The best way to learn is probably to buy one or two cheap and busted ATVs locally and fix them. There is no substitute for practical experience.
What you said or YouTube. Love it or hate it there are some really good instructions on there.
there's a small engine YouTube channel where this guy picks up craigslist deals and gets them running. I watched 3-4 projects and it was like going to mech school
Did a search and saw several channels that you could be talking about. Is there one in particular that you'd recommend over the others?
i would say there are multiple good ones, so if youre watching one that is unenjoyable, uninformative, etc just try another, and the multiple perspectives/teachers help you learn. Ususally the more subscribers, the better the camera work, but anyone with 10k+ subscribes is probably informative.
This is my career (motorcycles and ATVs, some SxS and a smattering of other small engine things). I did MMI (Micky Mouse Institute/More Money Institute) more than 2 decades ago... learned exactly 1 thing (it's all the teach). Read the service manual. There ya go, a $30k education.
Pick up a model that's common, something that's been in production a LONG time. Bonus if there's an established web forum with an FAQ (or at least some technical writeups). BUY THE OFFICIAL SERVICE MANUAL. You can get a Haynes/Chilton too, but do not skimp on the OEM. Then search to see where the mistakes are in the forum. Tear it all the way down, engine to crank, build it all the way back up. Replace every bearing and bushing. Even if you spend $10k (that'd take a LOT of work, going out of your way to find things to spend money on), it's the cheapest education you'll ever get. As a bonus, a lot of times it's the people making their own way without "formal education" that find the better ways because they haven't been taught that you "can't do that".
Don't go nuts on tools, I did the lions share of my learning with less than $100 in tools. I STILL do the lions share of my work with a set of basic tools (combo wrenches, ratchet and sockets, screwdrivers and the odd pliers), only buy the specialty tools as you need them... if you can't borrow them or do the job with an alternative.
It's not good money, it's crap work, abusive customers most of the time. I quit working for others within 2 years, do fix and flips now and still rely on my wife for most of our income. I really hope you don't like ATV's, because you sure a shit won't if you try to make a career out of them.
Thank you. Absolutely not interested in it as a career. Just a thing I would like to understand before I die. Excellent advise.
Like it or not, you will be forced to understand how it works and how to fix it, those who buy these vehicles better know they will have to learn. And that's how you learn every day a little bit, something happens on the wheel, you learn how to fix it, and so the other parts.
I bought a new arctic cat atv over 9 years ago. 5400 miles later its still running strong. Been basically problem free. A couple replaced parts, oil changes, minimal maintenance really, and i beat the fuck out of it.
We have a 2004 Yamaha Rhino and SpouseAnon learned how to fix problems on youtube, also he's not shy. He calls up the local shop and tells them the problem and ask if they have suggestions. Time your call for times they aren't busy, or go see them. He's learned a lot just dropping in and talking to people. Everyone likes being the expert, and unless they are assholes or busy are more than happy to help. Keep in mind our town is small. Most businesses here consider it "good will". A service book helps but he mainly learned online and by doing.
Buy a used,non-working,kinda beat-up ATV,then fix the mutherfucker.It is how ALL engine machines get fixed one time or another.
There are some really good Youtube channels, Taryl Fixes All, Mustie1, and Andrew Camarata. Taryl and Mustie usually explain things really well, Andrew is quite clear he is figuring it out as he goes.
Thank you.
Any ideas on simplest models to work on? Things to avoid?
I like my Honda just because parts are VERY easy to find on Amazon, Ebay, etc. This will be true for the Yamaha, Polaris, etc.
There are lots of cheap Chinese ATVs flooding the market. I went to bass pro the other day, and that's all they had - no name Chinese ATVs.
That's a good thing to keep the prices down, but I have no idea how available the parts are yet. Maybe if they are just a "Yamaha clone", then it won't be a problem. But, I'd ask that question before buying one.
Easiest? Yamaha,by a longshot. Avoid-tires !!!!-high expense,low profit, Everybody,I mean EVERYBODY sells tires on the cheap,installation?Well,that's your fucking problem.A salesman said that to me awhile back.
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