Got my first 250r! Give me the good,the bad and the ugly

[redskinman]

Picked this up today for 500 bucks,good price for Houston.Saw it on craigs,guy selling it just had it listed as a 3wheeler.When I called him to ask him what it was he said it was a 200r.I thought it was a 250r but wasnt positive.Fellow members have told me its an 82 250r.He was asking 600,we could only get it started for about 20 seconds push starting it so i told him id pass.I got a couple miles down the rode and I thought Im going to regret not getting it so I called him back up and told him if he'd take 500 for it Ill come get it.I was told the vin is on the right neck downtube,if its there Im not seeing it,is there another place it could be? There was dry mud on it like it had been rode fairly recently.No airbox,just filter and its dirty as hell.The seat is not spray painted,thats the pattern on an aftermarket seat.Cleaned up bike a little when I got home tonite and thats it.Need the link to the manual for it.So what do you guys see thats good and why is it good and whats bad and any advice on getting it going?
thanks

[jb2wheels]

Wow - some cool looking parts on that one!

[acidburn]

well start with the airfilter for one you say its had no box so thats probly clogged up, possibly dirty carb, lets start there anyways

[sledcrazyinCT]

Its all good man two strokes are meant to be freshened up when needed. I am surprised you walked away from it at first...I bet the next guy would not have passed it up;)

Seriously it is your trike, what aside from it not running yet do you think is bad with it? It has more aftermarket stuff on it lots of goodies! Find a way to get a swing arm skid plate on it that is the only thing see it needs.

Good score for sure, NICE TRIKE

[redskinman]

Its all good man two strokes are meant to be freshened up when needed. I am surprised you walked away from it at first...I bet the next guy would not have passed it up;)

Seriously it is your trike, what aside from it not running yet do you think is bad with it? It has more aftermarket stuff on it lots of goodies! Find a way to get a swing arm skid plate on it that is the only thing see it needs.

Good score for sure, NICE TRIKE



Im not sure of the bad,the les the better!
what aftermarket stuff and goodies does it have on it? whats a swingarm skid plate?
thanks

[Dirtcrasher]

I don't see much "ugly" :beer

[AtcFactoryRacer]

Looks like someone recently restored it and spent a lot of money and time doing it, the frame has been repainted thats probably why you can find the vin#. Awesome machine! The guy you bought it from sounded like he obviously didnt know anything about it, and the price was cheap. Makes you wonder how he got it? I can tell you whoever restored it had a lot of money in it, i cant see them selling it for cheap after all that work. It makes you wonder if it was stolen and that guy sold it you. Either you are the luckiest guy in the world or you bought a stolen machine.

[Iprefer3]

Looks like a DG head on there. That bike looks really clean and money well spent. Usually to get them going is just a carb clean and new gas...a fuel filter and a plug.
Looks also like the swinger is extended.

[Xpress]

If the frame has been painted or powdercoated then the VIN will have been covered up......

[dcreel]

Looks like a chromed Bassani pipe and silencer.. Does the intake say anything on it? Looks like a larger intake and carb too. Swingarm skidplate bolts underneath the swingarm and protects the sprocket and rotor. Depending on where you ride you may not even need it. I take all of mine off.

[leviblue]

she's a beauty

[redskinman]

thanks guys
It looks good but not as good as it does in the pics.The chrome has some pitting and rust from age that doesnt show up in the pics.If the frames been repainted I cant tell it,it doesnt look like a new paint job and its definitely not a spray can job.I looked for a vin on my 200x and couldnt find one there either.It could be stolen,you never know,but if i had stolen a bike and I wouldnt advertise it on craigslist with pictures :) like these were

[redskinman]

Heres some more pics and a few questions.Whats the mix of oil I run in this,I run 32to 1 in my Odyssey,should I do this the same? What oil goes in the crankcase? Link to manual somewhere?
Mo markings on intake that I see,but whats the tube coming out of intake and going to that cannister? And the orange thing on the gas lines coming from carb has got to be the fuel filter,Ive never seen one like that before,is that honda issue? And on the swingarm by the chain it looks like someone has glued a piece of wood there to keep it from rubbing the swingarm or is that something that came with it?
thanks

[turbotexas]

the fuel filter is a typical lawn mower size filter... Ant parts place will have them... Don't know what the other tubes are for.... Nice Score!! I am jealous... trade my 350??? LMAO

[sx250heath]

The other tubes that go to your intake are for the boost bottle that is on the bike (and a part i am looking for). That is a very nice first gen 250r. I PMed you some other sits that may help you as well.

