New Owner - Winter Prep Questions

[ZitRemedy]

Hi Folks,

Today I picked up a 2006 Yamaha Attak with 4800KMs and got it for a pretty good deal I think. The sled is in pretty much mint condition with a few minor issues. As I'm new to the world of 4 strokes I'm looking for a bit of advice. By all means please tell me to take it elsewhere if I'm posting to the wrong place.

1. Previous owner stated the battery was weak but he ad no issues with it last year. It was sitting in his garage and I guess it went dead. We jumped it to confirm operation of the machine but never really charged it so to speak. What i the best way to determine if I should replace? Or just buy a trickle charger and see if its ok after that?

2. The owner stated it was always serviced by Yamaha and the oil shows fine as does the rest of the components. For peace of mind and a learning experience I would like to do some "regular" maintenance myself. What items should I check? I'm in the process of obtaining a service manual, just checking around the various sites to make sure I get the right one.

3. Is this machine known as another model in the US or elsewhere? I don't see many resources related to "Attak" but Apex comes up in a lot of searches. Are they the same sled?

4. The previous owner said that every option was added to the sled when bought new. For example he pointed out a secondary "rad" I guess? Its located behind the track towards the rear and also has aluminum runners riveted underneath the foot boards. (I don't know all the proper names yet lol!)

Looking forward to the winter (never thought I would say that!). Any and all help is much appreciated.

 

[Pstn head]

Start the season with a new battery if your not sure how good the one in it is, also change the engine oil and filter, drain and replace the chaincase oil, test the quality of the coolant or replace it with fresh. Have a look at the idler wheel bearings and at least clean and regrease the drive and jack shaft bearings, or replace with new. Open up the air box and give it a clean. Grease all grease nipples and spray lube any moving or rotating parts in the read skid and front A-arms. I'm sure others will chime in with some more suggestions. Don't be afraid to ask any questions everyone here are helpful and knowledgeable.

 

[radianguy]

All solid advice.
Pretty much covered the basics.

As for your other questions, attack was only around for 2 seasons 06 and 07. 08 saw the Apex LTX ( same sled just name change)

The aux rad was an update from yamaha, the 08's came with the rear rad, at least my Vector LTX GT did.

The heat exchangers under the floorboards are standard equipment.

Enjoy!

 

[stevewithOCD]

OMG! This is the first winter you're are looking forward to? Do you realize you are on a snowmobile forum with people that have serious "addictions". It's like bringing a pizza to a Weight Watcher's meeting. lol. Well you hit the jackpot mr Zitman. I think the Apex section might have been the place to start, but all us OCD guys check every section anyways. There are A LOT of past forums on every single thing on this machine. Do some searching for specifics. If the previous owner had a clue, we must assume hyfax, motor oil, gear oil & secondary clutch buttons have been kept up with yearly or replaced. Check the front bushings and when were the shocks rebuilt? Does this sled have stock ski's? Let's start there...then check this site every day for the rest of your life and then and only then will you become a JEDI....OH, we need to talk bearings!

 

[ZitRemedy]

OMG! This is the first winter you're are looking forward to? Do you realize you are on a snowmobile forum with people that have serious "addictions". It's like bringing a pizza to a Weight Watcher's meeting. lol. Well you hit the jackpot mr Zitman. I think the Apex section might have been the place to start, but all us OCD guys check every section anyways. There are A LOT of past forums on every single thing on this machine. Do some searching for specifics. If the previous owner had a clue, we must assume hyfax, motor oil, gear oil & secondary clutch buttons have been kept up with yearly or replaced. Check the front bushings and when were the shocks rebuilt? Does this sled have stock ski's? Let's start there...then check this site every day for the rest of your life and then and only then will you become a JEDI....OH, we need to talk bearings!

LOL, well winter's are pretty harsh here sometimes so if you don't own a sled they get can tax you quite a bit. I do own a Yamaha Snowblower so that takes some of the edge off...I'm sure the new (to me) sled will make it much better. I'm going to replace the battery and go through the other items mentioned. I'm sure I'll find some things as I go along that will prompt more questions.

