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**Overkill** · 09-20-2007, 01:33 PM

After I finished putting a 570 Yamaha snow mobile engine in my prodject. I figured out in a hurry it was way to much motor. I ended up buying that exact package from Richard. He was a little odd to deal with at first, but he does stand behind what he sells, and he is good for his word. My first impression was the same as yours, but after dealing with him for awhile, I would recommend him to anybody.

**mudbug3** · 09-20-2007, 01:52 PM

Richard at Route 6x6 is a very busy man, who has not much time for conversations on the phone. He is short and to the point, because he has so many things needing to be done when he gets off the phone, or has people who need to talk to him while he is on the phone. He has no patience with people who "think" they know what they need on a used amphib. He has worked on lots of "good deal" amphibs that were bought on E-bay. I,ve heard a few of them myself.

He is very knowledgable about all kinds of amphibs, knows what fits , and what needs to be modified to make it fit.

If you don,t buy the motor from him,and a clutch kit from him,,the motor shaft size and the clutch opening size might not be compatable. This I found out by talking to him. Since Richard is the "major source" of parts made for most amphibious machines,,you need to be to the point,and know what you want or need, or ask Richard what you need, in a way thats not confrontational, or he has not much patience with you. This is because he is extremely busy!

You may be able to find good deals on E-bay,,but they are good deals for a reason, and because they probably need lots of work, and much needed fabrication.

This is the case with a friend of mine who is trying to restore an older Max II. This project is coming along quite well, because my friend is a Briggs and Straton mechanic, but is also very handy with fabrication.

Any used motor that Richard sells, is completely gone through and inspected, because this is the only way Richard will sell it.

**Beeman** · 09-20-2007, 02:29 PM

(In sorta of an asshole/jerk tone.) I said OK that's fine ?! What motor type should I look for? he said "i might not have a muffler for one you buy" I said "i can make one" He repeated me and snickered. That was it for me. My plan when I called today was to purchase a used motor and pipe and clutch, new complete set of chains, and may be a bearing/seal kit.
I own two retail businesses for last 16 years and if any of my employees acted as he did I would fire him/her ASAP.

It is truely an unfortunate situation that someone can own a business and make a profit while disregarding commen courtesy. If he is a busy man he should simply not answer the phone (many people forget that they have the ability to do this).

You sound like you are willing to take the task on if you need to, so I would talk to a used snowmobile shop and work that into the machine. There are more of them around, and hopefully you could find someone to give you the information you require.

**jpswift1** · 09-20-2007, 03:45 PM

[QUOTE=beeman;2867]It is truely an unfortunate situation that someone can own a business and make a profit while disregarding commen courtesy. If he is a busy man he should simply not answer the phone.
QUOTE]

Beeman is right, this is very nounfortunate. Hopefully you, as well as other people out there new to this hobby will learn something from this experience. There are plenty of other resources out there that are actually very helpful to get your Max going again and we will all help you as much as you can on here. If you dont want to offer help with customers than you should NOT be in business, plain and simple. The entire methodology that Mike had in mind when starting 6x6world.com was to promote the hobby in a positive, non-commercial way. He has very much done so, and this site is one of the best out there (in my and many other's opinions).

**George** · 09-20-2007, 04:14 PM

I've been dealing with Richard's Relics for years. Richard's prices can be high. I will usually try to come up with solutions to my needs on my own. I have learned over the years that if I venture into an area that I'm not completely familiar with, I may end up spending more money trying to do it on my own.

I have a really nice 340cc engine on hand that I bought 10 years ago. Problem with it is it's forced-air cooled. There's not enough air blowing around the engine even at 35 mph to cool the engine. I bought a 12v electric fan..Than it occurred to me I'd need a battery now to run the fan. Than it occurred to me that I'd need to fabricate some sort of cowling to push the air through both heads....my cheap motor was going to be expensive.

So, a year and a half ago I started looking at B&S engines on eBay. I found used engines with "low hours"...how low? Engines without exhaust. Engines without governors. I found clutches but either the engine I looked at did not have the shaft size listed or clutches without the shaft size listed....
I remembered my experience with the 340cc and decided just to buy everything new from Richard.

Richard knows me when I call. I guess we now have a rapport of a kind. He's happy to listen to my questions and gives great information that does not require me spending money on something he sells. He's even thrown me a couple small but crucial freebies.

I agree that he is a busy man and may need to be a bit more patient with new customers but I also consider him a good contact and knowledgeable supplier in this hobby.

**rospaw** · 09-20-2007, 04:59 PM

Thanks for the input guys and I would like to respond to a few of you:

George : Glad you had/have the patients to deal with him. Might mention to him to update his site about what he has "in stock" for sell. If you do and he "SOCKS YOU IN THE NOSE" Don't say I didn't tell you so! he is an .... .... lol sorry guys had to put some humor in it!

beeman & jpswith1 : I think we see eye to eye on this subject!

Mudbug: I am sure he knows his stuff and knows HE IS "the parts guy". And that might be the problem with "good old richard"!

