Since I purchased my Speed I have learned a lot about how to keep these machines running and I would like to dedicate this thread to easy tips for owners. Lets pool our knowledge here and help each other out.
Its been working for me because i have spent more cash on gas than anything on mine.

1 If you install nerf bars make sure you lube the holes in the frame with lots of antisieze or you will never get the bars out because they will gall in.

2 Do not over fill your quads oil . Even a couple of ounces will blow out all over your air filter.

3 You have to do the engine stud updates now ,do not put it off . If one of these bolts come out you will pay dearly. Its not that hard and kind of fun (at least for me)

4 Make sure to check your battery connections because if they are loose the ecm with cause all sorts of wierd running problems. And load test the battery once in a while to be sure of quick starts and prevent plug fouling.

5 Use a 6 point wrench on the aluminum drain plugs to keep from rounding them off.

6 dont turn the idle down because you think its idling to fast. 2200 to 2300 is where it should be. If you have trouble starting it and it starts easier if you give it just a little gas chances are its to set to low.

7 if you run in mud a lot turn your headlights off. If they are caked with mud they will heat up the housings and deform the lenses.

8 If you need to get the flywheel off and dont have a puller cruise over to your local stihl chainsaw dealer ,the puller they use on the larger chainsaws works on our cannons. They did mine for free but I purchased the puller anyway afterwards. Part number is 1106 890 4501 A

9 when changing oil take the fill plug out to let the frame drains flow faster and let the drain for ten minutes or so to get it all out.

10 when starting let it run for at least 2 minutes to burn the raw fuel off the plug before shutdown to help prevent fouling it.

11 dont let morons on your quad that dont have a clue how to start it because chances are they will get out of sight and stall it and try starting it like their quad and crank the snot out of it while pumping the throttle "personal experience"

12 dont panic and overthink the problems if they occur , I thought my engine blew chucks while hauling the mail down a dirt road and it backfired and came to a stop. Turned out just a plugged fuel filter from a dirty gas can. Im glad they are see through.

13 Replace those steel fender screws with some stainless steel ones(couple bucks)

14 Buy a d&m kit the basic one is only $300 and if you ever have a problem you will save countless hours asking questions ,hunting dealers, and genrally being in a bad mood when you could have diagnosed your problem in just a few minutes. That also goes for getting the free service and parts manuals available from the cannondale web sites.

15 inside the fuel tank fitting is a stainless steel strainer ,mine was plugged tight with the nastiest brown goo. While your checking it it is a good time to install new orings on the fitting shut off valve. a size r-01 seems to fit good. The one that swells is not the one you can see when you disconect the quick coupler.

16 There is a mini tach from Track Master Inc Part number tr99 that you can install on the quad to check your idle speed if your dont want to buy the d&m kit. It installs without cutting into the wiring harness because it is a self contained ,waterproof with inductive pickup that you just need to wrap the wire around the coil to make it work. mine was $35

 

I've got a couple, I'm sure I can come up with alot more if I think about it awhile.

* Don't leave the key in the on position, for some reason it draws down the battery

* Use Di-electric grease on all of the electrical connections. Just pull the connectors apart and fill them with the stuff.

* Loctite everything

* If you have access to the Maintenance & Diag kit, reset the throttle possition and idle regularly - I do it about every oil change.

* Keep an eye on the rear hubs, they tend to loosen up and they will strip out - just ask Ryanstones

* Check the swingarm buffer (chain slide) often, I've seen a few that where never checked and the chain had eaten holes in the swingarm.

* Pull the a-arms and grease up the bushings really good once in awhile, they don't have much grease from the factory and bind up.

* Pull the swingarm and clean/grease up the pivot bearings good at least once a year, the seals tend to leak and the bearings will rust.

* Use antiseaze on the transmission drain bolt

 

That's a geat batch of tips there fellas!! I'm not sure what is left to add!

Visually inspect airbox seams. The gasket can deteriorate allowing unfiltered air to pass. That's BAD.
I use black RTV, some folks use grease if the seal is unavailable.

For oil changes, tip the quad on it's side to aid drainage and prevent oil from running between engine and skid plate.

Also tip the quad when reinstalling tranny filter. Gravity will keep the filter in the bolt. Don't ever force it!

Don't laugh when your YFZ buddies brag about "the most advanced hi performance ATV ever"

Reroute the tranny vent line up by the airbox if you play in deep water.

Don't laugh while your TRX450 buds learn to use the hot start lever and kick start at the same time.

Do replace your worn tie rod ends with something other than stock.

Do check your hub nuts before a day long ride at Hatfield/McCoy. 1 wheel drive sux in W. Va.

Never throw away old parts.

Always keep fuel filters and gas line quick connect orings on hand.

Always use locktite on sprocket bolts and visually inspect before every ride, huh Jay?

NevRDull and a fine ScotchBrite pad works wonders on that state of the art ALUMINUM frame.


Hey, that was fun. Let's hear some more! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

These are some great tips. These should be posted over at cannondaleriders.com too!!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

I can take care of that!

How about on a page in the tech section?

And yes!! absolutely use Locktite on the sprocket bolts, me and Haydug have both had them come loose and tear up the swingarm[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

 

A sticky in the tech section sounds awwwwful good [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Keep em coming

 

thanks for all that good advise. a may be traiding for an o3 cannon and i no nothing about them need all the help i can get. i like to keep all my machines in tip top shape. and wistech do you think the o3 is a good machine. as far as all the bugs worked out of them

 

If the you want an 03 I would suggset getting the crank balanced because they the 03 dales had a cheaper supplier for the cranks and its very likely to have early failure if it is out of balance. I think dales made between feb 02 and july 02 might be the best ones . All quads can be updated and most updates dont involve buying lots of parts. Just checking hose routing and locktighting bolts. Balancing the crank would be the most expensive .

 

awesome thread guys. all sound advice