Linhai Bighorn 200 transmission problems

[kadetklapp]

I ride a Linhai bighorn on our family farm. This is something my gramps bought less than a year ago to help haul wood with. He had a stroke and it's hard for him to get onto his tractor, so he thought this would be better. It isn't for him, but it's way more handy for me. I usually haul firewood and trash with it. No major abuse whatsoever. It's got less than 10 hours on it if I had to guess.

Lately it's developed this problem where in gear (notice only in forward) the bike will shudder and lurch. I figured out that the driveline is binding somewhere, and pretty bad too. If you give the gas it will go away at speed, but just putting around slowly it's very evident something is wrong.

I jacked the bike up and chocked the front wheels. In gear with no weight or load on the rear wheels, I cannot get the problem to replicate. Not sure what to do here. I want to file a warranty claim (and soon) but I have a feeling I'm going to get blown off if I can't tell them a rough idea of whats wrong. Anyone else have similar experience?

[quadnut20]

What year is it ? Are we talkin about the Side xSide?

Couldn`t find a 200 just a 300? is this it ?

http://www.linhaicanada.com/side-by-sides/bighorn-28.html

Edited October 28, 2011 by quadnut20

[kadetklapp]

He bought it in December of 2010 new from Rural King. Its a regular 2wd quad bike.

[Ajmboy]

Sounds to me like it's the tranny on that, but not sure. If you can file a claim or go to a service center, that would be the thing to do if it's under warranty.

[kadetklapp]

Well, I'm not even sure what would qualify as a service center. The bike was bought at Rural King, who told me that it's not their problem and they don't even sell them anymore. I'm going to try getting ahold of customer service but I'm not holding my breath.

The fluid in the trans is clean and it's full.

[kadetklapp]

Well in talking with Linhai it would seem that conveniently the transmission is not covered past six months, but the engine assembly is. Go figure. Also, there is no one in my area who will touch it, even reputable Polaris and Arctic Cat dealers refuse to talk to me about working on it. Linhai says I need to take it 200 miles away to a dealer they say will look at it for the possibility it may be covered. Right.

Short of the long is, don't buy ChiCom junk!

[travellerw]

Based on your description... My guess is a slipping belt, thats why you cant replicate with wheels off of ground.. $80 for a new belt and it should be good to go...

[Mudflap64]

I was going to ask if it was belt driven. Simply cleaning the sheaves might fix the "shudder". Dirty sheaves on a snowmobile can wreak havok and create all kinds of " assumed" problems. Start simple.....then work from there. With the wheels in the air it's not under normal load & could act just fine.

[travellerw]

I was going to ask if it was belt driven. Simply cleaning the sheaves might fix the "shudder". Dirty sheaves on a snowmobile can wreak havok and create all kinds of " assumed" problems. Start simple.....then work from there. With the wheels in the air it's not under normal load & could act just fine.

Yup.. Another problem I have seen when units are new.. The clutch is over greased and the grease if flung out with such force it bounces back on the sheaves. Clean everything real good (gas on a rag for the sheaves, soap and water for the belt) and problem goes away. Usually if I go so far as to take everything apart, I just replace the belt (still clean the sheaves).. My time is worth the price of a belt.

[Mudflap64]

I'd recommend Isopropyl(rubbing) alcohol for the sheaves. ( cleaning parts with gasoline isn't the best idea!) Rubbing alcohol also leaves no oily residue.....brake cleaner would work too, but it is more costly. I've used rubbing alcohol on hundreds of sleds & never seen any adverse effects too the belt or function of the clutch sheaves. Just remove the belt & wipe the sheaves CLEAN. Wiping down the taper portion of the belt wouldn't hurt either.