I'm sorry to ask a dumb question, I'm new to 2 strokes
 

Hello all, I have a '96 Sportsman 400.

Bought it non-running from a man selling it for a friend. The price was very attractive and made it worth the risk, however I'm not very knowledgeable about the 2 strokes - specifically understanding if the previous owner bypassed the pre-mix system.

I have included a picture and I hope that someone can tell me if there is supposed to be oil in this

the link to the picture is below and I'd like to know what the arrow is point to. I can't find it mentioned anywhere in the service manual

http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/...psca61252c.jpg

my problem is that the quad will start and idle well, and if I clean the carb I can ride around the yard a bit but shortly afterwards, it bogs out when I give it gas. I blow out the carb again, even though it doesn't appear to be dirty and the quad will do the same thing.

But more importantly I just have straight gas in the tank and need to know if I should drain it and pre-mix it.

Any help to get me started in the right direction would be appreciated.

also, if there is a schematic or graphic that walks me thru how the pre-mix system works, I'd greatly appreciate a link to it or a thread.

My searches on here aren't doing much for me

This is the air inlet to the clutches with the built in coolant reservoir that always breaks as you've seen.Item #27.Dirt Cheap Yamaha, Honda, Arctic Cat & Polaris OEM Parts & Accessories – Cycle Parts Warehouse
If the oil pump line to the left side of the carb intake manifold has been blocked off, premix the gas to 40-1 ratio. I'd do a compression check first,if it's at least 120 psi or more, you probably need a carb kit(Ebay,etc) Here's a link a to a pdf service manual that will help you as there is quite a bit to these machines.Index of /ORV Manuals/Polaris/1996-1998 - All Models

Thanks - I will look at the carb more closely to see what lines are going in.