100% use mystery oil on the cylinder and crack it hard right off the bat and she is broke in ,a guy that builds race harley davidson engines told me that was the Absolute best way and every 4 stroke I build i brake in like that
Joe, been watching since the beginning. You give me inspiration. Love the videos. Been building bikes for a long time. One thing I’ve learned about jetting is always up the main jet until it bogs before even riding the bike. Then go down one jet size at a time. Here in Cali we ride in Glamis. jetting is key. You can think your spot on with dirt tires in the street. Then put paddles on and try climbing Oldsmobile hill and you will most likely bog up the hill because your still too rich. Putting a load on the motor will truly get you spot on. Only two ways is a dyno or a steep sand dune with paddle tires. Look up Duncan Racing jetting tutorial. It’s the best one out there I have found and it teaches you how to dial in your pilot jet by adjusting your air screw to see if you’re lean or rich on your idle circuit. Keep the Videos coming!
Take into consideration that when dealing with jetting some people may have drilled out the original jets. I have come across this many times . Check hole size with gage pins is the key . Good knowledge here . Use It !
That's a really hard machine to break in stock form, my buddy beat his for years, changed the oil once a year, never touched the valves, the chassis and bearings went out way before the engine!!! 400EX Is a strong machine, very much like the 250X form the late 80s-early90's!
Even the 250ex is a strong motor I only touched the top end and didn't touch the bottom end. But I was riding it at constant high rpms and it's hurting on power know 😂
love the videos. i’m rewatching your old 1996 suzuki rm125 rebuild videos because i’m about to rebuild mine. it’s a 1994 rm125, the guy let it sit for 2 years and had it sitting with a bad cylinder that ended up leaking antifreeze into the bottom end and rusted my crankshaft and ruined the bearings.
Lot of buddies growing up had 300/400exs, warriors, blasters etc have just as much fun riding them now as we did back then..some good quads for sure. 🤘
Not bad for a 70$ rebuild. That's how a lot of experienced riders ride them on a regular basis. I don't see it as abuse but as using the machines full potential.
I’m a new subscriber to your channel after recently getting a 400ex. This video makes me that much more happy about my new 400ex. Mine is a stock oem 2001 in yellow and it wasn’t running great when I got it but after a good tune up she’s running like new again! Keep the 400ex content coming it’s helpful and will definitely keep my attention. P.S. love the tundra!
Those Whitebrothers R4 pipes had the best sound. Had them on my 01 and 03 raptor 660's. Always had the best sounding thumpers in the pit. The loudest also! Remove the little spart arrestor screen and its a totally different/better sound.
Lol I used to have a 400ex with whitebrothers pipe it would always blow out the spark arrester lol after like a hour,it blew out 2 before I said fuck replacing it lol let it shoot flames lol
Well this video goes to show that you can buy cheap parts and still have fun, Now over time will they give out yes when trying to break it but good parts give out to when you're trying to break it. My point is that you don't need to break the bank to have fun, keep the videos coming
My pops bought an 02 off the dealership floor in 02, put a ton of money into mostly handling but its got a Yoshi rs3 and custom header, and it never had any other parts changed until 2018 when I took it and put a 426 kit 11:1 with a hot cam. I'd red line it nonstop and do long wheelies and it's still chugging along. They made an unkillable machine to the "average" rider. An 02 400ex from my view with well over 1000 hours on it's second piston only supports that.
I have a 01 from brand new that only had 1 oil change before I put a big bore kit, full exhaust and jet kit on it… the original heads are still good in a box…. of course after crashing into trees and cops years ago the plastic needed updating but the motor never quits…. Sitting in water ect..
You could tell there at the end it was losing power. Do a compression check. That would be interesting. My opinion is that it may not have blown up, but a few hours of riding isn’t worth the cheap parts. You can tell it’s on its way out. At the beginning of the video when doing donuts I could see it was puffing some oil. Great video btw!
Just make sure you check ring end gap if it's to small it will destroy piston and cylinder . I have used a few of them and that is the only thing I've seen with the kit.
This is normal RPM range for TT racing. If you want to really test a bike go to the cinders in Flagging Arizona. 1000ft plus climbs in loose ash and cinders. Your bike will be wide open for minutes at a time climbing the hills. My 2001 400ex did it for years before q rebuild.
Good luck, I messed up and didn’t oil my air filter, ran a ton of dirt through the motor, started smoking so I just didn’t change the oil and beat the hell out of it for 6 years, still running, I keep hoping it will lock up so I have a reason to rebuild but it just keeps going.
