I have an 01 500 H.O.,.... but lil brother really wants a quad for a reasonable price intead of always renting. We're going to go look at (tomorrow, sorry for the lack of warning) a 94 sportsman 400 2-stroke chain drive.
Only from the sellers info..... (I'm a skeptic always), it has new front struts, rear bushings, sprockets and chain....
What are some of the things to look for on this quad? never owning a chain unit, i'm not sure what the tests/inspections should be to make sure it's decent,....... instead of a maintenance monster, (like my ex-wife).

All input is greatly appreciated.... from the pics it looks like a nearly new machine,... and mileage is very low on it.

 

check the front chains, make sure AWD works in forward and reverse, check for collision damage on front bumper, check for if its been rear-ended, check the airfilter, a good clean airfilter is always a good sign of properly maintained. Checking the airbox is also a good way to check if its been sunk because there would be dirty water runs going down the sides. Check underneath it make sure its clean. Check steering for play and front drive shafts going to front wheels. Also check bakes and pads.

Hope your happy with your purchase, BTW how much you paying for this?

 

Thanx for the info. my friend... all sounds like great things to check...
Prob with tryin to buy a Sportsman here, (everyone does muddin and bogging out west) is that they are hard to find without being overpriced or beat to death. This one will go for $3000 Canadian, includes 2 new rear tires and a winch,... which makes it acceptable...
for what other used stuff is worth, here's a link
click here

anything that isn't dead is worth at least $5000 ... especially this time of year.... hopin this turns out as a decent unit,... not a cleaned up "rode hard, put away wet" unit

 

Might take a compresion gauge and check the comp on it.2strokes need rebuilt more often than 4 strokes.Anything over 110psi is ok.And I would try to get him down a lot on the price you can buy them all day for around $2000 US .

 

To add my 2 cents worth, be sure to check the rear swingarm, to be sure it isn't loose. For some reason, they only seem to work loose on the right hand side (as you are sitting on it). Sometimes, it is just a $5 bushing, but sometimes the bolt works loose, and wobbles in the mounting holes, making them egg-shaped, and almost impossible to keep tight without welding a new ear to the frame.

Oh, and I did a complete top-end rebuild on my 400 for about $200, which included new piston, honing the cylinder to match, new rings, wrist pin, wrist pin bearing, wrist pin clips, all gaskets, and shipping for the various things I had to order. Took me a short afternoon to do. Just trying to give you an idea of cost in case the engine has low compression. You really can't go by performance, because the 400 engines run like a scalded ape up to the point the piston falls apart (due to being way too loose in the bore). The only real way to check piston wear, other than a teardown, is a compression check.

Farmr

 

Thanx very much to all for the replies.... went & checked it out, nice clean tight unit... ended up grabbing it for $2,980.
Thanx Again

 

Welcome to the world of 2strokes! The power and the wanting of more power is addictive.And the power is there to be had.

 

Congrats on the machine!

Farmr

 

put some pics up of you riding it

 

I would like to know where..Trying to buy a used (good) ATV is like trying to pull hens teeth...
I gave up after looking at someone elses beat to death overpriced ATV.....
I just looked at a 2001 400SP.700 miles and only used by a rancher......700 miles and 210 HOURS!!!!!
lot of idiling or riding @ 5mph which is no-good....
What a beat up left out in the sun faded POS,and he wanted $4,800.00 /
I gave up and bought my son a 04 /400SP..with the $200.00 rebate for total of $5,250.00
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