Anybody have problems with frame/a-arm welds cracking on their predators? I have an 04 TLD 500. Ive progressively noticed more and more the paint around the welds on a-arms and frame seem to be chipping away. Normal? I have a crack in one of the welds on the left a-arm. Dealers says I must just ride harder them most? Also have a crack in the neck of my gas tank, leaks onto my legs when full, dealer says I screwed the cap on too tight. Anybody else have similiar experiences? Love the quad otherwise.

 

nah, no problems hear. I've got an early 03 and the only problem I had was the stupid stock cdi. Their were some problems witha few of the 03's and I think maybe some 04's with cracked welds. Rath racing has a gusset it for the 03's and one for the 04's. So far I think he's the only one who makes them. As for the gas tank I've never heard of a created gas tank. I'f you over tightened, you must have used a pipe wrench. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

Rath

 

I have to second Stryder's suggestion for the Rath gusset kit. If you do some hard riding, you're gonna have to strengthen the structure. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Thanks. Yea, what I was thinking on the gas cap. I checked out the gusset kit, probably well worth $65, looks like just for the frame not a-arms, which I obviously am going to have to replace anyway. I was just wondering if anybody had similiar experience and got them replaced under warranty or recall, especially with the paint flaking on all the other welds. Although I have flipped it, I dont think I really ride it THAT hard, fairly aggresive but no racing or competition, I wouldnt think hard enough to break an a-arm. Thanks again.

 

First of all I noticed that you are from Calif, so am I. Ive had the same problems that you are having. I was told that I was riding to hard. Ya I race MX, but other quad frames hold up. I was told that Calif terrian is to hard too. I have full blown upgrades on my Predator 500-2003- My first frame was under warranty - it cracked on the motor mounts -They sent me the 2004 I called Daryl Rath, He informed me that the 2004 have problems in the back - He sells two type of gussets one for the 2003 and one for the 2004 - Since I race we talked a bit and he sent me out a copy of his own gusset - not the one he sells on his web page. I welded that on and had it powder coated. So far it is holding up great. I think I might be selling it, because I can't compete in Nationals with a 500 unless I go to the open division. I want to race the 450 class -

Just be careful riding it - my best thing to tell you is to buy a 450 or call Daryl Rath-

P.S. where do you ride in Ca-

 

I live in Northern Cal, for dirt - Red Mountain, Lake Co mostly, then I went to Coos Bay OR and discovered sand! Also Pismo Beach a few times. Sand is where its at for me. Dirt is apparently too hard on the machine, human body too. Before the Pred I had a 350X that I absolutely brutalized for years, and it never missed a beat. Certainly never cracked a weld and I rode that way harder than I ever thought about riding the Pred. Anyway, planning on returning to Coos Bay & Pismo, would like to try Sand Mt in NV, Dumont, maybe Glamis when I get more time and money than sense. Glamis is a two day drive for me.

 

one of the performance companies has a 440 kit for the pred on sale. I'll have to look it up. it's either nicholas cycle, hpd, or rath. I don't quite remember. But it was a couple hundred less then normal.

 

here it is

Cheaper then a new machine

List Price: $1,169.99

SPECIAL PRICE: $800.00