BC-Buck

15 hours ago, TBRider said:

My 17 rides nicer with 200lbs on the back rack.

 

Mine is a foot shift though.

 

Got close to 10K on it now. 600+ hours.

Does it ever give you a unlevel effect going over obstacles with 200lb on back. My 2002 can get front end light but safe on level ground with 200lb on back. Does your fell pretty safe on level ground? Thank for the input.

Have 2002 Rubicon with good Bighorns. Has 1800 hours on it and runs great and starts down to zero F. Background, 95% of time farm use. Seeding food plots, boom spraying with 25gallon tank on rack and pulling trailer with average weight of300LB. Other 5% is steep technical trails for fun. Work schedule is slowing to where I would like to do some ATV vacations. Maybe out west and ride high elevations and in the desert. I love this machine like a wife because it has never let me down in 22 years of hard use.

  Guy has 2023 trx520 for sale.

Fuel injection could be nice for hi elevation and starting when below freezing. Farm use and trapping constant on off.

EPS power steering sounds great for spot spraying and being able to steer using one hand.

IRS has to be better than straight axel for going down and over big boulders for my 5% trail riding. The teeter tottering steep downhill obstacles adds the pucker effect. THE DOWNFALL of IRS is how would handle 200LB ATV spray tank on back rack.

Bike must have DCT automatic transmission because my 2002 has spoiled me not needing to shift while working.

Also having 20 more cc is always a plus and with fuel injection thinking more pep. 

Any input is appreciated and bro wants my 2002.

5 hours ago, Mark from Northern Iowa said:

(How To) load test your battery with a multimeter

.

In some cases, our Hondas will crank with a bad battery, but the voltage is not enough to operate some of the systems, so it will not start.
.
In MANY cases, our Hondas will crank AND START, with a bad battery, but the voltage is not enough to operate some of the systems, and then other problems show up.
.
First step with any troubleshooting is to eliminate possible problems and then move to the next.
Even with a new battery, if there are problems, it needs a load test.
.
Most people do not have a battery load tester, but you can use a multimeter.
Hook up your multimeter to the battery.
Key off, what is the voltage?
Key on, what is the voltage?
Turn on EVERYTHING , high beam head light and any other accessory, step on the brake.
Now what is the voltage?
Now with all that still on, crank it over while watching the voltage.
.
This test tells us a few things
If the voltage never drops, you have a loose wiring problem.
If the voltage drops below 10 volts, your battery is weak/bad.
If the test shows a weak/bad battery, you may have something drawing power with the key off.
Unhook both negative and positive cables.
Trickle charge overnight, low amps over a longer charge time is the best way to charge a battery.
.
And, over night charge, retest after hook up.
If it fails this time, you know, bad battery.
If it passes, find the power drain.
.
Have a good day

This is info I was looking for. Thanks

02 Rubicon when below 32F after sitting two weeks would barely turn over. After running it works fine. Happened first time thought loose ground. Other day mid 40s started normal. I have a load tester for auto battery's but to much for small battery's. How to test. Thinking 5 plus age and probably reading 12 volts.

1 hour ago, toodeep said:

I use mineral spirits/ parts cleaner and just clean it, blow it dry with the air compressor, oil and reinstall. If you continue doing the method where you have to wait just buy a spare filter so you can always have one ready to go.

I will try using compressed air.

I have always put filter in gas and wringed out. Then heavy Dawn soap and rinse. Wait to dry and filter blue oil. There has to be better way of doing this. Also I'm inpatient waiting couple days letting dry before use.

5 hours ago, jeepwm69 said:

Look for JASO MA on the bottle. 

 

I use Rotella T6 5W40 in all of my machines including a Hondamatic Rubicon.  I'd run that in your Rubicon.  Good full syn oil that is wet clutch approved.

Do you think that 5W is a problem during your hot summer months.

I have always used Mobil conventional every 100 hours. Was told needs oil for wet clutch application. Would like to be able to use oils readable available like at Walmart. Looks like Honda oil runs $9 qt times 6qt+ shipping= ouch. What do you guys use?

Did a little google searching and looks like most ORV trails in Colorado can vary from 4K to 12K. Dont have any idea where to go but dont want trail system I could use my truck on. Now that side by sides are so popular most pictures of trail systems look like super highway.

I love my 2002 Rubicon. Was thinking a ATV trail ride and camping vacation sounds like fun. I live in Missouri and was told bike would need to be jeted different for something like Colorado. I am mechanically inclined and was wondering how hard would be to get bike to run proper at different altitudes? Really don't want to buy newer bike that has fuel injection.

6 hours ago, Fishfiles said:

New Craftsman tools and their warranty sucks now days , I went to Lowes  in Slidell , where they sell Craftsman tools , with a zip lock bag  full of broken tools and they said you have to have a receipt that you bought them at Lowes  or they won't warranty them , someone told me the Ace Hardware in Slidell will warranty them no matter where you got them from , if they have what you got  as they have very limited selection 

You guys sound just like me. Made my living all my life with tools. Motto has always been life is to short to work with cheap tools. Had always had been Craftsman guy but not able to return tools is a deal breaker. Cant believe I am buying HF tools because of there return policy. I cherish dearly my old quality tools with some being handed down from deceased love ones. Dont know how I would handle if they where stolen.

