Services
Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
For after hours and Sunday appointments call 660-263-5900.
Service Introduction
At Superior Arctic Cat service is as important to us as it is to you...when you need it most! That's why we have not one, but two Cat Master Certified Technicians, Todd Gill and Randy Dameron. And, we always stay up-to-date with service schools offered by Arctic Cat. In addition, we have over 30 years of small engine repair and ATV repair experience to offer you; our discerning and discriminating customer.
Customization is another area where we have had a blast servicing you. Chrome bumpers and wheels, special order tires, hand guards, MRP (multi-rack platform) attachments, hand warmers, snow plows, winches, etc. We have even developed custom models, such as the HO Sport, and the ACRG (Arctic Cat Racing Green). Nothing is more fun than impressing yourself and your friends with the look and performance of your Arctic Cat ATV. And we are here to help you make your dreams come true. After all, it should be second nature for us to do this, because your dreams are the same dreams we have, too!
Here's to you and your outstanding Arctic Cat "pride" and joy(ride).
Tech Tips
Needle Greasers
All ATV owners should be aware of something. No ATV has a grease zerk on the ball joints or tie rod ends. When ball joints and tie rod ends are assembled very little grease compound is used. So, here is what to do.
Go to your local auto parts store and get a needle greaser for your grease gun. Then stick the rubber portion of the ball joint and tie rod end and inject it with grease. This will help prolong the life of the ball joints and tie rod ends. Whatever you do, do not use this on CV boots. It can cause damage to the boot, resulting in damage to the CV joint.
Venting
ATV owners beware! Poor ventilation of the fuel tank, master cylinder or carburetor can lead to problems.
The vent tube for your fuel tank has fuel vapor in it, which contains moisture. This moisture, mixed with grass seed or crop dust, can cause the tube to become plugged. To help prevent this problem, cut the vent tube four to six inches below the fuel tank at a 45 degree angle.
The master cylinder has vent holes below the cap, which, over time, can become plugged. When this happens, the diaphragm will not operate properly, resulting in poor braking power. An easy cure for this problem is to simply remove the cap from the master cylinder and drill a 1/16th hole in the center of the cap only. DO NOT DRILL THE DIAPHRAGM! Make sure the cap is clean of metal shavings and burs, then re-install. This will give sufficient ventilation for proper operation of the master cylinder.
If you are having trouble with fouling plugs, or with poor performance, it could be caused by the vent tube on the carburetor. The best cure for this is to bring it to us so we can check your ATV.
Adjust Those Valves
If you're waiting to hear that little tapping noise before you have your valves adjusted on your ATV, you could be in for trouble. Why? Because most ATVs have overhead cams. So, the valves tighten instead of loosening as they wear, which means they will wear out the valve seats and cause poor engine performance and head damage. Also, because the valves don't all wear at the same rate, you may get valve overlap. So, it is advisable to have your valves adjusted periodically to keep that like new performance.
By: Randy Dameron
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High Performance Air Filter & Lid
Own a 1996-2002 Arctic Cat 375, 400, 454, or 500? Would you like better performance and fuel economy? There is a way to let your engine breath more easily and have a little more power inexpensively. Remove the air box cover and turn it over. You will see a small opening. What you will be doing is cutting the inside cover to make a much larger opening. Following the inner outline, cut and remove this area. Clean breather of all plastic completely. Then, remove the old filter and install the new filter you just purchased from Superior Arctic Cat. The filter referred to is a new model (part number 0470-460) that now comes standard on 2003 and newer H.O. 500s. It draws air in all the way around, instead of being blocked off on the end like the old filter, and is a third larger around. Install the new filter with the arrow pointing upward. Put on your modified air box cover, and go for a ride. You will notice your ATV sounds and performs better. And, spark plug life will also improve.
By: Randy Dameron
Do you own a 2003 or older Arctic Cat? The master cylinder, although it is sufficient, can start to stick over time. A sign of this is the brake light staying on. If this problem occurs, what is happening, is the brakes are remaining engaged, and are wearing the brake pads and reducing your Cat's performance.
What we recommend is upgrading to the 2004 master cylinder, which has a larger reservoir and piston. This means you will have more brake pressure at the pads without having to crush your brake lever. And, with more fluid capacity, you will have less brake fade when you are using the brake hard, or in more rugged terrain. Also, the new master cylinder comes with a new and much larger brake lock. As well as a redesigned lever that allows you to use a two finger braking action. This braking action allows you to keep a better grip on the handlebars.
