1984 ATC250R shock

[fabiodriven]

I'd like to try and get my 480R into rider trim, and that means putting a stock swing arm on it. I just ordered a used swing arm from Ebay, but I have a couple questions.

I know I asked someone this recently and I cannot remember what the answer was, but I thought there were differences in the rear suspension between the 83 an 84 250R. I don't recall what the difference was, but all the shocks and swing arms on Ebay are listed as fitting 83 and 84. I could have sworn there was something that was different.

Also, this is the most important part of this post- I need to do something about my shock. The last time I rode the 480 it rattled the shock reservoir banjo bolt loose and as such the shock puked all of it's oil everywhere and lost it's charge I'm guessing, but I don't know how that works. It turned into a pogo stick but I wasn't far from my truck so it was parked not long after that happened. What I need to know is, can I just put oil back in it and have it charged? It wasn't blown. If so, does anyone know how to do this?

Also I know on the Tecates and Tri-Z's you can fit shocks from modern quads, 400EX's and Warriors and such. Is there a shock out there that is a bolt in for the 84 250R? I'd consider doing that if so, but I haven't found anything that leads me to believe it's feasible. I tried searching for information but came up with nothing. Would anyone know about this? Thanks guys.

[fabiodriven]

Well according to the manual, it doesn't look very difficult to fill the the oil back up and then just have the shock charged. I should be able to handle that myself.

[plevib]

I believe the difference between 83 and 84 is the width of the linkage. I will try to find a picture but where the linkage mounts to the swing arm is different from 83 to 84

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[atc300r]

Try this thread.http://http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/156942-diffrences-between-the-83-250r-and-84-r-rear-suspention?highlight=83-84+250r+swingarm+differencehttp://http://http//www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/156942-diffrences-between-the-83-250r-and-84-r-rear-suspention?highlight=83-84+250r+swingarm+difference

[Dirtcrasher]

Well according to the manual, it doesn't look very difficult to fill the the oil back up and then just have the shock charged. I should be able to handle that myself.

My buddy did his 350X shock and filled it himself with refrigeration gauges + nitrogen. Like yours, it was really just an oil change and recharge.

I'd flush yours with new fluid and get it filled at a shop.

[fabiodriven]

Yup that's what I'm going to do Steve, thanks.

As per the instructions in the manual, I will have to release the nitrogen remaining in the shock in order to perform this service. Is that as simple as opening the Schrader valve and releasing it or does that not release the nitrogen charge?

[ironchop]

Yup that's what I'm going to do Steve, thanks.

As per the instructions in the manual, I will have to release the nitrogen remaining in the shock in order to perform this service. Is that as simple as opening the Schrader valve and releasing it or does that not release the nitrogen charge?
Yeah open the Schrader
I've been watching these vids (Barnett would love this)
They have a whole series....this is part 1
https://youtu.be/Xne5oazDHKo


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[fabiodriven]

Try this thread.http://http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/156942-diffrences-between-the-83-250r-and-84-r-rear-suspention?highlight=83-84+250r+swingarm+differencehttp://http://http//www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/156942-diffrences-between-the-83-250r-and-84-r-rear-suspention?highlight=83-84+250r+swingarm+difference

That answers everything, thanks so much. It's amazing to me that eBay is swamped with 83/84 rear suspension and swing arm parts that don't clearly list them as their true respective years.

[HondaRidr]

Fabio, I know that the liquid cooled rear shocks have very similar (or identical) mounting points (the shock, not the frame or linkage) as the 84 rear shock. I believe they would bolt in but they are much longer overall. I thought about putting an 84 spring on a 85,86 shock but the body of the shock is longer than a 84 as well.

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[fabiodriven]

That's good to know. I think I'd like to keep the ride height stock and it should be chicken to fix this one so I'll do that. Thanks though! Great info!

