frauke75
12-09-2010, 02:59 AM
Hi all!
Glad to find this forum. I have never owned a 3 wheeler before and I will sure need some advice.
I live in SE Wisconsin with access to a lake and wanted something to get out on the ice.
Could not afford a 4x4 ATV and think a snowmobile is too limited... besides... I like the odd and old.
So now I am a totally stoked new owner of a '85, 250es Big Red.
I just beat 144 other crazy craiglisters out of it.
1 owner, fully functional, used but not abused original w/new tires and battery.
He posted it for $200 and went hunting.
I offered $350 and when he came back found out that his in box was full and said the only fair thing would open it up to a OBO and a viewing date. He said he was shocked by the response and said that “people must be racing these or restoring them or something.” Now this guy was 3 hrs away, so I figured I had no chance because I was not going to drive 6hrs and not be sure I could get it. So I emailed him back and told him that he was wrong about the year (had it listed as a '84) and that he should expect $800 to $1200 but also said that all I had was $500. so good luck.
He called me and thanked me and said it was mine. He actually tried to talk me out of it because he did not think I would like it in the snow. This guy was totally upfront and told me everything about the bike and asked several times if I was sure then added that he would drive ˝ way to meet me.
WOOOO HOOOO!!!!!
I met him in a parking lot of a mall in Oshkosh and it was COLD (10*) The bike was just traveling outside for 1 and ˝ hrs and started up on the first push of the starter.
Looked it over and said yes altho I think he was expecting me to offer him less. He even said “it was a little ruff to start to get it on the trailer... just so I know.”
I gave him the $500 and he gave me the original owners manual and some gun racks for it.
Now for the fun; I rented a 4X7 uhall trailer and looked up that the with of a 250es and it was like 46”. tight but should work.... WRONG!!! (still don't know which was wrong) Off by about 3” on each side. Now what to do? We lifted its back wheels up and rolled it on the rails. He have me a small ply he used for the front wheel ramp and we put it under the tires and strapped, strapped and strapped some more. It road home on a 45* angle but never wiggled.
Now this Big Red is not a show bike but nice. The only things are the lower rear fender is busted up on the left side and the tank is “sucked in”... all 3 sides are concave. Not dented. No signs of impact. Like there was a vacuum inside or something. He said it happened 12 years ago but it has never leaked.
I am so happy and I am sorry for going on and on but it is funny; this story is not at all interesting to my wife or any one else.... but I HAD TO TELL SOMEONE!
I am going to be asking questions over in Trikesylvania about what I should do next.
Thanks for reading and maybe understanding ???
Glad to find this forum. I have never owned a 3 wheeler before and I will sure need some advice.
I live in SE Wisconsin with access to a lake and wanted something to get out on the ice.
Could not afford a 4x4 ATV and think a snowmobile is too limited... besides... I like the odd and old.
So now I am a totally stoked new owner of a '85, 250es Big Red.
I just beat 144 other crazy craiglisters out of it.
1 owner, fully functional, used but not abused original w/new tires and battery.
He posted it for $200 and went hunting.
I offered $350 and when he came back found out that his in box was full and said the only fair thing would open it up to a OBO and a viewing date. He said he was shocked by the response and said that “people must be racing these or restoring them or something.” Now this guy was 3 hrs away, so I figured I had no chance because I was not going to drive 6hrs and not be sure I could get it. So I emailed him back and told him that he was wrong about the year (had it listed as a '84) and that he should expect $800 to $1200 but also said that all I had was $500. so good luck.
He called me and thanked me and said it was mine. He actually tried to talk me out of it because he did not think I would like it in the snow. This guy was totally upfront and told me everything about the bike and asked several times if I was sure then added that he would drive ˝ way to meet me.
WOOOO HOOOO!!!!!
I met him in a parking lot of a mall in Oshkosh and it was COLD (10*) The bike was just traveling outside for 1 and ˝ hrs and started up on the first push of the starter.
Looked it over and said yes altho I think he was expecting me to offer him less. He even said “it was a little ruff to start to get it on the trailer... just so I know.”
I gave him the $500 and he gave me the original owners manual and some gun racks for it.
Now for the fun; I rented a 4X7 uhall trailer and looked up that the with of a 250es and it was like 46”. tight but should work.... WRONG!!! (still don't know which was wrong) Off by about 3” on each side. Now what to do? We lifted its back wheels up and rolled it on the rails. He have me a small ply he used for the front wheel ramp and we put it under the tires and strapped, strapped and strapped some more. It road home on a 45* angle but never wiggled.
Now this Big Red is not a show bike but nice. The only things are the lower rear fender is busted up on the left side and the tank is “sucked in”... all 3 sides are concave. Not dented. No signs of impact. Like there was a vacuum inside or something. He said it happened 12 years ago but it has never leaked.
I am so happy and I am sorry for going on and on but it is funny; this story is not at all interesting to my wife or any one else.... but I HAD TO TELL SOMEONE!
I am going to be asking questions over in Trikesylvania about what I should do next.
Thanks for reading and maybe understanding ???