I am going to change the oil in my 2003 400EX to save a little money and save me the hassle of having to load it and drive it into the shop. It says in the owners manual that there is a second oil plug in the oil resevoir on the lefthand side. I can't seem to find it and feel stupid. Is this something that they have removed or is it one of the attachment bolts? Please adivse.

Also how often do you guys oil your zirk fittings on the bikes and what do you use? Any help would be much appreciated.

Ride it like you stole it.........

 

Look for a bolt, below the shift lever (about in the middle of it). As I recall, the picture in the manual is pretty good, so just look and you will find it eventually. The oil will run over some frame tubes, so that may be what is fooling you. After the oil has drained, tip the bike up on its left side, and you will get quite a bit of extra oil out!

Use a lithium based greese (won't get washed away by water) on zirks.

 

what is a zirk?

 

Grease nipples on a ball joint or any type of dynamic joint. That is a technical farm boy term. Sorry.

 

I don't see any zerks on my 400ex. Can you provide a specific location?

 

On the inside of the hubs on your front tires are the main two. I am sure there are more but have not really located them. But those are the main two.

 

Are you sure?? I have an 03' and I don't see ANY.

 

Follow your tie rod down from your frame. You will intersede into a ball joint fixture that will turn your front wheels directionally. On that balljoint/wheel hub attachement, there is a steel nipple sticking out with a plastic white cap on it. Take that cap off and that is a zirk fitting. You need a grease gun to stick on there and then you pump litium based grease into the joint to allow it to move freely from the coefficient of friction. These are regularly used on cars, trucks, tractors, farming equipment, etc. I hoped this helped.

 

Do you happen to have a picture of what you are talking about? the only thing on mine with a cap is the brake bleeder.I did everything but take the wheels off looking for it but still can't find a zerk fitting.

 

I even looked at the complete schematics and don't see any.