[ger_marsh]

I have had this agri quad for a few years now and put up with the negative comments from many hill farmers who would never look at anything apart from Yammy, Honda or Suzi. However, the quad has been excellent and never let me down. Currently have a problem after local agri engineer replaced the front pads and replaced the brake fluid but I will search the forum before putting out a new post on that one in case someone has had the problem in the past. (By the way, I have recently discovered that Quadzilla markets quads from other manufacturers.) I have attached a photo of the machine in its working environment.

[ger_marsh]

We used to live in The Brecon Beacons - much colder there than here!

[Mogleybear]

Welcome to the forum.

[murdo]

Welcome. I have a similar 2013 model 500 classic and it has not had any major problems too.

[ger_marsh]

Welcome. I have a similar 2013 model 500 classic and it has not had any major problems too.

Thank you, Murdo. I have discovered that the rear brakes are not working at all. The owner manual and the workshop manual both state that the front right brake lever operates the front brakes whilst the rear brake is operated by the left hand lever and foot pedal. The pedal has always gone to the floor. The mechanic found out that the rear pedal drives a master cylinder which, if you follow the routes of the brake pipes, operate both front and rear brakes. Local dealer says that it was changed to ensure it is road legal in the UK. However, I have now had the rear brake master cylinder replaced and the mechanic has followed the instructions on bleeding the system as stated in the Dealer Bulletin but there is still no effect on the brakes - front and back. This will need much more research. (After he replaced the front pads the front brake was not too good too. However, this was sorted by tying the levers to the handle and leaving overnight! I know a few things about physics and was surprised when this brought the front brakes back to normal!) Wife has just bought a 300cc Kymco quad and the brakes are lightning sharp on that one.

[murdo]

The foot pedal on mine operates the front and rear brakes and they work good. Hardly ever use the handlebar levers.
Maybe still some air in the brake lines. Did you bleed the cylinder first (finger on end of cylinder and pump until fluid comes through, then connect the lines) before trying the calipers?
I bought a Kymco 300 for my partner, good light machine for her to handle.

[ger_marsh]

Thank you so much for that quick response, Murdo!

I know that the mechanic - who is an ex agri mechanic but services our cars - had to buy a vacuum device to bleed the system so I assume that it sucked the fluid and air out. He was complaining that they have seemed to over-complicate the system. Not helped by not being covered by the workshop manual!

(What time is it in New South Wales at the moment? It is 10:18 AM here (British Summer Time).)

[murdo]

Sorry I didn't see your reply straight away, but it would have been around 6.30pm when you asked.
Your comment about the other farmers giving you a hard time about the 'Chinese" quad but happy to ride Japanese machines is just a generation thing as when the Japanese bikes first became available all the British bike riders derided them as 'Jap crap'. Now days it is all Japanese bikes and quads and people knocking the Chinese crap. I don't care what they say as I only have to impress my self, and I must be as I have three bikes and quad from CF Moto.

[ger_marsh]

I note that the photo of your quad shows CF500 on the tank. Mine says Quadzilla - but just crappy stickers which are now working loose! As a matter of interest, does your owner manual state that the rear pedal operates both front and rear brakes?

I am sorely tempted to get a suction pump and try to bleed the brakes from scratch again.

[murdo]

I will look in the manual for you tomorrow (7pm here now and dark and cold).
I use a suction pump to bleed my brakes.

[ger_marsh]

Thank you, Murdo - Looking at the image you sent, may I assume that the environment is quite dry? Ours is the opposite most of the time. Indeed, I took the quad a few weeks ago across a salt marsh to help rescue a cow which had calved in a ditch (a bit stupid of it!), and the local farmer was quite surprised I even attempted it as when he did so on his Honda he got it stuck! The Honda was carrying much more weight than mine though.

[Stuart1]

Hi Ger marsh,

I am from the uk too, yorkshire I have an X8 fab machine, do you only use your quad for work or do you go trial/green lane ride

[murdo]

Thank you, Murdo - Looking at the image you sent, may I assume that the environment is quite dry? Ours is the opposite most of the time. Indeed, I took the quad a few weeks ago across a salt marsh to help rescue a cow which had calved in a ditch (a bit stupid of it!), and the local farmer was quite surprised I even attempted it as when he did so on his Honda he got it stuck! The Honda was carrying much more weight than mine though.

I looked in the manual and it just says to 'bleed air from brake', no instructions on how to do it (surprise). I suggest using the vacuum bleeder on the nipple closest to the m/cylinder first to see if you can get any pressure.
That photo was from the last hunting trip (look on front tray) in 2018 during five years of drought. My quad has had the spray unit on it all this year as we have been getting some rain which because of the lack of grass has brought up every weed ever invented. 

[ger_marsh]

Hi Ger marsh,

I am from the uk too, yorkshire I have an X8 fab machine, do you only use your quad for work or do you go trial/green lane ride

Crikey - that is a beast! We only use the quad for the smallholding but it has been worth its weight in gold. I have knackered up the original allen bolts on the towbar so the towing capability is reduced as the bar is now only secured by a smaller single bolt. However, I have a tractor for bigger towing jobs.

There aren't many green lanes around here. We lived up the Brecon Beacons before moving here and there was a lot of mountain to ride on. Some hidden hazards though. You could not go very fast on that terrain. The National Park Authority does not allow any motor vehicle on much of their land too.

[Stuart1]

I go green laning in Yorkshire and the Peak District on mine, not many left tho now the lanes are getting less and less, I heard Wales was the best place in UK for green lanes too 👍, btw my foot brake operates front and rear brakes too 😊 👍