350Kris
03-08-2007, 11:14 AM
I'm pumped. I grew up riding this same bike at my best friend’s house in Pennsylvania. This bike represents my first experience with 3 wheelers. Now my wife has a bike to ride (and I can ride it, too). I had a good feeling about this one even before I got there. Saw it on good 'ol Craigslist for the Dallas area. Called the guy within a day of it posting and made arrangements to meet him last night. I threw my ramp in the truck, grabbed a few tools and a rag, kindly asked my wife to go, and away we went! The guy was asking $750 OBO, but he sounded real negotiable on the phone.
So we get there and he takes us back to his garage to see it. It is 100% complete. He was selling it for an old man who was the second owner. It has been kept in a cement floored barn most of its life so no major age issues. Here are the highlights...
No cracks or fading in the fenders! Most of the original stickers are still there!
Original took kit!
Original spotlight hook-up and cover.
Original tires with 60-70% tread.
Runs like a tank, shifts smoothly.
Never been rolled. Racks are straight.
Get this…I pulled the recoil to test it and noticed that the rope is original and looks brand new! This bike was cared for.
We got home kind of late, but my wife and I took a ride in the dark. She was out in the garage with me eye-balling it, so I said, "You want to take it for a spin?" She said "no," but the smile on her face told me yes. I gave her a quick orientation (she learned to ride on my 85 250R), hopped on behind her and away we went. We traveled up the road a little and then into a huge open field. She had a great time and so did I. I can only imagine the great days of riding ahead. I took this Big Red home for $650. I will post pics soon.
My fleet is growing...I'm up to an 84 Hon 200S, 86 Hon 350X, 85 Hon 250R, 84 Hon Big Red, and 83 Yam 125. Only two of them run, but the 200S and 350X are frame up resto-customs. The 200S is 95% complete and the 350X is 75% complete. Oh, and the 125 is the one I just picked up – after going through it a bit, I found water in the engine and some surface rust on the cylinder. I’m at the “part it out, or fix it” stage.
Does anyone have an extra manual for the Big Red? Are they still available? Does anyone know the differential oil capacity and what type of gear oil I should use?
Feels good when you get a good deal AND some nostalgia from childhood. What a great hobby.
So we get there and he takes us back to his garage to see it. It is 100% complete. He was selling it for an old man who was the second owner. It has been kept in a cement floored barn most of its life so no major age issues. Here are the highlights...
No cracks or fading in the fenders! Most of the original stickers are still there!
Original took kit!
Original spotlight hook-up and cover.
Original tires with 60-70% tread.
Runs like a tank, shifts smoothly.
Never been rolled. Racks are straight.
Get this…I pulled the recoil to test it and noticed that the rope is original and looks brand new! This bike was cared for.
We got home kind of late, but my wife and I took a ride in the dark. She was out in the garage with me eye-balling it, so I said, "You want to take it for a spin?" She said "no," but the smile on her face told me yes. I gave her a quick orientation (she learned to ride on my 85 250R), hopped on behind her and away we went. We traveled up the road a little and then into a huge open field. She had a great time and so did I. I can only imagine the great days of riding ahead. I took this Big Red home for $650. I will post pics soon.
My fleet is growing...I'm up to an 84 Hon 200S, 86 Hon 350X, 85 Hon 250R, 84 Hon Big Red, and 83 Yam 125. Only two of them run, but the 200S and 350X are frame up resto-customs. The 200S is 95% complete and the 350X is 75% complete. Oh, and the 125 is the one I just picked up – after going through it a bit, I found water in the engine and some surface rust on the cylinder. I’m at the “part it out, or fix it” stage.
Does anyone have an extra manual for the Big Red? Are they still available? Does anyone know the differential oil capacity and what type of gear oil I should use?
Feels good when you get a good deal AND some nostalgia from childhood. What a great hobby.