Is this a decent deal?? (250r)

[flashredmkiv]

A buddy and co-worker of mine has an 86 250r that he's selling. He said it runs strong, but has a few issues. First off (and the worst part probably) is that the plastics and seat are trash. So it will need all new plastic. He also said there's an issue with the float in the carb (not sure exactly). He also said there is no fuel shut-off coming from the tank my 110 has one, so I assume the 250rs do as well?). Those were the things he mentioned that were wrong with it. He said he has an extra set of wheels to go with it and the front tire is brand new (rears are in decent condition). Haven't seen it yet, but I'm going over to his place Friday to check it out. He said he'd sell it to me for $600. Is that worth it for a decent fixer-upper 250r, or should I look elsewhere?

I'll take some photos while I'm over there. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

[Russell 350X]

Post up some pics, cant really make a choice if we cant see it.

[ATC-Eric]

If the bike is mechanically strong, I say jump allllll over it.

Check:

-bearings
-frame for cracks or bends
-front forks for bends
-play with the hubs and axle splins



Those are some of the major things to check out on a bike.

The carb issue should be an easy fix, and the whole petcock thing isnt tooooo big of a deal. From what you've told us, it sounds like a great fixer upper!

Good luck.

[RacerRichie]

not a BAD deal........

[maxfior]

When you do a ride test check all the gears, esp. 3rd. See if anything pops in and out. If the clutch slips, you might have to replace the basket and pressure plate, Hinson stuff is pricey... Apply brakes slowly and feel for pulse, might have bent rotors. I think the price is very fair, but if it needs a lot of $'s dumped into, make sure to let that be known (all the issues)... Make sure you post some pictures! too! Good luck!

M.

[SYKO]

sounds decent I paid more than taht for mine, and it didnt even have plastic and looked like plain butt.

[honda250sx]

$600, seems like more than fair compared to what some of these piles are going for on evilbay. Look for the commons, cracks in frame, waterpumps, bearing play, clutch slipage and so on. Plastics aren't all that hard to come by. Send the seat to the Mosh's. Carb's are available, PWK's and what not. If it were me i would jump on it. But then again i have been looking for sometime! Good luck!

[flashredmkiv]

Well, I finally got a chance to go look at it tonight after work. Found it's an 85, not an 86. No biggie. However, it does need more work than I anticipated. Here's a link to some photos I took:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46999642@N00/sets/72157600861091359/

First off, he didn't have the fuel/oil mixture right, so it was running rich. It also didn't have an air filter and it was smoking some (not really bad). Not sure it is a combination of those or if it might indicate a need for new rings? As mentioned before, the plastics are shot. The fuel tank is plastic too and looks like it has been sanded down in the past.n Don't think the headlight is the stock 250r light. Frame looked to be in good shape, although could you some cleaning and painting. Rear wheels were in good shape, but tires are about done for. He has a set of Holeshots for the rear that look to be in good shape. Front wheel had a bend in the lip, but it held air. Front tire was new. It definitely needed new rear brake pads and the rear rotor disc was cracked in a few places. Front could use new pads too. The front shock looked like it may need to be rebuilt as did the rear (both were somewhat leaky and very spongy). The wiring near the switch on the left side of the handlebars could use some repair.

As far as how it ran, I have nothing to compare it to as I've only ridden my 110, but it was stupid fast. Didn't have much room to ride it and only got it into 3rd gear.

So what do you all think? It's more work than I had intended, but do you think it's worth it or not??

[Dammit!]

2-strokes are supposed to smoke.

That's a 350x headlight and 200x rear fenders.

It's got the tyical case damage near the front sprocket (case saver mount broken off).

The gas tank can be sanded and polished back to a shine.

$600 for a running water cooled R is a steal in just about any condition. Get it. Now.

[Dirtcrasher]

To each his own.... It's simply another - left outside - tired - worn - money pit 250R. I'd rather pay 2000$ for one that someone else spent all there money on. Or 1200$ for one that needs work but wasn't entirely neglected.

I got a MINT 85R 4 years ago for 700$ and it still ended up being a 2200$ ATC when I got it looking nice because it was incomplete.

Yeah yeah yeah, you can "build it your way" if thats what your willing to do. BUT, I find that any 20 YO machine that hasn't been kept well will end up being a 2500$ machine. Just be prepared for what this will eventually cost you.

