Hello everyone. I just acquired a Yamaha Kodiak 400 4x4. Someone gave it to me as partial payment on some work I did for them. It's pretty beat up. Been sitting outside uncovered for who knows how long. Does not currently run. Does roll and shift in and out of gear. My questions are:

Where do I find a vin or serial number so I can identify exactly what I have?

Are there any good technical books for working on these ala Haynes manuals?

Once I figure out the model and year what about owners manuals? I want to see what does what and so on.

I'm not sure that it can be saved or not but I figure this is the first place to start. Thanks for any help you can give!

 

I'd look on the left side front end on the frame, that's generally where VIN's are stamped.

 

I found it located on the left side under the gear shifter. Did a lookup on it. I have a 1996 YFM400 FW.

I am working on getting the plastics off so I can start to clean out all the debris. Going to try and get a battery on it and see if I can at least turn the motor. Key is frozen so I'll need to hot wire for now. Anyone know where I can find a wiring diagram?

I see Haynes makes a repair manual so I'm ordering one. What is a good place to look for parts? Any recommended sites?

 

On older quads you can often find parts on eBay. #1 Powersports Dealer | Babbitt's in West MI | New & Used is a good parts source. Not sure if they go back that far though.

 

I stripped all the plastics off, cleaned her up a bit and hooked up a battery. I was able to get the engine to turn but not fire up. Removed the carb, it is all gunked up.

I think she will run, so long as nothing is wrong with the transmission I would expect to replace the suspention at least. Is this something I can find aftermarket? Ive been looking around ebay a bit. I definetly need a new seat pan, mine is busted up. Havent found one on ebay, maybe have to rig something up.

 

Doesn't look too bad. Looks aren't that important to me as long as it runs. Might need a new plug too, the one you have most likely is fouled or just simply bad. I'm sure the air filter is pretty dirty too.

 

here are some more pics. got the old carb soaking in chem dip. Will try and start later today.

 

one thing I really want to find but so far have not is an operators manual. Does anyone know if there is a PDF of one out there? I at least want to know if the thing is full time 4x4. I'm not sure. There is a lever on the left side down next to the engine, it has 3 positions. I assume its forward position is forward, middle is neutral, and back is reverse.

The breaks are weird too. The rear break seems to be controlled by the right foot and the left hand. Not sure the purpose of this, there is some smashed up metal thing on the left lever that may be some kind of keeper for a parking break?

I did check out Babbitts, they seem to have everything!

 

Is that green, on the engine bloc, a thin coating of young moss? Love it!

 

Plenty of stuff out there on older machines before you're ready to commit to a Clymers. http://yamaha-motor.com/assets/servi...-10-72_278.pdf