I had a 2000 400EX that I beat within an inch of its life for seven years. It never, ever, ever failed and spent a huge amount of its time bouncing on the rev limiter. I only ever changed the fluids, plugs, filter and cleaned the carb. I regret selling it.
Enjoy your videos brother solid content, currently in involved in a 400ex Tear down build myself. You posted a video a while back with a clutch/ground fault issue. I am running into the same thing and need some help. I have tried every wire configuration you mentioned in your videos and the quad will not crank over with out hot wiring at the starter solenoid.
11:30 seeing some blue smoke. On a new build that's broken-in is an odd thing. Perhaps the rings didn't seat as well as originally thought or there is some blow-by on the valve seals? Have not watched the video totally yet but making that comment now. The riding style used in video was how we rode our 3 wheelers back in the day.. LOL
I used to have this exhaust on my 400ex 2002 and rode like crap….my mechanic at the time could never they the jet’s right and gave up and bogged down much at full throttle….I said screw it gonna put the factory oem full exhaust back in so I bought it on eBay at the time once I did that my quad had t’s full power and rode amazing …and the jets never changed just the exhaust from white brothers back to oem made a world of a difference
i had one for over 15 year never changed the oil or the plug ran hard as possible always. the quad was toast but the engine never skipped a beat or lost power. ive never had any other engine like it lol
I don’t believe you’ll ride any four wheeler or dirt bike until it’ll break at all lol NOT even in another universe. This dude is the most easy going on bikes
find some used +2 a-arms for the front and used trx 450r shocks to keep with the lowest price stuff. bet youll not believe how good that 400ex handles at 49 to 50 inches wide.can wait on the rear or just get spaces for the rear. I bet if you widen this one as I stated above it beats your built motor around your feild.
Bro i had a 2003 400ex wit a white brothers R4 slip on and man it sounded TOOO GOOOD ended up selling it cuz i blowed it up twice i liked it bht it just couldnt handle my style of riding
i did this to a 2004 suzuki ltz 400 recently rode it hard AF i was actually able to blow it up. i was going to sell it but i wanted to see what a chinese piston could take. it fell apart.
Awesome video. I just picked up a crf450x for the trails for pretty cheap but it’s hard to start and a little smoky, seems to run fine otherwise. should i start with checking the valves etc or just go straight to compression/leak down test? i would take the bike to you in a heartbeat but unfortunately im too far
Learn how to "power shift" and that means - after you launch off the start, just blip the clutch to shift never letting off the throttle, keep it pinned the whole time. If you are in a drag with someone he's going to eat your lunch if you are shifting regular. That's assuming he knows to power shift. Also, don't look back to see if you are roosting, it makes you look like a Goon Rider! Goon rider = Squid who thinks he's fast. Enjoy the content but I have to throw in my 2c once in a while. hopefully it helps you.
I’m crying watching this. I had a 2k 400 just like that. I got talked into trading it for a yz125. 🤦♂️. I keep watching FB marketplace hoping to find another. So far no luck.
You should really make this a real project anf ofcourse it wont die its a honda it wont break easily . It would just lose power anyway keep up the good work and maybe throw on a turbo and do a compresson test please
Check out Jason's Channel here: th-cam.com/video/J31aHWEQZPM/w-d-xo.html
He helped me test out this 400ex!
Does starting a 400ex without the clutch in hurt it even if its in neutral
From what I hear it's usually the wrist pins that give out after about 10 hours. Everything else seems halfway decent with the Chinesium kits.
Lol-ol-ol I'm still waiting for you to beat on it this is just everyday riding for me!
I do the way honda as proven by the brochure pic I provided.
100% use mystery oil on the cylinder and crack it hard right off the bat and she is broke in ,a guy that builds race harley davidson engines told me that was the Absolute best way and every 4 stroke I build i brake in like that
This is by far the most exciting episode on this channel... You rode the crap out of it and she held up pretty good for a bargain bin rebuild
Joe, been watching since the beginning. You give me inspiration. Love the videos. Been building bikes for a long time. One thing I’ve learned about jetting is always up the main jet until it bogs before even riding the bike. Then go down one jet size at a time. Here in Cali we ride in Glamis. jetting is key. You can think your spot on with dirt tires in the street. Then put paddles on and try climbing Oldsmobile hill and you will most likely bog up the hill because your still too rich. Putting a load on the motor will truly get you spot on. Only two ways is a dyno or a steep sand dune with paddle tires. Look up Duncan Racing jetting tutorial. It’s the best one out there I have found and it teaches you how to dial in your pilot jet by adjusting your air screw to see if you’re lean or rich on your idle circuit. Keep the Videos coming!