[oscarmayer]

double check with the local cops to ensure it' nto stolen, a bike like that would normally go for about $1400+ so for $500 i would certainly be wondering if it's a hot bike. Houston is know for theives, so before you put any time or $ into it, get the vin checked, if the vin is filed off, you know it's a hot bike. viun should be on the side or the front of the steering stem. (front wheem goes through that section to connect to handle bars)

If it's not hot, you got one hell of a deal!!!

[D-dub]

Definately a painted DG head...looks to be a chromed DIco swinger out back. Nice desert seat too!

[redskinman]

double check with the local cops to ensure it' nto stolen, a bike like that would normally go for about $1400+ so for $500 i would certainly be wondering if it's a hot bike. Houston is know for theives, so before you put any time or $ into it, get the vin checked, if the vin is filed off, you know it's a hot bike. viun should be on the side or the front of the steering stem. (front wheem goes through that section to connect to handle bars)

If it's not hot, you got one hell of a deal!!!

It might be hot,but hell it could have been stolen 20 years ago and been resold a few times since then
I'll check again tonight and see if i can find it,is there any other place they put a vin? Also after looking at it again this morning I am now of the opinion the frame has probably been repainted,it looks way too good.Someone has said if its been repainted that would cover up the vin,are you of that same opinion? Is the vin the same place on a 200x? I couldnt dind one on that one either

[hoser]

Nice score, what pipe does it have?

That filter system has to go can see dirt laying on top of the filter in the pics no matter what filter you use and how good that dirt will vibrate through the media, filters were not designed to be used like that one is being used.

You going to pull the top end for an inspection?

[thestud25]

Definately a painted DG head...looks to be a chromed DIco swinger out back. Nice desert seat too!

Beat me to it. Definitely a DG head, and I was thinking DICO swinger as well.

[redskinman]

Nice score, what pipe does it have?

That filter system has to go can see dirt laying on top of the filter in the pics no matter what filter you use and how good that dirt will vibrate through the media, filters were not designed to be used like that one is being used.

You going to pull the top end for an inspection?

Hey Hoser!
I will probably be pulling the head.Its finding the time.My 200x is not currently running after a recent rebuild so I have to figure out whats going on with it.Wife says I have to sell 1 of them :).Plus as you know my odyssey is broke too! Once I get my 200x running i'll dive into this one further.First I'll change the filters and clean the carb,check compression and go from there
As far as the pipe,i'm told by other members it looks like a Bassani

[redskinman]

Beat me to it. Definitely a DG head, and I was thinking DICO swinger as well.

Whats the difference between a DG head and stock?
thanks

[thestud25]

DG is a High performance head with larger fins and a milled dome. It cools better and provide more HP. It is a nice product to have on the airfoolers. That swingarm is super nice as well.

[hoser]

DG is a High performance head with larger fins and a milled dome. It cools better and provide more HP. It is a nice product to have on the airfoolers. That swingarm is super nice as well.

The DG head also weights about 2x as much as a stock head this increases its ability to absorb more heat and radiate more heat, it was a cooling system upgrade before liquid cooling.

Redskinman I have a brand new never installed RED OEM new old stock head for that engine I would trade you even up for the DG head if your wanting to restore it back to stock, can provide pics this thing looks brand spanking new.

[redskinman]

The DG head also weights about 2x as much as a stock head this increases its ability to absorb more heat and radiate more heat, it was a cooling system upgrade before liquid cooling.

Redskinman I have a brand new never installed RED OEM new old stock head for that engine I would trade you even up for the DG head if your wanting to restore it back to stock, can provide pics this thing looks brand spanking new.

thanks for the offer Hoser but im not looking to restore it,im just looking to haul ass! :) I wanted more power than the 200x and it looks like ive got the hookup

[hoser]

thanks for the offer Hoser but im not looking to restore it,im just looking to haul ass! :) I wanted more power than the 200x and it looks like ive got the hookup

Stock that thing will pretty much wheelie at will in any gear if it has the right pipe you will love it you can lug it around in the woods like a 4 stroke, if it has the wrong pipe you will be shifting and slipping the clutch all the time lol

They are a blast!

