350x barn finds

[Homeless Dave]

So I bought a pair of 350xs. Saw them in the background of a listing for a 110, and was the first person to inquire so I was able to buy them. One is a 85, the other 86. The same guy bought both brand new and they have never been separated. The 85 was competitively raced until quads took over. Both lost their engines to trx250 quads in roughly 1991. The 85 has beefed up front forks and had a custom rear shock, but it is now gone. I have intentions of putting both back together, but the 85 will have its turn 1st. It is more complete. Supposedly it’s original engine is still around my local area and still running, so I might have to attempt to track it down. The 86 will probably be a 300ex powered unit.
I think I over payed at 600$ for the pair, there isn’t much there to start with, but hey a pair of 350s with good heritage, I can’t complain! What do you guys think?https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221128/43bfef90fb11ca68ccd091513a8b1469.jpg
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[Footy]

Nice find. I wish I could be so lucky. Hoping to find a parts machine someday locally.

[kiser]

Glad your going to save them! It's a shame the motors were taken out but that's the way it goes. Good luck with the rebuild!

[Jim mac]

cool score! I would have had a hard time not buying them. jim

[MrConcdid]

I would have bought them too. If your happy with the price that's all that matters, you could part one out and get your money back, then build the other with a 300.

[Homeless Dave]

I would have bought them too. If your happy with the price that's all that matters, you could part one out and get your money back, then build the other with a 300.

I could, but I’d rather take my time and put them
Both together. Plus they have been together since they were new, why separate them now.


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[ATC King]

I was going to say you overpaid because there's no, No Fear stickers on them, but the Camel Racing sticker makes up for that :w00t:

In seriousness, good find. One of the better parts is they're a bit of a clean slate. Drop that 300EX engine in without shame.

[Homeless Dave]

I was going to say you overpaid because there's no, No Fear stickers on them, but the Camel Racing sticker makes up for that :w00t:

In seriousness, good find. One of the better parts is they're a bit of a clean slate. Drop that 300EX engine in without shame.

Im looking for a complete 300ex. Gotta set some money aside and pick one up. I find them between 800-1000 in my area.


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[oldskool83]

I have 3 or so bottom ends in parts. I also have all the spacers and details needed to bolt a 300ex motor in fully. Its not a true bolt in but its rather simple.

[Homeless Dave]

I have 3 or so bottom ends in parts. I also have all the spacers and details needed to bolt a 300ex motor in fully. Its not a true bolt in but its rather simple.

When I find a 300ex I might have to message you for some measurements on the spacers.


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[oldskool83]

I have a build thread on here documented how I did it. I ended up selling it off due to some reasons.

[Arky-X]

If you're willing to pay.....uh.....sit down for this.......$3k.....then Powersports Surplus on fB has a 350X engine

Good luck on the build(s). Gotta keep the trikes going


Arky-X receives no commissions for this sale

[patriot1]

Legendary find! Good job!!

[Dirtcrasher]

600$ for a pair is nothing, frames alone are 400$ these days, front calipers (esp the brackets) aren't too cheap either. And that's just 2 parts off of each roller...

Unless you want the amenities of a 300EX motor, you should be able to find a 350X motor pretty easy. The bottom ends are basically bulletproof, unless the chain goes thru the stator cover. And the top ends you just need to find one with good cam journals.

I'm gearing up to cut valve seats and resurface all air cooled Honda cylinder heads, I've even got the new addition to the shop built. I'll be all set shortly, fingers crossed!!

[Homeless Dave]

600$ for a pair is nothing, frames alone are 400$ these days, front calipers (esp the brackets) aren't too cheap either. And that's just 2 parts off of each roller...

Unless you want the amenities of a 300EX motor, you should be able to find a 350X motor pretty easy. The bottom ends are basically bulletproof, unless the chain goes thru the stator cover. And the top ends you just need to find one with good cam journals.

I'm gearing up to cut valve seats and resurface all air cooled Honda cylinder heads, I've even got the new addition to the shop built. I'll be all set shortly, fingers crossed!!

I would like to fine a running machine in order to scavenge not only the engine but also exhaust, carb, and wiring from. I have my eyes on a trx250x that has a 350x engine in it. Sounds like it needs a cam chain, but otherwise has everything I need. My main issue with trying to source a 350 engine is mostly financial. Most engines in my area are around the 2k range, but I can buy a running 300ex for less than 1k.


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[Homeless Dave]

So I have started to acquire parts now! Got a front hub, axle and spacers and some decals for the 86. Also found a shock for both of them.
I originally intended for the 86 to be done after the 85, but it’s actually a much nicer chassis and better to work with.

And big news! found a good running 350x engine, but unfortunately gotta let my big red go. Trading a running 85 BR for a 350x engine, not what I had in mind, but I need space anyway. So not the end of the world.


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[Homeless Dave]

Figured I better show my old big red before she leaves to the new home. It’s really obvious the frame is bent, so I’m not too worried about see her go. Going back to the are it originally came from, and on top of that a close friend to the fellow I bought it from, almost like it’s meant to be!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230108/be90e221303755b6bd06844678b790cc.jpeg
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[Homeless Dave]

In my initial post I made mention of one of the engines having been planted into a trx250x. Talking with a friend about old Hondas yielded the location of it. He said where his 250x/350x hybrid came from and it matches. As well as a few other details. Kinda cool knowing my 86’s original engine is still going. Now if only I could get him to sell it to me!


