ATC 250R Advice Needed!

[psujeepguy]

I'm excited to say that I have an opportunity to purchase a 1983 Honda ATC 250R! This trike has some surface rust on the frame, needs a rear brake caliper and has issues with the front brake (I'm assuming it needs a master cylinder). Plastic has been replaced with a new Maier set. It has original rims, DG exhaust, and the top end has been rebuilt. Tank looks to be in great shape and was professionally repainted. It has been stored for 4 years - the tank was drained prior to storing and I'm told it runs well. I'm on my way to look at it tomorrow. Price is $1600. What do you think? Fair price? What should I look for and be sure to inspect? These don't come up for sale often in my area, and when they do, they are usually in very poor condition or way over priced. What else do I need to know? Thanks in advance!

[Quinc]

Seems a bit high for an Air cooled 250r that needs work. I would also want to know why the top end was rebuilt and if they fixed the issue that caused it. But if it is in great shape otherwise it may be worth it. I would also bring a compression tester to make sure the compression is good.

[Yamaha Tri-Moto]

Around me here in Canada that would be a steal. I just paid over 500 alone for the DG exhaust for my 83. Also the maier plastics I purchased were also well over 500 after shipping. I bought new front and rear calipers for mine off ebay so those are pretty easy to replace. I'd buy that real quick.

[psujeepguy]

I appreciate the input. I didn't really expect to get an opportunity to purchase a 250R at a reasonable price, so I'm a bit unprepared. I'm leaning towards making the purchase - just trying to control the excitement and keep a level head!

[350for350]

My advice is to bring some fuel with you and make the seller start it for you.

[ATC King]

I'd ask about how many hours are on the 'rebuilt' top end.

Some real riding time means it's alright, someone saying and hour or two makes me wonder what went wrong for them to park it. Receipts are good too. Some people's top end rebuild consist of a cheap hone, new rings on a used piston, and generic name gaskets.

$1,600 can turn into $3,000 real quick if you have to replace or rebuild much.

How it's stored says something too. In a barn or shed without a cover, they didn't care too much about it. In a shop or garage with a concrete floor is better.

I professionally repaint everything with Rust-Oleum.:naughty:

[keister]

You gotta take it for a test ride.... or at least hear / see it run.

Grab the rear bar and rock it side to side to check for play in the bearings and bushings.
Might not be a deal breaker, but if you start finding issues like that, you can start talking him down on price.

[psujeepguy]

Well, I brought it home! It runs awesome! I really need to get the brakes taken care of. The prior owner had some property so I was able to run it through a couple of gears even without brakes before coming to an agreement. The work that has been done so far seems to be solid. Top end rebuild seems legit, tank repaint was done by a body shop - the inside looks brand new. Tires are all new. This is gonna be a fun project! I'm pumped to own it! I'm interested in any and all advice you all have to give. This is my first 2 stroke so I am here to learn.

[Quinc]

Congrats on your first trike and 2stroke! Change the oil once in a while, keep the carb clean, and don't forget to mix you gas. :)

I would also do a compression test on it now and again once a year. A large drop in compression will let you know somethings wrong or its time for a rebuild.

[ATC King]

Well, I brought it home! It runs awesome!

Awesome! No how about some...

PICS!!!

:pics::pics::pics::pics::pics::pics::pics::pics::p ics::pics::pics::pics:

[psujeepguy]

Working on figuring out how to post a pic...

[psujeepguy]

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I'll work on getting a few more too.

[Yamaha Tri-Moto]

Looks like you did real good. Nice bike. Those itp tires on the rear look sweet, full exhaust, new plastics and a redone tank. Jealous.

[ATC King]

Ring-a-ding!


Looks like you got something you can fully enjoy with minimal work.

[keister]

I'll work on getting a few more too.

It looks really nice. Congrats!

Whereabouts are you from, jeepguy? I live near the Beaver / Butler county line.

[psujeepguy]

It looks really nice. Congrats!

Whereabouts are you from, jeepguy? I live near the Beaver / Butler county line.

PM sent. We've got to be close!

[psujeepguy]

Took a few more pics to give everyone a little better idea of condition. What I'm considering is having the frame stripped and powder coated. I doubt I could do all the work myself as far as pulling it all apart and rebuilding it once the frame is done. Any ideas on how much the labor for destructing and rebuilding would cost? How about powder coating or painting the frame? Don't want to start this right away as I plan to do some more riding before having it down for a significant period of time.
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[ATC King]

You're moving in the right direction, that frame definitely needs recoated with something.

For the tearing down part, unless you find someone experienced with that model to do it, you should consider doing it yourself. You may catch something that needs attention. Someone just turning wrenches to disassemble it may not spend enough time looking over the small stuff of researching the intricacies of that model like you would.

There's always a chance of cracks in the frame. Thin, stamped metal parts that start cracking at the welds, motor mount areas, really just anywhere. If you disassembled it, then used paint stripper and a followed that with a good rubbing of a scouring pad, you'll likely see any cracks yourself. That can save you time and money with the refinisher. You'll be able to have those areas repaired before attempting paint or powder.

