Whaddya think?

Stetam

Stetam

New member
Joined
Mar 21, 2011
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41
Age
66
Location
Jonestown, PA
I recently picked up my first Yamaha, a 2004 Viper ER at an insurance salvage auction for $1000. It has a new studded track, 3K miles, purrs like a kitten and is in overall excellent condition. Looks like the only damage was to the front bumper,right side trailing arm, radius rods and steering rods. I already ordered a new trailing arm and bumper and was wondering if it would be ok to just straighten out the radius rods?

I already have a 580z Cat that is my beater, go fast sled....so, are there any mods I need to do to use the Viper for the usual trail cruising?

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Replace all the bent parts. For the price you paid and a few used parts you are still well below the market price of that sled. You can often find the parts you need in the classified section here.

Viper is a great trail machine. Do the usual maint. like clean carbs, clean the power valves, go thru the skid bushings and bearings.

By the pics there are a few goodies on the sled already.
 
stein700sx said:
Replace all the bent parts. For the price you paid and a few used parts you are still well below the market price of that sled. You can often find the parts you need in the classified section here.

Viper is a great trail machine. Do the usual maint. like clean carbs, clean the power valves, go thru the skid bushings and bearings.

By the pics there are a few goodies on the sled already.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I guess I will just replace the rods. What "goodies" do you see on the pics? Sorry for asking but I don't really know what stock is supposed to be on a Viper.
 
I smoked a tamarac couple seasons back and had similar damage.Put the radius rods on a block of wood and massage them with a rubber mallet.Pretty soft stuff and easily worked back to straight.As long as they aren't kinked or flattened they'll be OK.Never had a problem with mine after beating them like a rented mule.
 
good find, them goodies did come on some of the 04s but only on the s model i beleive. little work and will be a very nice machine, also saw the skidplate and running board trim addons. got the plug in for heated shield or other accesories already installed too.
 
WARNING: Search my username for the email thread on the cooling system. In stock form if you run it slow it WILL burn down.

Sled was built with a coolant flow problem in the head. Even if you don't run it slow the Opticool head gasket and raising the needles will add alot of mid range power.
 
Do not buy a jobber trailing arm. They are junk. If you can get it to fit it will bend easily anyway. I bought a factory one and it came the right color too. The sticker on the trail arm costs more than it should, but most things yamaha are that way. Nice deal.
 
X2 on cheapo trailing arms. I bent a BUNCH of arms on my Viper and the cheapos bend WAY quicker than stock. I quit buying Yamaha's graphics after paying $300 for a set on my 97 XTC. STOOPID expensive for what you get!
 
You wont like it at all! just cuz I am a nice Guy I waill take it off your hands at cost...........Just kiddin.....I see POTENTIAL! Welcome to the wonderful world of YAMAHA!

"i already got a 580z beater...go fast sled" thinkin that viper should out run (with out breaking a sweat) a 580z unless its pretty well modded
 
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Wow! I'll say it backwards... woW! Good deal!! Yeah, stay away from aftermarket trailing arms. I have a few of them sitting in my garage in the corner all bent up. I went back to genuine Yamaha arms and haven't bent one in 2 seasons.

P.S. If you decide to get new rods, but straighten out the old ones then you'll have spares.
 
Nice sled at a great price...I'd love to find a VIPER in that condition for a grand...Sled is worth alot more then you paid...Have fun and say good buy to the Cat...
 
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