More fun than a "will it start". We need more "will it blow up" videos. 🤩
Take into consideration that when dealing with jetting some people may have drilled out the original jets. I have come across this many times . Check hole size with gage pins is the key . Good knowledge here . Use It !
When I drill out a jet I always buff off the number.
@@kurtyoung6769 Why would you drill out a jet instead of buying the proper one?
@@JKrause616 it was more common back in the day I haven’t seen people drilling them out as much lately
@@JKrause616 cause they trailer park fabulous....broke and disrespectful to these fine machines...
That's a really hard machine to break in stock form, my buddy beat his for years, changed the oil once a year, never touched the valves, the chassis and bearings went out way before the engine!!! 400EX Is a strong machine, very much like the 250X form the late 80s-early90's!
Even the 250ex is a strong motor I only touched the top end and didn't touch the bottom end. But I was riding it at constant high rpms and it's hurting on power know 😂
@@kylebeach2316How long have you had it?
love the videos. i’m rewatching your old 1996 suzuki rm125 rebuild videos because i’m about to rebuild mine. it’s a 1994 rm125, the guy let it sit for 2 years and had it sitting with a bad cylinder that ended up leaking antifreeze into the bottom end and rusted my crankshaft and ruined the bearings.
That looks like a dream garage with all those bikes
Would like to see a compression test after this .
Good idea 💡
Wouldn’t matter as long as it was properly warmed up (probably not, he revs then right after starting)
That’s what I was thinking. You could tell that it was losing power
you cant do a compression test on these quads with their factory decompression cam. it wont show full psi only like 40 or something.
@@Ninja0verkill it shows like 75
Lot of buddies growing up had 300/400exs, warriors, blasters etc have just as much fun riding them now as we did back then..some good quads for sure. 🤘
Not bad for a 70$ rebuild. That's how a lot of experienced riders ride them on a regular basis. I don't see it as abuse but as using the machines full potential.
I’m a new subscriber to your channel after recently getting a 400ex. This video makes me that much more happy about my new 400ex. Mine is a stock oem 2001 in yellow and it wasn’t running great when I got it but after a good tune up she’s running like new again! Keep the 400ex content coming it’s helpful and will definitely keep my attention. P.S. love the tundra!
Those Whitebrothers R4 pipes had the best sound. Had them on my 01 and 03 raptor 660's. Always had the best sounding thumpers in the pit. The loudest also! Remove the little spart arrestor screen and its a totally different/better sound.
Lol I used to have a 400ex with whitebrothers pipe it would always blow out the spark arrester lol after like a hour,it blew out 2 before I said fuck replacing it lol let it shoot flames lol
Just got a 400ex about 2 weeks ago. Good that they are awesome quads
Well this video goes to show that you can buy cheap parts and still have fun, Now over time will they give out yes when trying to break it but good parts give out to when you're trying to break it. My point is that you don't need to break the bank to have fun, keep the videos coming
I'm starting to think these 400 ex quads are the best out there!! I mean Honda is the best but this old bike is the best bang for the buck!!
400ex’s and warriors are the greatest deals money can buy
They probably are the best 400, after the ltz, of course.
@@topdoge2632 400 < suzuki. But 250r quadracer
@@mswizzle warrior is heavy though and slower. Still bullet proof
@@mswizzleWarriors are trash
Miss my 99' still don't remember why I sold it!! best quad I have ever owned!!
That thing rips pretty good. Sounds great too
For a second I thought you had drug Chuck out of retirement. Thanks for another great series.
Man I really wanted something to go on this but couldn't believe it held up Nice one👍🏼👍🏼
What a BEAST!
Thanks for the test ride!
Thanks again for coming out to test drive it!
We need more of this! Try and break it. Could be another type of video you make. Test cheap parts, let someone else try and break it
@@KenpachiZarakiX I agree! Fun to test things to their limit if that is what you are trying to do.
There a certain drone that will follow you as you ride. I’ve seen other TH-camrs do it. That would be cool way to add more angles to your videos
For break in periods you could give the ari henning video on it. Keep it up!
My pops bought an 02 off the dealership floor in 02, put a ton of money into mostly handling but its got a Yoshi rs3 and custom header, and it never had any other parts changed until 2018 when I took it and put a 426 kit 11:1 with a hot cam. I'd red line it nonstop and do long wheelies and it's still chugging along. They made an unkillable machine to the "average" rider. An 02 400ex from my view with well over 1000 hours on it's second piston only supports that.
