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bmddtucker
09-21-2016, 04:57 AM
long story short, I grew up riding trikes, 225dx, 200x, tri z, 250r's and 2 350x's. Easy enough you'd think, after years of riding, I stopped and got back into the sport, no I don't ride a trike, but had a friend who sold me a spotless 1985 350x, all decals in tact, factory rims and tires, yes mud flap, Hondaline headlight guard and brake guard, it's clean, no cracks in plastic. So, 3 years ago, I was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder, outlook isn't positive, but I manage. My friend, who I've known for oh... 30 plus years sold me the X for my 22 year old son, he's always one, and I got it for under 500, friend deal. My son has decided to NOT take care of the machine, he crashed it riding like a fool, and has managed to ruin the clutches, I was smart enough to pull the mud flap, grab bar, tool box, and switch the tires around, no damage to the plastic was done, no dents in the tank, but he decided to get in more trouble and try to sell it for costs to pay his fines... needless to say.. I now own it.
Here are my issues, it sat, so it needed a carb cleaning, and rebuild, ordered a stock complete kit from jets r us, no copies, real stuff, still won't start like it should, and run like they do. I changed the fuel petcock, I ordered 2 oem complete units and added a fuel filter, same issues, took tank off, Chip, my friend was told to put or have a tank sealant in the tank, it wasn't rusted, wish it wasn't done, but it was. I cleaned the tank with apple cider vinegar, the water and baking soda and sprayed with wd-40, I'm not gonna say it wasn't dirty, as was the carb but it's clean now as far as I can tell. Still won't run right, hard to start, sputters on the top end some and just acts up. So... before I go through a complete restoration, he tore a grip, lost a grip end, it needs a bath ect and some other fine restoration touches before I sell it and put the money into my 2 smaller childrens accounts in the event I pass, what can I do to correct these issues? Or.... is there someone located in Michigan, I live in Port Huron, so close would be a gift, who can look it over and give me the real issue, or maybe it's just tuning... or do I replace the carb with a 400ex carb, I see posts about jetting, but there all over in opinions and it's just a bone stock, low hour trike. Most of these issues were going on while he rode it, I figured from sitting, but I just can't bring myself to let him beat the mess out of it and do damage. I just want it to run right, do some detail work and get rid of it as soon as I can tell the person I sell it to it runs as it should.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Bryan

wonderboy
09-21-2016, 09:49 AM
Hi Bryan, sorry to hear about your condition. I wish you the best!

I'd continue to focus on the carb. I don't know how well you cleaned it, so if you already have used this advice we can move on. But to clean the carb completely, you really need to hit all the passages. It is easy to clean the jets, but if there is a passageway that is blocked (as can easily be the case) it won't run right.

It takes some studying to see what passage goes where, but you usually can follow one opening to the next. Shoot carb cleaner or compressed air in one spot and you should feel/see it come out another. If you use carb cleaner (or air for that matter) wear safety glasses... carb cleaner in the eye doesn't feel good.

I'm in Livonia, which is about an hour away. If you're not able to find anyone closer and you want a second opinion, I'm game. I also have a stash of spare (cleaned and rebuilt) carbs that we could try on your machine to help troubleshoot. You can PM me for more info.

RIDE-RED 250r
09-21-2016, 08:03 PM
Bullseye by Wonderboy... :beer


Welcome to 3WW and best wishes for you and your difficult situation.

bmddtucker
09-21-2016, 09:03 PM
Thanks for the messages and pm's, I believe we're taking it to wonderboy in the near future, I'm losing some site and dexterity quicker than they'd like, so before I complete a total restore, he's gonna give it a look over, I'm good with carbs, raced for years, full Laegars protrax bike, 2 actually, flat track on a good ol xr based 500 and 750, and some old guy stuff on my 450 bike, before i got blessed with a 1 in 14 million person disorder, just some things I'm unable to see and hang on to at times, and i may be over looking something simple, who knows, but I'm sad my older son just doesn't or didn't get it, but I do and i have enough drive, and fight for one more Honda, and my 9 year old just printed a poster of a ad picture from 85, he and I will be doing this together. Thanks again

bmddtucker
09-24-2016, 06:10 PM
Ok, I have the 350x here now and have aquired all the hard to replace parts I took off the machine, and i have more questions. Before we attempt to take it to wonderboy, what is the best solution to soak the carb in for cleaning, no rubber or float just jets and body/bowl? Secondly, my friend Chip replaced the intake with a factory unit, and I see no cracks, leaks, ect, everything looks new, machine is clean, well now like I said, anything else I should be looking at? Last, the tank is spotless, but I'm concerned about the coating Chip had sprayed inside the tank, I WISH it wad never done, it had zero rust? Any way to get rid of it? It concerns me as I see some spots where it may come up. The tank even has the original silver padding on the bottom, frustrating to say the least. I'm looking for insite, stock jetting and air screw setting, something I may be missing, but i know, because it started, it's defiantly a fuel issue. Besides carb, tank is my biggest concern, and unfortunately my doctor called Friday, I'm on a unknown time limit, I've progressed far enough that my treatment isn't going to further or change, so I have what God willing gives me, this is a must do for me at this point. Any ideas would be great

RIDE-RED 250r
09-24-2016, 10:49 PM
OK, checking my service manual, it lists stock jetting/carb settings as follows:

-main jet: 138
-pilot jet: 45
-needle clip position: 3rd groove
-idle mixture screw: 1-3/4 turns out

I have had good results with carb soak solution from Napa. It comes in a one gallon paint can with a basket. Similar to this:http://hardwareonlinestore.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&view=productdetails&virtuemart_product_id=75409&virtuemart_category_id=80812&gclid=CPvHuZDCqc8CFYlkhgodvWsLBA

As to how to remove that coating in the tank, I really don't know. Perhaps some sort of paint remover and a pressure washer????

