Looking for advice with buying a 1985 250R?

[dave_iggy]

Hi everyone, I am just looking for some advice on buying a 1985 250R. I own a 350X and have never owned a 2 stroke so I just want to make sure I don't miss something and buy a bike that is in bad shape. Here is a couple pics, tell me what you think

[harryredtrike]

whats the cost?doesnt look to bad,but has been torn down at least once.top ends wear out,frequency depends on rider and maintenance.should start by second or third kick,and plugs are kinda expensive.look at the rear carrier,people usually beat them up pretty good.dont use a punch and a hammer to adjust chain on the star wheel on the left side.always use a spanner wrench to adjust chain.make sure the carrier is good too.they wear out easy if the bearings go bad and they waited to fix.

[pantera1975]

Here is a list of what I can remember I all did on my 86 250 r that really needed nothing but I wanted to plan on 200 mile rides and wanted it reliable. Everything on my 86 was origional. It all seemed good till I got 5 tanks of gas thru it

oring Chain $60
sprockets $50
rear axle carrier bearings (I eneded up putting in a LSR billet carrier cuz mine was cracked) $50 for bearings or $200 billet carrier
reeds I used vforce $140 Theres cheaper ones
float needle $35
ft wheel bearings $25
fork seals $25
spark plug cap $4
rebuilt rear shock $60 (goodwins racing in Zion IL)
swing arm pivot bearings $55
Brake pads.$50
Rebuilt both calipers $45
clutch cable $13
air filter $20
parking brake block off cover Free with carrier
new stainless braided brake lines front and rear. $60 Well spent item
new rear rotor $55 yeah I no its a cheap tusk one but it works good

So this is what I'd all look at my 85 needs pretty much all the same and so would a 3 year old trx 450r its the normal wear out stuff But once it all new it will be along time to have to service it and alot of it has good warranties on it too.

[dave_iggy]

he says he wants 1900 for it, but I asked him and he said he would flex a little. Keep in mind this is in canada, so prices are a little high. what do you think? What I like is that you can see the frame still has the orginal little gussetts in it. And to me this means someone hasn't abused it to the point of cracking the frame and putting in big gussetts to hold it together, but that is just a guess from the picture. I don't quite understand what harryredtrike was saying about "use a punch and a hammer to adjust chain on the star wheel on the left side". Also the 250R didn't have a white frame from factory did they? thanks for all the replys guys!

[harryredtrike]

number 13 in the diagram.......I don't quite understand what harryredtrike was saying about "use a punch and a hammer to adjust chain on the star wheel on the left side"........i was saying dont do that and to see if previous owners did it

[Iprefer3]

Just my opinion. The bike is not clean enough for the price. Be patient and keep checking around.

[vector292]

Around here with new fenders easy to get 3000+ out of it.As long as it runs decent.

[KASEY]

thats not a $1900 trike in my opinion.

[tbo]

Hard to find good deals here in canada on these. I've seen alot worse than that for that price. I'd beat him down as much as you can and have fun riding it.

[350Kris]

I bought my '85 about 6 years ago. It was entirely original minus a new FMF full exhaust. Pristine condition. Came with a set of paddles, too. Paid $1,600. Just trying to give you a reference here because I don't know the market in Canada. Good luck.

[haggard 2hundie]

harryred: what damage can be done my not using a spanner ? i dont have one so i use the hammer and punch method. and no the frame was not white originally

[DickyDanger]

I also agree that 1900 is way to high. it does look good but not what id expect to even pay 1500 for. other than the price i see a solid trike with what looks like mostly just cosmetic blemishes

[Dirtcrasher]

Thats about an 800$ trike without riding it, it may go down from there..............

[factoryX]

rofl bent frame. $500-$1000.

[pantera1975]

In the Wisconsin Area 85-86 250R are all over for 1200-1700. I paid $1500 for each of mine in April and both have all the original plastic except on ehas a mair front fender and both were never kept out side. The post above with the list is what Both of mine realistically need to be dependable. If you are gonna ride on your own land and not drop off some where and venture 100 miles from the truck you dont need to fix everything. Alot of the R's on craigslist have been on there and priced kinda high some for a year now!

[dave_iggy]

Thanks for the advice guys, I am going to offer him less and see what happens, though i doubt he will sell it for less, just because they are going for crazy money up here. Dead serious I just saw an ad for a 1985 250r that didn't look as good as the one i am looking at, and he wants 3500 for it. Its sad, people want crazy money for them up here. At least maybe I can curve the high prices by low bidding all these rediculous numbers. But thats cool, I am in no rush, I will just keep my eyes open and see what I stumble on.I can always look at trying to find one in the states, bring it across the border. But that comes with its own grief I am sure.

[Dirtcrasher]

Get with KINTORE and come down to the good ole USA for a nice trike cheap!!

[scottp597]

These machines are def worth the drive. That condition I would say 500 to 1000, try craigslist and be patient!

[dave_iggy]

what is kintore?

[Dirtcrasher]

^ A 250R GOD......................... :D

Try a "Member Search' on him.