When to throw in towel on a ATV?

SodBuster87 · May 14, 2019

Got a ATV given to me. Mostly free. The only thing it cost me was the dnr transfer. ATV has seen better days. I rode it half way around the field and it died. Either coil or CDI box. I have an standing offer to sell it for $300 sight unseen to ATV salvager. ATV in question has no working lights, back brakes drag, dealer told previous owner they're too far gone to adjust, fronts only work if you pump the hand lever. Don't think it has one plastic panel that isn't cracked somewhere,. Is missing a head bolt as it broke on previous owner and was never replaced. Leaks oil onto block from head. Then smokes from burning oil. Should I take the offer to sell it or keep it and fix it?.. it would take another $500-$750(?) To get it "trail worthy." Running and trail worthy it's worth around $1,000. I have another ATV that runs perfect and needs nothing. So not in dire need of a second ATV but it would be nice.
Thoughts?
Sod Buster

SVcummins · May 15, 2019

Sell it

2x4 · May 15, 2019

Moonlite37 · May 15, 2019

If Honda, keep it, others, sell

Billy Shafer · May 15, 2019

SELL IT.

BigPapa53 · May 15, 2019

Do you also have a three legged one eyed dog named Lucky?

I d tell your buyer to be there before lunch.

-Scott

Crazy Horse · May 15, 2019

You'll have a hard time sleeping if you sell it for $300 ...... tell the guy he can have it for $100 ... LOL !!

Hayfarmer · May 15, 2019

I think everyone is correct, sell it. But what would I do? Probably find another of same model that wasn't quite as bad and put the 2 together plus spend about $1000 getting it back together and running. I always hate to give up on anything

JDEM · May 15, 2019

Parts are cheap unless it is a real oddball like an Arctic Cat or mid 90s King Quad or Quadrunner. If I had it, I'd fix it. Low price
quads, at least here in northern Michigan, are scarce if repairable. Good running ones, even from the 80s tend to sell for $1000 or more.
I have no idea what a "DNR transfer" is. I don't have to tell the DNR anything when I buy trail stickers for any of my four-wheelers.

ericlb · May 15, 2019

personally id get rid of it, i had about the same experience, with one, a hysun, basically a Yamaha rhino, when i got it,it was free, it didnt run,i discovered it had bent valves, 5 of them in a 1 cylinder engine!, major over revving? nobody around here knew anything about them, not surprising as some cant fix a Chevy, lol , anyway i got manuals and went in to fix the thing, every thing about them internally is as hard to get to and as weird to work on as they could make it, when i did get it running, it smoked like a old 400 Cummings diesel on a cold morning ! more work, it had good compression, never did figure it out. after i spent 600 on it trying i gave it away just so i wouldn't have to look at it, and went back to a tractor bucket or pickup truck for chores

SodBuster87 · May 15, 2019

Thanks guys. Going to take the salvagers offer with the atv. For as much as my mind is playing what if games with it I don't need another headache right now. Or another money pit. Could I get it running cheap? Maybe... But running and *reliable* are two different things. If it isn't trustworthy enough to take down a trail without worrying if I'll be walking back, it's worthless to me.
Sod Buster

dr sportster · May 15, 2019

Sell it , there are plenty of nice ones for sale.

DeltaRed · May 15, 2019

Many answers here.It may cost more than the 7-8 hundred to fix 'right'.To fix and sell as a good runner,probably wont work. You will probally have more money than worth,not to mention time. To fix and keep as an extra go for it. To just get running to have a beater around the farm,by all means fix.As a beater,it doesn't have to be 'pretty',just run.Maybe take the opportunity to make it into some kind of utility type of vehicle for the farm.To make a quick buck,dump it.You know what a good used one will cost. You decide if the time and money/parts are worth it to you. Only you know the right answer for you.I think Id fix,at least get it running. then decide what's next.

SweetFeet · May 15, 2019

I'm with you, Sodbuster... I'd take the
salvage money and run.

Fawteen · May 15, 2019

GordoSD · May 15, 2019

Sell. Use your time money and talent on a known good investment.

RN · May 15, 2019

Wisconsin DNR inspection sticker forms have a couple lines for 'transfer', sort of like a title transfer. Sticker needed for use on trails- spark arrestor needed for possible fire hazard on exhuast, quiet enough as required on after certain year and kill switch, couple other things. No sticker= no access to trails. No transfer or DNR registration may mean a impound and check for stolen if caught by local police. Northern/Central Wisconsin used to be market for stolen ATVs, Snowmobiles from Illinois, thief gets caught with stolen motorcycle with title means interstate transport, possible federal felony-- Stolen 'Toy' recreational vehicle means misdemeanor unless real expensive, not federal charge since not a 'motor vehicle'. Lawnmowers another sometimes stolen , low risk item. Druggies wanting enough for daily high would take $2000.00 RV, Mower, ATV etc. get $20.00 to $50.00 worth of drug and dealer would pass stolen 'toy' to Chicago area transporter to take to Portage, Madison and points north sales for $400.00. Transporter caught with snowmobiles, did week jail, final 6 month probation. Motorcycle would have been maybe 2 years prison or year and day in Sandstone. RN

JDEM · May 15, 2019

Here in Michigan, we have to get a DNR ORV sticker. In addition, if riding on certain maintained trails, an extra trail sticker is needed. Neither go by any specific info on the four-wheeler. Not even year, make or model. I wish there was a way to remove the stickers and swap back and forth. I have three four-wheelers at a camp in the Michigan Upper Peninsula, and three more at a farm in the northern lower peninsula. I cannot ride them all at once. I wish I could swap those stickers back and forth. I don't have papers for any of my four-wheelers. Not even the brand new Chinese one I bought for my granddaughter awhile back. I can get papers from the state but that cost extra money and I have no use for them.

Ian Beale · May 15, 2019

Saying here is "Once a heap always a heap".

Or in house valuer's terminology "Beyond prudent redemption"

Donald Lehman · May 15, 2019

Coil or CD? Maybe. Coils go bad. Coils are cheap, relatively speaking. CD boxes do go bad but not very often CD boxes may or may not be relatively cheap. Stator assemblies generally go bad before CD's do. If the stator assembly is bad, you are generally looking at the $400 range. Stators can usually be tested with an ohm meter if you have the spec. If the stator is bad, sell it. I worked on ATVs for 20 years. I don't necessarily subscribe to the "if it ain't a Honda, don't bother". If the stator is good, might be worth the time and trouble. If the Stator is bad and you can salvage and come out ahead, sell it.

When to throw in towel on a ATV?

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