My 350x rescue...

[GoObYdOo]

Here we go fellas!My cousin used to race back in the late 80's/early 90's.He had an 85? 200x and an 86 350x,he raced the 200 and when he stopped racing he picked up the 350.Well,they sat for a long time,he let one of his friends HAVE it,they trashed it so he took it back to fix it back up.Long story short,he rebuilt the motor 10 years ago and thats as far as it got.
From what he said he had the head worked,bored over (not sure how much) says he put a DG low/mid cam in it but hes not sure of the brand,he put in a new crank,and 11.4:1 wiseco piston in it along with full DG exhaust.
Its been sitting since,not even started,so i decided when i got home from the Army,i needed a project,im not looking to do a showroom build because i like to ride HARD,so the details arent worked out on whether or not im gonna paint or powdercoat,go with a bunch of new parts or try to find used,i would like to make it somewhat nice though..So for now im just gonna work on getting everything i need for it and get it cleaned up,being a fabrication guy i love a challenge.So,for $200 heres what i got,will keep updating with progress....
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[Huntsman]

Great buy! How fast is your parts list growing?

[1tonofsh!t]

subscribed! Good Luck

[twisted]

cool, great rescue cant wait to see how it turns out..

[GoObYdOo]

Right now my Father might try to get the parts i need sand blasted into his work for sand blasting so i can either re-paint them or have them powdercoated.

Im probably going to lengthen the swingarm about 3-4 inches as well,so Im working with a friend of mine to see if he will let me come in and use his shop to lengthen the swingarm,i dont think it will be too hard or take too awefully long.

I have thursday off of work,so I should be able to get more of the trike apart.The next thing to tackle is removing the axle to wire wheel and inspect and see if it needs to be rebuilt or not.

[falloutboy]

another thing you'll want to do on the 350x is to gusset the frame in all the weak spots. There is info on that somewhere around here

[GoObYdOo]

Yes,that was on my to do list.Im going to gusset pretty much everything...lol...i was this to be a tank so i can abuse it like it was meant to be!

[GoObYdOo]

Well i got to my fathers place today for an hour or so with my brother (who is looking to get a 350x wo0oh0o!!) and we got a bit torn down on the 350x!

Unfortunately,i noticed the gas cap was very difficult to remove,which confirmed my fear of having a tank badly rusted inside,but not rotted...is there any fix for this?Im considering just purchasing a plastic fuel tank to eliminate the worry all together.

Does anyone know off hand what the size of the castle nut holding the hubs onto the axle is?I dont have a wrench big enough for it and i need to purchase one,im positive im going to need to heat nearly everything on the axle to get it removed,also a couple of screws on the handlebars to remove the clutch perches and such are seized up,this is not going to be fun Im afraid...got it all soaking in PB blaster right now!

137118137119137120137121 got lots of parts in the trunk of my accord...lol

[falloutboy]

I believe the nut is a 24 or 27mm (1" ~ 1 1/8"). A socket would probably work out better than a wrench. plus if it's the 27mm, like I'm thinking, you'll be able to use it when it comes time to do the clutch...

After letting the bolts soak, you can use a manual (not air) impact driver or a hammer and screw driver to loosen up the bolts w/o stripping them, hopefully.

here's a good write up on removing rust from a gas tank:

http://www.mopedarmy.com/wiki/Removing_rust_from_a_gas_tank

[Tippmann98]

The castle nuts on a 200x are 27mm so I would think the 350 would be the same. I got my 27mm impact deepwell socket at Harbor Freight for $1.50. Includes lifetime warranty.

[GoObYdOo]

Thanks guys!Ill go pick up a 27mm socket and wrench!

I was looking at the POR15 tank kit,im just trying to decide if it would be more cost effective in the long run (after cost of POR kit,primer,sanding material,paint and clearcoat) to go with say an IMS oversized plastic tank,I think that will probably be the way that I go seeing the time,money and work it will take to remove the rust.

[sooper doodie]

Electrolysis is the easiest way to remove rust. It's in the link above kinda down at the bottom. I've done it many times myself.

[jon jon]

if you are looking parts i have tons left over from my 350x restore. let me no

[GoObYdOo]

Awesome!PM sent!

[fabiodriven]

Why lengthen the swing arm?

[Tippmann98]

Thanks guys!Ill go pick up a 27mm socket and wrench!

I was looking at the POR15 tank kit,im just trying to decide if it would be more cost effective in the long run (after cost of POR kit,primer,sanding material,paint and clearcoat) to go with say an IMS oversized plastic tank,I think that will probably be the way that I go seeing the time,money and work it will take to remove the rust.

