I haven't had a sport bike for about six months. So, I found a used 400 EX in great condition. I have never owned a Honda before. So far, I love it. It has a Curtis Sparks complete exhaust system on it. It sounds great, and seems to really deliver the power, my friends stock EX's are left behind in drag races. The handling is incredible,(I had a Polaris Sport). I'm sold on this quad after one day of riding. Here are some questions, I would appreciate any and all help.

Is the Curtis Sparks exhaust a quality unit?

Can I get a spark arrestor for it? (I ride in some national forests).

The oil in it appears blue, is this some kind of synthetic, and can I switch back to regular GN-4 without any ill effects?

How many links in a stock chain? I want to put a new one on.

I'm sure I'll have more questions in the near future, thanks.

 

the sparks system id one of the best made and i think you can get a spark arrestor for it and if your oil is synthetic then then stick with sythentic because it is better than natural oil also the stock chain is 96 links most people would say 86 but it is really 96

 

Quadfather

I haven't seen you around much and wondered what happened to you. Why did you get rid of the Sport? I bought my 400ex in April and took it down to Wayne several times last year. It is a great machine for the trails down there. We will have to hook up this year at Camp Ohio for a little riding. There is a group of riders that I meet up with from A T V Time . com (remove the spaces) and ride down there. Several 400ex's and a few others thrown in.

I can't answer your links question except that the chain does not have a master link in it. When you buy the chain, it should come with the correct number of links. I would also strongly suggest going to the local dealer and picking up the Honda service manual. It is around $40 and is a real good manual. Also check out the forums at EX Riders. Tons of information there.

As for your oil, the 400ex runs much hotter than your sport did (air cooled). I found that my new machine was actually burning the stock GN4 10W40 oil because the oil was breaking down. I switched to Mobil 1 15W50 oil and the oil usage and oil burning smell went away. I have run the Mobil 1 for a year with no clutch problems. Some will tell you the Mobil 1 will ruin the clutch, but I have had no problems. Some good oil choices would be Amsoil 20W50 Motorcycle oil or Mobil 1 20W50 motorcycle oil. Both will cost you around $8 per quart, but to me the better protection is worth it.

 

Magnum,

I liked my Sport, but I got tired of the weight and handling of the machine. Speed was about all it had going for it.

I get down to CampOhio a couple times a year. In June, we get a ride together with about 20-30 of my local friends. It's a gas, to say the least.

I asked the oil question because I thought I heard that once you use synthetic oil, you can't switch back to regular. A friend of mine gave me a couple gallons of Honda oil, but I would use synthetic if there is an advantage to using it. Although, a buddy of mine started using synthetic in his Warrior, and it started smoking like Dennis Leary.

If the stock chain doesn't have a master link, do I have to cut it off? I ordered a DID X-ring gold chain today, along with some Maxxis Razrs, and Douglas rims.

We will have to hook up at the Wayne this spring/summer.

 

quad

I have never taken the chain off, but I think you can loosen it up enough to get it off the back sprocket. Take the case saver off from over the front sprocket and slide the chain off. You should be able to slide the chain off over the tire, but if not, remove it. I will double check in my service manual tonight.

As for the oil, like I said above, when I was using the stock Honda oil, the machine was definitely burning oil. Since switching to synthetic, it doesn't burn any at all. The synthetic doesn't break down as fast under the extreme heat that this motor tends to generate. On your buddy that switched to synthetic on his warrior, did he switch with the same weight of oil? Seems odd that switching to synthetic would make it start burning oil, but I know nothing about yamahas.

You should enjoy the razors. I hear they are great tires and will probably replace my stock tires when they wear out. Enjoy your new toy.