Honda 350X VIN Help Needed!

[83ATC185S]

I dont see how an 86 350x is worth more than an 85 350x. yeah 86's were the last year,but 85's were the first year. who cares its basically the exact same thing with minor differences. its not like honda made huge improvements over the two years

[Flossyb20]

I dont see how an 86 350x is worth more than an 85 350x. yeah 86's were the last year,but 85's were the first year. who cares its basically the exact same thing with minor differences. its not like honda made huge improvements over the two years

You're right, they are basically the same, but there's nowhere near as many 86s out there as 85...same goes for the 250rs.. A lot of them got chopped up and sent back to honda, with all their parts stored on a shelf somewhere. That whay you find so may 86 350x crate engines laying around (used to anyway) Same could be said for the 87 200x and 125m - they're the same bike, just looks different.

[Slingblade]

It obviously has an 85 seat on it. I personally wouldn't step over a nice 85 to get an 86. I've never noticed a difference in the market value. It's all about condition, and it looks like you got a nice one.

[RDH/86200X]

imo i would be happy with what you got. im my area both years go or about the same money also i see more 86 than 85. honda didnt chop up the 86 three wheelers because the ban didnt go into effect intill 1987. so i think you are blowing this a little out of porportion. also think about all the idiots out there that think they have this trike when in all reallity they have something completely different. sorry if im comming of a little rude but i just cant understand.

[2Tim215]

Let me explain that I am new to the whole 350X thing. My understanding was Honda made improvements on the 86 vs the 85 and it was because I already bought a 86 from a member here I thought it would be best to have the same thing as my second trike should one go down I could grab a part off of the other if I had to. The BIGGEST issue is that the seller filled out the paperwork also as 1986 and it won't pass through DMV because the VIN comes back as a 85 and they have to be registered here in NY. I prefer the 86 even as a newby to the 350X and they are different as far as swapping out parts. The last issue is that I bought another 1986 Parts machine because I thought I had two 1986 keepers. Hope this clears it up.

[Slingblade]

^That does make things a little complicated. I'm sorry if I sounded offensive. If the seller truly knew he had an 85, applied a sticker and tried to pass it as an 86, then he lied. But with all due respect it's a little hard to believe that a buyer and seller- both members of this forum - didn't do some homework before the transaction to educate themselves on exactly what they were buying or selling, Hope it all works out.

[fabiodriven]

I do understand your frustration with the seller. If he passed it off as an 86 that is just not right. You do have a right to be unhappy.

As already stated, you did score a very nice machine there and the improvements Honda made on the 86's is minimal. The clutch cable re-route is a good upgrade and the only other significant one IMO is the improved frame gussets. Either way, the 86 frames need more gussseting anyways so that shouldn't matter all that much either.

[Flossyb20]

honda didnt chop up the 86 three wheelers because the ban didnt go into effect intill 1987.

You may want to do a little research on this. You're right in that the Consent decree wasn't signed until 87, but Honda began pulling the Big Boy toys off the showrooms floors in early 86. The outright ban of all 3 wheelers didn't take effect until it was almost time for the 88 models years to come out, which is why there are 87 200x, 250es, 125ms still out there that were bought new, but no 350xs and 250rs

[Jerm1179]

i say take off the goki starter and put it on your 86, THEN sell it to me and meet me half way for me to pick it up:P problem solved...

[rdlsz24]

2Tim215, did you talk to the seller yet?

Rob

[2Tim215]

I did talk to the seller and sent him the right forms to fill out for a 1985 rather than an 86 so I can get this thing registered, sold, traded, or whatever I decide. I haven't really made up my mind yet as to what I'll do until I have the correct paperwork in hand. I bought a lot of parts from him also, one is a bearing carrier but looks like it will only fit the 86 model. I have two 86's, one that rides and the other a project. I used certified mail with signature required. Its been quite costly but hopefully will work out. The seller sounds very sincere in making it right, just heard from him last night, I'll update soon!

[350XJEDI]

sweet trike no mater what year, just enjoy ,wish my 85 had electric start , dont think theres a big diff in value 85-86 its clean , trade you a bascetcase 86 if your desperate for 86 !! both my 350x runners started out looking like scrap with totes of parts the 86 i got nonrunner yet! will probably be parts for the 85'S but , if you paid to much you will have learned a truly valuble lesson , not trying be rude ,just think ,relax ,enjoy good luck

[Dirtcrasher]

It's an 85 with some 86 parts on it.

There were like 50 changes to the 86 which are nice but like John said, most weren't HUGE improvements although I think many of them were well thought out; And the frames DO need additional gusseting regardless of what Honda did to the 86 frames. Mine I'm building is an 86 and it's cracked..........

[2Tim215]

It's an 85 with some 86 parts on it.

There were like 50 changes to the 86 which are nice but like John said, most weren't HUGE improvements although I think many of them were well thought out; And the frames DO need additional gusseting regardless of what Honda did to the 86 frames. Mine I'm building is an 86 and it's cracked..........

Dirtcrasher, where should I look for weak spots on the frame and where do most of you recommend reinforcing? I'm pretty good at welding with a mig and have a place to make my gussets.

[Dirtcrasher]

Just look at my threads, you'll see all the gusseting I've done. At least 5 or more are on the board....... I'm up to about 15 gusset points on my new build.

The cracking is just above or below the back engine mount, about where your top of your left ankle would be. In the back, you'll find a small motor mount with folded sides for strength and it's merely welded to the downtube; Thats where they crack. They also crack at the 2 holes for rear seat mounting. A couple other places have failed all depending on the weld and the abuse it's seen.

Bill at TPC sells a really nice gusset kit, they appear laser/water cut and I think a bit thinner than mine, which is fine. You don't need .125 gussets, I just had a 4 x 4 sheet laying around........

Probably .062 to .0937 is plenty thick.