Again I'm pretty green to the 4 stroke world and a sled of this caliber...I;m used to driving 2 strokes loaned to me and old Elans from time to time. I want to make sure this one is running tip top for the winter. Also, any recommendations on accessories would be appreciated...gotta dress it up a bit!

Anyone know of a service manual? Or should I just buy one from tradebit?

 

[stevewithOCD]

Most of the bearings can be repacked. Mostly the jackshaft & driveshaft bearings. They are behind secondary clutch. You can carefully pull off the rubber/plastic cover, clean & repack with good grease. Those 2 are the most important & easily done

 

[thor452]

Okay so an Attak is a apex with a longer track so first thing you should do is go to the apex section and read the FAQ post it is a sticky on the top of the forum ( the posts that are always on top never move). once you have finished that then post up any questions you have. on the battery just replace it, it will get you most of the way to the oil filter it only needs to be changed every other or third season you may as well replace that while you are in there. also a great time to do the battery box mod so it will be easier next time. But first read the FAQ sticky. you will have lost of ideas on what you want to check and when you check them you will have great questions for us to help you.

 

[thor452]

oh and congrats on new to you sled. best option for apex starter sled IMHO.

 

[yamadoo]

Congrats you are on the RIGHT site for Apex/Attack owners. StevewithOCD nailed it above, some of us are 'OVER THE TOP' with our sled obsession and we know it and LOVE it. Most of us can laugh at ourselves quite well. Some are very mechanical and experienced some just do it how they said to do.

Welcome and have fun.

 

[actionjack]

The beauty of that machine for you is there are tens of guys here who know every rivet of that machine and who will help if you need it.
Model maintenance highlights
• OEM factory front end bushings are plastic crap and most get changed to oilite at first occasion of need. With no weight on front the A-Arms will be sloppy
• OEM Exhaust donuts wore out quickly and need to be replaced - look up that thread. Every tip you need is in there. If your sled stalls if you cover the exhaust ends you're OK. If your riding buddies compliment you on your new flamethrower once night falls you probably need to change donuts. There are aftermarket copper donuts but I have had the same factory replacement donuts in my Attak for several seasons now.
• The factory oil tank is known to leak from cracks near the mounting tabs - Barn of Parts has a vibration isolation mount kit.
• Rear skid - later Apex models got additional steel in components of the rear suspension - most of us had the parts "beefed up" by a TY member who used to offer this service and Powder coating because the paint tended to rust. These parts are prone to crack if you are a very hard rider.
• Handwarmers - Apex stators were value engineered to be stingy with current to the grips being variable with RPM. On long hauls at a good clip the factory warmers worked but in real world riding a lot of us froze our fingers until the RPMs were steady long enough. In NL hard to believe the sled wouldn't already have Yamaheaters which is a wiring kit my another member Rockmeister to allow you to get more heat if when you need it.

I think there is a link to the Service manual in the FAQ thread.

Lets see the sled.

 

[ZitRemedy]

Thanks for all the suggestions and tips folks, looking forward to getting this ready for snow. The previous owner stated that its ready to ride other than the battery so I want to get the replaced...OEM ok? I'm going to go ahead and do the regular maintenance to get myself familiar with the sled as well. I noticed a small bit of play in the steering that I want to investigate as well.

Here are some pics. Sled is in absolute mint condition inside and out. The tribal graphics on the main red hood are perfect but the other ones located on the black side panels are damaged and missing sections. I might remove them altogether or replace. I have access to a graphic artist and printing of stickers....any suggestions?

Previous owner also installed a winch on the rear. I might remove or keep it just in case...probably not a bad idea.

