Hey guys, I found this trike for sale at what I believe is a good price, but, I need some tips from owners of these on what to watch out for.

its either a 83 or 84 and it looks like a krylon rebuild to me.

it has a 86 headlight and front fender.

mostly stock besides the FMF silencer.

OEM plastic adds lots of value to an ATC, aftermarket subrtacts lots of value

More pics.

Just read the ad again and the guy reckons it's an 84 model.

Here's what he wrote.
84 model. Last of the air cooled. New reeds and rings. Excellent condition for age. Regretful sale

Are the wheels stock?

I thought they were supposed to be gold?

Are the front light and fender still available as NOS or even good 2nd hand?

Rims are suppose to be gold, rear grab bar looks like its mangled up.

Check to see how worn out the kick starter is where it folds up when its folded out where you can kick it to start it will be beyond square with the machine and make it hard to start.

Stand behind the rear axle put one hand on each rear tire try rolling one tire forward one back keep swapping the rotation your checking for bad wheel bearings and worn axle splines look close what might look like bad axle bearings might actually be clearance between the inner bearing race and the axle itself, also watch the swing-arm pivot bolt for movement.

Lock up the front brake try to roll the trike forward and back check for bad bearings in the steering stem.

Look hard at the forks from the side view see if they look bent.

Start the Engine and put your hand over the exhaust pipe listen for piston slap or knocking in the Engine.

Check the tank for rust and stale gas.

Check compression.

Look in oil fill hole see if you can see the condition of the clutch plates and the wear on the clutch basket I forget if you can see it.

I have a problem with doing most of that.

I'm in Vietnam and won't be home till Thursday and another thing is it's over 1300km from where I live.

I asked the guy a dozen questions in an email about it including if it was difficult to start.

Also, it's been used on the beach, salt water and steel don't go well together.

My mate that is close to it wouldn't know enough about them to know what he's looking at even if I told him.

If the guy responds I'll see what he has to say as I also asked why the Engine had been repainted and about the wheels because I too thought they were supposed to be gold.

There is another one west of Sydney and would require more traveling to see it. I really can't rely on dodgy bastards that know something is wrong to be honest about it.

I think I'd probably be better off getting one sent over from the US. Probably work out cheaper in the long run.

Mozzy what town / suburb

Near Newcastle.

You keen to go check it out for me? ;-)

Email info and see what I can do

Cheers, done.

Hoser, ChrisV,

Thanks for a list of things to look out for.

I asked the guy if he wouldn't mind taking a side on pic of the forks and also the tag that is usually on the neck of a Honda motorbike.

Are they still positioned in the same place as motorbikes?

yes.

Decided to buy it.

The guy seemed fairly honest and has advised that he's changed gearbox oil twice just to keep it clean and that it was clean when he first drained it. Unlike my FL350 that was silver and since changing it twice, it has remained clean and clear, but, I will be rebuilding the tranny soon.

He painted the Engine for the sale as he thought it looked ratty.

He also spoke of the headlight, he bought it as he couldn't find another and had it wired up professionally.

I will be giving it a thorough inspection before taking it.

Also, he stated that it started usually on second kick cold with choke and had washed it with soapy water after beach use. Since he's had it in October last year he said he's only used it about 12 times due to having a young family. My brother often talks of this same issue.

All in all, these aren't that easy to come by here in relatively stock condition and the last one I saw advertised was for $4500, this one cost less than half that. I will strip it and go through everything once I get it home.

I will restore it to as stock as I can, except new paint won't be Honda paint. I intend on keeping it till my kids are old enough to injure themselves on it....err, I mean enjoy it.

I have to rejig my garage as the Odyssey takes up a lot of space and my boat trailer needs finishing too!

Can anyone tell me the difference between 84 and 85 stock rims?

try these sites

http://www.trx250r.net/forum/atc250r/
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/forum.php

Sorry, I didn't know there were dedicated sites.

Thanks.

I think the 85's were 9" the older was 8" ?

Thanks, H.

It's interesting what can be found for these. Anyway, I'm off to a trike forum to see what else can be wrong with this.

Later.

Yes the 85's have 9" rims on the rear.

I see it is missing the parking brake cable and the parts that go on the caliper.

I just changed the stock round slide carburetor on my 85 to a 87 trx250R and put on new handle bars, grips, on-off-headlight switch, and seat cover.
Still need to take it out and see how well it run's with the carb. been messing with the fl350 to much to go play with the 250R.

Can't wait to see your 250R restored.
Bob

Hi Mozzy, the headlight is a 1985 Honda 250r atc, not a 86. If you are trying to find the correct 84 headlight, I will buy that 85 off you. Doug

Hi Doug,

I actually bailed on the sale after doing a bit of research and looking for parts.

It was going to cost me more than double the sale price to restore it.

It required a full set of plastics as none were correct, Parking brake as was mentioned, original wheels, kill switch module and a full wiring loom to ensure it would work. rear part of the exhaust, grab bar, front sprocket/chain cover.

These parts were well over $2k already, including shipping to Australia.

I called the guy and spoke to him honestly that it wasn't a financially sound purchase due to the extra costs I would incur and I couldn't justify it.

He was ok with it and had another guy interested for a higher price anyway. So, it all worked out in the end.

There was/is a guy on eBay selling a lot of parts for trikes and he seemed to have quite a lot for the 85 model too.