100% Original 1988 TRX 250R

[Beerside]

I purchased this quad in the spring of '10 and I posted a couple of pics here when I 1st brought it home and then I just parked it and covered it. I finally drug it out of the garage today and gave it a good cleaning and a closer inspection. It's amazingly nice and totally original right down to the tires and grips! I found it on Craigslist in Palmdale, Ca. It's a high desert community and the wife of the original owner told me her husband only rode it on there property to get the mail and such...you know the story. Here's a few pics...now I just need to figure out what to do with it??
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_2227.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_2235.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_2230.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_2229.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_2236.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_2231.jpg
In this last picture I took off the green sticker:rolleyes:
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_2237.jpg

[Beerside]

The only thing I would like to improve is where to front of the seat meets the gas tank. Honda had it right with the '86 250R but if you notice almost all of these quads and 350X's don't meet up with the gas tank very snug. Perhaps some velcro to get it to stick tighter and closer??

[MrPretty]

Wow, that quad looks great man! Have you rode it at all or is it just for a collection?

[factoryX]

very nice trx.

[SYKO]

hmmmm tough one...maybe sell it to buy a good rider and pocket the rest, in my op thats what I would do

[RIDE-RED 250r]

DONT DO ANYTHING TO IT! Leave it be...or you could give it to me! :naughty: There are plenty of other things out there to play around with, but an '88 that cherry should be left as it is IMHO. '88 TRX was one of the all-time best looking quads ever. What a find you have there! :beer

[1grindking]

how much do ya got into it

[rdlsz24]

That thing is a beauty. I would love one just like that but I would want to ride it

Rob

[dcreel]

Hold on to it.. the value is only going to go up. That thing is spotless, man..

[MojaveRider223]

I had an all stock '89 that I modded, and it was a big mistake. You can always mod them later but you can't make them original again! Keep it stock and if you have to mod something, find one that is already modded (which is pretty easy with TRX250R's).

[Red Rider]

A beautiful '88 TRX! Those were the inspiration for my ATC 250R.

[Jerm1179]

heat up the seat pan with a heat gun and bend it back down tight against the tank....just like new...just dont melt it! lol

[portland250r]

keep it take care of it dont ride it and years from now thats going to be a huge collectors item.

[oldskool83]

keep it as is, dont ride it....own a peice of history

[hang&rattle]

Ya, don't change a thing, but it needs to rode around the yard here and there, because it'll feel good & it has been ridden the last 23 years. Post up lots of pictures on many sites so folks can enjoy it, that's what needs to be done with it partner.

[ezmoney1979]

Yeah I think the original owner had it right. Keep it stock and check the mail from time to time lol. Very nice machine, coolest looking quad ever built IMO.

[Preddy05]

Beautiful!

[Jason Hall]

That Is one Sweet 88-R. I would leave It just like that Forever! I would ride It, but only on Perfectly dry days and so slow that not 1 piece of dirt would hit It :lol: Thats My All time favorite Quad, I remember when the were Brand new, and wanted One Super Bad!

[inv3ctiv3]

Holy crap! That's crazy nice man don't do anything to it!

[honda200x1987]

Unbeleivable! You got a real nice 88 there! Keep that one original and take care.

[CanadianThomas]

Chop of one of the front wheels. :lol:

No seriously, that is one amazing ride, for a quad. I wouldn't do anything but enjoy it from time to time, stare at it lots and maintain it very well. Lovely she is.

[Russell 350X]

Man, that thing is beautiful...my vote is that you should keep it, forever :)

[ktmbk]

Nice, I would keep it as is. Question is to ride it or make it a museum piece.

[rdlsz24]

How much did you give for her? I want one to ride, but am only willing to spend around $1500 or so, and they seem to be pretty beat in that price range lol

Rob

[RIDE-RED 250r]

Around here, that quad would bring $3000 or more.....

[dirtjunkie85]

In the right market you could sell that thing for much more than 3000 IMHO. I have never seen one in such good condition!

