Just put 100 mi on my kodiak 400 auto My first bike and have a few questions.. I am goingto do the service myself $250. at dealer! I ordered the service manual I have heard I have to gap the valves anyone know any short cuts usually manuals have you doing stuff the hard way. Also for changing the fluids which ones? all of them including coolant? and any recommendations on type of fluids to use or just stick with Yamaha brand. Also any recommendations on after market products to increase top end speed? Will de a couple weeks before I ride again nursing 4 fractured ribs. Rolled it over ice fishing on lake champlain trying to power slide on ice with tire chains. Doesn't work!! Helmut saved my noggin!

 

Rosebud, I am doing my first checkup this weekend and the only thing I was told to change was the oil, that is it. No valve adjustment, just oil. As you saw from my other post you know where to find a oilfilter for alot less then the dealer.

Sorry to hear about the rolling [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]. Chains were made for maxium traction I believe. Four cracked ribs? I crashed my snowmachine and cracked a couple of ribs and had a week off from work and was bored so I loaded up the machines and a buddy and headed out for a day trip, had to ride with one hand on the throttle and one holding my side, hurt alittle going over the moguls and of course when I breathed. My wife was ticked when she got home and found out what I had done, I had fun though. AlaskaBoy.

 

Ouch....get well soon.
I think most people just check the fluid levels, and change the oil. If the diffs look milky(water), then id change them. Coolant should be good for two years.
Always good to hear about newies, who want to wrench on their own machines, smart move.
Usually there arent much for short cuts, on valve adjustments. Panels and gas tank usually gotta come off. Heres a generic article on valve adjustments.valve adjust
If itll sit awhile, put stabil or sea foam, in the gas, so you dont have problems when you go restart in a month.You might want to get a battery tender, for keeping the battery in shape while it sits. You can leave them hooked up all the time.

 

I hear ya cracked em 2 weeks ago and don't feel any better yet. Did it on saturday and still rode all day then went out again on sunday the bumps really did suck and its a bit@h riding with one hand in the snow. Then when we were coming in for the day I got it stuck in about 2 feet of snow trying to pull my buddies 2 wheel drive truck out of the snow. A lot of lifting digging and pulling we got the wheeler out then got his truck out. Needles to say not something you want to be boing while in pain. The wife is still giving me a hard time. LOL. well stock it up to a learning experience pluss the locals at the american legion are still calling me crash!

 

My dealer told me to change just the oil and filter. If the valves are loose they will be noisy, and if tight it will be hard to start. $250 is crazy, find another dealer.

 

Thanks for the info guys can't wait to get out there again mabey next weekend the snow is thawing and a lot of mud out there to have some fun in. Anyone know where to get a K&N air filter for it and will it really make a difference? Thanks again

 

Hey Alaskaboy I see you have the mudlites 26' on your 04 kodiak, I have an 03 Kodiak and just about ready to purchase a set of the mudlites, how do you like the tires and do they rub any? I was going to go with the stock size, but really like to go to the 26', what is your suggestion?

 

When I bought my 450 kodiak I negotiated in the price, that they throw in the first service, I'm glad I did..

 

That's a really good idea, wish I had thought of it.

 

It was luck, because I was getting pissed off, that they did not participate in the free winch deal on a new quad,
so I was looking for things and I looked up at he board on the wall about 1st service and Labor hours and said
I want my first service free.