Got a Big Bear 350. Now What's This?

[Iplayfarmer]

I traded some unwanted stuff for a '96 Yamaha Big Bear 350. I've included a picture below.

The 4-wheeler is in rough shape. Among other things, it has a bent wheel, needs a new pull chord, the petcock leaks, and there's a squeak coming from the front axle somewhere. It runs great, though; and considering what I gave for it, I'm more than happy with the exchange.

I have two questions right now.

1) Does anyone have a link to a site selling a PDF downloadable manual that is indexed and searchable?

2) What's the hole in the cowling to the left of the handlebars in the second picture? It looks like something goes there, but I've searched images on google and can't figure out what it would be.

 

[Dmace]

Here is a link for a download of the manual for the 87-99 Big Bear 350, I have not used a manual from this site so cannot comment on how good it is but the site does say

Unlike the other sellers, my manuals have a clickable index so you don't have to dig through hundreds of pages looking for what you need.

This manual on CD contains hundreds of pages packed with photos, exploded views, & diagrams including :

General Information
Maintenance & Adjustments
Engine & Transmission
Fuel System & Carburetion
Cooling System
Drivetrain
Chassis & Brakes
Electrical System
Wiring Diagrams
Service Information
Technical Specifications
Troubleshooting & Repair

THE BEST 87-99 Yamaha Big Bear 350 4x4 ATV Service Manual - Download Technical

For $7.88, you can't go wrong.

As far as the hole, I bet that was for a snorkel so you can go in deep water without getting any in the intake.
Here is a picture of a newer Big Bear that looks to have a snorkel in the same place.

 

[Ryan03]

The hole in the fender is for the high /low shifter. This feature was discontinued in 1996, but big bears continued to have this cut out through 1998. The squeak is probably a bad front u joint on the front drive shaft, i changed a few on my 1998, they are very expensive from yamaha, but aftermarket ones are available through tucker rocky and parts unlimited. Don't waste your time trying to cross them over at your local napa or driveline shop, as I wasted countless hours doing this and concluded that they are oddbals only used by yamaha on some grizzlies, Timberwolves and big bears. I bought most of my oem parts from babbits sports center in michigan, they have all of the diagrams with part numbers and prices online accessable from they're site.

I bought mine as a basket case and restored it, rebuilding every thing from the engine to the suspension, if I can help in any way, let me know.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...I bought mine as a basket case and restored it, rebuilding every thing from the engine to the suspension, if I can help in any way, let me know.

Thanks for the offer. I wouldn't classify mine as a basket case, but I'm sure I'll need help. Did you use a manual through your re-build? Which one did you use?

As for the U-joint, I looked closer and saw that there is a broken boot on the right front joint. It could be that. I'm thinking that when I get some time I'll shoot some spray lube in there and see if the squeek temporarily goes away.

One more question... There are some front wheels for sale on e-bay right now, but I think they're all from 2WD units. Is there a difference between the wheels for the 2WD and 4WD units?

 

[Ryan03]

I did not use a manual for my restoration, just a 2 page spec sheet that my dealer was nice enough to print out for me. I pull wreches for a living, so i can usualy figure it out without a manual 90% of the time. If I were to buy a manual, it would be factory manual, despite the higher cost, because in my opinion, they are a step above.

As for the rims, 2wd and 4wd yamaha big bear rims are the same. The bolt pattern is 4 on 110 mm, and many Honda and some Suzuki rims will bolt right on. Just make sure if you go rim swapping from a different make, or model, that whatever wheels you use are from a SRA, or straight rear axle quad. The factory rim size is 12 inch front and rear, front tire size is 25x8x12 and rear is 25x10x12. You can go as wide as 10 inches in the front and 12 in the back with no mods, and as tall as 26 with no rubbing, and 27 with minor rubbing at full turn lock on the frontend. I personaly would not go bigger than 26 inch dia., as mine had 27's and realy struggled pulling my 225 lb body weight through the mud.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

As for the rims, 2wd and 4wd yamaha big bear rims are the same.

I was hoping that would be the case. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Here's another question about rims. Are the rims the same for a 400 and a 350? Once again looking on ebay, I noticed that there are a few rims from a 400 for sale too.

I'm just making sure I know my options. New rim prices about made me choke.

 

[Ryan03]

Here's another question about rims. Are the rims the same for a 400 and a 350? Once again looking on ebay, I noticed that there are a few rims from a 400 for sale too.

I'm just making sure I know my options. New rim prices about made me choke.

2wd 400's typicaly use a smaller rear rim diameter than the 4wd. For example, both use a 12 inch dia front wheel, and a 25x8x12 front wheel, however the 4wd uses 12 in rear wheels as well, tires are size 25x10x12, the 2wd 400 will have a 9 or 10 inch wheel, don't remember for sure, and a tire size of 25x10x9 or 10. The tire diameter, bolt pattern and offset should be the same.

Check into the ITP delta steel wheel, they are usualy around 40 bucks a wheel brand new. I put these on the one I restored.