A toolbox or emergency repair kit can't possibly be considered complete without an assortment of zip-ties. These handy fasteners are available in a multitude of sizes and can be had in any color imaginable. I'm guessing that any racer or enthusiast who spends a great amount of time on an ATV can recall multiple instances of a simple zip-tie saving the day. Boyd Simonton of Clarksville, Virginia, wrote ATVR to share the brilliant use of a zip-tie to secure the front brake while ATVs are in transit. This tip had been shared in a previous issue, but it's certainly a tip worth repeating. It also brings about an opportunity to share more clever uses of the zip-tie around the ATVR garage.
When it comes down to becoming creative or calling it quits, we ATV enthusiasts seem to have a unique ability of becoming resourceful and getting back on the trail. Reveal your ride-saving remedies and we'll be sure to give you credit here in the pages of ATV Rider Magazine. So get them to us! E-mail us at atvrider@sorc.com or visit our MySpace at www.myspace.com/atvridermag. Or send snail mail to:
ATV Rider Magazine
Attn: Pro Remedies
2570 E. Cerritos Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92806
Braking News Transporting...
Braking News
Transporting your ATV in gear can cause costly damage to the transmission. This is a problem for machines with dysfunctional emergency brakes or a brake that has been completely removed. A single zip-tie placed around the front brake lever will secure the machine and prevent unwanted movement. Note: The zip-tie is not a substitute for tiedown straps.
Securing Lines Billet brake...
Securing Lines
Billet brake line clamps look awesome and work well, but unfortunately they are a bit pricey. A zip-tie with a segment of fuel line functions just as well and can more than likely be found in your toolbox at any given time. Place the zip-tie through a 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch piece of tubing; go around the brake line and then back through the fuel line. The two ends can now be placed around the A-arm or frame and firmly attached. This prevents wear on the brake lines and reduces the risk of accidental damage to the brakes.
Cam Concern Anytime you're...
Cam Concern
Anytime you're making valve adjustments or disassembling the top end of a four-stroke, you must remove the cam chain. To keep the cam chain from falling into the powerplant where it's difficult to retrieve, I often place a zip-tie loosely around the chain to keep it accessible. Another option is to zip-tie the chain to the cam to retain proper timing.
Dirty Differential It's difficult...
Dirty Differential
It's difficult to detect contaminated differential fluid when removing the inspection plug. A trouble-free solution is to fully submerge a clear zip-tie into the differential fluid as you would a dipstick in the engine. When the submerged tie is extracted it will wear a thin coating of fluid that can be easily inspected.
Mending Plastics On occasion,...
Mending Plastics
On occasion, plastic fenders crack and total replacement can be a costly task. A drill and a handful of zip-ties are all you need to temporally mend this misfortune before it gets out of hand. By drilling a small hole at the end of the crack, you will prevent further damage from occurring. Now to keep the wound closed, holes can be drilled in a stitching pattern for the zip-ties to thread. After cinching the zip-ties tight, snip away the excess material and you'll have new plastics. Well, almost new!
Tether Termination Tether-style...
Tether Termination
Tether-style kill switches are one of the best safety features available for your ATV. The problem is they never stop doing their job. This is often realized when washing or servicing your machine and the tether remains attached to your chest protector. It gets worse when arriving at a ride location and discovering that the tether was somehow left behind. A five-cent zip-tie is priceless in this situation and can have you running in a matter of seconds. Simply disengage the switch manually and install a zip-tie in place of the tether to hold the switch open.
Twist Throttle Modification...
Twist Throttle Modification
Some ATV riders prefer a twist throttle to the industry-standard thumb. If you fall into this category, this tip may attract your interest. To reduce the necessary rotation required to fully open the throttle, a zip-tie can be used to increase the circumference of the throttle tube. The zip-tie should fit snugly into the groove where the cable wraps around the throttle tube. The fastener end should then be removed before trimming the tie to the desired length. Super Glue will hold the tie firmly in place beneath the cable. This added meat causes a faster response with less throttle rotation.
Get A Grip In Mud Even the...
Get A Grip In Mud
Even the best of grips are no match for a muddy trail. Wet slime will inevitably coat the grip and act as a lubricant between the grip and your glove. This causes a dangerous situation, but a little preplanning can give you an edge on the elements. Installing zip-ties around the grips and strategically placing the connectors beneath your fingers will provide a surface to grip when the mud gets thick.
Secure Your Dump Bed The dump...
Secure Your Dump Bed
The dump bed feature on UTVs is great when its activation is intentional. An unintentional release of the bed can become a problem when pounding through a root garden or hammering whoops. To eliminate this risk a zip-tie can be placed on the locking mechanism to secure the bed. If the opportunity to utilize the dump feature presents itself, you can simply remove the zip-tie and return the normal function.