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[Homeless Dave]

Finally have made some progress on my 86. Got the motor put in, not yet fully bolted in, but atleast for mock up. Rebuilt the brake masters and calipers, mounted the reader shock and put in new fork seals. Only needing a few more parts and I should be able to do final assembly. Only needing the header pipe (I scored a new takeoff muffler from a cut up trike from 87 ban on eBay, never been run!), airbox lid, and a throttle assembly.

Here’s some pics of how she’s looking (don’t mind my ugly mug on the 200x (21st birthday took a day to recover from).https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230214/53310fe4aed89f19bc97cd2ded06da5b.png
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[Footy]

The build is coming along nicely!

[Homeless Dave]

Well today I finally got the 86 going. Needs some more refinement. Needs new exhaust gaskets where the pipe meets the head, and need a few more airbox pieces, but it runs and moves. I definitely found out the fenders s protect you 0% from mud.


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[MrConcdid]

More than likely its just a collapsed front fork. those frames are way over built. easy fix.
MrC.

[Homeless Dave]

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She looks happy next to my 86 200x. Now that it’s running, I have motivation to make it cosmetically nicer.
I also need a new front tire, the old front max is dry rotted really bad. Any good recommendations? I have the original ohstu, but it doesn’t hold air and I’d rather not ride on 40 year old tires.


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[Homeless Dave]

So I have it reliably running and dialed in to be a good rider without much issue. Although it appears to have blown out the head gasket. Nothin major, except the oil leak. So I got a top end gasket kit to re seal it. Can I pull https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230509/b156826d7272c2fd6c488a54f9ade69a.jpg
the head with the engine in the frame?


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[MrConcdid]

No, on that trike you need to pull the engine. You can pull the studs but that's a pain in the butt. you can have that engine out in 10/15 minutes.
get some rings while you are there, freshen it up, rings are cheap.

[Homeless Dave]

No, on that trike you need to pull the engine. You can pull the studs but that's a pain in the butt. you can have that engine out in 10/15 minutes.
get some rings while you are there, freshen it up, rings are cheap.

Engine is very fresh. Only has 10 hours or so since it’s last full rebuild. I’m thinking maybe a head stud isn’t perfectly tight and caused the issue.


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[350for350]

I still like the Front Max tires.

[Homeless Dave]

I pulled the engine and re sealed the top end, put in new valve guide seals, lapped valves and put it all back together. It still leaks! I used a metal gasket and torqued it to spec. Even took the valve cover back off and re checked the torque on the head bolts.
The leak is mostly on the right side of the engine. Could it maybe be the oil feed line? I’ve never seen one of them leak before. But the oil leak is still the same spot as before, right about head gasket level.


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[ATC200X4716]

Is there a crack in the oil feed line? Check it carefully. Degrease and remove all the oil from the engine and with it idling for a time see if you can see where the oil leak originates from. Were the dowel pins in place? Did someone previously deck it on a belt sander? I mention it only because I've seen it. Metal gaskets need flat smooth surfaces to seal.

[Homeless Dave]

I’ll check the oil line. All dowels were in place, looked to never have been decked or anything. Someone told me maybe the head is warped slightly.


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[Homeless Dave]

So now after having the 86 be my primary rider and slowly working out it’s minor issues, I’m finally turning my attention to the 85.
I scored on a perfect power plant for it. Found what a market place seller thought was an old XR dirt bike motor… it was actually a complete 85 350x engine. Complete with oem carb, throttle housing and cable, kicker, oil cooler, clutch lever and cable, complete wiring harness including handlebar switch and cdi, and a old cobra exhaust (header and muffler). I paid his asking price without hesitation for a grand total of…..$300! On top of that, I scored a near perfect set of oem 86 plastics on eBay for $115.
And I just recently picked up this 200s and decked it out with Honda line stuff I’ve collected (front rack, rear rack, headlight grille, and trailer hitch) and it makes a nice little rig for booting around my small town. It’s about time I have some good deals come my way.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230710/3066f44a1b5a1c9382cdd0948b61eea3.jpg
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[Footy]

Thats awesome!

[ScreaminRed]

Nice 200 and what an awesome deal on the complete motor!!! Score!

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[Homeless Dave]

I’m amazed how much fun I’m having putting the old 350s together. I pulled the 85 out of the shed over the weekend (complete with barn dust still from when I bought the pair). It now is a roller with an engine in it. For laughs I hooked up the harness and found it had spark, so I gave it some carb cleaner and actually heard it fire. The moment a project finally breathes some life is always awesome. I know I have a long way to go on it, but I’m stoked to know it’s alive for the first time in 30 years.
I also got a killer deal on one of my favorite tires that are now discontinued. Got a pair of Carlisle trail hawks 24x8x11 that are never mounted for $75. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230724/86477a504ca4476f2325f4461f177bf7.jpg
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[Homeless Dave]

A bit more progress is being made! Got some nerf bars off my old raptor 660 fit onto the 86. Fixed the rear brakes, put a old cobra pipe and header on, jetted it. Also got the 85 it together a bit more. Got some new parts on the way too, white 85R headlight shell, new aluminum desert grab bar, and some other odds and ends. I really like how low the 85 sits, it’s going ice racing this winter. Already have the studded tires on it.I se that I can get a clear plastic tank for these, I might have to get one. I’m currently fixing the only metal tank I have, I cut it apart at the seam, sandblasted it, welded in some patches, and now have to weld it back together. Then it’s onto some minor filler and paint!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230917/3a5e526a242db113ede481013f077826.jpg
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