w00t!!! New RAGGG is HERE!!!!! 85/86 Big Red

[Nick_R_23]

Does anyone know what the differences are between the 85, 86, and 87 Big Reds? Im trying to ID the year of one by a left side view of one in a picture. The tank is a plastic one and side plastics are gone, so theres no stickers I can see. Is there any differences between them that I could use to tell which year it is? Thanks

-Nick :TrikesOwn

[Nick_R_23]

Wow thanks for the quick reply!!

It does have a metal piece covering the mud flap, so its at least an 86. I cant tell if the header piece is there or not though.

Also the forks are black, is this stock, because they dont look like they were painted over?

Thanks

-Nick :TrikesOwn

[Nick_R_23]

Well I just found another difference that makes me think its an 86, but Im doing some more checking. Ill have the pic up in a second, I might have to resize it.

-Nick :TrikesOwn

[Nick_R_23]

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/Nick_R_23/RALLIEDbigred.jpg

Take a look at the black plastic cover on the electric starter,, its different shaped then the 87 or 88 Big Reds.

Yes I realize this thing looks like a complete pile of sh1t, but I cant find another one around so Im probably gonna add this beast to my fleet shortly....

-Nick :TrikesOwn

[Nick_R_23]

Heres this one, supposedly an 86, I circled the areas in red:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/Nick_R_23/RALLIEDbigred2.jpg

And heres an 87:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/Nick_R_23/bigredside.jpg

Notice how the 86 is oval, and the 87 is more oblong/odd shaped, and it seems that the black cover is covering a piece of the case that the 86 doesnt have,, can you see what I mean, or is this just confusing you more? :lol:

-Nick :TrikesOwn

[Nick_R_23]

Hopefully tonight if the guys home and I can get a ride in,, otherwise itll have to wait until tomorrow.

-Nick :TrikesOwn

[Nick_R_23]

Hmm, I didnt know that, I know hardly anything about the 250ES Big Reds, I just noticed that cover difference by pure coincedence.

I have also heard that the rear end is different, if it is, how so?

BTW,, how much would you guys pay for it? It supposedly ran and drove 2 years ago, now it has fuel problems and at least 1 tire has a leak, and needs some obvious cosmetic work.

-Nick :TrikesOwn

[Nick_R_23]

Well I just got home from picking this beast up, and it turned out to be a little better then I thought. Its really not as bad as the pic makes it look, its about 98% complete, and they said that they even got it running last summer. Has good compression, front tire looks near new, rear right tire IS new, only real problem now is that the brakes feel locked up. Pics tomorrow, Im gonna probably spend most of the night working on it.

-Nick :TrikesOwn

[rally4x4racer]

hey - that looks like fun. Im guessing you paid a couple hundred bucks?

The brakes are quick to get stuck on these. Watch you rear end seals too - if you bust a seal it will flood your rear brakes with gear oil.

[Nick_R_23]

Got back,, and man what a pile, although it was waaaaaaaay better then I expected it to be. Started tearing a few things off, and sprayed some starting fluid in, and it fired second kick!!!!!! :w00t: Rear end was LOCKED UP, but after freeing the brakes it rolls around pretty nice now. Definately needs all the cables replaced, and the rear drum taken apart and cleaned. Front fender is nice, rear plastics are busted bad or nonexistant.

'Fuel problem' ended up being a completely clogged petcock, I didnt know that much sand could fit in there!!! :eek: Bottom cap is junk though, ill take a pic of why later. Has a Clark plastic tank, so no rust there. ;)

Motor sounded nice when it ran, carb isnt all that dirty inside, and the oil was even pretty fresh. Definately been pieced together by a few ebay parts. Apparantly all from the same person. :lol:

There is nothing left of the muffler though, I tapped it with a hammer and it literally disentegrated! Luckily I have another one thats just waiting on paint!

More pics and updates tomorrow!!!!!

-Nick :TrikesOwn

[factoryX]

how much?....

[Bryan Raffa]

the 10th letter in the vin will be a F if its a 85

86 will be a G
87 will be a H

[Nick_R_23]

Brought it home for 150$. I think the 10th letter was F, but Im not 100% sure so Ill have to go check the VIN again. Hopefully it will be driving today.

-Nick :TrikesOwn

[Nick_R_23]

Well heres some pics of it, already torn apart and got most of the problems fixed.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/Nick_R_23/MVC-001F-10.jpg
As it sits at the moment

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/Nick_R_23/MVC-002F-13.jpg
Beautiful muffler :rolleyes:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/Nick_R_23/MVC-003F-13.jpg
Its a wonder it can even support its own weight

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/Nick_R_23/MVC-004F-14.jpg
Fenders...right side is somewhat usable, left is junk, time for some Maiers!!! :naughty:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/Nick_R_23/MVC-005F-14.jpg
Petcock cap...you can make out the JB weld along the edges of the nut, completely worn thru

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/Nick_R_23/MVC-006F-13.jpg
Bottom is sealed,, needs to dry a little longer then its ready to go

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/Nick_R_23/MVC-007F-17.jpg
Carb after cleaning

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/Nick_R_23/MVC-008F-15.jpg
Other side

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/Nick_R_23/MVC-009F-12.jpg
Spare muffler I have,, waiting on paint

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/Nick_R_23/MVC-010F-8.jpg
Original battery?? Has the Honda logo on it....

