As my parts are still comming in, I'm fixing the bent items then I'm going to start looking at all the different ideas that everyone is sending in. The worst damage is to the frame at the goose neck. The point where the steering column bolts to the frame has collasped rearward apprx. 1/4 inch. If I cant get it pulled out the spherical bearing may eat up the angle variation but my handle bars will be slightly rearward.

I'm still really looking at placing the speedo in the glovebox.


Thanks

 

You can buy a bolt on front rack rail system for most quads. The front rail includes a rollover bar usally about 11/4 inch tubing which is placed ahead of the handlebars and is designed to protect the handlebars and pod etc when the front comes down during a flip or roll or even just when the quad flops on its side. Works great and costs about $120 US. Very common where I ride. Both homemade and aftermarket. I can get you more info if you wish.

 

sorry to hear you flipped your machine what if you use a small tubular cage around the cluster such as suzuki has you might have to modify it a little but it should work some of the guys here have it already done ill take a pic and post it for you

 

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, I think I have many plans of attack. Since I can fab about anything I'm going to get started.
I'm going to try some wild ideas with the scrap parts then move to the new parts and go from there. The cage idea will probably be
the one that works in the end.

Thanks

 

You fooled me, I thought you meant that you did a back flip on your quad. That would have been impressive. Did you get hurt when you rolled it, hope not .

 

The thing that concerns me about welding a protector over the bars is that it will make the bars more rigid. My 375 is on its third set of handle bars. They were pretty seriously bent, but the steering shaft was not harmed. I think that more rigid handlebars would make the steering shaft and collar more vulnerable to damage. Then you would be looking at even more bucks and more complexity for the repair. I'd rather the bars and speedo take the hit than to have deeper damage.

I'm no engineer, but my experience so far has been that the bent handlebars/crushed speedo has saved the rest of the steering system from damage.

 

I know what you mean, my steering shaft was bent 30 degrees as well as the steering shaft support on the frame is bent. Since the support is part of the frame I am going to put the torch to it and a big hammer. That's why my wild idea is relocate the speedo ($270.00) out of harms way. If I put it in its own cage that breaks free of the bars then I might be good too. You are absolutly correct about making the bars too stiff, it will simply move the failure somewhere else.

 

that is a great idea about making a lil cage to protect your digital display but what kind of design are you gonna use to keep from collapsing under what 700 plus pounds if you crash again and i know what it is like i hit the brakes on my 500 2 years ago and hooked a rut and went over the handlebars and the atv landed on my right leg making me limp for about 2 weeks and hand many bumps and bruises and i looked at the positive side if you can walk away well for the most part you are very lucky and i am glad to hear you are ok