1985 Honda 250es big red with original title and original honda bill of sale

[rouseanator]

What do you guys think got for 400 bucks with original title and the original bill of sale from the Honda dealership. Will this make it worth more money? I think its pretty darn cool, and prob really rare!! The trike runs awesome needs a new gas tank cause the original leaks pretty bad so I ordered a Clarke tank for 189.00 and a few other minor things new air filter (twin air), carb rebuild kit(moose), reverse cable, and rear brake cable(pro motion), and some k&N OIL filters about 110 bucks also put a new spark plug in and changed the oil and gear oil, the gear oil was pretty nasty a muddy color is this something I need to worry :wondering about i figure ill change after each ride the next few rides. So I got about 700 bucks in it :Bounce
I think thats pretty good what do you guys think

[CodyRosa]

Looks like a pretty clean machine from the pic. Is the fork a different color or is it the lighting? First pic looks really dark red. Anyways for 400 I think that's a great deal! I'm not sure what they go for around here but i'm sure a lot more than 400 haha probably a grand or more? Well have fun and good luck with it!

[250sxman]

Looks like a nice score!

[rouseanator]

I think it paint was kinda coming off so the guy attempted to touch up with the wrong color at least it wont rust then

[rouseanator]

Im pretty stoked with it I like the original title and bill of sale do you think it makes it worth more

[kb0nly]

The paperwork makes for good conversation but doesnt really add to the value in my opinion.

As for the rear end, i would do as you suggested, change it out a few more times to flush as much of the old crap out as you can. It gets that color because moisture got in and everything inside rusted a bit and then the rust mixes with the oil and you get that nice brown oil coming out. A few changes to flush it will help, and when you change it leave the drain plug out and pump in a little fresh to flush out the bottom until it comes out clear then plug and refill. I had to do that on my 200ES, it was muddy brown coming out, a few flushes and its been staying clean, was just past due for a change.

[shovelryder]

Seal that tank up with redkote......nice trike. :)

[rouseanator]

ware do you get the redkote at and what kinda prep you have to do i assume sand all the rust off then use alcohol to clean then apply the redkote??

[dustrunner]

good deal.. well worth 400 $.. and you dont hafta worry about it being hot with a title... i love to buy atc's with titles....

[shovelryder]

ware do you get the redkote at and what kinda prep you have to do i assume sand all the rust off then use alcohol to clean then apply the redkote??nope...... Air dry the tank after spraying a little carb cleaner in it.... Then just pour it in and rotate it every fifteen mins to cover. Stuffs amazing. Our auto parts store has it, or all over the web.

[rouseanator]

yea i only buy them with titles my 1980 185 has a title too but not the original got it for 160 bucks its pretty much fully restored now check my page

[Big G]

Looks good rouseanator. Only thing I would have done is taken that $189 you spent on a new Clarke tank, and put that towards restoring the original. To me the stock metal tanks are what finish these trikes off, and putting on an aftermarked metal one just doesn't look the same.

Nice to see the original bill of sale...$1698 ($1912 after taxes) for an '85 Big Red off the showroom floor!

[captainweezy]

Titles does make the value more. I have bought and sold many trikes and when I do get one with a title, it sells quicker and brings more money.

[rouseanator]

I agree with you capainweezy cause in my case if I was to by one with out a title it wouldnt be for much and it would prob be a parts bike if i see them with a title they either sell before i get there or i take it home with me

[kb0nly]

Huh, around here a title don't mean jack diddly squat... Signed bill of sale, register it, done.. I would be buying all the cheap ones out your way and bringing them back here then, LOL.

[shovelryder]

Huh, around here a title don't mean jack diddly squat... Signed bill of sale, register it, done.. I would be buying all the cheap ones out your way and bringing them back here then, LOL.i don't think MN will even issue title for off road. Never seen an ATV, snowmobile, with a title here.

[gotta go]

hey man cant beat that deal with a wooded stick-keep eye on rear gear oil 3 or 4 changes should do it, but chech rubber on shaft and clamps just to bee shure, lol and talk at ya later......gotta go

[gotta go]

well it dont hurt rite?? paper work always helps or at least documentation for the nitygrity people..

[loshe191]

Looks like you got a good deal. Its cool to see all the paperwork.

[kebby28]

I agree with kbOnly. You don't even need a bill of sale in NH to register these things. And you can also go to the DMV and by a plate for $50 that registers it for life because they are antiques.

[crjanow]

sounds like a good deal to me!

[tri again]

I like keys and papers.

Some states are reeeeal picky about paperwork and off road permits.
and insurance etc.
Not that you'll EVER get rid of it.

Congrats and keep us posted.

ps - I got hooked on neodymium magnets.
Hardware store item, size of a pencil eraser and will pick up a freakin' hammer.

I just snap them to the outside of all my drainplugs to catch metal.