[sledcrazyinCT]

Try this thread.http://http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/156942-diffrences-between-the-83-250r-and-84-r-rear-suspention?highlight=83-84+250r+swingarm+differencehttp://http://http//www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/156942-diffrences-between-the-83-250r-and-84-r-rear-suspention?highlight=83-84+250r+swingarm+difference

Link didn't work for me?

[fabiodriven]

It works fine for me. It was the exact answer too, lol.

[MonroeMike]

Link didn't work for me?

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/156942-diffrences-between-the-83-250r-and-84-r-rear-suspention?highlight=83-84+250r+swingarm+difference

[Rob Canadian]

brandonlowe2 ran into this issue with the shock recently.

We replaced the swingarm with a 2nd generation 250R OEM swingarm. That means 1983 or 1984 right? WRONG! We bought an ’84 swingarm and skid plate, cleaned them up, had them powder coated and then, and only then realized that and ’83 and ’84 swingarm are totally different when it comes time to mount them to the bike due to the different shock linkages. It’s a very subtle yet important difference. So, learn from us if you are building a 2nd generation 250R make sure that the parts you are using are the same for both years otherwise buy the exact year model you need. We ended up finding an ’83 swingarm and all was well, until we realized we had to get an ’83 skid plate too!

Link. http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/185712-1983-Selvy-300R-The-Dragon-Build-Thread

[fabiodriven]

So (I think) the mounting tabs are different on the rear, going from memory. Is that correct? Here's the one I just got. Do you know which one this is?

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180302/ad47f12fc839fbe7b856a9ab418d67a1.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180302/1bc2d22a14357dc14d51a7cc3352dfad.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180302/01a9a29350f43f517007936d2cb4bcef.jpg

[christph]

So (I think) the mounting tabs are different on the rear, going from memory. Is that correct? Here's the one I just got. Do you know which one this is?

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180302/ad47f12fc839fbe7b856a9ab418d67a1.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180302/1bc2d22a14357dc14d51a7cc3352dfad.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180302/01a9a29350f43f517007936d2cb4bcef.jpg

That's an 83. On the 84, the mounting tabs are further back and narrower.

[fabiodriven]

OK thanks. I had just figured that out myself. I'm likely going to have to modify this swing arm because I have 84 linkage.

83-

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180302/ec3e7b242293648dd38b7f44d90a1bd4.jpg

84-

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180302/919c72c2f2146bc49294e4621ef93a1c.jpg

[sledcrazyinCT]

Are the shocks different between the 83 and 84 too? Everything else seems to be. I bartered to gain lots of 2nd gen stuff for my 300r rebuild and appreciate the info available here since Saul is MIA.

Let's start a gofundme page to get the AF site on line again temporarily so we can archive the best threads or its entirety.

[fabiodriven]

Yeah I'm disappointed in myself for not knowing this already but I'm equally as disappointed in all the sellers on eBay. This stuff needs to be listed as being completely different between the two years. I'm not positive about the shock but I'm guessing they are different. I'm sure someone will chime in.

I messaged the seller and offered to keep it at a discount, then I'll cut and move the tabs. I haven't heard back yet.

[atc300r]

The shocks are different aswell. The resivor hose comes out of the side on 83 and out of the top on 84 also 84 shock is longer.The rear motor/shock mount is different aswell.

[sledcrazyinCT]

The shocks are different aswell. The resivor hose comes out of the side on 83 and out of the top on 84 also 84 shock is longer.The rear motor/shock mount is different aswell.

Have you ever looked into using a 3rd gen rear shock on one of your foolers? My 82 has an extended swinger and the stock 1st gen shock doesn't even offer 5 inches of travel. One of my first upgrades was to modify the frame to accept a 2nd gen shock and that was a huge improvement. Now I need to see if we used an 83 or 84 shock.