[1grindking]

sell it to the she-he bighair

[Beerside]

heat up the seat pan with a heat gun and bend it back down tight against the tank....just like new...just dont melt it! lol
What a great idea Jerm1179, I took your advice and heated up the seat pan where it bends up and pushed it down a bit. It now fits more snug against the gas tank.
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_2242.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_2247.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_2256.jpg

[whyzee]

$3K are you guys drunk ??? gotta be at least $ 5 -7k for that machine

[Oh Billy]

how much you asking for it, Interested

[troybilt]

That bike is priceless IMO, hang on to it and it will be a nice investment. I deal exclusively with the 250rs over the other site... I could see it bring at least 5k or better now, even in this economy. Nice find! Enjoy your garage queen.

[aldochina]

That is an absolute stunner!! back in 91 when i was 13-14 one of my dads freinds was selling a cherry one, he lived right on the lake, and everytime we drove by i could see it sitting on his front porch. I begged my dad to let me buy it, i had a few grand in paper route and lawn mowing money. After a month or so of listening to me he comes home one day with a cherry 89xr600. He says give me a grand and its yours. I did, and never got that quad. for some reason he didnt want me to get it. prob thinking of my safety. hence the xr600???lol. I really ended up loving the bike though, and still have it. I also finally did get my trx in the spring of 2010, but its an 86. The rd/wt/bl grew on me over time, plus there a bit easier to find, and i got a decent deal!
Trade ya the 86 plus a G!! lol. Take as good a cre of her as the PO. I'm sure you will, ive seen your stuff.
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv103/aldochina/102_2848.jpg

[84 r]

dang a trx 250r what can i say? someday ill own one but dude you got a amazing ride keep it put a nice cover on it and ride it very little and slow lol

[honda200x1987]

Now those are NICE, If Honda designers were smart they would bring back this design with a little of todays technology. Although I prefer them just the way they are.

[Beerside]

Hey Aldo, That's a nice '86 you have there. I would like to find one like that some day too. Honda200X1987 guy, Thats what I was thinking and Im hoping Honda will come out with a retro model 2 stroke with modern technology with a look from the past. But it seems like they can never do what the people want??
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_2242.jpg

[sx250heath]

I have wanted 88 trx 250R since i was 12. My 81 atc 250R is a start though.

[aldochina]

just had to:drool::drool::drool::drool:a bit more over that 88. thats sexier than my wife in her red panties!!:lol:

[Bretmd94]

Very cool. I love OEM original bikes. Those things won't go down in value. I am very jealous.

[three_wheelin45]

:drool: :drool: that thing is a beauty man, keep it the way it is and when your old one of these days and kids ask you sbout it... "Ive had that thing since.. blah.. blah" :lol:

[honda200x1987]

Absolutely,Honda's designers need to wake up! They built them with the right look in the 80's, besides the new atv's have not changed much in the last decade. They "may" not bring back the ATC but they sure could build some retro ATV's and that's a fact. The ATV world needs something new and this idea needs to be heard !
Hey Aldo, That's a nice '86 you have there. I would like to find one like that some day too. Honda200X1987 guy, Thats what I was thinking and Im hoping Honda will come out with a retro model 2 stroke with modern technology with a look from the past. But it seems like they can never do what the people want??
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_2242.jpg

[Xpress]

I say find some aftermarket fenders, and some runner wheels then put it all on and have fun with it. Keep the OEM parts for show :)

[84 r]

i say keep the whole bike for show lol

[plcrides]

i had to do a double take,i thought honda done made a new remake,very nice all stock,the only ones ive ever really seen had every aftermarket piece in the world put on them.

[tsmc00]

Beerside,

If you are wanting to sell your TRX250R, give me a shout. I have the cash and am looking for a nice stock R.

[jmax857]

i have always wondered what it would be like to ride an all original 86 trx250r, im sure its a blast.

[TatTooL23]

Aldochina or Beerside....seriously if u ever plan on selling eith er of those 250R's I will buy them. Please please let me know if u ever decide to. I am very serious.

[Cave Rider]

That has to be one of the cleanest trx's ive seen in a long time...Hang onto that machine...absolutely gorgeous...SUPER NICE SCORE !!!