By: Randy Dameron
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Steering Bushings
To help prevent wear of the upper steering bushing you should apply some bearing grease to the steering bushings. This is how:
Turn the fuel off and remove the right side panel. Then, remove the fuel tank. On the steering post you will see the upper bearing housing. Remove the two cap screws and remove the housing and bearing halves. Using bearing grease lubricate the inside of each bearing half. Tighten the two cap screws and torque to 20 foot pounds. Install the fuel tank and side panel. We recommend this be done annually as preventive maintenance. Or, any time you notice the steering is becoming more difficult. You will be amazed what a difference just a little clean grease will make.
By: T.A. Gill
Oil, Your Engine's Life Blood
Just because your ATV has a 4-stroke motor does not mean you can use just any oil. The Arctic Cat ATV is designed with a wet clutch on both automatic and manual transmissions. Regular oil does not have the additive needed to protect your clutch discs.
Any oil used must be wet clutch compatible. We recommend that you purchase either AMSOIL 10w40 wet clutch compatible motorcycle oil or Arctic Cat oil. AMSOIL is considered the best synthetic oil on the market. We keep both brands in stock at Superior Arctic Cat for your convenience. So, protect your investment with the best oil for your ATV.
By: Randy Dameron
650 Belt Life
On every 650 Arctic Cat (Kawasaki's too) it is vitally important that the ATV be brought in for belt adjustment between 50 and 100 miles.
As you break in the 650 the belt will loosen causing the belt to flap. This will cause slippage and excessive wear of the belt, which may require premature belt replacement. The belt needs to be re-shimmed to specifications, to allow for the longest belt life possible.
This is a maintenance procedure, not a warranty issue. But, the good new is , you only need to do this once. After the belt is used between 50-100 miles, it is worn in, and should not stretch anymore. If you have this service performed you should get 3,000-4,000 miles on a belt. If you don't ascribe to this preventive maintenance, we have seen belt life on the 650 as short as 600 miles.
The belt light on your dash will come on at 100 hours, or about 1000 miles to remind you to have the belt serviced. But, remember, the belt will already have worn in at as little as 50 miles. So, if you wait until you have 400 or 500 miles on your ATV before you have the belt adjusted, you may just need a new belt by then. By the way, after the belt light comes on at 100 hours, and you have it re-set, it won't come on again until your belt starts to come apart and it flips an internal switch.
Moral of the story: get you 650 belt adjusted when it has 50-100 miles and it will give you years of service life.
P.S. This only applies to the 650 Kawasaki motor and transmission. Arctic Cat 400 and 500 automatics use the Duramatic transmission with a wet clutch. So, they don't require any belt adjustment.
By: T.A. Gill
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Air Filter
Keep it clean. No, really! I'm serious. You would not believe how many ATVs we see, of all brands and sizes, with this one complaint at the top of the Work Order: It won't run.
The first thing we look at is the air filter. And, you wouldn't believe what we find--candy wrappers, leaves, mud and even people's mail. I guess they ride out to the mailbox, get the mail, and stick it between the seat and the fuel tank right where the air intake is. And, well, swoosh! There goes the electric bill right down the intake snorkel into the air box, where it is now wrapped around the air filter. Now, the ATV will still run for awhile until the spark plug fowls out. Why does the plug fowl out? Because of lack of air!
You see, when your filter gets dirty and/or something is wrapped around it or sucked up against it, it is blocking air flow through the filter and into the carburetor.
The carburetor, on the other hand, still pours the same amount of fuel into the engine. But, without enough air, the engine is now running rich, causing your plug to fowl. So, KEEP IT CLEAN. Check you air filter every week. If you own an Arctic Cat 375-650, all you have to do is wash it in soap and water,& re-oil. We sell some handy spray-type oil here at Superior Arctic Cat, or you can order it on-line. I prefer the spray oil because you get a more even coat without overdoing it, which will also block the air flow.
P.S. Don't use penetrating fluid or solvent to clean or oil your filter as it will destroy the foam element.
By: T.A. Gill
Elevation Jetting and Clutching Adjustments
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