He was pounding hard on that engine like lastnight!! Haha 😂 thoses honda engine s just don't die...
I used to have a 300EX with a DG racing muffler loved it and always wanted the 400EX
I have a 01 from brand new that only had 1 oil change before I put a big bore kit, full exhaust and jet kit on it… the original heads are still good in a box…. of course after crashing into trees and cops years ago the plastic needed updating but the motor never quits…. Sitting in water ect..
You could tell there at the end it was losing power. Do a compression check. That would be interesting. My opinion is that it may not have blown up, but a few hours of riding isn’t worth the cheap parts. You can tell it’s on its way out. At the beginning of the video when doing donuts I could see it was puffing some oil. Great video btw!
scammers
for real, u can hear the throttle aint that crispy fast, it still ran doh but sounded slower
I think it needs a valve adjustment
honda is trash... did worst then this on my ds and never had any issues or loosing power.
@rogermichto6359 you must be a low iq twink
Bought a Niche top kit for a ttr 125 for $27.00 new . Cant buy the stock piston for that . Have not installed yet , waiting for your results .
Just make sure you check ring end gap if it's to small it will destroy piston and cylinder . I have used a few of them and that is the only thing I've seen with the kit.
Those RFVC engines have withstood the test of time. Same engine that was in the bullet proof XR series thumpers for decades.
Your buddy is ripping that right into the soybeans, at least he wears proper gear for riding. Great video like always.
Can't let off for the sake of the wheelie...
Great video, love how you held the limiter after the bike shut off
Been replacing my sons 90cc with Amazon for a while now. Knock on wood, but not too shabby
“Really gonna beat on it” proceeds to put put around the woods
Looks like I'm playing atv off road fury 2 with that helmet cam!
Awesome content on this video. Definitely something different and exciting to view. The anticipation had me on the edge of my seat. 👍
this is a good video
That's great content!! Let's fix this bike again!!!
@2vintage @joe this is the content we like too see plz ride hard and most importantley stay safe but ride the newest 500 like this!!!!!!
Adjust the valves a little tighter than spec. It's hard to properly fit the spacing tool in there.
The most reliable quad ever made I've been riding mine and ripping for 19 years
This is normal RPM range for TT racing. If you want to really test a bike go to the cinders in Flagging Arizona. 1000ft plus climbs in loose ash and cinders. Your bike will be wide open for minutes at a time climbing the hills. My 2001 400ex did it for years before q rebuild.
I can’t wait until they harvest the soy beans. The property is going to be epic👍🏾
The classic shake the eff out of it till it starts technique. Well played old man. It's fine.
change the pilot jet to 40 and the mixture screw to 3 turns and also put sprockets 14 / 36
Man I love these videos...thanks for the awesome entertainment!
Can’t wait till you get them beans picked should be soon we picked our farm in missouri last week
Good luck, I messed up and didn’t oil my air filter, ran a ton of dirt through the motor, started smoking so I just didn’t change the oil and beat the hell out of it for 6 years, still running, I keep hoping it will lock up so I have a reason to rebuild but it just keeps going.
Can’t wait to see the video of the first ride across the whole entire field
What winner list
"Holding up good" as its burning oil 🤣
I had a 2000 400EX that I beat within an inch of its life for seven years. It never, ever, ever failed and spent a huge amount of its time bouncing on the rev limiter. I only ever changed the fluids, plugs, filter and cleaned the carb. I regret selling it.
Enjoy your videos brother solid content, currently in involved in a 400ex Tear down build myself. You posted a video a while back with a clutch/ground fault issue. I am running into the same thing and need some help. I have tried every wire configuration you mentioned in your videos and the quad will not crank over with out hot wiring at the starter solenoid.
backfire that shooting flames out the exhaust is a rich condition (unburned fuell). popping in intake is a lean condition
When the rev limiter is engaged there is unburnt fuel in the exhaust which is what we see here.
Now that other guy knows how to ride 😅
11:30 seeing some blue smoke. On a new build that's broken-in is an odd thing. Perhaps the rings didn't seat as well as originally thought or there is some blow-by on the valve seals? Have not watched the video totally yet but making that comment now. The riding style used in video was how we rode our 3 wheelers back in the day.. LOL
I used to have this exhaust on my 400ex 2002 and rode like crap….my mechanic at the time could never they the jet’s right and gave up and bogged down much at full throttle….I said screw it gonna put the factory oem full exhaust back in so I bought it on eBay at the time once I did that my quad had t’s full power and rode amazing …and the jets never changed just the exhaust from white brothers back to oem made a world of a difference
I have a xr 400r the motor the same as the ex ? It needs a top end and timing fhain
Wow I have a KFX400 with an LRD exhaust and it sounds good but your fuckin wheeler sounds so good it has so much personality
hey Joe what camera are you using to film all this? not the gopro but the camera for still shots and when you do engine work?
i had one for over 15 year never changed the oil or the plug ran hard as possible always. the quad was toast but the engine never skipped a beat or lost power. ive never had any other engine like it lol
it does sounds less alive the 2nd part the throttle seems to have a slow reaction, it still runs doh but power is down for sure...
