I was at my local auto parts store and the owner was telling me about a 85/86 ATC250R that was in a barn for the last 20 years and was supposed to be a mint condition time capsule that was put away when the clutch started slipping. I got the go ahead to contact the owner. He had been told it was a rare racing 3 wheeler and it was worth about $1500 in its current condition and I was prepared to pay that for a 85+ 250R. I go to the bank and get the money out and head to the man's house to see this beauty. After some small talk we head to the barn and walk in and I see this "racing 3 wheeler" for the first time and my heart sank when I found out it was just a 200x with cracked front and rear fenders. The clutch cover was removed and the new clutch was still in the package and all the bolts and foot peg was in a coffee can. A 200x is still a very cool find but not when you're expecting to see the big daddy 250R. I made the owner aware this bike was not the holy grail 250R "racing 3 wheeler" and I was not really interested any more. I know the 200x was used for racing and it was probably the biggest segment of 3 wheeler racing back in the day but you know what I mean. He asked if I would be interested at a lower price and he threw out $1000 as asking price and I told him honestly that I would maybe give $400 If I wanted it but I was too disappointed and still didn't really want it. He did say he would take $400 but I left and kept looking for an R.
This took place over 2 years ago and since then, I never did find my barn find R but I remembered that 200x and decided to see if he still had it. I decided a 200x would be fun to play with and certainly less maintenance and quieter than the R. After All, I am 46 now and the 2stroke life just ain't for me anymore. I tried calling and left a message but didn't hear anything back so 2 weeks later I sent a text message and he responded to that saying he still had it and still wanted to get rid of it. I offered $200 and he immediately texted back with "Ok"........I said to myself, "damn......maybe I should have offered $50!" Oh well, I went and picked it up later that day.
I got it home and proceeded to remove the tank which had minimal surface rust and filled it with vinegar and rinsed it out the next day. Looks perfect now. I filled the cylinder with wd40 and let it sit overnight and It turns over fine now. I just got the 20/24mm locknut socket in the mail to remove the clutch and get the new one installed. Still waiting on the clutch cover gasket to come in. It was actually not ridden a whole lot. The forks are dry and feel like new as well as the rear shock. Everything is still tight like the head bearings, swingarm bearings and axle bearings. I flushed the front are rear brake fluid and they feel perfect.
I have ordered a Maxxis M9803 22x7x11 front tire and 2 Kenda Klaw XCR 20x11x8 rear tires for it. I freaking hate those big, heavy, goofy looking Wooly Booger tires in the rear and must get rid of those awful things asap!!! Why do people put that garbage on ATV's?
Anyway, nothing is real without a picture so here is my barn find "racing 3 wheeler" 200x for 200 bones. One dollar per CC ain't too shabby.
PS. It came with rather unique, homebuilt front and rear racks. I will be removing them. Anyone wanna trade for a decent original or DG grab bar?