[Xpress]

I found my neighbor has a MINTY 86 TRX250R, looked like it has maybe a couple hours on it at most, not ONE speck of dust!!!! Didn't seem too talkative about it though, maybe he doesn't know what he has or something?? :wondering

[gomer202]

man that must have been a fast trip to get the mail!!!

[Beerside]

I finally broke down and bought a No-Mar tire changer. After making constant trips to the local motorsports dealer and paying 40 bucks and having to come back in 2 hours I decided enough was enough!! I have so many tires and wheels and so many different machines and Im always wanting to put on different tire and wheel combinations. So this thing was definitely worth while. Im sure over the years I will eventually get my moneys worth out of it and not to mention the satisfaction of not having to pay those Jag-A-loons at South Bay Motorsports anymore!! My 1st test of the machine after anchoring it into the concrete floor was putting on new OEM tires on the TRX. I didn't want to mess with this bike too much but Ohtsu still makes the exact same tire for this quad as they did in 1988. It took awhile to get the method down but after the first tire I started getting much faster at it. The one thing that didn't work was the bead breaker part of it. The model I purchased doesn't have the leverage needed to break the bead on the TRX's 9 inch rims. Thankfully, I had purchased a harbor freight bead breaker several months ago and it is much more powerful. But other then that check out all the videos at No-Mar.com and you can see how this thing works for it self.
Here are a couple of pictures of the machine and the TRX with new original Ohtsu's.
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_2722.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_2726.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_2729.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_2732.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_2738.jpg

[rdlsz24]

Man that thing is a beauty. Those 86 trikes in the back aren't bad either lol

Rob

[thestud25]

Is it just me or are the front tires on backwards?

[gomer202]

They do look backwards for the picture

[Freeway1]

Nice very Nice! Keep it no matter what! I own an 86 gold edition and some kid before me decided to spray bomb it and now i'm restoring his mess. But as far as the rest of mine it's spotless like yours man the motor the hole nine. But i just burnt up my rings i think/pray!

[RIDE-RED 250r]

Is it just me or are the front tires on backwards?

Im pretty sure they are oriented correct....... I know, seems backwards. But not really if you think about the way the front tires function.


Oh an BTW BEERSIDE: Thanks for reviving this thread so I could once again experience premature you-know-what! :D

[Beerside]

Ride-Red you're right, I know I mounted them correctly but I too thought it seemed kind of odd. But now that I think about it, if you're going forward and turning the way the tread blocks are lined up they will give the most bite in this pattern.
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_2740.jpg
Oh, and did I mention that I picked up a new ride about a month ago. This thing has quickly become my new favorite!! I have to admit I've never been a Suzuki fan but when this thing popped up I couldn't help but think how nice and original it was (I got the stock exhaust with it too). It is so big and roomy and has tons of power. Really cool and fun to get on. I can't stop smiling when I hear this thing fire up. I never knew what I was missing all these years. Im going to be focusing my attention on this bad boy for awhile now.
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_2664.jpg
I should probably put this in another thread but I recently had the privilege of meeting Dean Kirsten, the publisher of the now defunct 3Wheeling Magazine. He lives here in Sunny San Diego so my girlfriend and I took a ride in the '65 Falcon and went to pay him a visit. He was a really cool guy and was a blast to actually see in person and get to talk to. I got a really cool set of Hondaline Pants and a jersey plus he gave me a big stack of vintage "3Wheeling" stickers.
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_2718.jpg

[hillbilly 200x]

Isn't that lt 500r the fastest atv made to date??

[rdlsz24]

Wow that QuadZilla is sweet also. Those things are badass

Hey I have the same orange Harbor Freight shop press as you. What do you think of it? It's alright as long as you don't need to put a lot of pressure on something. It seems to twist a bit if you do that.

Rob

[RIDE-RED 250r]

WOW Beerside! You sure have one hell of a collection of legends going there! Very, very jealous....:drool:

[Beerside]

Wow that QuadZilla is sweet also. Those things are badass

Hey I have the same orange Harbor Freight shop press as you. What do you think of it? It's alright as long as you don't need to put a lot of pressure on something. It seems to twist a bit if you do that.

