I own a 1988 suzuki 230 quadsport. I'm pretty happy with it. I bought it from someone else who made some different mods to it... it has been bored out w/bigger pistons, and a K&N fitler added... I was wondering what other mods i could do to increase power and overall performance (hopefully cheap easy ones)

 

What do you use the bike for? Changing the gearing is the cheapest/easiest thing to do. After that they start to go up in price. The first thing you need to do is get a case saver(chain guard), and no that plastic piece isn't going to help. With the case saver you are going to save $85 when the bike decides to throw a chain. After that I'd look into getting a pipe, better(maybe lighter) tires. Then things get pricey with cam, valves, labor ect.

 

I use it for everything, trail riding, racing, just running back and forth to my farm, rounding up the cows (works good for that lol)

 

MBrooks or anyone in the know,

Can you tell me what the best available case saver type guard is for the 1985 Quad Sport LT 230s and where this can be purchased, so far the only one I have found is is the nylon guard sold by vince cycles... is this one good or bad?

llavaseur@wowway.com

 

I have the nylon guard from Vinces. I have never had a chain come off and hit it yet, so I can't say weather or not it would hold up. Nylon is tough, and I assume it would absorb more than enough force to take the brunt of the impact, or deflect it elsewhere. You are limited to the factory front sprocket with this guard. I considered making some of my own cast aluminum case savers that would allow a 13 tooth sprocket.

 

Thanks for the reply, this nylon guard looks like it may do the trick... this past weekend my chain came off and destroyed the cover. When I examined it right after it happened it looks like the chain doubles up in front of the front sprocket cracking the stator cover. This nylon guard won't let it double up because of how close it is to the chain and sprocket in comparison to the stock chain guard. I of course am fixing the reasons why the chain came off, badly worn chain and sprockets, swing arm bearings and axle bearings. This 230 was recently purchased from a co worker and it was the first time I rode it and didn't realize it had all of these worn parts.

One other question I would like to ask is has anyone found that their rear axle bearing housing moves inside the swing arm pinch clamps while riding allowing the chain to either tighten or loosen while in motion or is this a pretty good solid setup?

 

On my last 230 I had the oval style carrier, and I would snap a chain once a month. I had nothing but headaches until I swapped in an older round carrier like yours has. After that chains would last about 6 months. I had problems with the oval style moving around a bit, but even with lots of jumping, and rough riding the round carrier didn't budge(it may settle in a tad after you first adjust it) On my new 230 I have the oval style and this one hasn't given me any problems yet, but I don't have a whole lot of hours on it.