I was looking at buying a 2002 Sportsman 500 HO with about 40 hours. The story is that a guy wrecked it breaking the back plastic rack and then it wouldn't start. It has had some carb work and the starter rebuilt. The guy who put the starter on said by doing that he got the timing off. He said it would run if that timing was adjusted. Does this sound legitimate? How hard is it to adjust the timing on these ATVs? Can taking the starter off throw the timing off? Any suggestions?
Here is my guess. If this guy wrecked it, the bike may have set on its side or who knows how it set. My suspicion is some oil got into the cylinder. This may be the problem. Oil will not compress!If I were you, I would take out the plug and look at it. Have the bike turn over and look for oil that may have gotten inside the cylinder. I cannot enplane the workings of the timing but it sounds like something is causing the engine from turning over.I suspect oil in the cylinder. Ken
I don't think the timing can be off. It's a chain overhead drive system. The only way the timing could be off is that somebody took the cam out. Your problem sounds like the cam needs to be replaced. I had the same problem that you say you have. Replaced the cam and it runs like new.
Buy a good service manual and replcae the cam. The Starter has nothing to do with the timing.
Any other questions, you can contact me.
2000 Polaris Sportsman 500
Ride Safe
Here is my guess. If this guy wrecked it, the bike may have set on its side or who knows how it set. My suspicion is some oil got into the cylinder. This may be the problem. Oil will not compress!If I were you, I would take out the plug and look at it. Have the bike turn over and look for oil that may have gotten inside the cylinder. I cannot enplane the workings of the timing but it sounds like something is causing the engine from turning over.I suspect oil in the cylinder. Ken
I don't know if you got my last message. But it really sounds that you need to replace the cam. Cam costs about 125.00 . I ordered mine from Bikebanditt.com and it came with the compression release spring. Make sure that you have a service manual and that when you replace this that everythings clean when you reassemble the top end. If the gaskets come off and appear O K. Clean them and reuse um. Use a hanger for the timeing chain so it does'nt fall in the lower end. Yes, I am a retired Mechanic-Machinist.
You dont have to pull the motor to do this. Clean the engine or power wash it before you start.
Good luck
2000 Polaris 500 Sportsman
Bring it home in one piece
Yes the sprocket on the cam has a dot so you can
line it up on the dots. It's very easy, just don't drop
the chain in the lower end. If you do, you can fish it
out with a coat hanger. Good luck.
The bike has 40 hours and has carb work and starter rebuild?Someone has a bad case of dumb a--. Sounds like he has burnt the starter out trying to get this thing going.A new camshaft after only 40 hours. Thanks I needed a good laugh. I wish you the best of luck with your quandary, Ken
