1996 Polaris Sportsman 500

[lagomu]

I am new here and just wanted to say Hi. I just acquired a 1996 Sportsman 500 that a family member bought new and used for a week each year at a hunting camp. It was always stored inside and serviced regularly. If anyone is aware of anything on this machine that needs special attention I welcome your advice.

Thanks

[johniii]

Welcome,sounds like a nice quad. I would start with a manual,you can find them here. I would start with fluid check and grease it up.. Good luck and have fun.

[Frank Angerano]

I agree! First things first; oil,lube and filter. Fresh spark plug and some clean petro.

Get familiar with the bike and be safe. 

Good luck and send some pics. We love pics! 

[lagomu]

A manual is at the top of my list,but I need a few more post for that. I've got to get the plastic all off and give it a good cleaning. Put a winch on last weekend and saw there is a lot of dust buildup under the covers from sitting. I'll send some pics soon.

[JacobSlabach]

those things are good for making mud bosses...  Iv'e got an 04 sportsman I'm fixing up and if I dont sell it, I'm lifting it, putting on mud wheels, snorkel, radiator relocate, it already has a winch.. first thing i need to get it running lol.  I'd check all fluids, wiggle the wheels side to side to check the bearings, check alignment, oil all moving parts, check all cv boots, engine timing, valve clearance, air filter, sp, and send pics!

the valve clearence and timing arnt likely to be off unless its been ridden hard...you be the judge of that...the way I look at it, it would take me 10 mins to make a new quad into a 'ridden hard' quad so I look at all used quads as ridden hard, 3 months old or 25 years old..  I ride the crap out of them- the only breaks they get is if they're broken 😎