My 250 es restore project

[rbaral233]

Hey guys im sort of new... Ive posted a few times both with questions and answers to others. I started with a 200s fixed it up and sold it and now i have the joy to finally have my dream trike the 250es big red. Its a worker, a little beat, but i am going to do a full restore of it and make it my baby. Im lookin for advice from everyone here on what to do, where to go, what to use in the rebuild (paint, plastic, parts, etc) and just over all what people have done so far. Its gonna be a long restore but im want 3ww behind me with it. This forums great, everyone here is super nice so thanks in advance guys

[Honda_Dude]

PICS !!! We need PICS !!!!!!!!!!!! Ah.................................. congrats on your Big Red find!!!!

[MudBug]

Mark or label where wires / grounds connect, put all nuts/bolts in sandwich bags and label the bag according to what part they are from. Keep everything organized, and of course, ask lots of questions on here! :D :lol: If you are organized with it, everything will go much smoother. You really dont want to lose something, everything has its place and is important. I learned that the hard way! Good Luck

MB,

[BigSkip]

Rob....Welcome to the site...I'm a relatively newbie to the site...and am also in the process of restoring my first trike...a 250ES BIGRED....My dream trike also! I hope you post up some pictures as I will be following your restoration process...This is a great site, with lots of friendly guys who are willing to share their wealth of knowledge. My resto is going to be a slow one also...mainly due to my always short amount of excess funds (married with kids)...But so far i'm gaining speed...I'll post some pictures too....as soon as I figure out how...or someone gives me a shout and tells me how...Enjoy the site and your BIG RED 250ES!!!

[Thorpe]

POST A PICTURE

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php?31055-How-to-Post-a-Picture

[rbaral233]

here are some pics guys... sorry my emails not workin so i dont get reply notifications... this is exactly how i recieved it... mind u it is running beautiful, everything works perfect and i paid 650 cash with 2 complete engines for parts, spare rear racks, 2 spare trunks/ lids, a ton of extra parts in a box, spare rear end, 2 spare handlebars, and much more so this was an amazing deal check em outttt!!!

[rbaral233]

oh and i need a 250es repair(service) manual. im sure someone on here has one online or posted one somewhere i just need to be able to grab it i am most definitely going to need one here

[Thorpe]

Much better looking than the one I started with! Here is a link to the service manual...

http://72.52.143.80/~trikes/Manuals/ATC%20manuals/atc250es-85-87servicemanual.pdf

[rbaral233]

for 650 with everything that it came with PLUS i can hop on it right now if i want and ride awesome, rear tires and rims are brand new, this was a STEAL

ps the service manual wudnt load it attempts to for a good 5 min, then pops up saying its damaged and cannot be repaired

[3wheelsinPA]

Service manual is large, right click on the link and save it to your computer before opening. If using FF, Right-click -> Save Link As. If IE, Right-cick -> Save target as...

[Honda_Dude]

What he said ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[rbaral233]

hey is there any spec sheets, brochures, etc etc for the 250es on 3ww? i have the service and owners manuals, and the carb recall page but i was wondering about any of the other stuff you would get, if you were buying this bike right out or when they advertised it. i like to know everything even little details about it. its an 85 250es

[84atc200]

Looks like a great start.

[MonroeMike]

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/Brochures/ATCsite/

[rbaral233]

ok fellas... Im gonna do something crazy for this one. i wanna do a twist throttle on it instead of the thumb. it feels nicer, easier for longer rides, and is just plain unique. i found this on ebay im assuming this is all i need but has anyone every done a conversion on one or their trike? and how hard was it and what challenges am i gonna hit??

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/86-87-ATC-250ES-Twist-Throttle-Kit-ATC250ES-TURBO-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35a2fd4c9fQQitemZ23036 7775903QQptZMotorsQ5fATVQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[rbaral233]

finally got some of the initial tear down pics to post! still chuggin along on it, in the process of ordering all the parts i wanna replace. its hard finding nos parts for the 250.

http://i837.photobucket.com/albums/zz299/rbaral233/DSCF0232-1.jpg

http://i837.photobucket.com/albums/zz299/rbaral233/DSCF0233-1.jpg

http://i837.photobucket.com/albums/zz299/rbaral233/DSCF0234-1.jpg

http://i837.photobucket.com/albums/zz299/rbaral233/DSCF0239.jpg

http://i837.photobucket.com/albums/zz299/rbaral233/DSCF0238.jpg

http://i837.photobucket.com/albums/zz299/rbaral233/DSCF0237.jpg

http://i837.photobucket.com/albums/zz299/rbaral233/DSCF0236.jpg

http://i837.photobucket.com/albums/zz299/rbaral233/DSCF0235.jpg

[thestud25]

Keep it up. I love these threads!

