Hi there,
I'm new to the forum after many unsuccesful attempts at loging in.
I have a 2006 TRX400Ex, that I paid 1200 for a couple days ago. It's not great and I would like it to be much nicer. So...
1. plastics don't have a good shine? How can I make them look new again

2. I can't get the damn exaust clamp from the pipe to slip on pipe to off.. The bolt is rusted, and stuck. I can't cut it either. (I want to paint them black.

3. my brakes (front ones) seem to be not letting go fully and have anywhere from 10-20% resistance, why?
4. I'd like to paint my frame but not sure how without taking engine out and what should I use?
5. Same thing, would like to paint swing arm.
6. Want to get a new rear bumper because the one it has is really screwed up from wheelies.. Can I or is it stuck to the frame?

MAIN THING- It has a tick I was told is the timing, or valves. Which one is it and is it easy to fix?
I'm sure there's more but let's see what this brings us, thanks!!


Thank you for your time,

Tyler

 

Can anyone help?

 

I don't know the EX as I mostly work on utility machines but, don't paint the plastics.
Careful use of cutting compound can help, and you can "cheat" by spraying with WD40, looks good but doesn't last and you get oily clothes.
Exhaust nuts sometimes come loose with a bit of heat round them.
Take the brakes apart and check what is wrong with them, free off pistons, if seized.
No idea what the best engine paint is but there are plenty of "engine enamels" about.
If you are not going to strip the frame for painting, I guess brushing is best, so any machinery paint should be OK.
Set the valve clearances, this is part of routine maintenance anyway. If it still rattles, check the timing chain adjuster, again I don't know that engine but if it is adjustable, adjust it. If it is self adjusting check that there is some adjustment left and, if there isn't, you need a new timing chain, a fairly big job.

 

All of the 400 ex tick. If it worries you adjust the valves and check timing. If the ticking is obnoxious inspect the cam chain and tensioner.
Dont bother painting the frame and swing arm. Paint will chip and look like chit in a few months. If you want to make the ex look purdy strip it down to the bare frame and send it off to be powder coated.
IIRC the grab bar is removable, 4 bolts.
Use a mapp gas torch to heat up the exhaust clamp bolts.
Remove the front calipers and clean them up. If the piston wont fully depress replace them. 400 ex calipers are a dime a dozen on ebay.

 

Thanks for the ticking advice, maybe I'll leave it. Can you tell me a rough rough estimate on the powder coating? I'll work on the exaust but I'm pretty sure it's stuck. I tried welding a wrench to the bolt but it didn't work. Calipers didn't look cheap to me on eBay- like $50 EACH.

 

So, I have taken you're advice on the powder coating.

I decided not to paint it, and am still toggling between leaving it and getting it powder coated. I have contacted 5 places, only one replied. He quoted me 250-300 for swing arm, a-arms and frame. Sandblasting, powder coating. Is that reasonable?

Anything else I should get done? Just wondering. While I have the engine out, I'll check valves and timing. Going to Clean out the calipers, and do e pads all the way around while everything is apart.

I have began taking on the task of wet sanding my plastics. They were gross with many many stickers, scratches, nicks and dents and I had enough, so I went out and got a bunch of stuff for it. It's taking FOREVER but should be worth it in the long run.

I am taking a small engine repair/help class in January where we can work on anything we want. I'll do all this then.

Keep the advice coming, thanks!!

 

While you have the swing arm off and before PC replace the swing arm bearings. Odds are its going to be a pia.