[Ghostv2]

Are there even any modern shock swaps for an 83? Mines been a pogo stick all winter since i tore the hose off the side when i bottomed out the suspension jumping it. I wonder if that’s why 84 has it coming out of the top. [emoji848]

[atc300r]

Have you ever looked into using a 3rd gen rear shock on one of your foolers? My 82 has an extended swinger and the stock 1st gen shock doesn't even offer 5 inches of travel. One of my first upgrades was to modify the frame to accept a 2nd gen shock and that was a huge improvement. Now I need to see if we used an 83 or 84 shock.

Its hard to exchange shocks on the 83-84 250r because they mount almost horizontal.

[HondaRidr]

Are the shocks different between the 83 and 84 too? Everything else seems to be. I bartered to gain lots of 2nd gen stuff for my 300r rebuild and appreciate the info available here since Saul is MIA.

Let's start a gofundme page to get the AF site on line again temporarily so we can archive the best threads or its entirety.What 300r said. The bottom mount on the shock is different as well. They are different widths and the bolt threads into one side of the mount on the 83 instead of the bolt going through the mount with a nut on the other side on the 84. I will try to take a picture tomorrow

[HondaRidr]

Have you ever looked into using a 3rd gen rear shock on one of your foolers? My 82 has an extended swinger and the stock 1st gen shock doesn't even offer 5 inches of travel. One of my first upgrades was to modify the frame to accept a 2nd gen shock and that was a huge improvement. Now I need to see if we used an 83 or 84 shock.I saw a guy quite a while ago that put a 3rd gen shock in his 84 (won't work on 83). He was a bigger guy and said it worked for him. The problem is is that they are longer than an 84 shock and would need to be compressed to get bolted up. Then there comes the issue of how high will it sit, will it have the full amount of travel and the spring rate/valving.

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[Red Rider]

Its hard to exchange shocks on the 83-84 250r because they mount almost vertical.I thought they were almost horizontal?

[atc300r]

I thought they were almost horizontal?

Yes.Correction horizontal. Got my wires crossed.lol.

[fabiodriven]

Here are pictures of the 83 and 84 swing arms for comparison. 83 is on the left with 84 on the right.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180403/3b8f9cfff04ac31f6d90238f498e8418.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180403/be868a77f202d4396049743227d1735d.jpg

[fabiodriven]

I'll be tackling this shock soon. I need to open it up to refill it with oil and then get it charged. I figured since I'll have it apart it would behoove me to replace the seal. OEM doesn't even list a seal or a bump stop, and an eBay search has me confused. This particular seller has the same seal listed for ALL YEARS ATC250R, which seems unlikely to me. There were at least four different shocks used from 81-86 and I'd be amazed if they all took the same seal. Anyone have any knowledge they can share?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Race-Tech-Shock-Oil-Dust-Seal-Set-SSOS-14S-1314-0189/331379412772?fits=Model%3AATC250R&epid=209930277&hash=item4d27c08f24:g:HpwAAOSw9Z1aWfCt

[fabiodriven]

Did the post say the seals leaked dickhead? I didn't know about Schmidty but I do now. They have the bump stop and the seal kit. Thanks glamster!

[ironchop]

Schmidty is a good vendor. VERY fast shipping too.

I get stuff paid for on a Tuesday and at my house in Kentucky from Cali on Friday

I got all my 86 shock rebuild parts from them. I'll probably mail the shock to them to recharge nitro for me too.

Glamy has a point about the shaft. Check for bent and also pitting on the shaft is common too especially under where the bumpstop was which isn't an issue with a new bumpstop.



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[ironchop]

Go to you`re local welding supply and get it charged there !...........nitro is easy to get .....you just need the for and aft gauges and valves ......We got an Airgas close by that supplies our shop but I wasn't sure they would do such a small recharge. Schmidty Racing carries those guage setups but I'm not trying to recharge a dozen shocks, so for a "one and done", I'm not looking to drop another $100 more than I need to



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[fabiodriven]

Thanks for that tip Glamy. I'm going to ask my friend the fabricator about that and see who's down to earth around here.