My First 350X, and Its first owner that cared about it!!!

[Trackburger]

It's been a while since I have been on here, as sold my last 3 wheeler off about 5 years ago, but glad to be back!!!!! (Read, been a long 5 years with out a trike missing the heck outta this place!!!)

So I recently picked up a 350X, story goes: original owner bought 2 of them back in 85, rode them on and off over the years, until one was put away and used as a parts bike. no reason was given, but I have not heard it run, and running bike are not used as parts... so I probably have some engine work ahead of me!!! But for $300 I couldnt say no!!! :naughty::Bounce:naughty: The guy sold off the other running one and then sold this one to his buddy. It was bought with the intensions of fixing it up but sat and never got a lick of attention. I bought the bike as is, not running with some stuff missing, (carb, seat, plastics, shifter) and now its getting the attention it deserves!!!! Engine turns over freely, gear shifter seems to shift okay, but there are 3 exhaust studs broken in the head :drool:

Anyway, I stripped the whole thing down to the frame, and slowly going through each piece one by one sanding, grinding, cleaning, priming, painting and clearcoat... you get the idea. I've bought a grocery list of things for it so far, all new bearings for everything, seals, chain, sprockets, grips, kill switch, brakes, tires... you name it I got it...LOL:lol: Had the seat done my Tammy Mosher....un-beleiveable!!!! came out like a NOS seat!!!! (thanks Tammy!!! :Bounce) just waiting on my new plastic anda few odds and ends then I can start assembly!!! Surprisingly the swing arm bolt came out easily....(I must have some huge streak of misfortune coming up in the future as repayment for that!!!) swing arm caps and bearings came out with a little effort but were in great shape, axel nut is still giving me a hard time, but I've been soaking it in Aero-Kroil so its only a matter of time before it gives into my power!!! LOL

I've been having a blast needless to say! This is my third trike resto, I did an 85 R about 7 years ago, and a 110 for my brother in law shortly after that. I swear, there is nothing like taking a parts bike, or a rusted heap that no one wants, putting in a little time and money and bringing it back to like new. My neighbors always see me tinkering in the garage and ask "why didnt you just buy a new one?"....... I just look at them and tell them they will never understand and I leave it at that. Okay, so enough blabbing. heres some pics!!!!!!

As Found...LOL Yes those are the original stock tires (trash) but shows how little ride time was on it! The rest of the bike is un molested!!!!!
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As it sits now before assembly!!

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Cant wait to Git her Done!!! I do have a question about it though, I'm thinking this is a pretty early run 350X buy the numbers. The frame sticker says 12/84, my VIN ends in a bunch of zeros and ends in 197, and the engine SN has a bunch of zeros and ends in 274. Is ther a chart I can check somehwere or a listing of Vins???

Thanks for the look, I'll post more pics as it goes together!!
Steve

[KI4UJO]

This should do it http://atcvin.webs.com/
I'll be watching you'r build, it snould be z good one. Welcome back to 3ww!

[wonderboy]

A lot of the online OEM parts sites list the frame VIN numbers for the year in question. The one I go to shows a serial number range (the last 6 digits of the VIN) of 000032 to 025531. So they made 25,500 machines. Yours is #166 off the line. Pretty cool!

For reference, I use www.cyclepartsnation.com. Click on OEM parts and then go from there.

Your build looks great. It is nice to see a machine get saved like that. It is definitely expensive, but in the end, you'll have gone through just about every part and it will be a known quantity from now on.

[Trackburger]

Thank you both for the info, #166 huh? Pretty sweet!!! I have always enjoyed bringing things back from the dead! I honestly think its the only way to keep these things alive and keep them around. I see way too many bikes that get parted out for the $$$ instead of keeping them around, but then again that 1 bike might be able to save 3 or 4 so I get it.
The best part is like you said, the piece of mind knowing that everything is new and reliable, and that I'm not going to get stuck in the woods or tear up a carrier because of a bad bearing. Hopefully it will last another 27 years!!!!!!!! Will keep adding picks as it goes from parts to a roller to completion!!!

[murfman]

Can I make a suggestion? With the quality of detail you are putting into the build, I think it deserves Honda fork boots. The aftermarket ones kill it for me. They cost a lillte more, but IMHO they are worth it.

[swampthang]

Thanks wonderboy for the info on vin decoding. My R is the 15434th liquid cooled R off the line. very rare:lol:

[Trackburger]

I hear ya Murfman, but I actually like these ones better! To me the OEM ones remind me of a bad 80's sci fi robots arms!!!! LMAO!!!!!

[Trackburger]

Heres some Tank shots.....

Before:
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During:
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After:
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I just need to shoot it with some clear!

:)

[350XJEDI]

:Dlooks like your doing a nice job on the resto/rebuild ,how are the exhoust studs coming out?:wondering any luck with that axle nut ?.:wondering. good score for 300$ the trike gods are smiling on you !!!:D:D:pics::pics:

[Trackburger]

LOL, I told my wife I wouldnt mess wit it on mothers day!!!! I havent even attempted to remove the broken studs yet, I've just been spraying them with Aero-Kroil each day hoping it may save me some cus words when I do get to them!!!!!!!!!!! Luckly there is enough left for me to grab ahold of!!!!

Ah yes the Trike Gods..... That have treated me well the last few weeks... hopefully they will be so kind when I get back to the axel nut. I heard it break free once, then stopped again...just a matter of time and patience. I will prevail!!!! ;)

[110klt]

I just wish I could be so fourtionate to find a nice looking 350x in my area. It is my dream bike.....

