1985 250SX... should I buy?

[maxfior]

Sup guys... Found a 250SX near me that is for sale, I've checked it out and talked to the owner... Turns out he is the second owner of it and the orginal owner of it had it for his wife to ride. For a 85 it's in pretty good shape, tank is mint, all controls are good, top cluster where the key is in very good shape, no slop in the kicker, and it fires right up with the e-button. I guess this guy (that has it now) used it for ice fishing and installed a primer bulb to get it started when it was really cold out. It's pretty ghetto and I'd toss it and just replace it with new fuel line. The carb seems a little weird to, he said that it's never been rebuilt so I'm sure it'll need that done. It seems to start and idle okay however. The rear end is tight, nothing weird looking, no drips, the engine oil was clean looking and reverse works. So, I fire up this piece and click it into frist, seems fine and then I roll down the street to check out the rest of the trans. If you wack it 1/4 throttle it bogs then goes, but you can feel the clutch slip, I have a feeling since some old lady drove this thing all its life she left it in a higher gear and just slipped the shat out of it... The clutch isn't too bad, but I know it will need done soon. I was able to rip a few wheelies in a field so it's holding okay. Other items to mention are OEM tires are STILL ON IT! They look okay, few plugs... Plastic has a few cracks here and there, nothing major. I was able to talk the dude selling it down to $650 cash... I figure it's going to need carb rebuild, complete new clutch (atleast the fibers and drive plates) and new tires in the future, plus my time working on it. What do you guys think? Should I grab it for $650? Any thing else I should look for? The engine sounded good to me, little ticking, but nothing out of the ordinary... Thank for the help guys.

Max

[userj8670]

Seriously go back right now before he has time to think and adds to the price...go buy it!!!:Bounce :Bounce

[Taiser]

Yeah, I'd get it for that price. They are harder and harder to find, especially if it even idles :eek: Run don't walk and scoop it!

[maxfior]

I had a feeling you guys were going to tell me to buy it. I'll give him a call and see what his plans are... Any one put a clutch in a 250SX before, pretty much the same job as my 200s I imagine... Thanks all!

[smvorndran]

That's a fair price. They sell for about that +/- $200, so that's a decent deal. I find you should always low-ball them when you have greenbacks in front of their face. Talking him down to $650 on the phone is one thing, but throwing out 5 $100 bills can get the job done sometimes too. Good luck! My SX is a wheelie monster. The primer bulb isn't too bad of an idea. I rebuilt my carb, and mine still takes about 20 seconds to run after she's been sitting a week or more.

smvorndran

[maxfior]

That's a fair price. They sell for about that +/- $200, so that's a decent deal. I find you should always low-ball them when you have greenbacks in front of their face. Talking him down to $650 on the phone is one thing, but throwing out 5 $100 bills can get the job done sometimes too. Good luck! My SX is a wheelie monster. The primer bulb isn't too bad of an idea. I rebuilt my carb, and mine still takes about 20 seconds to run after she's been sitting a week or more.

smvorndran

smvorndran,

Thanks for the post. Yeah, I didn't think $650 was too bad considering that it's a pretty clean trike. I should have grabbed some pics of it when I was looking at it, but I didn't want to make the seller think I was that interested. I think that even if I get it for $650, and put $100 bones into it I'll have a fun SX. The only think that I might have to investigate a little more is the clutch, it seemed to slip to me... I spec'd parts on Service Honda and everything is around $100. Maybe I'll give this dude another call... Thanks agian!

Max

[userj8670]

There is a clutch adjustment screw and it might just need adjustment. Mine would slip when i would be putting along and hammer it. Adjusted the screw and its like a brand new clutch:) Go BUY IT!!!

[Dirtcrasher]

Yep, thats a good ballpark price. I would bring a socket/wrench (17 or 19mm - I forget....) and check the diff fluid for signs of contamination. Also check the rubber driveshaft boot for tears and or dry rot. The 85 is prone to water entry thru the brake side and it can eat up all the axle and diff bearings.....

All 3 year SX's are real bulletproof aside from the engine one way clutch, a shift return spring pin that loosens and or breaks and the rear end which can get 250$ dumped into it real quick.

Very fun trike though, just make sure your happy with about 45 to 50MPH top speed. It has it's limitations, but I'll always own at least one SX :D

[maxfior]

Guys, thanks for the info... I'll more then likely pick this thing up. I don't even think it was in the mud once, the dude told me that he mainly used it for ice fishing so it didn't see too much use when he had it and the lady before just drove it here and there. I doubt there is more then 200 miles on it. So if you guys think it's worth $650, I'll go and pick it up assuming that it's still for sale. Thanks again all!

Max

[userj8670]

Any news and hopefully pics???

[RideRedFan]

Max... good to see another 3 wheeler fan in my area. I'm from Pemberville... I have a question. I have an '85 Big Red that slips too... I ordered new discs, but I didn't order the metal plates... do I need those too if doing a clutch job? Also, if your SX doens't work out, I've got one for sale too. It's nothing fancy, but it runs awesome and isn't abused. Thanks! Jeff

[maxfior]

Hey fellow 3wheelin' dudes! I picked up the 250SX today, got a few pics that I need to upload to my site, I'll do that in a few minutes... Adjusted the clutch, changed the diff oil (looked clean still) took off the weird primer bulb and she runs pretty damn awesome! It really just needs some small things, noticed there are a few cracks in the rear fender but I think glue and maybe a small patch should clear it up... I'll be posting pics shortly, so please check back! Thanks again for all your input guys... I just couldn't let this thing go, I knew I would hate myself if I didn't get it...

