Getting a quad running after long storage

[Neb]

About four years ago I purchased a used Suzuki King Quad.

It came with a trailer ...

Modified hitch for the trailer ...

And a snow plow.

I know little about internal combustion engines so I brought my brother who does know them to consult. He was pleased that there was no oil on the floor where it was parked and it fired up fine. He approved.

Having never ridden a motor cycle I read the manual and practiced getting used to where the throttle and brakes were located. I did get mixed up and busted out some concrete blocks on the back porch when I mixed up brake and throttle and backed into the house. No harm to the quad only the house.

I eventually started using for projects on The Ridge where occasionally it would throttle up and not slow down. One day it throttled up and the brakes were able to being it to complete stop. That scared me.

Suggestions said Sea Foam, rebuild carb or replace the carb. Life got busy so it get parked for 4 years.

The tire side walls have cracks so I only put about 5 PSI in each tire so I could get out of the shed. Muscled it out of the shed and was hoping to let it roll down the driveway but no. The back right wheel is locked up. See the skid marks.

I believe the back right wheel has the foot operated brake.

So I left it sitting for now to see if anyone has suggestions.

So the to-do list looks like...

New battery
New tires
Rebuild carb or replace
Change oil
Fix locked-up back right wheel
Figure out how to tighten up brakes

Any and all suggestions are welcome!

Fixin to learn something.

Ben

 

[Cascadian]

I have worked on many old quads and dirt bikes. My advice is to find someone with more time than money. Unless you are really into fixing it your time is probably better spent elsewhere.

 

[Cascadian]

On second thought get rid of it and buy a small rancher style side by side. With age comes a cage. The princess can ride with you.
https://ranger.polaris.com/en-us/

 

[Curmudgeon]

I believe the back right wheel has the foot operated brake.

Yes, and I think it's cable operated. It's the only back wheel with a brake as the two wheels are locked together with the axle.

New tires

Fix locked-up back right wheel
Figure out how to tighten up brakes

I would put it on blocks, pull all four wheels if you are intending to replace all 4 tires. While the wheels are off, do a complete brake job, new shoes and free up the cable going to the rear brake. Replace shoes on both sides on the front.

You can snap pics as you disassemble, so upon reassembly you have reference pictures.

 

[Neb]

I have worked on many old quads and dirt bikes. My advice is to find someone with more time than money. Unless you are really into fixing it your time is probably better spent elsewhere.

Being retired The Princess decides what I have to do to earn my keep.

Learning about fixing the quad is something I can stand.

Ben

 

[Neb]

On second thought get rid of it and buy a small rancher style side by side. With age comes a cage. The princess can ride with you.
https://ranger.polaris.com/en-us/

That side by side idea is something The Princess would like.

Ben

 

[Neb]

Yes, and I think it's cable operated. It's the only back wheel with a brake as the two wheels are locked toghether with the axle.



I would put it on blocks, pull all four wheels if you are intending to replace all 4 tires. While the wheels are off, do a complete brake job, new shoes and free up the cable going to the rear brake. Replace shoes on both sides on the front.

You can snap pics as you disassemble, so upon reassembly you have reference pictures.

Once it gets moved to a better location, that sounds like a plan.

Question

If I stomp down on the left pedal a bunch of times, should that put it in neutral?

Not a motorcycle guy asking a dumb question.

Ben

 

[Curmudgeon]

If I stomp down on the left pedal a bunch of times, should that put it in neutral?

It should, most 4 wheelers I have been around all have an upward shift pattern.

 

[Cascadian]

It depends on the quad. 1 down 4 up is most common. Meaning if you go down all the way that is first. Neutral would be one "soft" click up. Some automatics are as you described.

 

[Neb]

It depends on the quad. 1 down 4 up is most common. Meaning if you go down all the way that is first. Neutral would be one "soft" click up. Some automatics are as you described.

Hmmm

Maybe it is in gear!

Ben

 

[Neb]

It should, most 4 wheelers I have been around all have an upward shift pattern.

