im looking to buy a honda 250r 1985 what do i need to look for trouble areas

[honda4h]

i have a chance to buy a 1985 250r and i have never owned one or drove one and i need to know trouble spots/issues to look out for its being sold for 700-800 bucks i cant drive it because of a bad front tire its running. i need your input today thanks

[dcreel]

From where you are, and the price.. (If it's running) you better run and go get it.. lol If the plastic is in good shape, the plastic is worth the asking price..

[Mosh]

Look at the cases near the front sprocket. See if there is major damage. Most are slightly damaged where the case saver bolts go into the case. As long as there is not any major holes, your good. Also look at the drain plug on bottom case. If it is wet and dripping, almost every one I get is stripped out, and the case is cracked around the threads or someone has some jerry rigged self tapping bolt in there. Not usually a big deal, as someone can tig the case on the bike and you can heli-coil or timesert them and be fine and get a factory drain plug.

If you start it up with the choke on at high idle, and it feels like someone is banging the left footpeg with a hammer under your foot with the engine RPM's, chances are the left crank bearing and counter balancer bearings are shot. The kick starter may slip when kicking..easy fix.. Also make sure the shift shaft ain't stripped at the shifter, or bent from chain derailment. Examine frame near the front motor mounts for cracks. Also check up under gas tank for cracks in main tube near spark plug area. And be prepared for the swinger bolt to be siezed in the swingarm.
The rest is obvious..worn bearings, twisted forks, twisted sub frame..etc.

[rjs89ia]

stripped footpeg mounting holes ive got that problem with one of the holes on mine

[rdlsz24]

I bought one all original in 2010 and the only area I had to give attention to was the rear end. I'm pretty sure it was the original carrier bearings. It can be hard to find replacement rear end parts for the 85 because it is different from 86-89 models

Rob

[honda4h]

thanks for all of your advice guys. i will be armed with the info. i did not get a chance to get the bike the guy was busy. the first time i was there it was locked in a shed at his friends house and no one around. all i could do is look at it.

[RoscoW]

In Ontario, unless your riding strictly on your property, make sure it has an ownership.