what would you do with an extra bottom end?

[Coopart1]

History...fixed up a 85 250sx. everything is great except third (or second) however you want to look, at is missing. I had some good advice here on this forum to help me trouble shoot the problem, in the mean time i started looking for another engine. I found a bottom end in a neighboring town at a salvage yard missing starter, stator, and cylinder. they want 175.00 for it and swear it was a running bike with a busted frame when they tore it down..so im kinda willing to buy it. BUT now i wonder...should i take advantage of the part and just build up a new engine from there? with some mods maybe? or just swap parts, stick it in there, and ride away/.....hmmmm...what would you do in this position?

[Flyingw]

I wouldn't assume anything. Even if it came from a running machine, can they say with any certainty that the clutch(s), bearings and seals are all good? Nope!! If the SX motors weren't such a pain in the ass to take out and put back in I'd say go for it but I'll tell you, there is nothing more frustrating than going through all that work and hassle to switch all the parts over, get that 100lb motor stuffed back in the frame and hooked up just to find out it has problem requiring the motor to be yanked out and ripped apart.

If you weren't so far I'd rebuild it for you. Those motors can be a big pain to rebuild the first time because there are so many parts as opposed to a 2 stroke. I've rebuilt several of these motors and I learned the hard way. Now I can do it in my sleep.

[Howdy]

If it wasn't for shipping cost I could probably sell you a semi complete ( no stator or starter gears, or starter ) for that money ( less If I didn't have to ship it ). I would even make sure all the gears work and such.
Howdy

[Stephon_xr500]

I just had my 200x motor rebuilt. I ended up buying a second 200x project while in the process of rebuilding the first motor. Now I have a spare bottom end that is taking up space I need for the rest of my trikes. If you ever head west to phoenix let me know you can have it.

[Stephon_xr500]

Oops I miss read, I only have one motor for my 250sx and its in the frame waiting to be worked on.

[Coopart1]

If it wasn't for shipping cost I could probably sell you a semi complete ( no stator or starter gears, or starter ) for that money ( less If I didn't have to ship it ). I would even make sure all the gears work and such.
Howdy

I might take you up on that ...I backed out of buying the bottom end after all. for reasons some of you mentioned, and the fact many bottom ends are listed on e-bay for less. I guess we all have our reasons for doing things, I probably should not do it but i still want to ride my wounded SX without the third gear while i take my time setting up another engine..There is evidence that someome pulled the output off at one time...o ring seal leaks a bit and FREAKIN hammer marks on the outside were everything turns 90 degree. So its hard to tell were the problem is without a tear down. I did get some good tips on how to check the shift shaft so i will at least do that. Money is always an object, but man i really dig my three wheeler! so if you give me a price on a working engine and don't mind boxing it up to ship, i bet if its within reason, i will be interested! You know..not to go into my history too much, but back in the late 70s and all through the 80s i was really into dirt bikin. All my friends raced motocross locally but i was more a weekend warrior...Some of the guys who rode with us had ATC's but i never was interested in them ...BUT since i started working on this darn trike, and maybe its my age..im really liking it! Funny how things change..with age. LOL Thanks for all the input fellas