I don’t believe you’ll ride any four wheeler or dirt bike until it’ll break at all lol NOT even in another universe. This dude is the most easy going on bikes
fr, he gets on it a bit but it isnt anywhere near the limits of the motor or quad, he just doesn't push it enough
It shot a flame out the exhaust when he hit the Rev limiter lol
Great video it looks like the top head bolt on clutch side isn't in all the way
sick content Joe please ride the CR500 like that haha
We do! Next video
honda makes great bikes even with aftermarket parts thanks for sharing and have a great weekend
This is why you buy a Honda.
find some used +2 a-arms for the front and used trx 450r shocks to keep with the lowest price stuff. bet youll not believe how good that 400ex handles at 49 to 50 inches wide.can wait on the rear or just get spaces for the rear.
I bet if you widen this one as I stated above it beats your built motor around your feild.
Those cylinders are ok but use a good quality piston and ring kit they'll run for a long time
Hard to stop a Honda dude as you can see!
If I get a dg slip on exhaust for my 300ex what jets would you recommend?
Bro i had a 2003 400ex wit a white brothers R4 slip on and man it sounded TOOO GOOOD ended up selling it cuz i blowed it up twice i liked it bht it just couldnt handle my style of riding
Your riding experience shows! Love the 400ex's
26:17 them valves are starting to sound loud lol
i did this to a 2004 suzuki ltz 400 recently rode it hard AF i was actually able to blow it up. i was going to sell it but i wanted to see what a chinese piston could take. it fell apart.
Can't kill a good ol honda👍🏻
Hey I like all your videos you explain in detail and your work is excellent thank you for sharing I learn from you
Ripping around like Christmas morning
Awesome video. I just picked up a crf450x for the trails for pretty cheap but it’s hard to start and a little smoky, seems to run fine otherwise. should i start with checking the valves etc or just go straight to compression/leak down test? i would take the bike to you in a heartbeat but unfortunately im too far
Check The Valves, from my knowledge Honda’s 450s need constant and consistent valve checks
yup valves need to. be checked like every 10 hours or something crazy. LOL its a high performance engine MAN!
“(Riding it HARD)” is crazy
Learn how to "power shift" and that means - after you launch off the start, just blip the clutch to shift never letting off the throttle, keep it pinned the whole time. If you are in a drag with someone he's going to eat your lunch if you are shifting regular. That's assuming he knows to power shift. Also, don't look back to see if you are roosting, it makes you look like a Goon Rider! Goon rider = Squid who thinks he's fast. Enjoy the content but I have to throw in my 2c once in a while. hopefully it helps you.
He said I don't if it's smoking out the pipe 😂😂😂
That thing still goes fast fast tough, don't need no expensive parts
Looked like one of your valve cover bolts backed out
That's how I ride normally.🤣
I’m crying watching this. I had a 2k 400 just like that. I got talked into trading it for a yz125. 🤦♂️. I keep watching FB marketplace hoping to find another. So far no luck.
Great content joe all,in all those cheap parts are doing real good just goes to show you eh great video mate look forward to the cr 500 🔧🔧🔧👍👌
Awwwe Vinny wants to run with you man !
She is running pretty good but put a 162 or a 165 just to be on the safe side I can still hear some popping but not as bad as it was
Those beans should be harvested anytime I hope
Great job Joe!!
Honda 400ex quands we're built very strong that's the quad 💪
Flame out the exhaust @ 29:33 :D
I saw that too 🤣🤣
good track you made...
bike Life.?🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💯💯
I would prolly move the truck and trailer just incase just to be safe. Lol
Ride it some more and do a video of you tearing it down for inspection and then rebuild it again with good parts.
Do you always have to start wheeler with clutch even tho it’s in neutral?
You should really make this a real project anf ofcourse it wont die its a honda it wont break easily . It would just lose power anyway keep up the good work and maybe throw on a turbo and do a compresson test please
Also you need to get some dirt out there.. and make at least 3 jumps spaced out
heyy i love your video were did you get your helmet from?