450 owners manual and tools

[labvet]

I just bought a 2003 450 es and it doesn't have the owners manual or tool kit. Any suggestions on where I can get one, and what kind of tools do I need to carry. I have only ridden once, because my boys won't stay off of it!
Thanks,
Labvet

[FLIPSTICK]

I WOULD TRY YOUR LOCAL DEALER , HONDAPARTSWORLD.COM OR EBAY.
ALSO HONDA.COM HAS A LINK TO PURCHASE MANUALS .

[HondaForemanNo1]

2003 TRX450S/FM/ES/FE Service Manual
Price each: $48.00
Publication Item No.: 61HN005

Common Service Manual
Price each: $48.00
Publication Item No.: 61CM001

The regular owner's manual is $16.00, but I only have the item # for the S model.

Order On-Line: www.helminc.com

Order Toll Free: 1-888-CYCLE93 (1-888-292-5393) Note: Credit Card Orders Only
Monday-Friday 8:00AM - 6:00PM EST.

This came from the back of my owners manual. eBay prolly has the same, but if not, then there's you a backup plan.

[labvet]

Thanks for the quick reply. Would you suggest ordering a tool kit, or just get a spark plug wrench, plug kit and small air pump?
My family is new to the 4 wheeler world, but it seems to be a great family outing.
Thanks,
Labvet

[Foreman Rider]

I would suggest gettin a plug kit, small air pump, and a cheap walmart socket and wrench kit. Maybe a spark plug wrench but I think its 17mm.

[Jake]

If you're new to ATVing, then I would suggest getting the owners manual. There no rocket science involved, but there are lots of little things in there that are of value for you to know. Any source I know of (one) is already listed.

If you're interrested in tinkering on it yourself, I strongly recommend the service manual. More so than the owners manual. Sixty bucks (delevered price, roughly) seems like a lot for a book, but you're not buying the book. You're buying the information. Honda has some of the best service manuals I have seen. Very complete, easy to read, and easy to follow. The first time you set the valves, change a wheel bearing, or change the oil for that matter, it's paid for. The second time it's money in the bank.

As for the tools, you're not missing much. I don't like leaving home without enough to make at least an attempt at band-aiding something. I have my own dedicated tool kit, but as for the original one, It's supposed to have a plug wrench that doubles as a lug wrench, but don't count on it getting off a lug nut. There is a 10-12, and a 14-17mm double end open end wrench. Those are all right for some things, but for genuine repairs, you'd be better off getting one of those rubber mitts for opening stuck pickle jar lids. There's a double ended screwdriver with a medium-small flat tip, and a universal #2 or #3 phillips that fits either size poorly. There's a pair of pliers that pinches your fingers much more firmly than they can grasp any part of the bike. And a little fender clip tool that most Foreman riders would be hard pressed to tell you is anything but a handle for the spark plug wrench. All that in a case that requires a calculus degree to get everything back inside of, and is not sealed enough to keep moisture out, so it promotes rust. Just about what you'd expect for the tool kit in just about anything.

I have a strong suggestion about making up a tool kit. First use a tupperware, gladware, or other rugged to semi-rugged container to keep out moisture. Keep in mind that it will take a good beating as it bounces around with (relatively) heavy objects inside. (Filling dead space inside with shop rags helps this a lot).
Use cheap stuff. (Read: stuff that you won't cry if it gets lost or rusty, or beaten, pounded, or broken to make it into another tool.) Get a three or five dollar "wal-mart" combination wrench set from eight to seventeen mm. Sets that skip sizes are OK, but you'll want 8, 10, 12, 14, and 17mm at a minimum. Also a metric socket set covering 8mm to whatever it goes to. 3/8 drive is good, as that'll usually do the lug nuts just fine with a little "grunt". Watch the flyers and you shouldn't spend over twenty bucks, maybe more like ten or fifteen. A couple of screwdrivers (or one with changeable tipe) that covers flat, #2 and #3 phillips. And a GOOD multi-plier, either in the kit or on your belt. That'll get you out of nearly any minor mishap and quite a few major ones.

For going a ways from home, I would recommend finding or making storage for a twelve volt compressor (above and beyond any CO2 inflaters you may choose to carry), a plug kit, and a patch kit, but if you're not sure about remounting a dismounted tire on the trail you could probably skip the patches. A fist full of zip ties are great. I have some mechanic's wire (safety wire) rolled up too. Electrical tape is handy.

Beyond that I have a hard time recommending too much, because I could recommend stuff all day long. There are lots of things you may or may not want or need. I built my kit to have exactly what I could need, and NOT what I don't. Do any work that you do to the bike with the tool set on the bike. Any time you aren't able to adapt the tools to the bike, note what you needed to borrow from elsewhere, and find a cheap version for your tool kit. Weed out the tools from the kit that you won't need. (9, 11, 13, 15 mm wrenches, for example). Don't forget to add the ones required for accessories that are usually SAE. (for example, if your winch mount uses 7/16 nuts, you'll need either that, or an 11mm. Half inch or 13mm, and 9/16 or 14mm are common "add0on" sizes).
As you go, you'll have a tool kit that is realatively small (you'd be surprised) yet will fix anything that you care to tackle.

[Tufelhundin]

Now that was good info...Thanks Jake.

I just copied and pasted that stuff. Good heads up!

[wacker]

I got some of these listed on eBay, if anybody is interested though, I sell them out right also.

$22.50 each, includes shipping too.

"No Time Flat" ATV - Motorcycle, Tire Plug Repair Kit Item number: 4521326352

Thanks Greg

[BadForeman]

I just strap a tool box from wal-mart on the back on my Rancher with a tow rope, first aid kit, knife, all kinds of tools...ect.. So then if someone else break down I can also have all the tools I need to help them out too. I also carry an extra couple of spark plugs just in case too.

I would check ebay or your local honda dealer for a manual. I would get both manuals too if you do the mainance yourself. Thats what I am going to do.

JMO