[raw109]

I'm sure a number of you on here have dealt with the issues of having an ES. I for one and not happy with mine and figured I could just change it over. Now I know I can replace the gearshift spindle and attach a regular shifter to it but is there anything else that I need to do to accomplish this? It is a 2000 Foreman ES 450.

 

[Helmut]

I have heard of people doing this and I think you have to take out the gears on the shift motor. I also heard that they won't hold up, because the transmissions are, somehow, different between the ES and S models. They say they won't handle the strain. The explanation that I got, was that the shift motors shift with the exact same amount of force and pressure every time and on the foot shift, when you shift with your foot, the pressure varies, so the foot shift transmissions are built different or better to compensate. I have never tried this. This is just what I've heard and I am simply passing it on to you. You might call your local Honda dealer and they might be able to tell you if this is true or not.

 

[Pain]

I can certainly believe that, Helmut. I mean, when you add a shaft hanging out of the engine then you have to design for all kinds of extra force that you can omit with the ES.

I really wouldn't doubt that the ES models actually cost less to build, or at least not any extra in terms of pure parts alone, but they sell for more because of the perceived extra cost, or they are recouping design costs.

But anyway, I certainly wouldn't doubt that it would cause more problems, and you would probably be better off to sell the ES and just buy an S.

 

[raw109]

I can certainly believe that, Helmut. I mean, when you add a shaft hanging out of the engine then you have to design for all kinds of extra force that you can omit with the ES.

I really wouldn't doubt that the ES models actually cost less to build, or at least not any extra in terms of pure parts alone, but they sell for more because of the perceived extra cost, or they are recouping design costs.

But anyway, I certainly wouldn't doubt that it would cause more problems, and you would probably be better off to sell the ES and just buy an S.

Here is my reasoning.

Notice the two different spindles one labeled "30" and the other labeled "10". "30" is used in the ES models while "10" is used in the S models. All other parts in that entire selection are the same for the ES and S.

 

[Pain]

Valid point, as long as you can add in part 26.

 

[raw109]

Valid point, as long as you can add in part 26.

It is the oil seal. Comes on both models. I guess i'm just wondering if I can just leave the solenoids as they are or if I need to take them out.

 

[Billy250X]

Should be fine with them in.

 

[Helmut]

I knew the shift shafts could be interchanged, but I heard that the shift motor gears had to come out for it to work. Like I said before, all of this is just hearsay, I've never tried it, myself.