1982 Atc 250r

[Atc GuY]

What is one worth that is in good running condition? (estimate) Is the suspension any good?

[Andrew_250R]

I own an 81 250R, pretty much the same as the 82R. I like it but I just bought an 85R lastnight and it is a night and day difference when it comes to rideing. I personally wouldn't give more than $500 or $700 if it was near perfect. I never paid for the 81R because it was my dads. BTW the suspension is stiff and there isn't much travel on my 81R. So I guess it depends on what kind of rideing you want to do with it?

[Atc GuY]

Mostly trail riding... the guy wants $550
Is it dependable? Will it overheat?

[Atc GuY]

He wants to trade some stuff and I'm waiting for a reply from him. I just don't want a trike that will keep needing rebuilds, rings, and money being dumped into it. I have a 83 ATC 110 right now and I don't think the 250 could ride worse. ;)

[Preddy05]

The old air cooled 250r i use to have was as reliable as my 4 strokes. I had it for about 2 years then i sold it and i never had any problems with it... mine was an 83 but motor wise they are the same.. never had any overheating problems and i beat on it!

[Andrew_250R]

No I rebuild the engine when I rebuilt the whole bike. It never did run right after that. There was just no top end. So I tried everything I could to get it to run right. Finally it locked up again. So I tore it back down and got to looking at things and found out the piston was an oversized piston in a stock bore? Not sure how I got the piston in but it went in with out any trouble. So I sent the jug off to get bored (dad wouldn't let me the first time) and put the right sized piston in and now it runs like a champ. I have beat it pretty hard and it hasn't missed a beat yet. Parts can be hard to find. Like the piston I had to go to the local honda dealer. Couldn't find one online, the piston was $170 from honda. Also the Seat has a metal pan and I have not been able to find one to save my life. Another thing I noticed is the rear swing arm bearings are different then the 85R. So the rear swing arm is loose and moves side to side, even with new bearings in there. I might have messed something up though. Gas tank is metal so it could be rusted inside, we had the tank on our 81R recoated on the inside. I guess I am fairly new to ATC's and that is about what I know. If you have any other questions just ask and I will try to help. $550 doesn't sound bad but I guess that depends on the condition. But yea it can't be any worse than your 110 LOL.

[Macs]

I love the air cooled R's. My first one was a 81. I completley rebuilt it. Now i have an 83. It is definatlry my ride of choice. But all i do is trail ride. They are super dependable, pretty quick and parts are inexpensive. Suspension is ok. Nothing compared to the liquid cooled R's but still pretty nice. They are not a very good jumper. but they handle the trails nicely.

[Macs]

No I rebuild the engine when I rebuilt the whole bike. It never did run right after that. There was just no top end. So I tried everything I could to get it to run right. Finally it locked up again. So I tore it back down and got to looking at things and found out the piston was an oversized piston in a stock bore? Not sure how I got the piston in but it went in with out any trouble. So I sent the jug off to get bored (dad wouldn't let me the first time) and put the right sized piston in and now it runs like a champ. I have beat it pretty hard and it hasn't missed a beat yet. Parts can be hard to find. Like the piston I had to go to the local honda dealer. Couldn't find one online, the piston was $170 from honda. Also the Seat has a metal pan and I have not been able to find one to save my life. Another thing I noticed is the rear swing arm bearings are different then the 85R. So the rear swing arm is loose and moves side to side, even with new bearings in there. I might have messed something up though. Gas tank is metal so it could be rusted inside, we had the tank on our 81R recoated on the inside. I guess I am fairly new to ATC's and that is about what I know. If you have any other questions just ask and I will try to help. $550 doesn't sound bad but I guess that depends on the condition. But yea it can't be any worse than your 110 LOL.


Just wanted to clear up somethings.
Pistons are easy to find. I have always had better results searching for the 83, 84 models though.
The swingarm should not move side to side. Something is definatley wrong there.

[Yamatrike400]

Yeah i traded an old ice auger for my 81 r and itll be a big change from that 110, mostly in power and acceleration, i was very surprised. If you get on that throttle you better hold on.Id say the power gets a little taking used to but once you ride it a few times its awesome. I also extended my swingarm 6+ with a Front snowmobile shock and that really helped the suspension and handling. Ive beat the crap outa mine so far and is still very reliable.Also, i found that when i first got it it liked to wheelie alot when shifting gears lol once again very powerful engine.. If its in good shape 550 is a good price.

[Atc GuY]

Sounds like a good machine. What's the top speed? (around)
What oil ratio does it run?

[Yamatrike400]

Stock around 65, but it gets there damn quick, the engine is very capable of higher speeds if you regeared it. I run mine at about 36:1 with Amsoil Dominator racing oil.Be sure to use a good quality oil also.

[Andrew_250R]

Just wanted to clear up somethings.
Pistons are easy to find. I have always had better results searching for the 83, 84 models though.
The swingarm should not move side to side. Something is definatley wrong there.

Ok at the time I wasn't sure if the 81-84 pistons were all the same. Where do you get your pistons from?

The swing arm doesn't move alot, I would say maybe 1/2" back by the tires. Just enough for the left tire to rub on the muffler.

I do like my 81R. It is something I will never sell. I have had lots of fun riding it real hard. Like others have said you just can't jump it. I went riding on some gravel piles with some friends once. I was riding it up the side of gravel piles that you couldn't climb up on your hands and knees. So they are very capable machines.

[money89tractors]

I have my 81R and love it, yet i hate it at the same time. Trail riding, it is great, but when you start hitting 4x4 trails it sucks. As for power, its ungodly. 1st gen R's are NOT the fastest out there stock. Acceloration is what they are all about. The engines are strong and capable of going faster with some regearing.

Sound like the axle bearings or the swing arm bushings are bad. Get a set of EX hubs and gold rims. This will make the rear 4-6" wider than stock. It makes a world of difference.

-Phil

[Andrew_250R]

Sound like the axle bearings or the swing arm bushings are bad. Get a set of EX hubs and gold rims. This will make the rear 4-6" wider than stock. It makes a world of difference.

-Phil

Thanks, I didn't know that. That would also help with my rear tires not holding air. The two piece rims won't hold air for me. I have tried everything short of welding them together.

[money89tractors]

On 2 peice rims, i always put a very thick bead of sylicone between them OR a large O ring. Have you checked to see if the tires are leaking between the rims only? maybe theyre leaking elsewhere like around the bead.

Best way ive found to find leaks is to get a tub or large bucket that the tire will fit in, air it up and dunk it in the tub or water and look for bubbles.

-Phil

[Andrew_250R]

On 2 peice rims, i always put a very thick bead of sylicone between them OR a large O ring. Have you checked to see if the tires are leaking between the rims only? maybe theyre leaking elsewhere like around the bead.

Best way ive found to find leaks is to get a tub or large bucket that the tire will fit in, air it up and dunk it in the tub or water and look for bubbles.

-Phil

I am pretty sire it is comeing from bewteen the rims. I think the rims might be warped a little where the oring is supposed to be.

[money89tractors]

Are your rims 4 lug or 3? I have a set that came off my 81R when i got it (i believe theyre stock) that are in decent shape, if your interested. If it was me, i would go with the EX hubs and wheels. The width and handling you get from adding these is amazing.

-Phil

[Andrew_250R]

I will probably go with EX hubs and rims someday. I have always wanted to upgrade to one piece rims.

[money89tractors]

I picked up a set of gold EX rims with decent hole shot tires for $75. Got the hubs for $10.

-Phil