I got some time to get the 97 sportsman 400 up to the campground this weekend. It has been running really good. Just have to adjust the carb a bit after I rebuilt it. Idles good but is a little choppy off idle till about 1/4 throttle so I will put a fresh plug in and adjust the carb. It rides a lot like my 93 350L so I was wondering if anyone had any luck playing with the rear shock setting to get a better ride? I ride with a lot of newer stuff so those guys like to fly with their bigger 570's and 850's. This guy is getting too old to bounce around like that, lol.

Thanks,
Mike

 

Optional heavy duty springs are NLA for this old model and hard to find good shocks for them also. Straight axle machines will beat you to death if you try to keep up with the newer irs suspension machines. They're good for getting power to the ground pretty quick but the old back can suffer. You might try a new shock if the old one has seen its better days but you'll still probably have to run drag and eat a lot of dust.WSM Polaris 400 425 Gas Shock ATV Parts 60 323 OE 7041447 | eBay

 

The shocks and springs seem fine, no extra bounces when going over bumps and stuff. It just seems awful stiff, and the 350 is the same way. I notice in my tool pouches that there is a spanner wrench for the rear shock. I never mess with it and I am not sure what that would really do if I adjusted it. I assume for weight and cargo capacity is the reason behind it but never heard of anyone adjusting them.

Thanks,
Mike

 

Possible that it's adjusted up too stiff. It's simple to use the tool and handle(if you still have it) and easier to adjust if you jack up the machine under the gear case to take the load off the shock when adjusting. Don't use pliers like the guy in the video or you can crack the adjuster collar.