[maxfior]

Max... good to see another 3 wheeler fan in my area. I'm from Pemberville... I have a question. I have an '85 Big Red that slips too... I ordered new discs, but I didn't order the metal plates... do I need those too if doing a clutch job? Also, if your SX doens't work out, I've got one for sale too. It's nothing fancy, but it runs awesome and isn't abused. Thanks! Jeff

Hey man, your pretty close, we'll have to exchange numbers in a PM maybe we can rip around together... I'm always up for a red-neck adventure! On to your question, you can re-use the metal plates if they are in spec. Get a micrometer and check it out, but to be honest, I'd just buy all new from Service Honda, shouldn't be too much... It's not a terrible job to do (my 200s sort of sucked) but with the right tools and time you can get it done on a saturday morning... Make sure you get the gasket(s) too...

Max

[maxfior]

PICTURE TIME!!!
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Here is when I still had it loaded in the Yota!
http://www.maxfior.com/atc/250sx/DSC06055.JPG
You can see that stupid primer bulb... The hose was so long the carb would not get fuel... That was the first thing to go!
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http://www.maxfior.com/atc/250sx/DSC06056.JPG
Frank seems to like it...
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http://www.maxfior.com/atc/250sx/DSC06060.JPG
Not too bad...
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http://www.maxfior.com/atc/250sx/DSC06064.JPG
Poor 200s needs new exhaust studs... They are on order... Gotta get this thing ready for the winter! :)
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http://www.maxfior.com/atc/250sx/DSC06065.JPG
Few toyz...
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http://www.maxfior.com/atc/250sx/DSC06066.JPG
Little dusty from rippin' on the track...
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http://www.maxfior.com/atc/250sx/DSC06067.JPG
Just a little dusty, I should clean it with the hose...
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http://www.maxfior.com/atc/250sx/DSC06070.JPG
The tank is MINT inside, no rust what-so-ever! The seat does not like to line up though... Might have to give it a little smash...
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http://www.maxfior.com/atc/250sx/DSC06071.JPG
Nothing too wild back here...
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http://www.maxfior.com/atc/250sx/DSC06074.JPG
Still has the OEM rubber... It's not to bad either... But will be replace soon I'm sure...
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http://www.maxfior.com/atc/250sx/DSC06073.JPG
Nighty-night Honda's...

Hope you guys enjoyed the picture show! :D

Max

[RideRedFan]

Looks pretty clean... was that the one for sale on Toledo Craigslist?

[Tri-Z Pilot]

i'd say that was one hell of a deal. give the old gal a bath and it should look damn near new.

[tri-Z ripper]

nice grab for sure i will have one soon myself!!

[userj8670]

Wow, that girl is even better than i imagined it would be. Wax up them fenders and you got a NICE Gem!!!

Welcome to the SX club:beer

[maxfior]

Looks pretty clean... was that the one for sale on Toledo Craigslist?


Yes it was, the guy listed it as "Tons of Fun" I think... LOL!

[maxfior]

i'd say that was one hell of a deal. give the old gal a bath and it should look damn near new.

Yeah, I might have to do that, I really want to see how will this thing will clean up, I have a feeling it'll look really nice with a gentle washing... She came in handy to wrangle up my chickens this morning... They were starting to stray...

Max

[maxfior]

nice grab for sure i will have one soon myself!!

Thanks man! I'm pretty happy with it. My 200s handles better since it is much lighter but this thing has great torq and rips wheelies pretty nice too! I'll have to see if I can get my wife to ride it too, for some reason she was partial to the old 185 with bad axel bearings... Go figure...?

Max

[maxfior]

Wow, that girl is even better than i imagined it would be. Wax up them fenders and you got a NICE Gem!!!

Welcome to the SX club:beer

Thanks dude! Yeah, she really doesn't need much, I'm a little bumed with the crack on the rear fender, but what are you going to do with something that is old like this... If I scored some mint rear plastic this thing would be an 8 out of 10 easy... I'm happy with it. I'll do a little work to it before winter hits to get it ready for Blizzard 09 Fest, but this thing is already a great rider!

Max

[Taiser]

Told ya it was worth it! :D

[maxfior]

Told ya it was worth it! :D


This is why us fellow 3wheeler dudes stick together! :D

[userj8670]

Max,
I have not seen your cracked fenders but if i was you i would order a rear set of Maier fenders and put your oem ones aside. This way if u ever sell it you have your oem's which just sweeten the deal. Put up more pics!!:)

[maxfior]

Max,
I have not seen your cracked fenders but if i was you i would order a rear set of Maier fenders and put your oem ones aside. This way if u ever sell it you have your oem's which just sweeten the deal. Put up more pics!!:)


Yeah, that's not a bad idea... I just HATE it when 3 or 4 wheelers have fuct plastic... I mean, I know it's going to happen... But it's like the first thing you always see... I'll have to post some more pictures... I'm supposed to be working right now, even though I'm not... I guess that's why I'm the boss ;) or at least I think I am... I'll have to clean up ole 250SX and then post some new pics! :D

Max