Finally picked up a Big red '85 250es

[bkm]

I found this on Craigslist yesterday and had to jump on it. Original owner was 72 years old. His wife bought it new on Christmas day 1985 from St. Louis Honda (judging by the decal on the tool box lol). He has used it once a year every year for deer season since 1985 and his kids decided it was time to put him in a UTV. It has two brand new OEM rear tires and the front oem is about a year old. It also has a new oem carb. The plastic is nice, but it is starting to spiderweb. The racks are in great shape and it rides nice. The brakes work better than most new bikes I have ridden and even the parking brakes works like new. The only real bad spot is the tank. The inside is like new, but it collapsed one winter when the vent was closed.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g248/bkm1168/IMAG0035_zps5427f498.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g248/bkm1168/IMAG0037_zpsdbe35337.jpg

[RoscoW]

Strip it down for a restore.......... you know I would.:lol:

Ross..

[jeswinehart]

Restore ??? Heck all it needs is the little rubber clutch adjustment cover !

[bkm]

It would be a very nice restoration candidate. I'm going to clean it up here and there, try and find a new tank, ect. If I had the patience I would wet sand the plastic to remove the spider webbing, but I have zero.

[jeswinehart]

Whats the plan for it Bryan, keep it, keep it till you sell it or gonna add to stable ? Just curious, I have my 85 Bigred that will most likely be used to pack the dirt down on my grave. Heck, I would not be opposed to being buried on it :)

[hublake]

I would get the tank fixed and leave as is. Just get a rubber clutch cover from John and it will be as good as new. It will outlast you with care.

[jeswinehart]

I would get the tank fixed and leave as is. Just get a rubber clutch cover from John and it will be as good as new. It will outlast you with care.

Lloyd,,, shhhhh. Liway is gonna mail him one out tomorrow as a surprise so don't tell anyone :)

[bkm]

You guys are the best! I love it.Thank you Liway and John. :w00t:

[90nut]

I too got mine from the original owner/farmer guy with the same messed up tank!
good score tho, I had wanted one for a loooong time, saw the one i have now and had to buy her! Sweet ride tho!

[atc007]

Welcome Brian !! To THE club. Put some SERIOUS woods riding in on her and tell me I'm wrong.. If I am ,,you're just not old enough lol. VERY nice score. Glad to see it in good hands!

[fire1]

Very nice hope to get one myself someday

[yamaha225dr]

Nice Big Red! I had an 87 that I regret selling, my cousin bought it from me and totaled it a few months later. He somehow T-Boned a car while crossing a highway. Put over $4k worth of damage on the car and the lucky fool walked away unhurt but the big red wasn't so lucky.

[ktmcrasher]

Saw a guy on YouTube using a heat gun to get rid of white marks on plastics. Don't know how it will work on big red plastics though?

[aldochina]

nice score Melugin!! Looks like a keeper! Even got the side fender protectors!! Empty the tank out, remove the petcock, put the cap on tight, and slowly pressurize the tank. I bet 80% of the dents will pop back out. Just be careful, I have seen the the bottom of the tank popout with to much air! Hands down the best all around trike! Minus drags and dunes of course lol!! Hows the little one? Dont forget you owe me a knob! Or was it a knobber?Lol, either will do!!

[bkm]

nice score Melugin!! Looks like a keeper! Even got the side fender protectors!! Empty the tank out, remove the petcock, put the cap on tight, and slowly pressurize the tank. I bet 80% of the dents will pop back out. Just be careful, I have seen the the bottom of the tank popout with to much air! Hands down the best all around trike! Minus drags and dunes of course lol!! Hows the little one? Dont forget you owe me a knob! Or was it a knobber?Lol, either will do!!Sh!t Rory i'm sorry i forgot about the knob. I haven't even opened the forks up yet. I'll get it in the mail on monday. The little one is doing pretty good now, but was in full blown colic for about three weeks and I seriously was almost going out of my mind. Things are getting half way normal. Sorry again man.

[TatTooL23]

That's real nice.

What is in the rear rack? Some metal mount?

[KC9LJO]

I just picked up an 85 Br too. I had not ridden a BR with rear suspension until I got this one. I am amazed at how nice it is to ride this beast. I am very happy with it. "If you have the means I highly recommend picking one up!"

P.S. I could use a good front fender if anyone has an extra they'd be willing to sell.
168330

[aldochina]

dude! rough on the colic huh!! seriously, not a biggie on my knobber! Whenever you get around to it is fine. even if its next year!

[dustrunner]

nice es...i love mine...wonder what the bracket on the rack is for ?

[KC9LJO]

The bracket is for a gun scabbard.
http://www.amazon.com/Kolpin-20053-Gun-Boot-Bracket/dp/B001Q4SM1S/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1367072980&sr=8-11&keywords=atv+gun+racks

[Worden18]

Very nice find. Congrats. I just bought my first BR about 3 months ago. I love it :)

[yaegerb]

Yep, Bryan keeps finding these deals...I swear to God he has ESP or something telling him to look on craigslist or EBAY at certain times...LOL. I saw it this morning prior to the St. Joe outing. The bike is freakin cherry minus the tank and it purrs like a kitten.

[tri again]

They're just so lovable.
I'd just change the oils a couple times and put magnets on the drainplugs.

Gear oil is just over 3 ounces and nice to see it full and see through.
Some of the bigred youtube vids are just awe inspiring.