4 minutes ago, hodge5 said:

When I was a kid, my dad had purchased a Ford 3600 tractor from a friend. He also bought a 3/4 inch socket set from the same friend, for $20.00. That set stayed in the barn for years- 30+- and I eventually found the old red toolbox. I asked dad about it, and he said "Take it. I don't need it". 

It's a complete 3/4" Snap-On socket set. It is no longer chromed and shiny, but it is solid and all there. We had never explored what was in that toolbox.

 

I bought Harbor freight 3/4" set. When I put some torque on the set the chrome pops off outside of socket.

I still have bad memories of first roto heads that where coming out of Japan and could never get them to reverse without needing to finesse them.

5 minutes ago, hodge5 said:

 

Even my beloved Miller welder. Assembled in Appleton, WI, using globally sourced parts.

My ironworker is US made.

How old is the iron worker?

49 minutes ago, jeepwm69 said:

!

 

That, to me, was the biggest issue with aftermarket brakes; not knowing if you could get replacement components in the future if needed.

If these fail quickly will go that rout. I tried that first but not easy to locate used.

Amazon finally posted my review.

1 hour ago, Fishfiles said:

BC-Buck , what did that Highlifter kit cost you ?  $329 - $349 maybe 

$375 Like said only reason went with them was concerned about wheel clearance and caliper. Hate to think how many kits are being put on bikes with rotors being distorted during assemble. This was a big vice. That shows how much pressure I was using before going hydraulic. I wish I had not been in a bind to get this bike fixed because kit would have gone back with a nasty note.

Highlifter front disc brakes kit for 2002 Honda Rubicon. Would have gone into more detail but amazon limits review size.

Poor quality and parts out of tolerance (buyer beware)

My background, been in precision machining industry for over 40 years. Purchased this Highlifter brake kit because they clamed no modification's to calipers to fit my 2002 Honda Rubicon. I am thinking this kit might be put together over seas. First problem is nut in kit that is used to press out factory studs was not even correct thread pitch. Sent a nut that was coarse threads when studs are fine thread same pitch as highlifter studs. Now is when things get ugly. The new studs have a big shoulder you press into Honda stock hub till bottom out . Busted Craftsman vice trying to press so took to work to use hydraulic press. When not going together correct started doing some inspecting and find out studs where manufactured .026" oversized. So oversized they roll the extra metal into corner of stud and no matter what ton press used shoulder of stud will not seat properly leaving gap which will cause rotor to run out. At this point I am in trouble because I need this bike running for farm use next weekend. I end up boring holes in my Honda hub for correct fit to make kit work. Was not going to leave bad review till after talking to highlifter to let them know about problem with kit.  After two calls no response. You tell operator you have problem with parts out of tolerance and the don't even have common curtesy to call back.

DO NOT BUY HIGHLIFTER KIT! Was not going to make a post till after hearing from them but already have to unanswered calls and when find time will leave poor amazon review.

Liberals have no common sense.

My 2002 Rubicon use to go 50MPH and last year could do 40MPH max. For work seemed less powerful pulling loads in my trailer. Trail riding steep hill climbs seemed like could use more testosterone. Started, idled and seemed to be running good but lost all top end. If you read some of my old post I thought had clutch or hondamatic problem but all checked out good. While doing maintenance I pulled spark arrester and noticed all the screen was gone. The back of the tube was shine from rubbing the baffle. Cut end of exhaust off and the baffle was 1/2 rusted out and slid back against the arrester tube cutting exhaust flow. The only OEM exhaust muffler in hole continent was in Canada and I did not want to deal with shipping. Pieced the baffle back together and welded in place. Then welded end back on muffler and should give me a few more years service till more parts become available. Instant power, been so long that Im still stoked. I just wonder how many other old Hondas are driving around blaming heavy tires for them loosing top end. Everyone check your spark arrestors every PM.

2 minutes ago, Fishfiles said:

I tried to edit that pic and it wouldn't let me , so here is another , grind right on the edge , this is with true OEM aluminum front rims  

My concern is do you have any problems with rocks and sticks jamming between wheel and caliper?

10 hours ago, Fishfiles said:

SuperATV disc conversion , tell them your a member of ATVHonda.com and get 10% off ---

 

 would like to say go with Highlifter , but their kits are Chinese anyways and cost more at that

That makes a difference to me also.

7 hours ago, toodeep said:

I've been using super atv kits for years on many machines (my own, customers and friends). They are the way to go and pretty cheap arctic cat brake pads when you do need to replace the pads. The highlifter are good kits as well but (I think this is still the only big difference) the slotted brake disk is something I don't really care for.

I looked at there kit and is quality but at bottom of page I saw this.

If you have OEM aluminum wheels this kit will NOT work.

Just my luck

Other day bike R front tire was locked up after siting for two weeks. Put in 4wd and heard bad loud pop. Thought dif,drive shaft, or U joint just gave out. Ran 4 hours seeding food plots and all OK. Pulled front brakes and not full of water but some rust must have had it locked I hope. Looked like moisture might have come in where SS plate bolts to casting. Front brakes have sucked for about 6 months and was because one wheel cylinder on each side not working. Looks like aftermarket rebuild wheel cylinders about $70 + maybe calk where think leak came from. Or 4 OEM cylinders $140 and calk. Last choice I'm a little nervous about would be Highlifter disc brakes $375. What have you guys done?