[J McWillis]

Well looks like I got myself a new toy. Picked up an '88 TRX300FW last night. Runs great, fires right up, but needs a little work. The cv joints are poppin and it has zero brakes whatsoever. But, all for the wallet-busting price of $650, I think I can deal with a little repair work . Done some thread hopping for awhile, and seems like I stumbled into a better deal than I first realized. So I'm sure I'll be hanging around asking you guys plenty of questions about this thing. And I'll try to help out anytime I can.

I guess my first question is this- This thing has some 26" Swampers all the way around. Everything I've read says that the fronts should be an inch smaller for the transfer case to not have any extra load on it, but some people I noticed run the same size all around with no problems. Should I go ahead and grab some new fronts for it or will it be alright until new tire time (whenever that may be)?

 

[Helmut]

Welcome to the forums. The Fourtrax 300 is a great ATV and in my opinion the '88 model is the best year to have.

Everything I've read says that the fronts should be an inch smaller for the transfer case to not have any extra load on it, but some people I noticed run the same size all around with no problems.

The stock tires are 1 inch smaller in the front and that's the reason for the transfer case. I've heard a lot of people say that they run the same size tires all the way round and haven't had any problems. Some people say that they air the rear tires up more to try to make up for the size difference. Personally, I always ran 1 inch smaller in the front, because that's what it's designed for. I haven't tried to run the same size on the front and back, so I can't really comment on if it will damage anything or not. My opinion is that sooner or later it will cause damage, but it may take a long time and it may appear to be from normal wear and tear.

Keep in mind that a lot of people that run the same size tires ride in mostly mud and I doubt it would be as hard on the ATV in the mud. I ride on a lot of hard surfaces and asphalt, so I won't try it for that reason. In my mind, unless the tires can slip freely, it will have to eventually do some damage.

 

[tomgodd]

Agree with Helmut. I tend to stay around stock specs aswell.
Welcome to the Family!

 

[J McWillis]

Thanks guys, guess I'll have to bump down a size. Better safe than sorry. Now time to tear apart those brakes and see what the deal is there..

 

[shadetree]

agreed..stay with stock tires..unless your wallet is deep !..lol..my ride is '89 trx350 foreman..this bike uses a different front drive system than your 300..so i can run same size front and back..but..for your bike..stick with stock size.

 

[J McWillis]

Thanks again guys. Another question, what are some places everyone uses for parts, etc? Just looking for some recommendations.

 

[Helmut]

Thanks again guys. Another question, what are some places everyone uses for parts, etc? Just looking for some recommendations.

Ebay, bikebandit.com, cheapcycleparts.com are a few.

 

[tomgodd]

Dirt Bike, ATV and Motorcycle Parts & Gear | MotoSport - Official Site
ATV Parts, ATV Tires, Dirt Bike Parts & Motocross Gear | Rocky Mountain ATV/MC
DennisKirk.com - Motorcycle, Harley-Davidson, ATV, Dirt Bike, Snowmobile, PWC / Watercraft Parts, Apparel, and Accessories

A few more for you.

 

[J McWillis]

I like you guys already. Lol. Having a fun time trying to find brake parts for this old thing. You think as popular as they are/were there would be plenty out there floating around..

Thanks again.

 

[tomgodd]

Ebay would probly have soomething. I know Honda dealerships/service departments still sell these products as for my neighbor just purchased some pads for his and had his servvice there. He has a early 90s model. Similar if not the same.

 

[Helmut]

Yep, the Honda dealer will have them.

 

[blowfishRus6]

personally i would just air the backs up a little more, or air the fronts down a tad. not hard to make up an inch. use that money to get some brakes for now.

i have heard the back brakes go out a lot, something to keep in mind.

you got a good deal for the price. great atv.

 

[J McWillis]

Yeah, tires will be fine with different pressures until everything else gets squared away. Any recommendations on psi while I'm thinking about it?

And got the front brakes torn apart tonight, shoes were completely shot and the cylinders are locked up. Just some stuff to add to the order list.

 

[blowfishRus6]

i dont know the exact psi but i keep mine pretty aired up on the back (im only 2wd) cut down on rolling resistance. i probably run mine higher that most would recommend. i would say i could get 2in from a low air tire to a full pumped up tire with my 25's.


just an fyi, any bearings that you run across i would grease them up with a marine/water resisting grease. made a big difference on how mine rolled.

 

[blowfishRus6]

how did you get the front brakes off???

i got the hub nut off and took the collar out of the middle of the brake but its not sliding/coming apart.

 

[ostrx250]

welcome j mcwillis

 

[Helmut]

how did you get the front brakes off???

i got the hub nut off and took the collar out of the middle of the brake but its not sliding/coming apart.

You have to take the little red plug out of the hole in the brake drum and stick a screwdriver in the hole and use it to turn the adjusters on each side of the wheel cylinder. Back the adjusters all the way off and the drum should come off. The brake shoes are adjusted out and it's hanging on the brake shoes. If I remember right, the wheel cylinder is on the bottom, so turn the drum until the hole is at the bottom. You will have to turn it a little to the left and a little to the right of the center of the bottom to get to the adjusters. Take a light and look back into the hole and you will be able to see the adjuster wheels, they have notches on them.

That little red rubber plug might be gone, but if it is, there will be a hole there.

 

[J McWillis]

My brakes were so shot the rotor just pulled off with a screwdriver on one side and a pry bar on the other. Adjusting the cylinders sounds like the way to go, but my setup sounds a little different. I have two cylinders, one on each side. You'll see the hole Helmut was talking about.

And thanks everyone for the welcomes. Looking forward to learning a lot here!

 

[Helmut]

Adjusting the cylinders sounds like the way to go, but my setup sounds a little different. I have two cylinders, one on each side.

Yep, you've got the 4wd model, Blowfish has the 2wd model. The 4wd has 2 wheel cylinders per wheel and the 2wd only has 1.

 

[J McWillis]

Ahh, gotcha. Learn something new everyday!