You might be able to find a cheaper RUST FREE metal tank in the Classifieds section. I don't like the looks of those plastic tanks but to each his own.

[GoObYdOo]

fabio,i test rode a couple of 450r's back in 05-06,one had a stock swinger and the other had a +3 swinger and i just liked the feel of it a little more.

Im definitely not set on extending it by any means,so if yourself or anyone dont see any real advantage to doing this on a trike please let me know,it would save a lot of time and a small chunk of change!:D

Ive thought about trying to find a rust free metal tank when i have access to the classifieds,and i still might,but i DO like the idea of having a slightly larger capacity tank.

[GoObYdOo]

Heres where Im at after this afternoon...

Removed the swingarm bolt and front forks,rear master cylinder etc...

The steering stem nut came off hard and I noticed hammer marks on the stem,so someone probably didnt know about the adjuster nut and now the stem is mushroomed a bit and hard to start the threads,so Im just going to taper the edges with a grinder to get past the squished part of the stem.

I need to pick up a steering stem socket to finish removing it.Im also hoping the 200x that came with the 350x has the same size ball-bearings in the steering stem,as the 350x is missing quite a few (hence the slop that was found)Here are some more pictures of the progress...137174137175137176

[fabiodriven]

Good start man.

Personally I don't think the plastic tanks are a bad idea, but to each their own. You can always re-do your metal one or keep your eyes open for a good metal one in the mean time if you want.

I'd suggest riding the trike before you extend the swinger. The only people who usually have extended swingers are the ones with a lot of extra horsepower or people who are racing, with the exception of the first gen Tecates. That swinger is just too short right from the factory. For a regular rider an extended swinger may actually take away from the experience of riding it. The 350X's handle great right out of the box and it's very helpful to be able to pull the front end up in just about any gear you want for surprise wash-outs and bouncing over logs and stuff. Not to mention just showing off.

[Thunder God]

Try This stuff. You'll love it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb7jyf7A4WE:naughty:

[GoObYdOo]

Thanks fabio,its a bit rough but I love doing this stuff,hate seeing machines like these go to the junk man!

I think Ill try the electrolytic removal until I get some money around for an IMS tank,like I say,functionality is key for me,so I think Id like the IMS the most because of capacity as well as durability,no dents or rust to worry about!

Concerning the swinger,Ill hold off on the stretching to see how it is.

Ive got to get the exact specs from my cousin,but if I remember correctly,he said it was a 403 with a DG low-mid range cam (didnt think they made them!)and worked head,cant remember what he said about the crank for specs,I just know its new,no port and polish on the head as far as I can see,probably just valve work.When I find out Ill post more specs on the motor.I know i would like to port/polish a spare head when I get bored sometime...lol

Not sure what exhaust Im going to use yet either,still researching!

[fabiodriven]

You can also use muriactic acid for rust removal as well. Just be really, really careful with it. Stuff is nothing to be playing with.

[GoObYdOo]

Im thinking about it,it would be easier for me if it wasnt so cold out.Its been in the mid teens to mid 20's during the day here the last few days,i dont have a heated area to work in so its tough to really do ANYTHING on it,im going to pick up a grinder and some stripping pads to get the powdercoat off the frame tomorrow,maybe a small space heater to warm up the shed too...lol

[STiForester]

Awesome project! I got a 85 Tecate in pieces for $350. AftEr about 2 months I just got it running. Running rich but running. I have more parts on the way. I'm at a build cost of around $480 so far

[GoObYdOo]

Awesome!Got any pics?I would like to get this one to be a mean trail machine myself,so far ive only spent the $200 on the trikes and taken the 350x apart and ready to clean up.I am going to start cleaning up the frame,axle and swingarm tomorrow,so hopefully next week or the week after i can start re-enforcing the frame before painting or powdercoating.

[STiForester]

Yea I have a few ill post more after work. It's close to running right. I need a new intake boot. And a tune

[STiForester]

Keep us all posted! I'll be keeping everyone posted on my rescue as well

[JasonB]

looking good so far!!!! I will be following this build for sure, sucks to see a good bike ruined but awesome to see someone try to bring it back to life :D

[GoObYdOo]

I got the steering stem removed,then I took the engine,frame,gas tank and airbox out for pressure wash at the local car wash today and started wire brushing the frame with a drill because Im still trying to get a connection to a sand blaster...thats going to take forever so ill just wait to blast it...lol

Bad news,I got stuff to try the muriatic acid as well as the electrolytic rust removal and i got some BB's and shook them around in the tank to remove the loose rust particles.After i pressure washed it i started wire wheeling the paint off that my cousin put on,and he put bondo ALL over this tank.It has dents,poorly patched holes etc...the tank is unfortunately not worth saving.So i got all that stuff for nothing!Thats kind of frustrating!So im definitely buying and IMS tank.Gonna do some more research on some local shops to see if theyll sandblast the frame for me.