Rob

Yup, I just had that happen to me when I was trying to press out some bearings from an early Ford Transmission. You just have to try to press down straight and even. But it's mostly worked for all the things I've needed it for.

[inv3ctiv3]

Unbelievable bikes man!

[Xpress]

So...

Can I ride the Quadzilla? :D

[Beerside]

Just brought home the competition...1988 Suzuki Quad Racer. I'll have to do my own shoot out and figure out which one is better.
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/023.png

[Buster Brown]

Man, just stumbled on your thread here, Beerside.
Awesome bikes. Love the Suzuki LTs too! Keep collecting my friend. Amazing!

[atc007]

Absolutely Stellar as always Beerside!!! My gosh that is a gorgeous LT ! If you ever get bored with these,we should strike a deal...

[jensenracing77]

I'll have to do my own shoot out and figure out which one is better.

if you are talking MX. the Suzuki don't stand a chance with that flat bottom frame. the Suzuki should do great in a drag race with the power valve engine. at least i think the 88 was power valved? what was the first year for the power valve?

[gomer202]

wow! great looking bikes!

[rdlsz24]

if you are talking MX. the Suzuki don't stand a chance with that flat bottom frame. the Suzuki should do great in a drag race with the power valve engine. at least i think the 88 was power valved? what was the first year for the power valve?

Pretty sure it was 87+ with the blue motors. 85-86 with the gray motors were non PV

Rob

[atc007]

Correct,85 grey,5 spd,no pv. 86 1.5 hp more. 87 6 spd PV. 88 better head and other upgrades. 91 and 92 . No Full Floater. Nice machines,,highly underrated,,including MX. IE { See ,,one,, Gary Denton, Barry Mccarty,Rodney Gentry}

[Beerside]

Thanks Buster and 007. I took off the OEM rims and tires and put those on a shelf and installed lower profile rears and new fronts all on Douglas wheels. I don't have the TRX in the garage otherwise I would have loved to put it side by side with the Suzuki. When I bring the Honda back to the garage I'll put back on the original rims and tires on the Suzuki and take a couple pics of the machines together. Until then here's my tribute to the year 1988 :-)
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/055.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_2738.jpg

[atc007]

Good Gosh ,they are stellar! MAN!!!!!!

[jensenracing77]

Correct,85 grey,5 spd,no pv. 86 1.5 hp more. 87 6 spd PV. 88 better head and other upgrades. 91 and 92 . No Full Floater. Nice machines,,highly underrated,,including MX. IE { See ,,one,, Gary Denton, Barry Mccarty,Rodney Gentry} i'm not saying the LT isn't capable. there are very fast in MX also. just that they are like driving a dozer in the whoops and other places on the track. they plow alot of dirt in the front.

those both look incredible!

[rdlsz24]

So the 88 R came factory with the black bottom end and raw top end? Weird

Rob

[bkm]

So the 88 R came factory with the black bottom end and raw top end? Weird

RobThe '89's were the same way.

[Beerside]

I replaced the clutch this weekend. With both adjustments at there max the clutch was not disengaging. I installed a new OEM basket, clutch plates, '89 upgrade kit and gaskets. I had new stiffer springs but I put back in the old ones as I didn't want the clutch pull to be too heavy. This is just a cruiser machine and doesn't need the heavier springs. After completion and putting in fresh oil and coolant the clutch works great now except the clutch pull is excessively heavy!! Definitely not the Honda buttery smoothness I'm used too. I don't understand why. The cable is good and everything else seems fine. Does anyone have any ideas what might be causing this??
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_3035.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_3036.jpg
http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_3037.jpg
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http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr186/beerside/IMG_3045-1.jpg

[rdlsz24]

Hey just a tip you didn't have to drain the coolant to do the clutch job! It does make it easier though. My 86 clutch lever was pulling like a beast so I made sure the cable was lubed up and i flattened out the arm a little. I would say the pull is about 50% easier

Rob

[rdlsz24]

Beerside you sold this??

Rob