Preddy owners.........I have some serious mod questions for ya........I want to know if any of you have considered it, or are pondering it, or just have some info on how to better do this stuff.......


I was looking at my pred the other day, and was trying to fix a problem that is kind of annoying(but I'm used to, but would rather not be).......I am always finding myself hugging the tank, sitting in that little "dip" and I don't want to be, it does give better control, but I can move up if I want to. Anyways, here is what I'm thinking. I got to looking around about how I could fix this, and came to the conclusion that I could cut a bit out of the rear subframe. The only thing is, I don't know where to cut it at(I assume just in the pipe area somewhere(not near the end where the fitting is).........and then I just weld it back together. What do you guys think of this? I have also heard of shaving the foam down in the seat, but don't really want to do this too bad, because I'll loose my coushin.

Next, What have you guys come up with on the annoying problem about the front brakes sticking?? I am going to take a real close look at this problem this weekend. I hate loosing power because of something stupid like that.....there is no reason for them to drag like that, plus they are wearing out my pads!!! If I can't fix it, I've heard of replacing the whole braking system with that of a 250r.....which is going to be my next step. What conclusions have you guys come to??


Next on my list is kind of a maintience question: First off, What do I have to do to the swing arm bushings(or whatever is up there)?? Next, What do I need to be looking at when some of you guys are talking about the axle bearings and adjusting them.....??? Also, How do I know if my A-arm bushings are out??


Any other problems you guys can think of, post them here, and maybe we can find solutions to some of them. Also what have you guys found for weight savings(extreme weight savings......stuff to cut off, etc....??)

 

Oh yeah, and one more question........How hard would it be to run my oil through my frame(or a part of it) instead of having that cheap/heavy oil tank there?? I know they do this in dirtbikes, and it also helps cool the oil better........sooo.....what do you guys think????

 

Well as far as brakes go, I contacted a tech at HPD to ask about this. He told me there is a rubber o-ring or sumthing around the piston that moves the pads. This gets full of dust anddirt sticks. They have tried various different variations and have not yet found a fix. They are working with Polaris engineers on the fix though. He told me the only thing i can do for now is blast the calipers good wityh a pressure washer when i was it.


As far as the seat goes, I was just considering getting the "hole" in the seat built up a bit by a custom upolsterer I know. Just gonna change the contuor of the foam a bit and build up the foam in the front. Hopefully we will be able to fit it all with the same seat cover.

 

I think the oil thru the frame would be a lot of work basically for nothing.
I like the little dry sump oil tank, very accessable for fill and drain.

You might try different handlebar height to help with the seat hole problem.
I run straight drag bars on my Pred.

My front brakes drag too, not too bad, haven't tried to do anything to them yet.

My axle was loose in the swingarm and I loosened the pinch bolt on the axle nut
next to the brake rotor and tightened it some, it took all the play out of the axle.

I'll throw out a problem I have on mine......
My front 'counter' sprocket makes a lot of noise, I haven't dug into the problem
to see what is really going on, I can't tell if it is chain noise, sprocket noise or
tranny noise but something is noisey, anybody had that problem.

 

Brad I shaved my seat foam to help w/ the "pocket" in the seat and it helped quite a bit. I'm going to probably cut my subframe as well this winter, but not right now. Too much riding to do. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] As for where to cut it I would take it out right at the lower mounts on the legs where the subframe mounts above your footpegs. You can easily adjust there till the seat levels, but be care not to take out too much or your airbox will bottom out on your swingarm and bust your box.

 

Thanks guys......I'm going to give all of these things a look over myself this weekend(If I have time).......hopefully I come up with some solutions.

Bryan.......So if you were going to cut the sub frame(I know where you are talking about) but would you just unbolt it and cut off the part where it bolts up........or leave that piece(the piece with a hole in it and its kind of flat too).....and cut just above it. I assume you would cut right about it. How much are you considering taking out? I was thinking about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. Also, do I just weld it back up.....or do I need to somehow support it better there?? I don't want the box to hit, but I also plan on taking it out real soon.....so that's not too big of a deal.


Thanks again guys....and keep 'em comming

Brad

 

Also fellas, I'm needing to do a gearing change.......What company do you suggest? What sprocket size? What metal do you suggest going with(what is the sprocket made of?)?


I was thinking a 38 tooth rear......I've heard bad stories about going smaller on the front. I was thinking about getting it from hardrock motorsports too......

Just wanted to hear some opinions.

 

Hey Brad, What bad things have you heard about the 13 tooth sprocket? I put one on my buddies 04. I loved it. It is great for trail riding. It has all the torqe you want and more.

Brad, have you heard anything about the 05 TLD and when it's going to be out? I'm thinking it should be any time now. Thanks

 

what did Doug Nicholas have to say!

 

Don't know if that was a joke or not speeedy......and for Raj's info......but I think doug only sells the rears. I heard that the 13 tooth is kinda the easy way out and can cause the chain to bend too severely, possibly breaking your case. The cencus is the rear sprocket is the one to change.


Raj.....Doug has gotten in the 05's already(not tld I don't think).....he has a pic of one on his page. It looks pretty good!!!! Raj, for the sprocket help, go to www.predatorowners.com and check out the section(don't know where.....somewhere in mechanical) and it says something like 13t sprocket help.