Just picked up my first 4x4 ATV a few days ago. It's a 99 sportsman 500 with about 1400 miles on it. I like it alot, handling, power and mostly the ride and clearance.
But there is a wrapping or knocking sound coming from the general direction of the motor and clutch. Has anyone else experienced this, and is it at all normal for this machine?
I'm familiar with both the ticking sound lifters make when out of adjustment,and also what a rod knock sounds like and I don't beleive it is either of these.
I tried the screwdriver to the ear trick but could not find the sound internally.

Thanks for any help.

What you have to give for the girl?It probably your clutch making the noise try covering up the holes in the fender near the gas tank with your hand when riding i bet the sound dang near goes away. then let off of the holes does the sound come back? Also it could be time to replace the belt the covering could be seperating.

Dazed; bought her from a dealer who had it on consignment for the owner who's getting 2 HO's for him and his wife. Paid $4500. It's got alum. ITP's and 26" blackwater tires(a few miles left),2000# Polaris/warn winch,and an EPI clutch kit. How'd I do?
Thanks for the info. I'll try out what you said tommorow. It makes the sound in neutral too, and increases a little with rpm's.

Just sold my "97" 500 Xplorer,1400 miles, with winch and Blackwaters for $4900 so I would say you did pretty good. A lot of 500's seem to have a little engine "clatter". It came and went with mine at different temps. I wouldn't be too concerned unless it becomes a loud knock.

It could be the counterbalancer.

Not to bad. I will be selling my two sp 500 2000 models in the spring for the next polaris upgrade if there is any right now i hve 206 miles on one and 300 on the other one will sell them for 5100 all stock each. yellow boys they are.

You might want to check your belt to see if it is fraying. I had a similar noise during a poker run and it got louder as I drove on. I had an extra belt with me and changed it. The frayed belt had actually cut into the clutch housing as it whipped around during driving the machine. Not very much though.

My guess is the clutch buttons. When they start to wear out, they get thin. Once they get worn, one or more may come out of the clutch. It will then give you that wrapping or chattering sound. If it is fixed as soon as it starts, it is a cheap fix. If not, it will rough up the suffarces of the towers, and you will need a new clutch.

It is hard to guess without hearing it myself, but this is my guess.

Greg

Thanks for the input, guys. I'll check out the clutch and belt when I get a chance.
Thor; could you give me a little more info on the counterbalancer. Is it inside the motor? Are we talking major engine work?
I drove it tonight with a small trailer behind it with about 200# of wt. in it, up a small hill, and the wrapping noise gets much more noticable when shes under load.

Still sounds like clutch buttons.

Greg