[WalkinTarget]

I keep waiting for Doug to mention (pshhh, you can forget a review !!) a CF Moto, but I know he is a HUGE Polaris SxS fan, and a King Quad ATV fan, so I also know his opinion of Chinese brand rides is verrrry low, and he usually makes no bones about his disdain for them. Even his blog entry on 50" SxS models makes no mention of them (granted, it was posted in 2012 .. but ... )

Every rider needs to base their tire purchasing decision on their type of terrain. What works in PA doesn't work in New Mexico, and what worked in NM doesn't work in Idaho. Easiest thing to do is ask around at a trailhead, and strike a balance between a light tire with less unsprung weight but also offering a higher ply rating, preferably an 8 ply that is tough as nails. 

[murdo]

Wouldn't recommend the swamp lites.
My brother had them on his quad and would get a puncture nearly every time we went out. He ended up staking one on a stick and changed them to swamp witch and not a puncture since.

[chuddly]

The last parts to get it driveable should be at my house by now.  It is the drive shaft spline gears/shaft.  I figured you would all enjoy the picture of the old one.  No those gears are not supposed to come to a point and all those little dots are the teeth that are supposed to be attached to the gear LOL

[mrwonderfull]

by the way how much did u buy this machine wrecked?

[chuddly]

I paid 3k for the wreck.  Ill have $5k in it all said and done but that is with buying new wheels and tires for it.  I could have gotten by with just replacing one wheels and tire but the others were scratched up and the tires were not all that great on the rear.  That would have saved me quite a bit.  If i was trying to just piece it back together and just get it going again I could have been it it at about $3800

[chuddly]

Another quick update.  I got it out and rode it a little this weekend around my property just running between places and so on.  I am going to post up another question on another thread about the brakes on this thing because they work but they feel odd to me.  I have to pick up a sheet of 1/8" aluminum this week to make the skid plate because i refuse to put that plastic crap back under it.  I am also going to fit power steering on it (it did not have it from the factory) because like other SxS's I have had this one will break your thumbs if you hook a tree at speed with a tire.  I still have a few other things to do to it but they are all things I can do as I use it and fine what it needs.  The previous owner cut a hole in the dash for a radio so I will put one in it (not that I need it but i hate having the hole there).  I will also put a light bar on the front and small one on the back as I do use my machines quite a bit at night and it helps a lot.  Also I will be replacing the factory seat belts as they are all gritty with dirt and not working well.  It will be getting some Pro Armor 4 point harnesses (I have had them before and they are very comfortable).  I also plan on redoing the body paint and either going all black with it or something completely different, not sure yet.  I will be doing a fuel controller and more than likely an Air/Fuel gauge also down the road but for now its ok although it does have a bit of a "flat/dead" spot in either the clutching or the fuel map just as your getting into the mid range.  I will be working on a remote oil filter as well because those cartridge style ones (especially mounted on their sides like these) are a mess and a pain.  I will more than likely make A arm guards also out of aluminum because I have a tendency to tear axle boots.   I will get my fender flares mounted some time this week as the push pin hardware is supposed to arrive today. 

All in all I like it but there are some things that will need to be addressed.  I'm sure I will find more things that need done as I go so stay tuned to this thread.

[chuddly]

I also want to adjust the shocks on mine.  My last machine had stage 3 Elka's and they were BUTTERY smooth.  Im going to take some pre load out of them and open up the compression some to see how they ride.  I prefer to ride a little lower and have softer suspension rather than have the extra ground clearance that i dont really need.

[WalkinTarget]

I also want to adjust the shocks on mine.  My last machine had stage 3 Elka's and they were BUTTERY smooth.  Im going to take some pre load out of them and open up the compression some to see how they ride.  I prefer to ride a little lower and have softer suspension rather than have the extra ground clearance that i dont really need.

I would definitely recommend the modded $50 2" lift that we've been seeing used on z800s, and as you mentioned, crank the pre-load back down so that you don't lose any ground clearance but gain a more compliant ride. That's my plan when I eventually buy one. The stage 3 Elkas are a great upgrade, but not everybody can justify the price you will pay for them. Buying a used set that is still in good shape is the best way to go here, just harder to find than buying new stock.

[chuddly]

I dont need the lift for the area I ride 99% of the time so I dont need the 2" lift.  I prefer a soft sprung machine that rides lower also so just backing off the preload should set it up more like I want it.  I have no issue with letting a proper skid plate (1/8" aluminum) hammer on some rocks if I happen to be riding a bit low because that is what that plate is for and it will cause no damage. I dont plan on getting Elka's for the CF Moto yet.  I think with some work the factory shocks will yield a decent ride.  I just cant justify spending ~$2500 on a set of shocks for a machine that I'm not sure will live up to what I can dish out. 

[Bobbed06]

I agree with ya there. It seems lots of people crank up their shocks, and dont realize how much performance loss this causes. You need droop, and down travel for a vehicle to drive decent.

[chuddly]

Got my doors and washed her up tonight

[gfmoto]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻you da man!

[murdo]

Looking good. How does it run?

[chuddly]

Runs great.  I top out at about 72 mph which is plenty for me.  I may try some OD weights in the clutch as I had GREAT success with them in other machines.

A quick update on where I'm at with it right now.  I got the power steering on (there is another thread on that).  I got my doors on of course and I LOVE them.  Replaced my brake pads and that helped a whole lot. I adjusted the clutch to B2 but am not thrilled with it so far.  That clutch setting seems to not take off the line near as well as B1 did.  I still have to do my skid plate which i hope to get to this week or next but life has just been busy lately.  I also need to get the 4 point harnesses in it yet also.  Those dont take long to mount up so im not worried about that. 

My next "outing" with it will be in mid September and I'm taking it to Silver Lake dunes in Michigan.  I need to find some paddle tires that fit it (rears only) and find a way to mount the flag on the long pole.  Upgrades will likely be kept to a minimum prior to the trip because with the tires, harnesses, skid plate, clutch OD weights, and permits for the dunes the prep for that trip will be costly for sure.

I am liking the machine so far.  There are things that I would like to change but you will have that with any machine.  I think this one will be a keeper for a while anyway.