Transmissions - updated 08/12/04

The Editors of ATVR respond to their readers

You can get schooled by the '03 Pro Production champ himself: Doug Gust

Letter of the Month
I love your magazine - especially the Z-400 project bikes. I was wondering if you could help me find any info on ATV racing schools in the Pacific Northwest. I've found lots of dirt bike riding schools, but no ATV schools. I live in Portland, OR. Thanks for your time!
Brian Henry

ATVR:
Well Brian, there are only two schools we currently know about; the Joe Byrd Quad Riding School (www.joebyrd.com), or you could hang out with National Champ (and new Factory Suzuki rider) Doug Gust at his Digger Doug's Riding School (www.douggust.com). We've only heard great things from people who have attended these two schools, and we don't doubt for a second that you'd come out of it a better overall rider. As for your geographic location, unfortunately that's a little tough since both of those schools are centered back east and in the Midwest respectively. We'll have to hook up with our West Coast GNC racing crew of Kory Ellis, Dana Creech, and Tavis Cain and see if they have any suggestions...or maybe we could convince them to start up a school of their own out there!

New Legs for a Blaster
I have recently purchased a 2004 Yamaha Blaster and want to put some shocks on it (front and rear). Right now, I am torn between works performance and custom axis. I am a 14 year old agressive rider who rides mostly in the woods. I can only spend up to 1000 on the front and 800 on the rear. Any help would be great!
Matthew Brewster

Lightweight and stone simple the Blaster is a good mount for the diminutive aggressive rider, but the stone age suspension has got to go.

ATVR:
Your choice is going to come down to price and level of performance. The Works shocks are good, plush trail shocks, while the Custom Axis shocks are more competition oriented. They are hundreds of dollars apart, however, so decide how serious you (or your application) are and choose accordingly.

By the way any other shock question on a Z400 or YFZ, we'd have to shrug our shoulders so as not offend anyone, as we haven't them tested back to back. However, these two companies offer very different products in very different price ranges.

Auto Clutch Attitude
Who says the Lakota can't wheelie? This is me popping some on my 2002 Lakota Sport.

A 13t sprocket and filter really wake it up.

Your magazine is the best by far!
Thanks
Chris Colosimo Buffalo, NY

ATVR:
Here they are

Asking for Trouble
I was just wondering how to find out about employment opportunities with the magazine.
Thanks,
Jennifer O'Neil

Associate Editor Andrew Trevitt's natural habitat... it's grim, we know.

ATVR:
Actually we've been looking for an associate editor for over a year, but have yet to find an appropriate candidate. Send resumes to: ATV Rider Magazine, 6420 Wilshire Bl., Los Angeles, CA 90048. Applicant must be willing to be the grease that makes this magazine run, work long hours for little pay, travel the world in pursuit of stories (it sounds like fun, but gets old fast), know how to take decent photos, use computers at a high level, and know the difference between a vowel and a noun. Riding ATVs is a plus.

Ready for Your Close-up?
I am in your 2002 Summer Issue so I am told. ATV Tour in Elliot Lake, Ontario. I would like to know how I could purchase this issue.
Thank You,
PackAttack36

Is this you?

ATVR:
We did two pieces on Elliot Lake, one in the October 2003 issue and an upcoming one in the February 2004 issue, on sale any day now. You can purchase the October issue, or any other back issue of ATV Rider from:

Address:
Back Issues
2100 E Howell Ave., Suite 209
Anaheim, CA 92806

Toll free mail-order phone:
1-866-601-5199 8:30am to 5pm PST Mon.-Fri.

Email: backissues-mailorder@primedia.com

Flats
I'm new at ATVing and was wondering how to repair a flat tire on the trail? I just received my first issue of your magazine and like what I see! Keep up the good work and consider running a article about flat repairs.
Thanks,
Mel Drendel

Despite our best efforts, we could not repair this flat.

ATVR:
There are a number of companies that make tire repair kits, usually consisting of plugs and CO2 cartridges to fill the tire. If you ride a utility quad and have the room, you can get a little air compressor that hooks to your DC outlet, and then all you need is automotive-style plugs. Finding holes is sometimes an art form, but if you ride somewhere with sharp-edged rocks, you'll get the practice in a hurry.
Good Luck!

ATV Boliviano
My name is Carlos, I have a 2001Kawasaki Prairie 650. I'm from Bolivia, South America, ever since I got my ATV, I've had problems with the Converter System (belt drive). There is a constant noise like the belt is. I have changed the belt and the noise is still there.

I know that you are not the right company to ask about this problem but I'll really appreciate if you can pass this e-mail to whom you believe can help me.

In my city nobody can help me with as there is not a Kawasaki authorized dealer.
Thank you,
Carlos Olmedo
Bolivia

Bolivia is host to the Caravana ATV and motorcycle rally, which ATVR's Lee Klancher coincidentally covered in 2002 on a Kawasaki Prairie 650.Photo by Lee Klancher

ATVR:
We went straight to the source and asked the folks at Kawasaki what the problem was, here's their reply:

Nothing is wrong with the converter system if a slight belt squeal is heard when starting out very slowly. If belt squeal is excessive, then the belt might just be worn out, so it should be checked for wear and proper belt deflection. Replace the belt if width measures outside the usable range.

The best setting for belt deflection is 22 mm @ 6 Kg force (belt width must be in usable range also). As part of the never ending product development process, we are now offering an improved belt on the new 700 cc models that will interchange with the one on the 650. Order part number 59011-0003 to get this new configuration belt that has improved durability and less belt squeal.

Take care,
Russ Brenan
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.