Ah hah!

It was in gear!

 

[Curmudgeon]

Does the battery have juice? That neutral light on the dash should light up when in neutral.

 

[Curmudgeon]

LOL, I just looked again, the shift pattern is on the dash.

 

[Neb]

Does the battery have juice? That neutral light on the dash should light up when in neutral.

I will have check that. I don't remember if I disconnected the battery when I put it in storage.

Ben

 

[Neb]

LOL, I just looked again, the shift pattern is on the dash.

I looked at that was not sure what it meant.


Ben

 

[LadyLocust]

About four years ago I purchased a used Suzuki King Quad.

View attachment 90129

View attachment 90130

It came with a trailer ...

View attachment 90131

Modified hitch for the trailer ...

View attachment 90132

And a snow plow.

I know little about internal combustion engines so I brought my brother who does know them to consult. He was pleased that there was no oil on the floor where it was parked and it fired up fine. He approved.

Having never ridden a motor cycle I read the manual and practiced getting used to where the throttle and brakes were located. I did get mixed up and busted out some concrete blocks on the back porch when I mixed up brake and throttle and backed into the house. No harm to the quad only the house.

I eventually started using for projects on The Ridge where occasionally it would throttle up and not slow down. One day it throttled up and the brakes were able to being it to complete stop. That scared me.

Suggestions said Sea Foam, rebuild carb or replace the carb. Life got busy so it get parked for 4 years.

The tire side walls have cracks so I only put about 5 PSI in each tire so I could get out of the shed. Muscled it out of the shed and was hoping to let it roll down the driveway but no. The back right wheel is locked up. See the skid marks.

View attachment 90136

I believe the back right wheel has the foot operated brake.

So I left it sitting for now to see if anyone has suggestions.

So the to-do list looks like...

New battery
New tires
Rebuild carb or replace
Change oil
Fix locked-up back right wheel
Figure out how to tighten up brakes

Any and all suggestions are welcome!

Fixin to learn something.

Ben

Did you try putting some grease on that break?
(Sorry, couldn't resist. It's my Fri. and I'm ready for the weekend. Please don't block me )

 

[Curmudgeon]

I looked at that was not sure what it meant.


Ben

The more you know! N all the way down, one click up is one gear up, downshifting the same, one click down one gear down.

 

[Neb]

Did you try putting some grease on that break?
(Sorry, couldn't resist. It's my Fri. and I'm ready for the weekend. Please don't block me )

Didn't try that before asking how to tell if it was in gear.

Ben

 

[Neb]

On second thought get rid of it and buy a small rancher style side by side. With age comes a cage. The princess can ride with you.
https://ranger.polaris.com/en-us/

We are going to check a local dealer Sunday.

Edit
They are closed on Sunday.

Ben

 

[elkhound]

king quad and quad runner are my favorite...fuel economy and more.

 

[Cascadian]

We are going to check a local dealer Sunday.

Edit
They are closed on Sunday.

Ben

You will be happier in the long run. New or gently used stuff is the way to go. Particularly with part shortages. I am over buying and working on other peoples beat up crap. Plus a side by side is much safer in my opinion.

 

[Neb]

You will be happier in the long run. New or gently used stuff is the way to go. Particularly with part shortages. I am over buying and working on other peoples beat up crap. Plus a side by side is much safer in my opinion.

The Princess is excited about the idea. Thank for the suggestion. It just may happen.

It could serve us better as we get older.

The Ridge is a hard climb let alone with tools and equipment. Rather than being a once every 2 week adventure we could do it nightly, together.

Ben

 

[zoomzoom]

I wouldn't give up on that Suzuki. Those are great machines. I've had at least 7 of them and they're darn near bulletproof. Yours looks a little older than the ones I had (I'm guessing yours is circa 1990) but I may have some spare parts laying around so if you need something, post it in this thread.

As for the carb, I would rebuild or get a OEM carb. The China made replacement carbs are junk.