[swampthang]

LOL, I told my wife I wouldnt mess wit it on mothers day!!!! I havent even attempted to remove the broken studs yet, I've just been spraying them with Aero-Kroil each day hoping it may save me some cus words when I do get to them!!!!!!!!!!! Luckly there is enough left for me to grab ahold of!!!!

Ah yes the Trike Gods..... That have treated me well the last few weeks... hopefully they will be so kind when I get back to the axel nut. I heard it break free once, then stopped again...just a matter of time and patience. I will prevail!!!! ;)

9 times out of 10 when the studs break off they down come out with visegrips. Your better off taking your head off and going to the machine shop to let them drill them out right. If you get to twisting around on them too much you can actually bust off some of the casting around the studs and really damage your head. I had all 4 of mine drilled out and was able to still use the stock sized studs to replace them for a whopping $40 at the local machine shop.

[Trackburger]

I think your on the right track of having a machine shop take them out, I went out to look at them after the last post and it looks like a "not so fun job!".

Keep looking around and keep your eyes and ears open. There are not too many places to ride around me, so you dont see them too often, but after waiting it out I was able to grab this one up. their out there..... just gotta be patient!!!

[threewheelin-feelin]

nice build man...more and more people keep showing up on here from the hampton roads and sourounding areas...we need to get us a big ride soon

[Trackburger]

Sounds good to me, when I get her together I was thinking of heading out to Slades in Surry. I havent been out there in years, so kind of curious to how it looks now. Always better to ride with others and meet new people................... My wifes sick and tired of hearing about 3 wheelers too...LMAO!!!!! :)

[threewheelin-feelin]

lmao my GF is too...yeah we can do a slades ride...its still pretty rough there tho...have you been to busco beach yet?

[Trackburger]

Nope, I honestly just heard about it today from a guy at work. I looked up their website and it looks SWEEEEEEEET!!!!!!! Definitly going to have to check it out!!!

[Trackburger]

UPDATED PICS as of this morning:

Finally got it back into at least a roller.... still have lots to do though...........
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[swampthang]

Dang! Lookin sharp. Keep up the pics and the good work. My 350x is jealous of yours:lol:

[Trackburger]

Thanks Swampthang!!! Your rebuilding one right now too right???

[swampthang]

Thanks Swampthang!!! Your rebuilding one right now too right???

Yup. Mines getting a mechanical restoration. Nothing fancy just going threw everything and making sure everything works like it should. Going to be a 100% rider. Maybe someday I'll repaint and get new plastic but for now I'm sticking to the meat and potatoes of the build.

[Trackburger]

Yup. Mines getting a mechanical restoration. Nothing fancy just going threw everything and making sure everything works like it should. Going to be a 100% rider. Maybe someday I'll repaint and get new plastic but for now I'm sticking to the meat and potatoes of the build.

I know, once I'm done I'm going to hate to get it dirty, but thats what I bought it for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[threewheelin-feelin]

looking good man...and yes busco is sweet i was there 3 weeks ago but i could go there every weekend lol... slades is still a ok place for a day ride but it is nothing like busco!

[Jeb]

Nice work! I'm excited to get mine looking good again. This is my first 350X too. 86 model.
Shown no love in recent years...

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[Dirtcrasher]

Awesome score!!

85/86, who cares. They are basically the same ATC, Great score, another one survives!!

The 350X is no are built to last, the early 85's were much worst.. :lol:

[Trackburger]

*UPDATE*

Okay, so I put the engine back in today, routed the wiring harness hooked up the oil cooler, installed the new chain, changed the oil and filter, new spark plug, added a little gas and went for a start.... tried to start on the first few kicks then came to life on number 5!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldnt believe it!!!!! Even with a carb from a completely different trike it idles and runs like a new machine!!! I didnt have to adjust a thing!!! Now she starts first kick each time. Took it for a quick test drive to burn some paint off the exhaust.... all I need now is the back plastic (should be here next week) and to put the tail light and headlight on once I get one. I'll post pics tomorrow, just so darn happy it fired right up!!!!! Cant believe someone neglected this thing like they did..... $305 for the X and about $1300 in new parts etc. $1600 isnt to shabby for an almost showroom 350X with all new parts!!!! ahhh what the heck, Heres a pic of it in the garage, I'll get some outside shots tomorrow!!!! She should last another 30 years!!!!!! now to tear apart the "R".....LOL :)

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[captainweezy]

Dang dude that is a sharp looker. Have you purchased a front sprocket cover yet?? Tapper on here makes pretty sweet looking ones. You can find them in the parts shop. You probably already knew that.

[Trackburger]

Thanks for reminding me about that!!!! I do have a stock one, need to get it on as well ;) and Thanks by the way for the compliment!

[Trackburger]

Some outside shots...
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[Jason125m]

Shes looking great man! Goodjob!

[Trackburger]

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[ONEBAD350X]

very cool where did you find the rear tires at? Nice work

[Trackburger]

very cool where did you find the rear tires at? Nice work

Ebay. Seller: hondaeasttoledo $106 for the pair and about $30 shipping

I just wish I could still get an original front...... Seen a few but they wanted crazy $$$ for them. Thanks BTW :)

[jays375]

Very nice!It turned very good!

[yaegerb]

Whew, nice work!