. New in the box is a wiseco top end kit and an EPI clutch kit and all of the seals, gaskets, and fluids to put it back together and a haynes manual with receipts totaling $1600. It also has brand new ITP tires with the nubs still on. I have seen a video from 2012 of the ATV running and driving. My friend is asking $900 for everything. What do you think? How long should take me to put the new top end on and have it running? Thanks

 

Always expect the unexpected on something like this. Just depends if the crank shaft is ok and has been protected with the top end off,but with new tires,all the parts needed to repair it (hopefully ALL the parts needed) it may turn out ok. Even if it's more than you can handle,selling it for parts on ebay can get more than your 900 bucks back.Time involved depends on if some other problems crop up,how much time you can spend on it,etc. Haynes isn't the best manual around. Here's one for 5 bucks that's a little better.Study it especially on the engine specs and tolerances.2004 Polaris Sportsman 500 Service Manual PDF Download

 

Thank You. I downloaded that manual even though I have not bought it yet just to see what all it will take. I will try to post some pictures of how it sits.

 

 

Looks like you have a nice project on your hands...Body and decals and tires/rims look good.

 

So you think it is worth the $900 though?

 

Looks like you have that much in new parts and tires alone. Hopefully all the engine needs is the top end and transmission,etc are ok.

 

Ok. Thank you for the advise. I think I will be picking it up tomorrow night.

 

And then spending a lot of time on here. Haha

 

Yes a lot of time on putting it back together.. Noticed that both struts are off? Be sure to check the hub seal sleeve and inner pole of each strut plus shock cartridge for any damage before you install them. Easier to replace the sleeve(and coil) while off the machine if needed. Just look over each section of the manual when you get down to assembly.