Ready for next year

[RX1]

Well gents, just finishing the Apex summerization. I got a little carried away this year and did the following:
1.Oil/filter change.
2.New A-arm on lower right side-(getting the bent lower bolt out was a (#%$&).
3.Ulmers front bushing kit. Very nice fit.
4.New slides-2800 miles but not too bad yet.
5.New skegs-old were toast.
6. Pulled rear suspension, disassembled and re-painted everything-no cracks or bends.
7.New bushings in rear suspension-really were not worn much. Great improvement over the Rx-1 wear rates.
8.Greased all of the idler wheel bearings in rear skid by pulling the seals. All were dry after 2800 miles, 2 were seized, so watch these.
9. Replaced the drive axle bearing. Have always greased it, but it seemed a bit loose.
10. Greased jack shaft bearing. Looked good.
11.Changed rear spring setting (moved C-clip one step).
12.Changed chain case oil.
13.Changed exhaust donuts. No way should these fail as often as they do.

I think that covers it. Overall, still very pleased with Yamaha quality, but they do seem to be slidding a bit in the paint and bearing quality departments. I was really impressed that my bulkhead had no damage after getting the A-arm off and seeing how much it was bent. I hit a culvert hard enough to jam my wrist, so I know it took a hard hit.

 

[jkenosh]

i have a 06 apex and my summer to-do list is almost identical to yours, even including the right a arm, i hit a washedout creek where the ice broke and bent both a arms, i was also surprised that the grade 8 bolts bent like they did. when did you buy the ulmer front end kit, his site says its out of stock

 

[AIRWOLF]

My list

Disassemble entire sled
Sell all parts
Buy new sled

 

[RX1]

jkenosh: I had ordered the kit some time ago. I understand they are now in stock. Got mine just a week ago. It does tighten things up. Yes, still can't believe I have no bulkhead damage. All back together now and really, better than new.

 

[jkenosh]

gettin to the inside bolt on the lower a arm was a real pain, did you take your plastics off to get to yours?

 

[RX1]

Yep, took them all off. Made it easier to see everything.

 

[apexgt2007]

im just about to get started on all of my off season duties

 

[rx-1erlimitededition]

I too am in the process of getting my sled ready for next year. Just replaced all the bushings in the bulkead where a arms mount. Not an easy job especially on the back side. Also changed all bushings in the arms themselves where they mount to bulkead. Still have some slop as the bushing were so bad that it actually wore the aluminum some. Still need to look at the joints where the arms mount to the spindle housing. They look sloppy to me as well.

Next week I am going to do the exhaust donuts. That looks like a #$%%$%!!! I have lost at least 5 bearings in my skid during last year. 3 idler and 2 rear wheels. I have to go through the entire skid and replace every bearing, so you don't end up changing them in the midddle of the winter. All the non-replacable bearing wheels are going. You are absolutely right about bearing quality on Yamaha's. It is lousy. None of the other manf seem to have the issue with bearing that Yamaha does. How can they get the engine SO right and then miss the simple stuff?