Need Help Finding Someone to Service My ATVs

[theGinsue]

I have two Arctic Cat ATV's (both 2002's - one a 500 [mine] and a 375 [wifes]). They both need work but I can't find anyone reputable to work on them.

The Arctic Cat dealer in Colo Spr went out of business a few years ago.

Two years ago I got Rocky Mtn Cycle Plaza in Pueblo to work on mine - the store in Colo Spr said they wouldn't touch it. After 3 trips with the ATV down to Pueblo, each trip making it run worse (and I found out later that they've given me an electrical short somewhere too), I finally gave up after that 3rd try...with only about 100 hours max on the engine and well taken care of they told me I needed to get the engine rebuilt (the idling issue is most likely just needing a carb rebuild/re-jetting).

Now, I can't get it to idle and the short is draining my battery immediately.

I REALLY need the 500 fixed by hunting season (the 375 can get fixed later - so long as I have it fixed by next Spring). I'd REALLY like to find some place near Colo Spr, or at least along the Front Range.

Anybody have any suggestions for me?

[llostwolf]

I've taken mine to Steeles cycle in englewood. They are a salvage yard of sorts but the guys in there can trouble shoot anything. I have a kawasaki Lakota that wouldn't run correctly after Sun honda did the big service( valve clearance) Sun claimed they couldn't find anything wrong, Charged me an extra $180 to look at it even though they screwed it up. I then took it to Excel and they could tell there was a problem but didn't know what it was. Another $80. I then took it to steeles, they found the airbox on wrong and laughed. It cost me a cold soda and $2 for a hose clamp.

[theGinsue]

That's it? One guy?! No one else around here has ATV's and has had to get them serviced?

[68Charger]

I service my own... but don't have Arctic Cat...

you may check with Fremont Motorsports in Florence...

I know someone who used to work there.. they say they service all makes & models...

my brother-in-law took a Polaris in there, and they did good work.. but I don't have 1st hand experience..

http://www.fremontmotorsports.com/Service.aspx

Also, you may call A&R auto (He's the one that used to work @ Fremont motorsports..
(719) 784-1160‎ Richard is the owner, and he'll tell you straight up if he can work on 'em.. and may know someone else..

hope this helps..

[theGinsue]

Now we're getting somewhere. Nothing personal llostwolf, but the whole "salvage yard of sorts" doesn't really embue me with a warm fuzzy, but I rally do appreciate any and all input on this topic.

[Tim K]

There's a new AC dealer in Woodland Park. The guy who owns it is a good friend, as is his AC certified master mechanic. Two very good, gun friendly people. Big D Motorsports is the name, and the phone is (719)687-7228. You'll enjoy working with them.

[theGinsue]

BINGO! Thanks Tim. This is the news I was really hoping for - an actual AC dealer/mechanic.

I went through WP a few weeks ago and my wife told me she saw an AC dealer sign but I totally missed it.

I'll try giving them a call tomorrow.

[theGinsue]

Thanks again for the information Tim. I took my ATV up there today (the wife wants to see how they do with mine before taking hers up there).

Dan, his wife, and Craig are a great group of folks and I feel that my ATV is in great hands. I have a feeling that they'll be able to get it sorted out for a lot less than I was originally thinking it was going to cost me.

I do hate going to dealerships like that for one reason - I always see lots of great toys that I REALLY want to go home with!

[theGinsue]

Well, I got a call from the Arctic Cat Master Mechanic from Big D Motorsports today. His voice and tone sounded very glum as he identified himself. I thought "Oh $#1t!

I had taken it in because it wouldn't idle @ all and there was also a short causing a serious problem with anything electrical and totally draining my battery practically after installing a new one. I figured this was going to take some time to fix.

So, the bad news he agve me was that the solenoid on my wench was totally burned out. Apparently the cause of the electrical short is that the the ground wire for the wench was rubbed through and also rubbed through the black battery wire. That problem was easily fixed but the solenoid was going to cost $80. Hey, it ain't cheap, but I figure when you need the wench it had better work!.

As far as the engine problem, he re-jetted the carb and told me that it had never been done before (had the stock jets in it). Hmm. Rocky Mountain Cycle Plaza in Pueblo charged me for re-jetting it 2 years ago. I knew they were theives! So, now the ATV is "running like a sewing machine".

Not sure what all this is going to cost me but I'm kind of led to believe that it will end up @ about 1/2 of what I expected it to cost.

It looks like I'm one step closer to being ready for elk rifle season.

[Tim K]

I'm glad it seems to have worked out for you. Big D and crew are good people.