81 250r help

[bigmac]

Can y'all post some pics of y'all's modded 81-82 250r and what do I need to look for in a 81-82 250r before I buy one to make sure it's a good deal? Thanks

[manbearpig]

http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k557/proct103/null_zps6e8df0b8.jpg (http://s1115.photobucket.com/user/proct103/media/null_zps6e8df0b8.jpg.html)

http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k557/proct103/null_zps84482a2a.jpg (http://s1115.photobucket.com/user/proct103/media/null_zps84482a2a.jpg.html)

http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k557/proct103/null_zps9e950aa7.jpg (http://s1115.photobucket.com/user/proct103/media/null_zps9e950aa7.jpg.html)

things you'll want to look for:

(81/82R specific)
neat aftermarket parts :D
cracked/leaking intake boot
obvious signs of cracks in the OEM swingarm
pivot point wear in frame
gas tank mount hardware (81 only used very specific mount bolt)

(std. for any trike)
play in rear axle carrier bearings
sprocket wear
brakes
obvious signs of oil leaking from shifter/kicker seal, side cover gaskets
kicker gear
check grab bar mounts for obvious signs of bent frame. also check from a forward view at forks for signs of a bent frame
area in front of front sprocket on motor. check for damage to case


there are MANY more things to check.. but as long as you check these and everything checks out, you wont end up with a complete pile

[Bren_downe]

Manbear… I never get sick of looking at your first gen. Probably my second favorite next to Tasha's. that's not the nick frame is it? I'm almost embarrassed to put up pics of my pile
.177434
The only real "mods" mine has is a 2nd gen 250r front forks and air box removed and 400ex hubs. Bassani coming soon…

[manbearpig]

Manbear… I never get sick of looking at your first gen. Probably my second favorite next to Tasha's. that's not the nick frame is it? I'm almost embarrassed to put up pics of my pile
.177434
The only real "mods" mine has is a 2nd gen 250r front forks and air box removed and 400ex hubs. Bassani coming soon…

Stroberts22's 1st gens put mine to shame on all levels. The bike pictured has the stock frame.

[Bren_downe]

Stroberts builds put most bikes to shame. Lol

[Bungle]

Here's my 82 with period aftermarket parts
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o633/bungle280/44EE495A-43D5-458A-80D7-DFA56443BB81-903-0000010FA28A82AF.jpg

[Bren_downe]

Here's my 82 with period aftermarket parts
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o633/bungle280/44EE495A-43D5-458A-80D7-DFA56443BB81-903-0000010FA28A82AF.jpg
Damn! That's a beauty! What's that swingarm, it looks BEEFY!

[3 Wheel Drive]

Heres a few pics of my 1981r:

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/album.php?albumid=1905

[Ghostv2]

Sorry for not being much of help but you guys are making me want to get a first gen r. Those are works of art.

[Bungle]

Damn! That's a beauty! What's that swingarm, it looks BEEFY!
To be honest I don't know. I have posted on here with pics and nobody knows. I have since sold that swing arm a replaced
It with this one because it has adjustable shock mount to adjust the ride height
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o633/bungle280/D221041B-69B4-4811-80D3-912D30900FAE-1374-000001FB61088A31.jpg

[bigmac]

Ok thanks guys

[OldNo437]

compression test if the owner will let ya would be good, thats about my only other suggestion...

[sx250heath]

They are very fun machines. My brother did not like trikes until he rode my 81. Now he owns it and 2 others. Here is how it looked when I owned it.

[bigmac]

From what the guy has told me I may be wrong but it's bored either .30 over or 30 and has a longer swing arm and wider axle its missing a light and front fender and some stuff on the handle bars it also has sand tires on front and back and a huge after market exhaust idk what brand it is... may have more stuff done to it just dont remember

[bigmac]

Also what are the main power mods for it? And if u were to rebuild the top end and not the bottom end what are the down falls

[manbearpig]

starting to sound promising with a longer swinger and extended axle with big exhaust...

take pics at your earliest opportunity and post them up here

porting, milling of the cylinder head, intake, carb, exhaust, reed/reed cage mods will all give you more power. all of those combined will give you the max power

[bigmac]

Sorry for asking some many questions but are they high maintence? And harder to maintain than a 4 stroke??