 

[Oldexciter]

Hey same boat! Just got an 06 nytro with 2,200 miles so I'm going threw pretty much the same stuff. The people on here are very helpful. I always try and use the search section or check the stickies before I ask. I wish you the best of luck riding this year and hope this site helps you as much as it helps me! Can't help to much with advice on working on the sled but if you need a hand searching for stuff or where to look for threads on the site you can send me a pm and I'd be more then happy to help you out. I think I'm on this site more then my wife's on Facebook.. which is a lot haha.

 

[steiner]

Congrats on the sled. I see the previous owner put on the wider VK skis and A arm protectors. Both great additions for that sled. You also have a marginal snow conditions wheels. These are those small wheels located at the very front of the skid. Another nice addition for the skid.
You also have OEM wheel in the skid. These are not serviceable. I would replace them with the update wheels from Yamaha as the bearings go bad on you.
Steering play is normal on these sleds. A few things you can do to help this issue is do update the bushings in the front end with Oilite bushings and also do the three bushings in the steering linkage.
The rear heat exchanger/rad is a good upgrade as these sleds were known to get hot in low snow conditions.
Did you get the Seat Jack or second up seat with the sled? I see the bracket at the rear of the sled for that. I noticed that there is an axe holder on the left side tunnel.
Hard to tell but almost looks like you have 07 handle bars. If they have a bolt in the hook they are 06 and if not then they are 07. The 07 has heating elements throughout the grip and the 06 has a short heating element that does not reach into the hook of the grip. Either way YamaHeaters are the best way to keep your hands happy.
Depending on your driving style and conditions the W arm in the skid may need to be beefed up. I have gone thru three of these in 12k miles.
The exhaust can give you grief. The OEM donuts at the engine are weak along with the Ypipes. At 5000kms I would be surprised if they have not been replace already.
As mentioned above by other members dive into the FAQ section of the Apex forum. Lots of good How To write ups.

 

[ZitRemedy]

Congrats on the sled. I see the previous owner put on the wider VK skis and A arm protectors. Both great additions for that sled. You also have a marginal snow conditions wheels. These are those small wheels located at the very front of the skid. Another nice addition for the skid.
You also have OEM wheel in the skid. These are not serviceable. I would replace them with the update wheels from Yamaha as the bearings go bad on you.
Steering play is normal on these sleds. A few things you can do to help this issue is do update the bushings in the front end with Oilite bushings and also do the three bushings in the steering linkage.
The rear heat exchanger/rad is a good upgrade as these sleds were known to get hot in low snow conditions.
Did you get the Seat Jack or second up seat with the sled? I see the bracket at the rear of the sled for that. I noticed that there is an axe holder on the left side tunnel.
Hard to tell but almost looks like you have 07 handle bars. If they have a bolt in the hook they are 06 and if not then they are 07. The 07 has heating elements throughout the grip and the 06 has a short heating element that does not reach into the hook of the grip. Either way YamaHeaters are the best way to keep your hands happy.
Depending on your driving style and conditions the W arm in the skid may need to be beefed up. I have gone thru three of these in 12k miles.
The exhaust can give you grief. The OEM donuts at the engine are weak along with the Ypipes. At 5000kms I would be surprised if they have not been replace already.
As mentioned above by other members dive into the FAQ section of the Apex forum. Lots of good How To write ups.

Thank for for elaborating. I've yet to really dig into the sled as I'm too busy playing on my Kodiak 450 that I picked up as well for a good price. According to previous owner they never did donuts or bushings. Not sure of owner before him but I don't think so. For peace of mind I'm going to do the bushings in the front end and as you mentioned the steering linkage. What am I looking at for new donuts and ypipes if I need them dollar wise? I'll check out the handlesbars as well.

The previous owner said a seat jack was available from his buddy. I might take it as he's selling it for $150.00...might be good for the odd time my wife wants to go for a run.

Again, thanks for the suggestions. I'll be sure to update everyone as I move along through the process.

 

[steveg_nh]

I just did the donuts on my 07 Attak. Used the copper ones. If you aren't sure, do it! Happy to help and offer my tips and advice, all of which I learned here myself.