Going to look at an 03' 450 tomoro... Help!!!

[Vinny2692]

Well, i no absolutly nothing about 4-strokes, ive rode one once, but the valves were bad so thats not what im going to compare this bike to.. Is there any comon problems i should watch for in the 03'? Should it start 1st or 2nd kick if its running right? The bike looks like it was lightly uses. Its bone stock, stock decals, seat cover, engine looks clean.. Any help would be apreciated.

[450GN]

i have an 04 and is in great running condition so it starts 1-2 kicks everytime

make sure of that

other than that i dont know of any big problems to look for since they seem so rock solid

maybe just a test drive and make sure all 4 gears work and engage since i have seen a few bikes loose a gear due to bent shift fork

[cbrewer450]

my 03 450 will start 1st or 2nd kick just about all of the time. Only hard when I put it on it's side for a minute or two. Usually cuz I'm quite the amateur.

[TuningFork426]

my 03 is a bitch to start when its cold

10-13 kicks cold

1-2 kicks if its warm

[Dirtbiker05]

my 03 is a bitch to start when its cold

10-13 kicks cold

1-2 kicks if its warm

check your valves.

[Vinny2692]

Thanks for the help everyone. Im probably going to look at it somtime to day. I will be looking for any major damage, and make shure it will start 1st or 2nd kick.?

[Ga450owner]

Well, i no absolutly nothing about 4-strokes, ive rode one once, but the valves were bad so thats not what im going to compare this bike to.. Is there any comon problems i should watch for in the 03'? Should it start 1st or 2nd kick if its running right? The bike looks like it was lightly uses. Its bone stock, stock decals, seat cover, engine looks clean.. Any help would be apreciated.

A visual look is good - check the frame for dings underside frame rails and possible cracks at the steering head/near dip stick area. Wear on frame sides is normal....less wear equal less use.

Check the air filter - under the seat - is it clean or filthy....

How many hrs are on the bike?

valve adjustments? When if ever

Does the bike start - let the owner start it cold to see if it kicks over 1-3 times...not that this is a big deal. If it does not start..that is a issue

A exceptionally clean bike is usually indicative of a anal owner....the more anal ...they more care was taken maintaining it

Check brakes - do they work without too much play in pedals and lever?When was brakefluid replaces?

Check clutch...does it engage correctly or does it hang/drag while in gear with clutch pulled in

Ride it....

check suspension for anything out of sorts...fluid leaks,

Check underside of motor and frame for any oil leakage...

Check color of oil after the bike is started...is it clean or filthy...

[Vinny2692]

alright, i went to see it today, and yes it looks like it was rode by an old man around his yard. The original plastic is still on it with the factory decals. It still says "titanium 5-valve" on the number plate. But one thing. The guy kicked it about 5 times, and it didnt start. It is at a very reputable dealor and he says it runs perfectly. It has been sitting for a long time withoug being started, there was cobwebs on the tires! Is it maybe old gas?? Was he trying to start it right, he just chocked it, and kicked. What is the worst it can be? Maybe its just old gummed up gas in the bike? that is what im thinking, because the dealer goes over every bike they take on trade, they make shure they run right, but its been sitting there for months.

[Ga426owner]

It is probably old gas in the carb that has gummed up the jets and carb.....best case

ask them the pull out the floatbowl screw 17mm on bottom of the carb -

see if it has trash and /or brownish material in it. Ask how old the gas in the tank is....this is probably the issue

I would say based on the visual condition it has slight use

You still need to ride it to test the clutch and check oil at the least...sounds like a very unused bike thus far....

[Vinny2692]

Yes it does seem like a fairly lightly used bike. Ill be going back on tuesday (there closed for the whole long weekend) and ill ask them to take the carb bowl off. It wouldnt maybe be valves would it? And if it was, how do u fix it? But i doubt that its the valves, it seems lighly used and i hear the yz's are pretty rock sollid...