[aldochina]

looks like a great start, great machines. Did you just buy those rear tires? the tank is from an 85, did you check the frame tag to see if its an 86?

[Thorpe]

Are you worried about NOS parts, even if you want to put a twister on it? They sell that throttle kit at dennis kirk... (thought had crossed my mind)

[Woodsrider]

looks like a great start, great machines. Did you just buy those rear tires? the tank is from an 85, did you check the frame tag to see if its an 86?

Swingarm is '85 too...

[BigSkip]

quick question....What's up with the rack and or fender on your bike....Either the front
Rack looks rather big...or the fender looks rather small.....I seen that you had a maier fender..

[rbaral233]

quick question....What's up with the rack and or fender on your bike....Either the front
Rack looks rather big...or the fender looks rather small.....I seen that you had a maier fender..

the reason it looked that big was because i was in the process of taking it off.. the bolts were removed so it was pulled out passed the fender. also it looks weird because the 2 inside cross bars were cut off. i am in the process of replacing it if i can find a good nos part

[rbaral233]

ok so i wanted to give everyone a quick update on the progress. i got the seat recovered and it looks great. i got the twist throttle in, i also bought a new renthal handlebars, i bought new grips, i have new front racks on layaway, i also bought the new trailer hitch skid plate, i'm waiting to hear about the black fender order or i will be ordering the new reds this week. the frame, racks, and engine go out tomorrow to be sandblasted and powder coated. i have started cleaning everything with superclean and i love it the only thing i am at now is how do i restore my tank. i want to keep the original metal tank but it is pretty rough shape inside and out. if i go plastic then i will have to find a way to make my decals stick so that will be a problem i dont want to face. any input would help and pictures are on their way.

[zoomerman]

I use a product called por15 on the inside of my metal gas tanks and it works wells and haven't had any problems

[rbaral233]

so i get dumb ass of the year after last night... it was around 130am, i was finishing up my trike work for the night. i was on the last bolt (it was the one on the right side engine case that holds the little piece on and keeps the reverse cable tight to the engine. i was tightening tightening tightening and all of a sudden... SNAP! snapped the bolt in half, inside the case. NOW i get to take the whole right side case off, attempt to get the bolt out, and if worst comes to worst i have to bore it out.... FML i say... talk about ending the night bad

[will_15942]

i have a 1986 big red 250es allmost complete besides stator and fenders and handle bar controls i have the cdi box/rectifire/wireing harness/rear end/moter/triple trees and forks/coil/hubs/gas tank and cap i live in pa zip is 15942 email is will_15943@yahoo.com if interested i have a paypal acount you could pay for your part through paypal and i would ship it.email for price thanks very much

[sicotic]

dude what exactly are you trying to restore??? there doesnt look like you will have much to do unless you plan to change the bike completely!!! I have the same bike and I had to take everything off of it except the engine grind rust off for 3 days.... primer and paint for 2.... and deal with all kinds of rusted bolts breaking off.... just some advise... if you really dont have to replace something that has a few bolts to it DONT.... you might end up causing more problems... and when you replace bolt of any kind NO SEIZE!!!!

[sicotic]

Oh by the way.... are you willing to sell me any parts!!!! Im really having trouble finding some things for it since honda discontinued the special orders

[will_15942]

if you need any parts let me know

[rbaral233]

Any one out there!!!! I need side plastic pannels for it! Good condition or brand new any info is great thanks!!!!

[TheRealFatShady]

There is some on ebay, but around 85 a piece. New.

[Rumble_b]

Looking good. Just got my 250es and I'm going to start restoring it this winter. Which renthal bars did you use? I need some new ones and have no idea what to use.

[rbaral233]

i bought em at honda, black renthal 7/8" bars. they're a little shorter than the stock bars were and give you a different feel riding and turning but overall they are very nice looking

sorry i haven't updated this thread or posted pics. it is still in the process of restoring. i have haulted as money has gotten tight, i search for parts, and i have chose to go in a different direction than i originally wanted to. but i am still grinding it out and it will look amazing i promise you that.

my question right now is i cleaned and reinstalled my cables and my carb. the choke cable is extremely loose and ever when the choke is off the cable pops out and hangs out of the switch box. i can try to get a pic later to describe what i mean but if anyone knows already how to fix it and get it nice and snug and working i would love some help.

also does any one know where i can get a brake cable for the left hand side (with reverse button and emerg. brake) in black? if so let me know i'm trying to do a complete black handle bar set i think it would look cool!

in addition my current list of parts im looking for:

front rack (complete and straight)
side plastic trapizoid pieces
new rear fenders
new gas tank
new front fender
front mud flap
battery box