Seal Your Lid
Snorkels are the perfect solution to maintaining unobstructed airflow when traversing deep mud and water. Failing to properly seal the lid on your airbox defeats the purpose as it allows water to seep in, causing serious problems. Applying Gasket Maker creates a watertight seal, and if your lid already has a rubber seal, be sure it's clean and lubricated.
Tarnished Aluminum
Raw aluminum parts such as nerf bars, wheels, bumpers and grab bars will quickly lose their factory shine after being subjected to harsh muddy conditions. To bring a glimmering glow back to the alloy you can spend countless hours scrubbing with steel wool or try an automotive mag wheel cleaner. These cleaners etch the aluminum, and after a quick rinse the aluminum will once again look like new. This type of cleaner isn't recommended for polished or anodized components, and be sure to keep it off of any painted surfaces.
Clean It
I realize we have repeated this on many occasions, but it is important that your machine be cleaned in a timely fashion after riding. Besides being much easier to clean when the muck is fresh, mud buildup retains moisture that quickly causes rust and corrosion on everything metal. This causes fasteners to seize and promotes premature wear on moving parts. This tip also holds true for riding gear. Buckles and buttons rust while deep stains set in and ruin the look of expensive riding apparel.
Breathe Easy
Your machine has to breathe, and there are numerous vents that allow this to take place. Be sure vents from your transmission, fuel tank, differential, crankcase and carburetor are extended to a high point on your machine. Mud racers typically extend their vents just below the handlebar and some can even be vented into the airbox.
Recap
Whether you're riding in the mud or blazing trails it is always a good idea to apply dielectric grease to all electrical connectors, grease all zerks to flush out contaminants, check and change differential fluid anytime water is present and inspect seals and bearings on a regular basis. These often-overlooked steps will greatly extend the life of your machine and its components.
Thanks to some of our good mud racing friends for sharing a few of their shop secrets with the readers of ATV Rider. If you have any tips that you'd like to share, we would love to hear from you. Heck, you might even save someone's ride. We'll be sure to give you credit for your remedy here in the pages of ATV Rider Magazine. So get them to us! Email us at atvrider@sorc.com or by snail mail to:
ATV Rider Magazine
Attn: Pro Remedies
2570 E. Cerritos Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92806