Overkill: I glad to hear you were able to work with him and get your machine going correctly. I am a little old school in that first impression mean a lot to me especially when I am purchasing items for a hobby/fun.

To MIKE admin: I have read this forum from cover to cover and have to say Mike, the host has done a Great job! I am a member of 5 other forums and none I repeat none view,read,interact,easy as this one! Thanks Mike for the platform

An update. Went this afternoon and purchase a b&s 22hp out of a cub with a 1" shaft about 4" long also purchased a zero turn mower with 35hrs on it that fell off a truck and is not repairable with a Kohler command 25hp. worked out great because I needed tires for my mower and I think I can use wiring, muffler flange ect..! Paid 300.00 for the lot and both are running. Was that a good price??? lol Now I need clutch. And a sat. afternoon to make it run. If you have input in to the motors let me know. Thanks, Sean p.s i have a post in engines

**jpswift1** · 09-20-2007, 05:32 PM

Rospaw, good find on those damaged mowers! That is a GREAT deal! You should be able to make either of those engines work in your Max.

**Don** · 09-20-2007, 06:48 PM

Hey, Rospaw;

Looks like you found a great deal on the engines and parts. The big Kohler would be a fine powerplant for the machine, but the Briggs may be an easier fit. Whichever you use, you could probably get most of your expense returned by selling the other one.

The first time I talked to Richard Clark I thought he was a little short with his answers and not a really friendly guy, but I've dealt with him quite a few times since and I've found otherwise. He's always been more than fair with me and is a pleasure to talk to. Maybe he needs to get to know you some before he treats you that way, but he's a wealth of information and has helped me out with advice more than once. He's in the business to make a living and sometimes his prices seem over-the-top, but like George said- he stands behind what he sells, too.

Just my 2 cents.

**jerseybigfoot** · 09-20-2007, 08:34 PM

I have been dealing with Richard Clark for about 8 years. He just has no personality. He is very Knowledgeable in obtaining the right parts and selling them. He does not give free advise. Fortunately for us he is an excellent resource for AATV's parts. He will not get rich selling and repairing amphibs, although his prices compete with RI and Argo. In my experience He does back up what he sells.

There are some very good dealers for Argo and Max and contribute to this and the Route 6x6 board that will give you free advise. I also found the the folks at RI to be very helpful. My argo dealer in NJ is first rate.

For a newbie the best thing to do is post questions. We are all interested in newcomers having a good AATV experience.

**artist1018** · 09-20-2007, 10:06 PM

About Richard

I have done business with Richard over at Route6x6 and was treated VERY fairly. The product I ordered developed a problem and Richard immediately sent a replacement part and a follow-up email. I will be giving him my business in the future, without a doubt!!

**budresiew** · 09-21-2007, 09:08 AM

rospaw,

I have had prioblems with Richard as well....deleting my classifieds and such from the route 6x6 site. Guess the parts I had were cheaper than what he has. Anyway, from my knowledge and tinkering on many max AATV's, call RI. A lot of times they will have seconds or used, but good parts. I have bought a few mufflers and other odds and ends this way. The Briggs will run a smaller clutch (1" crank). If it is a vanguard model, RI will have all the parts you need (the same model as they use). The Kohler, which RI will also have all the components you need, runs a larger, much much more expensive clutch. I would say call them and see what you need. the number is 1-800-255-2511. Or, post the parts you are looking for under the wanted section here. I'm sure there are some guys on here that have good parts laying around that they may want to sell cheap.

**techfx** · 09-22-2007, 02:38 AM

Even though Richard told me the 503 rotax that came w/ my machine was "junk" and insisted on a 4 stroke (maybe one day if I find one fast enough) he was still willing to sell me a correctly set up clutch and I know I will probably be ordering some chain tensioners from him soon. I think the situation is similar as to why you have a phone rep when you call a technical /electronics repair center instead of an engineer. Engineers are better at thinking and planning and not always at communicating in laymans terms.

**jkc9392** · 03-02-2008, 11:18 PM

I met Richard friday at his home to pickup a max iv. I have never owned or rode in one before. I called richard many times over the last month and learned agreat deal from him. I finally ended up trading a couple of motors for the max iv . I already stripped it to abare tub and will be blasting frame and axles during this week. Then i can do bearing and frame mods for my 27hp kawasaki liquid install. Richard is a very nice person to do buissness with,and great source of parts and knowledge. In my personal life I run many large jobs such as new gm plants ,and most people think i'm a prick till they get to know me..and if you meet me on a race track you would probally think the same!! I,ll try to get some pictures up of restoration next week and if you guys allow it some pics of my golfcart with built 27 hp kaw liquid!!

**mudbug3** · 03-03-2008, 12:40 AM

[QUOTE=jkc9392 ]I met Richard friday at his home to pickup a max iv. I have never owned or rode in one before.

jlc9392 ,

Good luck on the build up on the Max IV you bought from Richard . look forward to seeing some pics soon .

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