New member here. I've been looking for an inexpensive atv for teenage grand kids and my self to use on about 10 acres of private field and woods (low speeds only). A used 1986 Big Bear 350 is available for less than $1000 that looks good in pictures. Owner has put a new carb. on it and says it doesn't run well. Also he said clutch cable is seized and he and prev. owner only used it in low gear. If it will start and run I think I can fix the carb. issue (I have worked on snowmobiles, snowblowers, mowers and lots of other stuff.) I have a couple of concerns. I am not familiar with atv's at all. Can transmission be messed up badly if it was shifted much without a clutch? What does clutch do because it looks as it may be a centrifugal unit? It is full time 4WD. Will it be hard to turn at slow speeds?
Looking for some info. on what may be some problem areas.
Any comments or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Ray M

 

Seeing as how it won't have a clutch cable, present owner doesn't know much. They have a centrifugal clutch for setting off, and a conventional motorcycle multiplate for changing gear. This is worked by the gear pedal, first part of pedal movement lifts the clutch, then it changes gear, and as you let your foot off, the clutch re-engages. Permanent 4WD Quads are a bit heavy on the steering, but Big Bears are not too bad. Not sure of the spares situation for those early machines. The engine was still used until recently (may still be,) the gearbox until about 2002, but frame parts and plastics may be difficult to get. I do know rear axle shafts are very expensive, so be sure that is OK. Front prop shaft splines wear badly too but you can replace the yokes and shaft if the splines let go.