TJA

11 hours ago, Fishfiles said:

If you do go with Super ATV don't forget to call your  order in by phone and tell them your a member of this forum , to get 10% off the purchase price ----  they have been great for me ,  Erik is a member of this site ,  @SuperATV

Thanks Brother!

I figured that the extra grease outside the seals would help protect them from water or mud intrusion. From reading here, that seems to be the problem. 

That makes sense. The only problem is not too many vintage machines for sale in my area, (rural Pa, very rural). And if you find a "parts" atv they still want $1000 for it. For $240 the kit seems affordable. I read a bunch of threads on it, poor customer service is the chief complaint. I was just wondering if they improved. I still have engine work to do, I'm just looking at future improvements as these drum brakes are so lacking. Thanks for the reply.

I'm looking at replacing the front brakes on my 99 Foreman 450. The factory drums had brand new pads on them when I bought it. I adjusted them tight and they are still vague and unresponsive. I personally hate drum brakes anyways. The Super Atv kit seems affordable. Has anyone else had better luck with them lately? Thanks.

Was the kit an improvement? How do they feel? Good stopping power? I was just looking at this kit for my 450 foreman. Thanks.

I just got done with that job myself. I had to slow down and look at them for a while before I figured it out. BTW, what bearings did you go with? Sealed or open? I used sealed bearings and repacked them with waterproof synthetic green grease, and then I packed the spindles like they were regular bearings.

Thanks Ted

I always get a service manual for anything I buy, never been able to trust anyone else to do things correctly just for money.

I'll have my wife print it! She is younger than me and understands all this interwebs stuff. All I know is my phone has to be in the dining room to print! Thanks again for the file. I checked it out today and it seems straight forward. I love the fact that my machine is carburetored. The less electronics the better. I haven't figured out how to post pictures yet either, bit I will. 

I found on my personal machine, as long as it is in neutral when I shut it down, it's fine. If not, I roll it around and look for a 12 mm open end wrench. But if I remember to put her back in neutral I have had no problems at all. My machine is beat up, it worked on a Pennsylvania farm most of its life. The wheel bearings and ball joints were shot, actually, the wheel bearings were packed with dirt and manure!  One of the ball joints had it's nut welded on. It indicates to me that this is one tough little machine. I have been doing a lot of reading here. I intend to use this for many years on my farm. Even with the compromised engine it is powerful. I have some time today to surf through the manual you provided, it's tough with a small screen and old eyes! 

I'm glad to find that I'm in good company here.

Thanks Brother, I downloaded it, hard to read on a phone. I'm going to get my wife to print it out for me! Thanks again for the help.

On 8/19/2021 at 9:51 AM, jeepwm69 said:

Welcome aboard!

Thanks

On 8/19/2021 at 9:39 AM, bcsman said:

Hey TJA glad you took the time to find us.  And yes we do have a bunch of the older 350/450 models.  As a 450ES owner if you forget to find neutral when you shut it down you may get the  -  in the gear area.  Sometimes you can just use the buttons to get your green light, sometimes just rocking the bike a little with the buttons will work.  Either way it shouldn't be a problem getting back to neutral.....

That something I have to remember! Thanks.

I have some experience building engines, not a pro but an advanced hobbyist. Me and the wife used to race a Camaro back in the day. Thanks for the reply.

Thanks Brother!

It seems to shift fine, I just have to remember to put it back in neutral before shutting it down or it jams.

Thanks for the reply Fishfiles. I'm not really familiar with Honda, I have built a few small block Chevy's though. I have some learning to do. The kid I bought it from said something about replacing the cam or cam chain. 

Hello, I just bought a really beat up Honda 450es foreman. I just replaced the front wheel bearings and a ball joint. Next on the list is to get the fan running. The previous owner was no mechanic. He replaced the jug and piston with an eBay one, probably chinese. It makes one heck of a tick while running. Lots of things to do on this one. I'll be here looking for information. Thanks.