Rob Canadian
09-24-2016, 11:03 PM
Rule of thumb for me.
Proper flow to the carb. Gas cap needs to vent. Petcock needs to be free flowing and, flow to the carb. Pop the line off at the carb with the gas off. Have a suitable container to let it go into and turn the gas on. See the flow.

This would be a start for me since you have had the carb apart already once. Maybe some stuff from the tank got into the fuel line and some sort of a blockage.

Also a spark plug is cheap measure.

Props to wonderboy.

bmddtucker
09-25-2016, 03:52 PM
Fuel flows well, I have a friend of my dad's who builds street rods, restores old Cushman's, ect who is going to fix the tank issue. I know that's where yhe problem is, and improper carb cleaning and /or adjustment. The X sat for years after Chip picked it up from the first owner, it actually camr from the same place my 2 did along with all of my 250r's, I have that paper work. The carb is going to get boxed and sent to wonder boy this week, he's gonna fix/tune it, I'm stumped with it, the rest i have. And the rest of the machine is all there including, stickers, everything you can imagine, just needs a clutch and cable, which i have, a complete tear down and clean, and i may powder coat the grab bar, pegs, levers and bars again, not sure yet, fenders still shine. Hopefully it'll run like it should.

RIDE-RED 250r
09-25-2016, 04:23 PM
Sounds like a good plan. I'm sure Wonderboy will take good care of ya.

bmddtucker
09-26-2016, 10:50 AM
<a href="http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/ddatuckbmddtucker/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160926_103719_zpsz8zbg70s.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u379/ddatuckbmddtucker/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160926_103719_zpsz8zbg70s.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20160926_103719_zpsz8zbg70s.jpg"/></a>

bmddtucker
09-26-2016, 10:52 AM
Tried to post picture of the 85 350x, process of putting back to stock after carb and tank are good is easy enough, have all stock items, including bill of sale from late 85

bmddtucker
09-26-2016, 01:23 PM
Tried to post picture of the 85 350x, process of putting back to stock after carb and tank are good is easy enough, have all stock items, including bill of sale from late 85

Pic try again

bmddtucker
09-26-2016, 01:25 PM
There we go, my $500 deal, minimal adjustments because of my son.....hopefully

bmddtucker
10-07-2016, 02:40 PM
Progress so far, back bar at coaters still, just got seat back, factory cover, new foam, factory rims and tires going back on, 2 clamps, waiting on tank. Thanks wonderboy for the carb job, awesome. Last will be the much not anticipated clutch change.]http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn6/bmddtuck/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20161007_104136_zpstuhh9gvo.jpg (http://s300.photobucket.com/user/bmddtuck/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20161007_104136_zpstuhh9gvo.jpg.html)

bmddtucker
10-07-2016, 02:42 PM
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn6/bmddtuck/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20161007_104143_zps0pngfrol.jpg (http://s300.photobucket.com/user/bmddtuck/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20161007_104143_zps0pngfrol.jpg.html)http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn6/bmddtuck/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20161007_104148_zpshlwcwzfs.jpg (http://s300.photobucket.com/user/bmddtuck/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20161007_104148_zpshlwcwzfs.jpg.html)

bmddtucker
10-07-2016, 02:46 PM
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn6/bmddtuck/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20161007_104203_zpsq3ipcngg.jpg (http://s300.photobucket.com/user/bmddtuck/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20161007_104203_zpsq3ipcngg.jpg.html)http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn6/bmddtuck/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20161007_104212_zpsz3tmlhse.jpg (http://s300.photobucket.com/user/bmddtuck/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20161007_104212_zpsz3tmlhse.jpg.html)http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn6/bmddtuck/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20161007_104224_zpsxllndvgm.jpg (http://s300.photobucket.com/user/bmddtuck/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20161007_104224_zpsxllndvgm.jpg.html)http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn6/bmddtuck/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20161007_104234_zpsat0bl4vt.jpg (http://s300.photobucket.com/user/bmddtuck/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20161007_104234_zpsat0bl4vt.jpg.html)http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn6/bmddtuck/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20161007_104254_zps1cpeuxik.jpg (http://s300.photobucket.com/user/bmddtuck/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20161007_104254_zps1cpeuxik.jpg.html)

bmddtucker
10-07-2016, 03:33 PM
And 2 factory clamps, came today, and done, then rode oncr and up for sale

NETRA3
10-15-2016, 08:16 AM
Are those stock fork boots? If not, who makes them, I want those for my 350x......

BOB MARLIN
10-15-2016, 08:57 AM
That's a real nice X.
The problem I have the most with the carbs is the jet with the sideways holes in it. If even one of those holes is just slightly plugged it throws the hole carb out of wack. I don't think there is any reason to go with the ex carb. The stock carbs are good units when they are absolutely clean.