Good deal? Tell me what ya think.

[ZacH_GrifF]

I picked an 85 Big Red 250es for $450 today. Motor very strong still needs rings and timing chain. Slightly used Maier plastics on back and Maier tank. Back half of front fender missing. All electrics work and still has stock racks. Yall think it was a good deal? I'm already in love with it.

146128146127

[110klt]

Runs, moves, stops and tires stay inflated?????

Excellant deal for $450 IMO

[big red in iowa]

How is the motor strong if it needs rings and timing chain. It's still worth 450 in my book though

[ZacH_GrifF]

Needs brakes, but it still has a lot of get up and go. I say chain cause i can hear slight rattle and rings because it smokes a little.

[warlordmx]

Big Red was my first 3 wheeler ever ... 450 is a good deal, especially if you are gonna semi restore it so you can ride it and enjoy it !

[ZacH_GrifF]

Thats exactly what i plan on doing with it, though it wont be a perfect resto cause it will rode ALOT. Oh and dont know why i said maier tank, ment clark.

[ZacH_GrifF]

Opened diff hole to see if there was fluid and can see nothing but sludge. Can i just change it or do i need take apart and clean?

[oscarmayer]

i would take it appart at that point. in my expirnce usually the sluege is bits of bearing and rust and jsut changin fluid will not fix it. you usualyl have to replace the rear bearing. if you ride it, you change breaking ring teeth and causing more problems.

[ZacH_GrifF]

Is there two bearings in the diff and one on each end of axle tubes by the tires?

[RIDE-RED 250r]

Engine noise could also just be valves in need of adjustment. Honestly, those timing chains are pretty rugged, especially on the 2-valve engines as opposed to the 4-valvers like the 350x. But then again, that BR engine may just have the roller chain as opposed to the gear chain like the 350 has.

[Jason125m]

"Strong motor but needs rings" What are ya, a craigslist seller?

Take the diff apart to clean it, X2 on the just needing valve adjustment.

Here your manual. http://www.mediafire.com/?cn3uxz4ucbqacb6

[MRSOUND]

Is it just an optical illusion or are the handlebars bent? By the looks of the bars and front rack I'd say there is a good chance it took a pretty hard roll. Check the front forks and axle and make sure they're not bent.

[ZacH_GrifF]

Their not bent the previous owner pushed them up in a weird position. Im workin on pullin them back down. Pulled valve covers off rockers got a lot slack so im goin to just go and pull the head and service it. What causes it to bog when you mash the throttle from idle? It only does it when starting from an idle otherwise it has good response.

[RIDE-RED 250r]

Obstructed pilot jet...

Clean that carb while you're at it.

[ZacH_GrifF]

Thats what I figured. Thanks for all the info.

[ZacH_GrifF]

Would not running an air filter cause my bogging problem? And what do you guys think about WSM brand pistons and kits, has anybody had any trouble with them?

[RIDE-RED 250r]

Not running any sort of air filter could cause a lean condition. But I would still go through the carb thoroughly as well as get a filter on that thing. Running no air filter is the reason it smokes now.

[ZacH_GrifF]

Yea ima rebuild the carb and i bought it with no filter. Also, what could cause the forks to stay compressed and not move at all?

[RIDE-RED 250r]

Being bent or broken springs, possibly seized?.. Going to have to open them up as well

[ZacH_GrifF]

Yea figured that. How can u tell if a bike is overheating or not mine feels like it but the pipe aint gettin red hot.

[f4istunna]

i wouldnt run it anymore without the air filter man. Its running lean not good. And dust and particles going staight through carb into motor, you could wipe out your cylinder pretty quick. A few years back i had a filter that wasnt sealing all the way, took out my nikasil jug before i realized what the problem was.

[atc007]

You bought the best 3 wheeler ever produced,IMHO. However you will be answering your own question when the forks,engine and ESPECIALLY the ring and pinion are all rebuilt! . Def pull the rear apart,,it WILL need bearings if you're lucky. Possibly more. You will be thrilled when you're done! You will use it for EVERYTHING!!! And yes,,even sport riding!

[ZacH_GrifF]

Thanks for the help guys, Im gonna do a total rebuild on it now.

[dirtjunkie85]

$450? heck of a deal right there!

[ZacH_GrifF]

Yea I questioned it at first but when I got there and drove it I snatched it up as quick as I could. Its got small things here and there wrong with it but overall its a pretty nice bike.

[ZacH_GrifF]

Is the idle jet called the primary or slow jet in the shop manual? Also, does screwing in the air/fuel screw cause a lean or rich mixture?

[ZacH_GrifF]

???anybody???

[ZacH_GrifF]

.........?

[ZacH_GrifF]

I took the motor completely out and tore it down. Here is the diagnosis. Cam chain was definately reason for top end ticking. The exhaust port exiting the head had so much carbon build up that only half of the port was open. The cylinder looked brand new but I'm sure it still needs rings. Someone before me must have submerged it and never changed the oil because all of the internals in the middle section of crankcase have major rust on them so I will just buy good used internals for it and the rust fragments were so big they were getting in the bearings and made them roar like a tiger. So I will get new Honda bearings. Drained the oil and only found one little tiny metal flake in it so that made me relived. Will get D.I.D. chain, piston kit from biker chicks (ebay), Versah valves and gasket set, and while I'm in there I'ma go ahead and replace the clutch with either berrets or ebc havnt decided yet.