[90guy]

Sorry for asking some many questions but are they high maintence? And harder to maintain than a 4 stroke??
They are a high maintance machine yes. Are they harder to maintain? IMHO They are not harder to maintain then a 4 stroke. They just require more time.

[manbearpig]

Sorry for asking some many questions but are they high maintence? And harder to maintain than a 4 stroke??

ive seen some pretty neglected 81/82 250R's that still run and ride. once you get the jetting set and new fluids in the bike, its just standard trike maint.. just be sure to maintain the bearings (swingarm pivot bearings especially), chain, silencer packing, trans oil, fork oil, give it a spray down after every ride and you should be just fine. make sure to pump the hydraulic front brake every few weeks or so if you plan on letting it sit for months at a time.

4 strokes have more moving parts within the motor to wear and maintain.

[bigmac]

Without racing just up and down sand bars how's by hours till a engine rebuild ?

[manbearpig]

Without racing just up and down sand bars how's by hours till a engine rebuild ?

if you ride in sand, air filter maint is key. get a K&N with an outerwear.

cant give you a number for hours... mostly because youd be buying a bike with an undetermined amount of hours on it already. do a compression test and compare that number with the service limit in the manual to get an idea of where youre at. maybe someone else can share their experiences. im about 20 hours deep into the top end on my 82R. still has great compression

[OldNo437]

I don't think 2 strokes are any more effort to maintain than 4.. about the only thing I can figure is they might need rings or a top end rebuild sooner than a 4, but seen someone with a stock oem top end last 30 years.. now keep in mind this thing is 32 years old.. and sounds like built to beat on, so, just eyeball it, look for leaks, cracks, wobbles and general disarray.. and don't be afraid to walk away either.. there's others out there air cooled R's are cheap comparatively speaking...

[bigmac]

Ok last question lol How much does a top end rebuild cost?

[manbearpig]

i put $450 into the top end on my 82, but that wasnt the standard top end. i had a cylinder head milled down, all the cylinder head studs helicoiled, and a pass run on the top of the cylinder, bore, and piston... plus a lil extra cuz i was a douche and didnt scrape the old gasket material off (machinists HATE that).

and standard top end on a good jug should run you somewhere around $60 for the bore job, around $150 for the piston, and $30ish for gaskets. you can save some $$ by measuring your jug's size and shopping for the right price on the next size up piston.

good luck. got pics?

[bigmac]

No not yet but I will hopefully have some soon but thanks for all the help

[cschneider1988]

Everyones 1st gens are making me excited to get mine! My buddy is selling me two 81' 250r's for only $100 with an oem top end rebuild kit. I havent even seen the bikes cause they've been sitting for around 5 years but thats such a good price i cant pass it up. Going on a ride today on my 85 200x! I'll post pictures of the bikes when i get them!

[bigmac]

I ended up not getting it got talked out of getting a 2 stroke

[Bren_downe]

I ended up not getting it got talked out of getting a 2 stroke
Just curious what made you not want a 2 smoker?

[90guy]

Just curious what made you not want a 2 smoker?
Yeah that makes me curious as well. I prefer a 2 stroke over a 4 stroke. But 4 strokes are not bad.

[Kennebell250]

How many teeth on the rear and front sproket.

[atc300r]

How many teeth on the rear and front sproket.

Both 81 and 82 250r have 13 tooth front and 44 tooth rear. Thats oem sizes. I run 15-39 on my 81 with 18 or 20 inch rear tires.

[Kennebell250]

Woulnt the gears be too tall with a 15 tooth front sprocket

[Kennebell250]

does the the bike have enough power with that gearing or does it only have power towards the top end.

[atc300r]

does the the bike have enough power with that gearing or does it only have power towards the top end. My 81 has plenty enough power with that gear ratio. The stock gearing is setup with a 22 inch tire. When I changed to the 18 and 20 inch tire I had to gear for the smaller tire. Plus I have a some bolt on DG goodies and a bigger carb.I have great power through out .