Oh if it starts to tip over just put your leg down I am sure you can save it, try to get it on video its funny every time lmao SNAP goes the dummies leg :naughty:

[200XMichigan]

That thing looks amazing for the money. And looks like some awesome parts. Great score.

[Auto_Demon]

im likin the full chrome exhaust system and the DG cool head.

[D-dub]

Id bet dollars to doughnuts there's some sweet gold anodizing under that paint

[beets442]

Id bet dollars to doughnuts these some sweet gold anodizing under that paintWhich is why I would think its stolen too. Why rattle can a perfectly anodized head?

[bradshea]

very nice bike and for a steal of a price. i believe your intake is DG as well as the head. i have the dg head and boost bottle on mine with a bassani pipe and silencer and i love the power. she is a keeper

[hoser]

Which is why I would think its stolen too. Why rattle can a perfectly anodized head?

Color matching

[ATCeeya]

you made a good move going back for it! thing looks sahweeeet

[Baird]

how much did u pay?

[redskinman]

you made a good move going back for it! thing looks sahweeeet

thanks.Yeah im glad too,I had second thoughts cause im pretty sure its going to need a clutch too.When we were trying to push start it pulling the clutch handle in barely if at all disengaged clutch.

[thestud25]

how much did u pay?

Read post #1.

[Dirtcrasher]

thanks.Yeah im glad too,I had second thoughts cause im pretty sure its going to need a clutch too.When we were trying to push start it pulling the clutch handle in barely if at all disengaged clutch.

You mean you still felt friction in gear with the clutch pulled in?

That can mean a cable adjustment or the ball/rod/pivot deal has something worn; Not sure what your model has for a set up.

Coasting along slow, up shifting a few gears and getting the revs up, then dump the clutch. That shows slippage.

Sounded to me like your plates aren't separating......

[redskinman]

You mean you still felt friction in gear with the clutch pulled in?

That can mean a cable adjustment or the ball/rod/pivot deal has something worn; Not sure what your model has for a set up.

Coasting along slow, up shifting a few gears and getting the revs up, then dump the clutch. That shows slippage.

Sounded to me like your plates aren't separating......

yes,with clutch pulled in and bike in 3rd gear tires were grabbing.A couple times pushing it it would start out with the tires grabbing but then disengage for a little bit.He said when it was running it acted normal,but that doesnt sound right to me.I havent tried adjusting anything yet.He wanted to pull it behind my truck to get it started but I didnt have the time,I wasd already late for work

[redskinman]

Working on this 5 minutes at a time.went to do compression test tonight and discovered airleak between head and cylinder,what a pisser.Looks like i'll be pulling this engine out

[Nuke Em]

Very nice older R Redskinman. Better to find the leak now than out riding! Good catch.

[redskinman]

Im so frustrated working on my 200x today,took a break and started looking for vin on 250r again,finally found it.Started trying to feel numbers with my hands and started rubbing frame and found it.Its there but frame has been painted and I cant make out all the letters and numbers.

[redskinman]

pulled engine tonight.Thought it was harder to pull this engine then the 200x,plus I'll bet its harder to put back in.Dont like that you have to pull the swingarm to take out engine

[Dirtcrasher]

Gives you a good chance to grease it up! If it doesn't pull easy, it needs attention.............

Who cares if you have an air leak at the cost you paid. Get it fixed right and enjoy!!

[redskinman]

The swingarm pulled out real easy,no problems with that.Do you know what oil I run in the transmission? Do I run 10w40 with or without moly?
thanks

[Macs]

Wow that old girl sure looks familiar.

Everyone has been right on guessing the parts. The frame is painted with POR15 that had to be match to the original color. It is off very slightly.
It did have a hondaline 300r engine, but it was pulled before sale. The engine thats in it is a trouble maker but it appears the previous owner fixed third gear and added some chrome. Some of what i believe to be the original parts are in my shed.

The original 250r came out of galveston. It was purchased out of a police auction by the previous owner. The story was that it was a theft recovery found out on the beach. I cant remember what was used from it and what was replaced. I do know it had a rust problem.
Let me know if you ever want to sale it or trade it off for something else. At least give me first shot at it if you decide to sale since you got it from right underneath my nose.

I would love to come by and check it out sometime.

[redskinman]

Wow that old girl sure looks familiar.