To me, it's worth 600$ for parts,

Just on a quick view - Spliced kill switch, dry rotted tires, blown shock, crap plastic and I'm sure it'll need 600$ in motor work - lack of an air filter isn't very good either.

I'd avoid it myself.....

[ATC-Eric]

Its the start of a great ground up project. Dirtcrasher made a REALLY good point. If your not ready for a HANDFULL, save your money some more.

Personally, I would get it. Im in the market for a project R.

[hondaatcvabeach]

I think it is worth it

[flashredmkiv]

Well, I just verbally purchased the bike and plan to pick it up next week. Does anyone have a list of items that should be checked/replaced maintenance-wise on a just purchased used bike??

[cheaptecate]

Great father son project. If it runs well I think it is a great deal.

[flashredmkiv]

Great father son project. If it runs well I think it is a great deal.


Unfortunately Dad lives 3 hrs. away, so not much chance of that.

[Dirtcrasher]

I think he meant the kid in the photo with you checking out the ATC.

I'm not trying to sound like a jerk but a typical 250R as shown in your photos may need the following - IMO...

You'll need tires and a rear shock quickly.

The rear carrier and swing arm bearings are probably junk but you should tear them down for an inspection and greasing if you get lucky. If you yank the axle, clean all the splines and grease them.

Brake pads front and rear, all the slide pins on disc brakes seize when the sit or get left outside. Old mater cylinders don't build up pressure very welll so I'd rebuild them.

Front wheel bearings and seals if you can feel any slop.

Air filter may should be checked for holes and cleaned/oiled. Tear the carb down to nothing and clean it and install a rebuild kit. Wjhile your at it, give the tank and tank filter a good cleaning.

Motor stuff:

Most 85 R's need an 89 clutch update kit and cable. I didn't look to see if the cable was all the way adjusted which is the usual giveaway.

Hows it sound? Lots of the old R's have an internal counterbalancer that the bearings fail in and or the mounting bolts too. Of course if it hasn't been done in sometime, the top end will need to be changed and probably bored. If you find the motor tired and noisy (trust me, it will still be VERY FAST, even when it's ready to skyrocket!!) then the main bearings and seals should be changed to.

Toss a new plug in.

Thats it for now, It's a racing ATC with miles on it. Expect the worse but hope for the best!!

[BigGreenMachine]

Looks complete for the money.

[flashredmkiv]

I understand there will be some work involved considering it's a 22 yr. old machine. Not expecting it to be just as if I drove it off the lot. I just want to check out the main areas and fix/replace what needs to be done so I can ride it now. I'm sure I'll end up tearing the whole thing down and rebuilding it in the future.

[BigGreenMachine]

Then get it. Around here you will never see a running liquid R go for 600 in any condition.

[flashredmkiv]

Then get it. Around here you will never see a running liquid R go for 600 in any condition.


Look on pg. 1 of the post, I verbally committed to buy it. Going to pick it up next week.:Bounce

[BigGreenMachine]

Sorry about that, good score in any case. I know I've seen non running 81 250Rs around here for 900...

[Dirtcrasher]

I understand there will be some work involved considering it's a 22 yr. old machine. Not expecting it to be just as if I drove it off the lot. I just want to check out the main areas and fix/replace what needs to be done so I can ride it now. I'm sure I'll end up tearing the whole thing down and rebuilding it in the future.


Honestly, I gave you the main areas that I would be concerned with. All the cosmetics like plastic, rims, new tank, powdercoating and all that other stuff can wait. But, you need good brakes, good suspension, you need it to run well and you need the motor to be fairly tight or rods can break and counter balancer bearing housings can crack then it's allot more expensive to fix.

The thing with the swingarm and carrier bearings is that if they are loose then the chain tends to fall off. When the chain falls off on a 250R, the engine case can break and ruin the lower case.

[NINJA]

85 Worth 15 Tops And That Is Nice An Complete, I Say 400, That Sumbit*h Is Fragged Out. If He Don't Like That Offer, Oh Well, She's Gonna Cost Yo Another Grand Just To Make Er Nice An That Ain't Including Internals, Looks Like Pearls On A Ho To Me.