For a side-by-side, if you think you're interested, start looking now. For most new ones, it's a 6+ month wait (and they're getting a pretty penny for them). Figuring your terrain is about the same as mine, also consider one that has some sort of engine braking. You don't want to ride your brakes all the way down the hills.

 

[Neb]

I wouldn't give up on that Suzuki. Those are great machines. I've had at least 7 of them and they're darn near bulletproof. Yours looks a little older than the ones I had (I'm guessing yours is circa 1990) but I may have some spare parts laying around so if you need something, post it in this thread.

As for the carb, I would rebuild or get a OEM carb. The China made replacement carbs are junk.

For a side-by-side, if you think you're interested, start looking now. For most new ones, it's a 6+ month wait (and they're getting a pretty penny for them). Figuring your terrain is about the same as mine, also consider one that has some sort of engine braking. You don't want to ride your brakes all the way down the hills.

Thank you!

The Princess is excited about a side by side. I am not going to get in her way if that is what she wants.

I have other goals that drove me to getting the quad out of the shed so it will get covered with a tarp for now. In the meanwhile we will be checking out side by sides.

So quad is on hold for now.

Ben

 

[Biggkidd]

Consider some of the electric side by sides. Along with some of the better golf carts.

BTW My GC now runs over 20 which is just about fast enough for me.

 

[Neb]

Consider some of the electric side by sides. Along with some of the better golf carts.

BTW My GC now runs over 20 which is just about fast enough for me.

Yes your adventures has me thinking.

Ben

 

[zoomzoom]

I have a Kubota RTV for my side-by-side. As side-by-sides go, it's a workhorse of a machine but the "fun factor" is pretty low. Top speed is around 25. It's great in the hills and you never need to touch the brake coming down hills, even with the bed loaded down heavily with firewood.

 

[Biggkidd]

A little dollar info for you. Other than plastic repair and paint my cart is more or less finished. Total spent came to just about $2,700. It's an amazingly capable machine not only for the money spent but the size and weight. I'd estimate it weighs under 600lbs. That price includes EVERYTHING on or in it.

Yes your adventures has me thinking.

Ben

 

[montanabill]

Just for info for others watching this thread.
UTV's or side by sides are generally expensive and in short supply right now. Think about a starting price of $10,000 + and from there they go up to $40,000.

If you buy a off brand china brand you deserve what you get. The major players all have good products just some are more suited for different tasks. If it doesn't say polaris, honda, yamaha, kawasaki, can am, john deere, kubota or maybe a few others you will spend money and then be disappointed in the longer term. They are not just like yamaha or honda if they are not made by yamaha or honda.

Full cabs for the UTV's are popular in montana but here we use them summer and winter and plow snow with them....yes you can get them with heaters and air conditioning.

If you are looking at a used side by side make sure it starts up cold with no smoke out the pipe, has clean looking antifreeze in the radiator and overflow bottle, check the axles....they are called CV joints and have a rubber boot over them that should not be torn, make sure there is no jerking when you take off (most are CVT transmission and it could have a burned $100+ belt) , try shifting back and forth between forward and reverse which should not clank, check the tires as new ones start at $100 and go way up from there. One of our best money makers in the the shop I worked in was used polaris machines that someone had just bought used for around $10K and they needed two or three thousand worth of repairs.

I wish I was closer i would buy that suzuki off you in a heart beat.

 

[Bacpacker]

I have a Kubota RTV for my side-by-side. As side-by-sides go, it's a workhorse of a machine but the "fun factor" is pretty low. Top speed is around 25. It's great in the hills and you never need to touch the brake coming down hills, even with the bed loaded down heavily with firewood.

I was gonna mention the Kubota RTV. We have several at work. I have one I drive around the lab. ZoomZomm is right, workhorse, but not a ton of fun. I want to by mine when they sell it off.

We are trying to get some polaris's for work also. At least 6 month wait time. I'd bet Kubota's are just as bad.