I have a few questions.

1. Where is the idle adjustment located on the atv?
2. I went up to 26" Mudlite tires, and up an inch in width on the front, they are rubbing slightly, what should i do?
3. Should my front tires be splayed or bowed out a little, if not, what are some reasons they are?

Your help is greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

Hey bhunter, as far as your idle adjustment i'm not sure on that, I have the 500 EFI and I believe the 450 is carburated. For the rubbing with your tires you can either buy spacers from your dealer that bolt on or you can put a few washers as spacers on each bolt to help gain clearance. I just put 27" mud bugs on my 500 and the front tires are angled out a bit at the bottom. The stock wheels were the same you can just notice it more with the bigger and wider tires. I hope this helped answer some of your questions.

 

The idle adjustment is under the carb. it comes out of the right side of the carb. goes under the float bowl and faces the left side, it looks like a small black hose with an adjuster screw on the end, you can use a phillips head screw driver or turn it with your fingers.
The bow in the front is normal, the sportsmans have weak front springs, put HD springs on the front, like EPI, HL lift springs or get some for a 700 sportsman, or try t-m-2.com they have preload adjuster kits,they cost about the same as new springs, that will get rid of the sag and straighten out the front, I put HLs on mine, I dont have bigger tires but it did lift the front about 2in., that might cure your rubbing problem, its alittle stiffer ride but really helps the handling and steering.

 

you will need spacers or some damage may occure. i put 26" on but stayed w/ the same width for that reason. he told you were the idle is.