Yeah, gear oil is cheap. Change it every chance you get till it runs clear for sure.

[fordtech90]

Yeah titles mean nothing with atv's/atc's in fact the only time theyre necessary is if you are borrowing money against one which you really dont want to do. Once you borrow money on one you must keep it legal and when you sell it you can not be for sure that the new owner will re title it leaving you to pay taxes on something you dont owe for life. Title more times than not ends up costing you more than helping you with any atv. Id say 700 is a decent price on a 250 big red ..done a lot of research and the 250 big reds are still far more abundant than I had thought originally they dont bring much and most of them have been used on a farm and not maintained until they break down. Best of luck to you and your big red.

[rouseanator]

every time I buy one here in Washington even with title and bill of sale there is always some other form that i have to track the original owner back down to fill out or have them word the bill of sale differently always some bull trailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro that you have to do. if it didn't specify a price they look it up on there CPU and wanna charge a lot for taxes they say you cant sell something for less than 200 bucks unless they write that it is broke down or needs a lot of work I also had a guy sign the title in the wrong spot and on this 250 had to have another form a affidavit of inheritance/litigation because the dead dads name was still on the title even tho i had a copy of his death certificate always something never had a decent trip to the dol

[fordtech90]

Another thing Id like to mention is a title for an ATC is a matter of confusion. Upon trading my big red the guy I traded it to tried to make a big deal out of a title and how it "should have one" which is completely false. You had the choice when buying a offroad vehicle in the 80s whether or not you wanted a certificate or origin...not a title..you could then later have it titled...but you can title anything with a VIN. If you buy a trike with no title you can go to the DMV and have one issued with a few simple forms and pictures...its not a big deal and in my opinion on an atc doesnt raise the value at all its simply proof of ownership...only reason it would add value is if you could run a carfax lol or if you had to insure them and without a title you couldnt insure it..which isnt the case here.

[shovelryder]

I would love to get real titles for mine. As for insurance, I believe there are still states that require it on atvs if ridden on public land......here you can't get a title on them, unsure about newer atvs. As a bonus we have no reg at all or fees for three wheelers...... Free for life!:)

[hublake]

I have posted this before. When ATCs were sold in the early days there was no title issued. When I buy one now, if it doesn't a title in the name of the person I am buying it from, I take the VIN number to the Sec. of States office and have it run to see if it was ever reported stolen. You did not have to have a title to report one stolen. If it comes back clean I buy it and get a title then. Having a title makes a buyer a bit more comfortable if you go to sell it later.

[rouseanator]

Ok so I have been working on the gas tank I sprayed a bottle of carb cleaner threw it then used hot soapy water with a bunch of screws in it and shook the heck out of it to knock the rust off worked pretty well and rinsed it out with hot water numerous times, then i sanded down every spot that I thought might have rust on it and washed the in side and out with acetone and put a crap load of jb weld on all the holes going to let it dry for a day also got a jar of redkote can any one tell me how to use this stuff never have used it before any help will be appreciated thanks alot

[kb0nly]

i don't think MN will even issue title for off road. Never seen an ATV, snowmobile, with a title here.

You are correct... They don't title them here, you get a registration card, well its a sticker that you peel and fold in half to make a card, other than that you get a sticker to put on the vehicle but they don't issue a title or title card even. And MN doesn't even issue plates, you have to make your own to specs provided... Its way different than some states which is why i think it takes some off guard.

We don't even have titles and plates for trailers under 3000lbs here anymore, just a lifetime sticker you put on the tongue and its done forever. Makes buying used trailers easy, it if has a lifetime registration you just pay for a transfer and its yours.

[shovelryder]

Ok so I have been working on the gas tank I sprayed a bottle of carb cleaner threw it then used hot soapy water with a bunch of screws in it and shook the heck out of it to knock the rust off worked pretty well and rinsed it out with hot water numerous times, then i sanded down every spot that I thought might have rust on it and washed the in side and out with acetone and put a crap load of jb weld on all the holes going to let it dry for a day also got a jar of redkote can any one tell me how to use this stuff never have used it before any help will be appreciated thanks alot

Just pour about a cup in the gas cap. Every fifteen min or so rotate it a little to cover all you want sealed. Then I like to let it dry in a warm place fer bout a week. Stuff is the best. Never use kreem!!!

[rouseanator]

thanks for the reply thats what I thought from reading the directions didn't know if there was any secrets or better was to do it

[rouseanator]

161670161671161672161673 here is a update on project, i jb welded the gas tank it worked but got the clarke on now looks ok think im going to take the old one to a radiator shop to get rust holes fixed and attempt to restore it. changed the gear oil like 5 times now it shifts and runs great but even after a short time ridding the oil still looks brown will cont to chage a few more times but is there any way to speed up the process, it seems to be getting alittle better each time

[RyanZD]

Nice deal!
looks to be in nice shape