I recently purchased a 2000 400 Scrambler and im looking for some general info on this machine. What are some do's and dont's of this machine? This bike was mainly purchased for my girlfriend so it shouldnt get abused to bad. Well except for when i ride it.. Thanks for any and all info

 

I don't know. I've had mine for about a year now, but I know the guy who had it before and it has never had a problem. I really ride hard, and nothing has ever broken on it. It's as reliable as any other quad I have owned. Good luck with yours.

-Josh

Hey, what else do you ride????

 

Keep the air filter clean and run good fuel. Grease the machine if you swim it or twice a year for regular riding. There are tons of inexpensive mods for the 400 that really make it SCREAM from RCR racing!

 

Watch the swing arm bolts and the brake pads. I have the same machine and those are the worst trouble spots. The swing arm bolts will loosed up on you over time so keep them tightened up or you could end up snapping your chain (I did). Also the rear brake pads wear quickly so check them before every ride if you don't change them before they go metal to metal they blow a seal and then you won't have any brakes. Just my .02 cents worth.

Balzak
2000 modded up scrambler 400 2x4

 

Throw the stock air filter away, and replace it with a Uni-Filter. The Uni should be cleaned often with mineral spirits, and re-oiled with foam filter oil. Make sure you let it dry after cleaning, and after oiling, before you install it back into the machine.

 

To add to what Balzak said, when the brake pads wear out, at the very least replace them with the severe duty ones, or better yet sintered metal pads.
There are some posts about people using Box Brake pads (they are machined from some sort of brass alloy I think) with good results and long life, but they are fairly new & I personally don't have any experience with them to be able to say anything one way or another.

Otherwise the advice so far is good.
grease it often enough
watch the swingarm bolts
check the air cleaner OFTEN (every couple weekends - it only takes a minute)

 

Thanks for the info. Has anyone heard of the trans case cracking on the 400's? It has happened to this bike before and i hear its a common problem. Any feedback would be great. I heard polaris has a modification bracket for that problem. Almost like a recall but its being called a update. They are "updating" them has they break.??

 

We haven't heard anything about an update on the gearcase, however they are standing behind them. As far as the rest of the posts they list pretty much the key points. Just one thing if you keep this machine bone stock do not run 92 octane or higher fuel in it. It can cause a melt down. Not always but I have seen cases where that is the only related cause between some machine that we have rebuilt. The scaring on he piston and cylinder look almost exactly like detination. We stated that to several customers and the replyed how "I run 93 octane", that was the common denominater everytime it appears to be detination.

 

Someone on the forum (I think RickRitter) said that they had a batch of tranny cases go through that were thinner in the area where the rear output bearing is, and they were replacing the ones that cracked. I think the replacements had either thicker metal or an extra gussett or something.

 

Yamarider, I have one thing to do for you. Do trade quads with your girlfriend once in awhile. You might find you like that Scrambler 400 better and want to make it a permanent swap.
With a few mods that 400 can really put out some power. Like others have already stated, keep that air filter clean.