Got a chance to pick up a 2003 polaris sportsman 700 with a bad crank. Haven't got much details on it yet but it's a clean machine with all the goodies like chrome wheels and winch. Has roughly 1500 miles on it. I know this was a problem on the early 700's because of how polaris installed the crank. What am I looking at or getting involved in before I go look at this machine.

Thanks,
Mike

 

Early on plenty of places rebuild the 800 crank but not so much the 700 until places like Hot Rods started rebuilding them.Better than paying 1200-1300 for a new oem crank shaft.Hot Rods, 4422, Crankshaft Assembly, | eBay 700 is a different animal than what you've used to working on.If you get it be sure to get the manual as you'll need it to get the counter balancer sprocket,cam shaft sprocket in time with the crank shaft sprocket. Hydraulic lifters and push rods like in auto engines.

 

Thanks OPT,

I figured a manual will be a must on this machine. I will look it over good when I look at it so hopefully I don't get any surprises. Do these machines have issues with the pcm like some other sportsmans do. Currently a fellow camper by me is having issues on his 2004 sportsman 500 where the fan runs constant and it flashes the hot light when cold. The dealer told him it was the PCM or ECM issue a lot of them had but was no longer under a recall.

Thanks,
Mike

 

Doesn't have an ecm just a regulator rectifier,BUT if it hasn't been changed out,it does have the crappy Ducati ignition system. Pop the front panel and you can tell real quick. Ducati used a combo cdi/coil pack. Kokusan had a separate cdi and coil. It's not cheap to change out. Here's the cheapest kit I've found. 500 bucks. Polaris 2202602 - Kit, Ignition : Babbitts Polaris Partshouse

 

Thanks OPT,

I think I might pass on this deal before I even look at it. I'm not getting a good feeling on it because the guy is pretty cheap on his price and is willing to take offers. Very clean machine with low miles and he started out at $500 and dropped fairly quick just by talking with him. He also has the motor tore down which is a big red flag for me. I like doing my own disassembly to know what I am getting in to.

I think I will pass on this one and I found a 2001 sportsman 400 that need some carb work so I think that would be the safer bet. Nothing worse than buying something and to find out you bought another person's nightmare.

Thanks,
Mike

 

I was kinda thinking that you'd pass on the 700 because of the cost not only for the crank shaft and the rest of the engine,but the ignition system also.The 400 sounds like a better way to go if it doesn't need too much work. Good carb kits are around for this Bst34 carb and easy to rebuild.2001-2002 Polaris Sportsman 400 Carb Carburetor Repair Kit 03-412 | eBay

 

Thanks OPT,

is the 400 four stroke similar to the 500? Guy said it was his brothers and he never used it. Only has 1000 miles on it but the fuel lines and carb didn't hold up to the 2 years it sat not running. I figured it would be a nice smaller 4x4 for my kids if it cleans up nice.

Thanks,
Mike

 

Used the 425 engine that was also used in the Magnum. Smaller carb versus the 500 HO model and the cam was different than the HO cam. Otherwise the tires,body,suspension,ect were the same.https://www.powersportsnetwork.com/e...le2=2172&go=Go