Hey guys, I have a 2004 400ex, I bought a full body skid plate with A-arm plates. I was wondering how i could shave weight off the front end to counter the extra weight from the skid plate. I have seen billet tie rods for like $20.00 that are supposed to be 50% lighter than stock. I don't want to spend a lot of money, I know I could just get some light weight A-arms but I don't want to spend that kind of money. Any suggestions from the masters of this forum?

 

I ran a-arm skids for a short time years ago, and quickly decided that the extra protection was NOT worth the weight penalty. Maybe this was just an expensive lesson????

 

I do a lot of riding in the woods and along powerlines. I actually nailed one A-arm pretty well before I got the guards, it didn't bend put it left a nice big gouge and scrathed almost the whole way. Last time we rode my friend bent his a-arm in the middle when he landed on a nice pointed rock. Plus, this is my first ATV and I only have like 30 hours under my belt so i would rather be extra safe than sorry. When i get a little better maybe I will take them off. Thanks for the response

 

I think Maier sells some light, plastic a-arm guards???? Don't laugh because they are plastic.....they make guns out of plastic these days!

 

My friend has an 04 YFZ 450 and his stock swing arm guard is plastic. So far I am impressed how well it protects his chain and brakes. I didn't even think of plastic A-arm guards, I bought the full package so it came with all the skid plates. Thanks for the great idea! I am going to look into it

 

If you are riding ruogh enough terrain, to need A-arm skids, you do not want billet tie rods. The stockers bend easily, but a billet rod would be bad. The aluminium would fail way before a stock A-arm.

 

Thanks that's what I thought. I know aluminum is a lot lighter than steel, that's why most car makers are using it instead of steel. I guess I would probaly have to pay big bucks for a really stiff pair of aluminum tie rods, if they even make them. I actually went out an got a 14 tooth sprocket upfront and a 39 tooth sprocket for the rear so that should take care of any wheelie power I lost by adding weight to the front end.