I've been on the forum for a couple years, but just picked up my first Quadzilla.  I've wanted one since I was a kid.  I think it is a 1987 but the frame tag was scuffed up and not easy to read.  I think I can probably get a better look at it when I get a break from work and find the year model.  The guy I bought it from was the second owner and had it for the last 20 years.  He rode it for the first time in years Saturday and said it seemed to be running really strong until he noticed a ticking in the motor.  He parked it and shut it down.  He tried kicking it and it had virtually no compression.  Anyway, I got it for almost nothing, so I thought I would take a chance on it.  I am going to tear it down when I get a few days off and see what's wrong with it.  I'm new to the quadzilla but not to atvs or two strokes. In addition to the quadzilla, I have a 2006 Banshee that is pretty stock other than pipes, a 1987 Honda 250R piped and ported, and a like new 2007 Suzuki Lt450r that is stock.  I'm going to do a lot of research and reading on this forum, and I'm ordering a service manual for the quadzilla in the next day or so.  Any suggestions on a manual?  I really want a paper hard copy.  I have a Clymer manual for my Banshee and Honda 250r, but I haven't been able to find a Clymer manual for the quadzilla.  I found a suzuki manual at rockymountainatv, so that's probably what I will get.  If I end up needing some motor work that is over my skill level, who still works on these things that knows what they are doing?  Anybody in the southeast, specifically GA or FL?  Thanks for any info. 

87's also have different top ends.  They have a six stud head.  The 88-90 are 7 studs.  The Reed cage is also different.  The 87 reeds are attached with 5 bolts.  The 88-90 are attached with 6 bolts.

Welcome to the site and possibly to the addiction.  Take your time and do a bunch of research on your options with the Zilla.  I posted this several years ago, but it goes into a bunch of free, 'required', through performance modifications (this post is a from a dune bike perspective, but a lot of the mods apply to any and all LT250's and LT500's)

http://www.suzukiquadracerhq.com/2-stroke-tech-talk/building-a-reliable-zilla/msg2070/#msg2070

Until there is more room added to the site, you could create a free account at a picture hosting site like Flickr, Smugmug, Imgur, 500px, and many others.  I have been using Photobucket since probably around 2008 or so.  I now have their pro account giving me more room to upload photos and video and unlimited pictures viewing (when I post to forums).

Once you are signed up on a hosting site, viewing the pictures you should see some kind of URL's that you can use to embed images into forums, emails, websites, etc...

For example, I will post the embed URL (text) below to show an image.  First, I'll post the URL with spaces so it doesn't work.  I'll post the same link (without the spaces) next to show an image:

[I M G]http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n135/rogue1970/1989%20Suzuki%20Quadzilla/IMG_3007.jpg[/ I M G]



Picture above is from 2010 when I first brought my Quadzilla home. 

I posted some pics from my photobucket account above.  I also got a better look at the metal serial number tag on the frame and the frame sticker with the serial number.  I am still not able to read the model year, but I searched the serial number on the internet and it looks like its an 88 model.  It definitely has round front upper A arms, a seven stud head, and a 6 bolt reed cage.  I plan to tear it down as soon as I get time and see what's wrong with it. 

I'll definitely be reading, researching and learning as much as I can on here.  Thanks for the info so far and the help posting pics. 

Sound like this 500 needs a bore and new piston and rings.

If you can swing it - have the head O-Ringed and the Squish fixed for a few bucks more.

Sounds good guys.  Thank you for the info. 

What's the best way to check the crank bearings and seals in a home shop with limited tools?  Is it possible? I've rebuilt the top end on my Honda 250r a few times in the past, but I have no experience with rebuilding the bottom end.  Just by lifting up on the rod there is no up and down play in the rod or crank that I can perceive by hand.  I know that is very imprecise and probably useless when trying to evaluate the crank bearings, but I'm not sure how else to check it.  Any recs on how to do it with limited tools and experience?  Thanks again