Everyone has been right on guessing the parts. The frame is painted with POR15 that had to be match to the original color. It is off very slightly.
It did have a hondaline 300r engine, but it was pulled before sale. The engine thats in it is a trouble maker but it appears the previous owner fixed third gear and added some chrome. Some of what i believe to be the original parts are in my shed.

The original 250r came out of galveston. It was purchased out of a police auction by the previous owner. The story was that it was a theft recovery found out on the beach. I cant remember what was used from it and what was replaced. I do know it had a rust problem.
Let me know if you ever want to sale it or trade it off for something else. At least give me first shot at it if you decide to sale since you got it from right underneath my nose.

I would love to come by and check it out sometime.

So when did you own it and when did you sell it? The guy I bought it from said he had it about a yr.
I have not encountered any rust issues that I have found,dont know when it was repainted but it is holding up really well.
It still might have a 3rd gear problem,who knows,I havent rode it yet.What kind of problems did the engine have? Ive discovered a leak around head gasket but havent tore motor down yet.
Did you the the craigslist ad for it?
There was a newer model with an extra set of sand paddles on craigs about a month or so ago for 500 bucks in Dickinson,as you can imagine it sold within a 1/2 hr,I missed it by this much

[Macs]

I am thinking late 90's early 2000. I was in my first house and i owned it from 1998 - 2002 and it was sold right before i moved ( thats why it was sold ). So the frame was painted at the beginning of the rebuild. I cannot remember for the life of me if i repaired the frame or used another one. If it is the galveston frame its an 81 if it was a donor than it was an 82.
It is good to hear that the por15 has held up this long. I have used that stuff for many frames since then but never seem to hold on to them to see how well it holds up. It is my alternative to powder coating.

I had bought that engine off of ebay because i was going to rebuild the 300r and didnt want to hurry but still have something to ride. Little did i know the problems i would have. Something is not right with it. I only put about 6 hours on it and the crank seals went. I swapped engines back did a quick rebuild and added the DG head. Swapped engines back and come to find out that the machine shop did something wrong with bore. After it would get hot, it would seize. i finally figured that out and put a fresh set of rings. After about an hour ride, i blew the head gasket. I replaced that and then about another hour the clutch started acting funny. Never actually found out what the issue was. By this time the 300r was rebuilt and i put that in. right before i posted it for sale i swapped that engine back in and it took me a week to get it running right. it acted like it was sucking air, then fixed itself. When the buyer test drove it, he lost third gear. I think that engine was haunted but the guy i sold it too seemed to be really knowledgable. I told him every issue and he acted like it was not a big deal.
I sold it for $1200 i think and that was one of the biggest mistakes i have made. I should have collected cans for the money. My heart stopped when i opened this thread.
If i would have seen the ad, it would be in my garage. Actually i usaully check cl everyday and dont know how i missed it.

Things that has been done since me:
Carb has been replaced.
Someone went chrome happy ( it seems like the buyer worked for a plating shop)

I am sure i will find more. I am still a bit in shock and this has not fully digested. This is the three wheeler that started it all for me and is something i hold very dear to me. I know i sound a bit sappy but anyone who knows me, knows how much i have regretted selling her. I must have searched every classified ad for the next 5 years hoping it would resurface. I invested a bunch of money into that wheeler.

I am still trying to peice together the past and remember everything i had done. I will never forget that engine though. I am wandering if i filed the receipts or not.

[redskinman]

Wow sounds like u really miss her :)
What makes you so sure it's the one you owned?
What was chromed on it that you didn't have chromed? Are you saying the pipe and swingarm didn't come chromed?
If it's the same engine it's still got the same problems :)
Blown head gasket at the least and still has clutch problems
When trying to push start it clutch would not disengage but previous owner said when it started it didn't do that
Since we didn't get it started I wouldn't know
Glad we didn't get it started now since it had the blown gasket to limit the damage already incurred

[Macs]

I am not 100% sure its mine, but like 95% without seeing it in person. It is possible someone raided all the parts off of mine for another. But that thing was perfect beside the engine issues.
I painted the swinger POR15 white, i used the leftovers on the Barbie ATC 70 frame. The pipe gaurds were also por15 white. It actually appears that everything i had done in white has either been repainted or replaced.
That engine is cursed. If it was me i would find another and rebuild it. If it lands in my garage, it is getting a mugen.