[STiForester]

That will happen a lot durin a recovery I've noticed with my own bike lol. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst

[GoObYdOo]

Absolutely,and Im trying to do as much as possible on my own without sending stuff out.The cheapest place locally to get my frame blasted is around $130,then $150 for powdercoat.Timeframe is 2 weeks for blasting and then I need to re-enforce the frame,and then powdercoating is another 3 weeks as well,and Im hoping to have it stripped,re-enforced and primed in the next couple weeks.

I did some research on removing powdercoat and I found out that Permatex (Part#80646) Gasket Remover will strip powdercoat.That stuff is discontinued and they have foaming stuff now that DOESNT work the same.Napa has that product though in their part number Napa 765-1230 Aerosol gasket remover.I found ONE local store that still has some and bought 4 cans of it.Its on the frame now and Im gonna let it sit for about 15 minutes then go check it out and see what it does,all I can say is it burns the hell out of your skin...lol

[Daninmin]

Seems expensive for the blasting.

[GoObYdOo]

I thought so too,also without seeing it,im sure they estimat a little high,but even then,that seems REALLY high to me

[GoObYdOo]

The gasket remover worked decently,but still wouldnt cut through it all after 3 cans.So I found a local garage that started doing blasting and powdercoating.I dropped the frame off there for an acid dip and media blast for $75.

I think Im going to skip powdercoat and just prime/paint it myself,they wanted $275 for light media blast,zinc primer and powdercoat for the swingarm and frame,I just dont think i want to spend that much on a machine Im going to ride the hell out of!

[STiForester]

Yea I hear ya. It's not gonna be a show bike

[murfman]

The gasket remover worked decently,but still wouldnt cut through it all after 3 cans.So I found a local garage that started doing blasting and powdercoating.I dropped the frame off there for an acid dip and media blast for $75.

I think Im going to skip powdercoat and just prime/paint it myself,they wanted $275 for light media blast,zinc primer and powdercoat for the swingarm and frame,I just dont think i want to spend that much on a machine Im going to ride the hell out of!

How much is it going to cost you for paint? Or are you going to rattle can it? To me Powder is a no brainer, as it would cost me over 50.00 in material to paint it on top of 75-100 to blast it compared to 225 to powder coat it. For the extra 75.00 the durability of Powder won out. My buddy runs GNCC and some local hare scrambles on his TRX450R and after a full season (16 races IIRC) of racing his frame still looks great, it has some scratches, but no major chips or cracks. And it was ridden hard.

[murfman]

Whoa, never noticed that "rattle-can" comes out as edog. LMFAO

[GoObYdOo]

well,after the $75 acid bath and blast,I need the frame back to weld in gussets,fix the crappy honda welds and fix a crack,it would sit and get light surface rust,so they would charge me an extra $275 for a the light blast and zinc primer and powdercoat.So total $350 if I go with the zinc primer which is very high,although,Im sure if I didnt do the primer or swingarm the price will be around $150,he said he will quote me after he blasts the frame for just powdercoat on that.Another place quoted me at $150 for just powdercoat,but I wasnt very impressed with their work at all.

To rattle can it im lookin at 1 or 2 cans of self etching primer,2 cans of regular primer/sealer 2-3 cans of color at 8-10 bucks each,so about $80 in supplies,totaling $155 in the end for everything,just trying to figure cost effectiveness,if the place thats blasting my frame will drop the price to 150 for just the frame with no zinc primer then Ill do that.

[murfman]

Shop around, I had my frame blasted, brought it home and welded in the gussets. Took it back and had it zinc primed and 2 stage powder coated (silver base and lollipop red top) for the 225.00 he went over and reblasted and baked the frame when I brought it back after welding. Granted he has done a few thousand dollars worth of work for me over the last few years, but I doubt he is cutting me THAT much of a break on pricing. I really don't care about the pricing as his work is top notch, hence all the work he has done for me, every thing from my garbage can cart and picnic table legs to my srt-4 engine block, trans case and my ATC parts.

