I am leaning towards purchasing a microfiche viewer and microfiche for my shop instead of the growing "library" that I am accumilatinig. The microfiche for the newest models is much more economical than OEM manuals, not too much differance in the aftermarket manuals.

Has anyone used the microfiche as a repair manual, and is there any benenfit other than parts numbers? Do the microfiche go into any details such as spec's? Any input is welcome.

Thanks

 

mr5388, as you probably know, ATV dealerships (and the rest of the world) moves swiftly into the computer world, abandoning microfiche systems at a great rate.

I have used microfiches for viewing exploded parts diagrams and obtaining parts numbers; I have no experience with repair manuals in this format; in fact, was unaware microfiche service manuals exist, but the concept sounds like a practical and useful idea.

The conversion has good and bad aspects. On the good side, a couple of o.k. parts men at two different dealerships who converted GAVE me the parts catalog microfiches for ATVs I own. I can go to my public library (where microfiche viewers still exist) and look at the exploded parts diagrams to my heart's content, printing out a picture or parts list on the coin-operated printer if I want one (25 cents, please!). Another good thing, I am told, is surplus microfiche machines can be purchased for a song, good if you have the need and the space to keep one. Also, I guess, microfiche cards can be purchased for many models of ATVs still.

The bad aspects, I think, are--what about the future? No microfiche cards may be even prepared for new machines, and access to microfiches for older machines may "dry up." Then, a microfiche system alone might not handle the population of machines you service.

Today, the computerized information retrieval systems at the dealerships are specialized; I mean, you can't simply ask for a CD or floppy disk that contains, "All The World's ATV's." The parts information service is contracted and updated by a vendor, requiring specialized software and equipment.

One potential trend is Kawasaki's (www.buykawasaki.com) on-line parts catalog; maybe all manufacturers will provide this access to information (understand Polaris provides something along this line already).

Wherever you can find exploded parts diagrams, be it manuals, microfiches or computer screens, you have a leg up on maintenance and repair. The trend is to the computers, but a microfiche setup could be imminently useful at this time.

Tree Farmer

 

Ok, so I've purchase my microfiche machine (Ebay), and have gotten a few fiche on some of the newer models I've been working on - and they are nice to use, but the 1999-2000 model fiche don't include spec's yet - bummer!

I've been to the buykawasaki.com site, and it is useful too. I don't have to buy fiche for kawasaki since I can get it here. Does anyone know of any more sites like these? I've found one on the TRX250R at www.macdizzy.com/fichea.htm and a few other Honda models (TRX300 - 400's) at www.servicehonda.com/HARD%20PARTS/hard_parts.htm although this site does not offer much yet, as they say they are expanding.

Any other sites that ya'll know about would be welcomed.

 

Yamaha fiche are the best.Sharper pictures and on most a spec page.Honda's are good,they do have a very few spec's on most.Susuki,kawasaki and polaris are the worst,poor picture quality
Dave's Dirt cycles Inc
Dave

 

I know at rrjettech.com you can get yamaha atv fiches if you go to the part counter and look under original parts. You have to know the motor number though. They also have seadoo and other jetskis there also.