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/Nick_R_23/MVC-011F-9.jpg
Footpeg and shifter didnt fare too well in an accident,, probably what took out the fender also

-Nick :TrikesOwn

[Nick_R_23]

Few more pics...

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/Nick_R_23/MVC-012F-9.jpg
Rear rack assy.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/Nick_R_23/MVC-013F-8.jpg
Rear end

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/Nick_R_23/MVC-015F-8.jpg
VIN...looks like its an 85

-Nick:TrikesOwn

[bigreddaddy]

The '85 250es does NOT have rear brake drum cover, while the 86-87 does.

[84honda200s]

not a bad pick up for the price nick. good deal man. i wish i came across deals like that.

[Nick_R_23]

Yeah there is no rear cover on the brakes, Im gonna have to get in there and free everything up so I can have brakes. I had to cut the handbrake cable for the rear just so I could use the reverse, it was seized beyond all hell. I found another frame Id like to use, but its 50$ I dont have to spend right now, on top of getting it blasted and PC'ed, so Im gonna run what it has for now.

But the good news is it drives now!!!!! :w00t: I was roostin around on it all day, its a BLAST to ride,, way better then the 82-84 Reds,,,,,but something in the carb seems messed up (possibly choke?), because sometimes it idles normal, other times it idles really high, and other times I have to keep it floored so it wont die. Gas also leaks out the bottom vent line. To start it, I have to turn off the gas, let the bottom line drain, and just kick it over and give it a little gas, but after it starts I gotta pull the bottom line up so nothing can drain out of it, otherwise it runs funny. Brakes are an issue also, its kinda hard to stop on ice by downshifting.

Most everything else seems to be in working condition. For 150$ this wasnt a bad deal at all!!!

Does anyone know what kind of exhausts I can get for this?? Dennis Kirk only shows Cobras, and Id rather keep whats on there then get one of them. DG maybe?

-Nick :TrikesOwn

[rally4x4racer]

should be a jardine on DK - I thought I saw one. you probably looked right over it in that pile of cobras. glad you got it running. that has to be the worst muffler I have ever seen.

[RedRider_AK]

Yo Nick, I'm gonna pick up that 200X today! Ragged out as it may be, I need another trike in my blood!

I'll look at my pile of stuff today as well, when I fix the pullstart on my Big Bear (need to buy a battery for the starter :lol: but I'm too cheap).

Looks like a pretty nice clean carb. I was surprised to see that. How do you get 'em so clean? Brake parts cleaner and a ton of ScotchBrite pads?

P.S. That's a sweet high-flow muffler you've acquired. I heard those are a super rare Hondaline accessory. If, however, you want to keep the sweet high-flow muffler on a shelf in your room, there should be Cobra Quiet/Utility pipes (still too loud) and Jardine Stalker mufflers on Dennis Kirk. Another, more trick, choice would be to home-make an exhaust with a universal Supertrapp canister, maybe? :naughty:

[Nick_R_23]

Good deal on that X!!! Cant be any more ragged out then this one!! :lol:


Looks like a pretty nice clean carb. I was surprised to see that. How do you get 'em so clean? Brake parts cleaner and a ton of ScotchBrite pads?

Nothing more then parts cleaner, toothbrush sized wire and fiber brushes, and an air compressor.

On the exhaust, im definately NOT getting a Cobra. I may as well be downgrading from whats already on there (Im sure whats there would last longer anyway :D). So a few people have mentioned Jardine...Ive heard of it, but Ive never seen anybody with one. How good quality are they, and what do they sound like? Noise isnt an issue for me, I own a 250r for goodness sake. I just dont want a cheap dingy sound. Im not too fond of Supertrapps either, I dont hate them,, they just sound funny. Also, did DG or any other company make an exhaust for this machine?

-Nick :TrikesOwn

[RedRider_AK]

im definately NOT getting a Cobra. I may as well be downgrading from whats already on there (Im sure whats there would last longer anyway :D). So a few people have mentioned Jardine...Ive heard of it, but Ive never seen anybody with one. How good quality are they, and what do they sound like? Noise isnt an issue for me, I own a 250r for goodness sake. I just dont want a cheap dingy sound. Im not too fond of Supertrapps either, I dont hate them,, they just sound funny. Also, did DG or any other company make an exhaust for this machine?

From what my Dennis Kirk catalog tells me, it's only Cobra and Jardine that make model-specific mufflers for this machine. I've heard good stuff about Jardine, they make exhausts for street bikes and such. I think it'll be pretty "stock" sounding with that Stalker system on it, if you decide to get Jardine.

Amen on the Cobra thing. Jeez. I picked up my 86 200X today, it's got a Blow-Bra Megafag, err Cobra Megaphone on it. Louder than hell, and when I went to check the packing... NONE. :lol: Time to rip some insulation out of our boiler room wall...