[dirt117]

i have 2 03 450s and the biggest prob ive had with them is the clutch, i flattrack and dont use the clutch as much as off road but we had to put a new clutch in both of them every year, my 06 450 still has the stock clutch

[Vinny2692]

is it the power that wears the clutch out?

[Vinny2692]

Alright i need some more help, ill be going again on thursday and if all goes good, ill be buying it. Should it absolutly start 1-3 kicks when cold? is there and specific way i should start it? what is it takes wayy more than 3 kicks, say 12 kicks, then whats wrong? O and one last thing, how much compression should it have if i can get them to compression test it? thanks.

[yamasaki]

it took me a few weekends before i could start my '03 reliably with 1-2 kicks in the morning. i would flood the hell out of it the first few weekends i had it becuase i couldnt get it to start within the first 10-15 kicks.

once i finally figured it out, she would start within 1-2-3 kicks in the mornings.

every bike is different.. but my '03.. and now my '06.. like to be started cold this way:

1) turn on fuel petcock

2) pull choke out

3) twist throttle 2-3 times

4) kick (dont twist throttle while youre kicking, like you would on a 2stroke)

once it starts, resist the urge to start cracking the throttle, let it idle for a few seconds so it can warm up.

both my yami's liked this routine.

[WB450]

it took me a few weekends before i could start my '03 reliably with 1-2 kicks in the morning. i would flood the hell out of it the first few weekends i had it becuase i couldnt get it to start within the first 10-15 kicks.

once i finally figured it out, she would start within 1-2-3 kicks in the mornings.

every bike is different.. but my '03.. and now my '06.. like to be started cold this way:

1) turn on fuel petcock

2) pull choke out

3) twist throttle 2-3 times

4) kick (dont twist throttle while youre kicking, like you would on a 2stroke)

once it starts, resist the urge to start cracking the throttle, let it idle for a few seconds so it can warm up.

both my yami's liked this routine.

Same procedure with my 07.?

[Captaincautious7]

Its more important due to the unfamilar starting procedure to focus on the actual running of the engine. Also check to see if it still has the stock chains and sprockets on it. If it does, the machine must have relatively few hours due to the fact that the stock system just doesn't last. Very few experienced riders would return with the stock junk which is a great indicator of usage.

[TuningFork426]

it took me a few weekends before i could start my '03 reliably with 1-2 kicks in the morning. i would flood the hell out of it the first few weekends i had it becuase i couldnt get it to start within the first 10-15 kicks.

once i finally figured it out, she would start within 1-2-3 kicks in the mornings.

every bike is different.. but my '03.. and now my '06.. like to be started cold this way:

1) turn on fuel petcock

2) pull choke out

3) twist throttle 2-3 times

4) kick (dont twist throttle while youre kicking, like you would on a 2stroke)

once it starts, resist the urge to start cracking the throttle, let it idle for a few seconds so it can warm up.

both my yami's liked this routine.

I take what i said about my bike back, 1-3 kicks cold now,

1) give three squirts of throttle

2) kick

Note: choke does not help whatsoever, i leave it off!

[xtreme165]

I had a Yamaha 2003 and rode it for 2 yrs and my buddy now ownes it and he has had it 2 yrs now and no valve problems. The 03 is a great bike and for the valves to go someone either never cleaned there filter or it has 10zillion hours on it cause I rode mine all yr round for 2 yrs hard and again my buddy has it now, he doesn't ride it hard but the bike has been flawless. Don't by all the 1-2 kick start BS on here. If you don't know the bike it can easily take more to start it ( Exp. when cold). Try riding in below Zero degree weather and get the bike started 20 plus kicks no matter what you do at times. So how fast it starts wouldn't bother me, again as someone else stated check the kick starter for play and the foot pegs as most don't replace those once they get loose and if they are tight then chances are the bike is good.

[Vinny2692]

all right thanks everyone. ill be going back tomoro, and after what everyone has told me, i will probably be buying it, even if it doesnt start first kick. Oh, and it does have original chain and sprokets:thumbsup: