Predator 500 Flat Track setup

[Ironwill]

I am going to set up my 2004 Dale Earnhardt Junior Edition Predator 500 for flat track racing. I need some help with the set up. I have no idea where to start. I am going to run in the amateur class to start. I do not want to spend a ton of money in case I decide its not for me. Th quad is stock right now except for the HMF Sport exhaust and the factory head pipe is jet hot coated. I am looking for any help to make this machine competitive with out breaking the bank. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[gmb357]

I just did this to mine. Get from ebay a front lowering kit (about 25$ from greenrabbitracing24 or another guy) and easy to install. Then to lower the back, since they dont sell a rear lowering kit as theres not a linkage type below the shock just let out all of the springs preload by unscrewing the two giant spring nuts out all the way on top of the rear shock and this will lower the rear. Also let some preload outta the front two springs too after installing the lower kit, or if you dont buy the kit atleast let 80% outta the two front shocks springs to get it lower, And ofcourse buy Hoosier or American flat track tires and go racing.....

[chronix79]

This guy should be able to help you out...hes just finishing up his build

04 Predator 500 project flat track 3/20/11 update - Polaris Pros Forum

[joshr08]

thanks for the mention on my flat track build. i actually have my motor back apart right now after a 15 min test run for a top end tick with my new 558 build. I am actually working on a bolt on style rear lowering kit as we speak and i also can make up the front kits for you as well. i bought my first front kit but now work in a shop that i has access to a laser and welder. I am a state lic. motorcycle/atv mechanic at night and a certified welder during the day. you are going to want a sway bar also or you be doing more donutz then dunkin' lol if you have any questions just let me know i will help in any way i can. Im not sure on all your local ama races but im guessing you need a kill teether and nerf bars. hoosiers and american racing are both great choices but very expensive. Last yr was my first yr and i ran a set of used hoosiers. I didnt want to spend 600 on tires and not like the sport. This year im running maxxis razr tt yellows(soft)compound. Let me know if you need any help tho. I will tell you this if all you do is lower the rear by backing the preload off on the rear shock dont lower your front to much. You will feel really uneasy on any track bigger then a 1/4-3/8 mile i ran mine on a half mile 2 times and i felt like the rear of my quad was going to pass me. And i weigh 260 with my gear on.

[gmb357]

Wish i had shop access. Thanks for your offer to help i'd be interested in rear lowering bolt on or does it require welding... as everything is fixed without any linkage so i dont see how you did it unlesss you added more steel and drilled new holes but am seeking such...thanks. Oh and i am still running my front with 80% preload let out but i clamped hard rubber bushings around the front right shock shaft so it can only compress a tad to keep it stiff so it wont give and tend to highside and so far i won the last 2 amateur quad races in Ocala Fla...
Check out their site at southerndirttrackassociation.com ,im the only guy wearing blue jeans ha..Later dude

[joshr08]

My personal setup is weld-on. My frame is 100% flat track for the rest of its life so i hand made every part for the lowering kit in the rear. Now i can tweak that setup have them laser cut and then fitin a jig so every kit is perfect. The kit im working on will be a bolt on setup. Im hoping to have it done in the next few weeks. I have a new lowering kit for the outlaw thats coming out of prototype monday and into powder coating then out to wyoming to my test guy. I have another predator frame that im using to mock up different parts and then will be a trail quad once im done making parts for it.

[gmb357]

You have my attention; am very interested in seeing your end product, maby i could view a pic when your done
Anyhow i have a small handicap(1arm) so i had to custom fit then modify a tractor seat for my pred to keep my ass from falling off in the corners but its working out well, it cups my caboose like a mini version of a cart seat.
Well please keep me posted per you rear lowering kit i may want to get 1 from ya....Thanks

[joshr08]

i would love to see some pics of your setup as well. If you dont mind me asking what did you do in reguards to your handle bars and controls? Throttle, brake lever and clutch? Please either post up pics here or email them to me. joshuariehl2000@yahoo.com I am hoping to have my rear set up in proto type set up this week so i can send it out to my test guy as my stock frame is just that right now. Just a frame.

[gmb357]

Clutch is untouched, brake lever is inverted on left bar so my thumb works it and i used the stock thumb throttle i put it on the left and my index finger gives the gas, magically it all somehow fits and its quite comfortable , i'll insert some seat pics soon to view but its from tractor supply and i've trimmed it down then riveted 1" and 2" inch by 3' aluminum above the top lip of seats pan for greater heigth and support and a bit at a time i tweak it with cart seat foam .5" thick where needed..Its been a challenge doing all this fabbing but ive been twisting my own wrench sine i was 11 and began mx racing..

[joshr08]

thats awesome and i would sure like to see so pics when you get around to posting them up. what size tracks do you mostly run? I love both short track and half mile both for different reasons. Short track is usually really tight close racing and half mile for the speed. I was actually invited down to race in florida last yr when i started putting my quad together the first time. The guy that runs the racing down there actually sold me my sway bar and invited me down to race. Thats a bit more of a drive then i wanna do for a race weekend...lol