Cannondaleriders

Hello everyone my names Vinny, i'm 16 and have been rideing quads and dirtbikes for 3 years now and love it.I have found a 2002 cannondal cannibal on craigslist and have been talking to the guy for a little.The catch is the quad is brand new never been started or had fluids in it, but is missing alot of parts ecu, antiefreez overflow bottle,gas tank headlight bezel ,few plastic pieces , seat, and rims and wheels , and who knows what else . The guys story is that he baught this quad from a dealership that had started to part it out , and baught it as is.He claims he has a sales recipt , and it's legit , and that he wants it gone because he recked his car and needs money and along with that he could never find parts for it.The quad alone i can get for 800,and the parts i priced out for 300 minus the tires and wheels.The big question is , is it worth it ?Are they fairly reliable ? My plan to see if it has never been started is to take a scope camra thing that is used to inspect pistons, and put it down the spark plug hole, and see if there is any carbon on the piston crown.Any input would be much appreciated.

thanks in advance,
vinny.

here is a link ........... http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/2023811158.html

I think thats a great deal. You can make them relieable, they have a few issues but most can be updated fairly inexpensively. They handle great, look cool and are cheap to get good hp numbers from. If you do buy it, make sure you check everything. If you dont mind wrenching on it, might be a good machine for you. Good-luck.

That's what I like to hear, thanks for the kind words. Now how can i make it relieable?. i'm not afraid to wrench on my toys, and my dads a machanic/body man, soo that helps too. Also what are the main things i should look out for ?

Crank bearing needs to be swapped with one from a z-400, if it has a magnesum cam cover you will have to run Evans coolant or swap it for an aluminum one, maybe dry rotted fuel lines, gut the quick disconnects, basic stuff like that.

Not to be discouraging here, but that is not an ATV - that is a project. Between learning your way with basic (or advanced mechanics), learning the nuances of the C'Dales, finding the parts, paying for the shipping and incidentals, you're potentially looking at significant investments of time and money. If you're looking for a rewarding project, then you've probably found a good one. If you're looking for an low-cost ATV you might want to keep hunting.

I agree especially if you look at time as $. Right now you can buy a YFZX brand new with warrantee for $4300-5200. New quads have never been cheaper or better. If you have the time you will come out ahead with the Cannondale but if not and riding is priority don't get the Cannondale project.

Why does it have an fx400 exhaust on. With the airbox off you can look down the intake past he open valves to see if it has carbon on the piston. No offense to you but pclieter is right even if it runs it will need an update and at your age are you ready to do a full teardown and CORRECT update? At its age the injectors are surely plugged, fuel lines rotten, valve cover rotted through ect... If your thinking just slap some tires on it run for years then just forget it. Cannondales take a full commitment to updating that you pretty much need to learn yourself. We are here to help you morph the machine into something awesome and rewarding but if you are not ready to do what it really takes then just pass and buy something else.

Uh huh

Steve, if you can get me a new yfzx brand new for $4300 I will come today and get and throw my Polaris in the garbage!