[GoObYdOo]

Yah Ive called a few places around here accept for one,im going to have to wait until monday to call,theyre my last resort for price cut.Almost all of them locally are within 10-15 bucks on the estimate.If thats the only option I have then Ill go with it,sending it out would be pointless due to having to pay for shipping.

[JJMF1979]

Thanks for that link it was usefull

[GoObYdOo]

Got the frame back from acid dip/sandblast and it looks great!The only cracks are on the back by the seat mount.With the abuse this thing has seen for many years Im surprised.I will post pics ASAP.Im off to get the gusset material to start cutting gussets....Im also thinking about a +4 Durablue HD axle...any opinions?

[STiForester]

What are you doing for paint? Rattle can?An for an old machine sounds like its in good shape

[GoObYdOo]

Here are the pictures of the frame after acid bath/sandblast.The only cracks found were back by the rubber seat grommets.I got my hands on some 3/16" material to start cutting gussets.I will be measuring that tonite and trying to get one of my Dad's co-workers to laser them out.I plan to gusset the corners on the rear part of the frame,as well as some small ones down on the motor mounts (as long as I remember to put a bolt in the motor mounts to keep them from shrinking I should be fine!haha)and Im going to re-weld most of the factory welds to clean them up and make sure theyre good and strong.

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[STiForester]

Wow very nice!! Looks new already! My Tecate has black than blue than pink paint layers I can see. The kicker used to be pink... I wanna acid dip and sand blast it all

[STiForester]

SUbscribed

[GoObYdOo]

Thanks!As for paint,if the place that blasted the frame can get the price around $150 for powdercoat Im going to do that,as most other local places are around that price,I think he might be able to do that for me.

[STiForester]

Yea that's not too too bad. My buddy has an oven at his house

[GoObYdOo]

lucky!That'll save some money!

Received my new kickstart lever and voltage regulator and a new seat and brackets are on their way!Been busy working and spending time with family.Should be taking some frame measurements today for the gussets Im hoping!The swingarm/axle teardown should start on tuesday or wednesday!

[beadle]

looking awsome! only wishing i had the time and ol lady to let me do it!

[GoObYdOo]

Thank you!Time is a big thing here too,I work different hours all the time,and no heated work space so working on it sucks right now!

Where at in NY are you from?

[GoObYdOo]

Its been freakin COLD the last couple days here,so i havent gotten much done between that and work.I did however receive my seat and brackets in the mail today!wo0ohHo0o0o!!

[250x]

I got the steering stem removed,then I took the engine,frame,gas tank and airbox out for pressure wash at the local car wash today and started wire brushing the frame with a drill because Im still trying to get a connection to a sand blaster...thats going to take forever so ill just wait to blast it...lol

Bad news,I got stuff to try the muriatic acid as well as the electrolytic rust removal and i got some BB's and shook them around in the tank to remove the loose rust particles.After i pressure washed it i started wire wheeling the paint off that my cousin put on,and he put bondo ALL over this tank.It has dents,poorly patched holes etc...the tank is unfortunately not worth saving.So i got all that stuff for nothing!Thats kind of frustrating!So im definitely buying and IMS tank.Gonna do some more research on some local shops to see if theyll sandblast the frame for me.


If you make the drive up here, about 90 minutes, I will sand blast your parts cheap. Its what I do for a living. pm for my info if interested.

[GoObYdOo]

Here are some pictures of the seat and brackets i got on ebay,paid $125 total for it all and the only imperfections are a couple of small spots on the back of the seat!

139174139175

[GoObYdOo]

Thank you for the offer,i already had what i needed blasted done though unfortunately,if i need anything else though ill be in touch!

[bryan70546]

just wanted to say thank you for your service.

[GoObYdOo]

It was an honor to serve!I wish I was still in!

[STiForester]

It's so cold here in pa and my shop isn't heated right now either. I picked up another bike also

[GoObYdOo]

yah Im planning on getting the gussets finally measured tomorrow,and maybe take them to my Dad's work to have someone cut them out there.Then i can weld them in next week,then have the frame powdercoated.

What kind of bike did you get?!

[GoObYdOo]

Well I went over to my Dad's tonite,we used some heat to get the castle nuts off the axle,remove the hubs/spacers,and we got the rusted posi lock nut off without heat,just took two huge pipe wrenches with 3 foot pipes on them...lol

My Dad is taking the clutch perch into work to nachine out a screw that was set into the perch and snapped off,luckily no screws were broken off inside the front master cylinder!Pics to come tomorrow!