Why powder coat? Honda didn't do that from the factory. Besides, you can't touch it up when it gets chipped, and it will. To that, what about corrosion under the powder coating? I'm just not a fan of powder coating frames. Something along the lines of 'restored' American muscle cars with perfectly matching body panel seams, which they most certainly didn't have from the factory. That's me being grumpy about the difference between reality and people confusing it with OCD. :beer

[psujeepguy]

ATC King - great points. Especially on paint vs. powder coating. Honestly, I'm pretty intimidated by the thought of tearing this thing down myself. Not so much the tear down I guess, but the rebuild. My fear is that I get it apart, do the frame work and paint, then it sits and doesn't get put back together. Or I get into an issue that's over my head. I think I'll keep doing my research and keep learning, and maybe gain the confidence and knowledge take this on in a few months.

[psujeepguy]

Anyone have any good sources for the missing right side tank fairing? I've googled it to death at this point!

[ATC King]

Honestly, I'm pretty intimidated by the thought of tearing this thing down myself. Not so much the tear down I guess, but the rebuild. My fear is that I get it apart, do the frame work and paint, then it sits and doesn't get put back together.

You've got a cell phone with camera, yes? Take a lot of pictures, you'll be fine.

You'll just be pulling the engine and taking the suspension off the frame. There's not much to that. Put labels on the bolts if you have to, but pictures with your phone should be more than enough. We're living in a time when a whole crap load of power is right in peoples hands.

[badasskfx]

That trike is sweet. I powder coated my frame for my 350x it cost me $250. And in NH that’s a good price.
Do the tear down yourself it’s a piece of cake! Lots of pictures and a box of sandwich bags to organize the bolts.

[keister]

^^^^ He's right. Ziploc bags are your best friend when tearing trikes down.
Putting it back together is the easy part - we can help you through that.
The intimidating part for me would be getting it apart.

......Anyone..... is this one of the models notorious for having a seized swingarm bolt?
Axles and bearings and snap rings and bolts have a tendency to come out hard after 30+ years.
Steering stem bearing races often need cut out. Nothing a Dremel and a grinder can't solve.

If I were you, I would RIDE IT!
Over time you will break / wear out / replace parts and before you know it you'll know this machine inside and out.
That's when you tear it down and make it pretty.

Spray your frame and motor and swingarm (and everything metal) with WD40 everytime you ride/wash it.
It will prevent further corrosion. That rust has been on there for years, it's not hurting anything.
That's my 2 cents.

[MrConcdid]

I second just Ride it, to many have been tore down and never put back, people lose interest, money runs out or its a snow balls.
You tell yourself, while its tore down you should do this or polish that, it need this, you want that.
Unless you really need another project, and you really have the money, and you really don't want to ride it for the next few months
than leave it alone.
Just enjoy it, at the end of the day, its yours do what makes you happy.
You own the King of the Hill, the top of the line Honda 250r
whether you put it on a self or ride it, it's yours, enjoy it your way.
MrC.

[psujeepguy]

Thanks again to everyone for all the advice. For now, I think I'll focus on correcting any major mechanical issues like rear brake assembly now that the front brake is fixed and rear shock replacement (a replacement came with it), but mostly focus on riding! I ordered repro decals and I'll give it a good cleaning which will go a long way in improving appearance. I like to keep my "toys" in nice condition while still using them for what they were built for - but the frame can wait. Man, this thing is a blast to ride!

[jasong_10]

I second just Ride it, to many have been tore down and never put back, people lose interest, money runs out or its a snow balls.
You tell yourself, while its tore down you should do this or polish that, it need this, you want that.
Unless you really need another project, and you really have the money, and you really don't want to ride it for the next few months
than leave it alone.
Just enjoy it, at the end of the day, its yours do what makes you happy.
You own the King of the Hill, the top of the line Honda 250r
whether you put it on a self or ride it, it's yours, enjoy it your way.
MrC.

Agreed, my R sat in pieces for years while I built my car (tore it apart right before stumbling across a great deal on a supercharger for the car). When we decided that my wife was going to retire from teaching to stay home with the kids four years ago, I knew that if I didn't get it back together then it would never happen. So I set the $$ aside and got it done.

[kb0nly]

Nice! You did great for the price.... $1600 around me gets you a pile of non running crap by comparison. The best deal i have had in years was a $600 ATC200 that didn't run and i had to tear the engine apart and go through it. Ended up great in the end im not complaining since it was fun and the engine was overall in great reusable condition, but just a few years ago i would have bought this one for $100-200... The prices on them have gone through the dang roof.

That tank fairing is going to be watch eBay, i have seen a few of them on there, or get on some Facebook groups and ask around. There is a bunch of guys up on the Honda Hoarders group on Facebook that got parts stashed like a dang squirrel, i've scored a few tidbits there since joining that group. You can also post on the classifieds here just in case someone has one stashed away.

There is a ton of trike parts showing up on eBay these days though, not all the prices are crazy, the bad thing about the increase in popularity is a lot of them seem to be getting parted out now... It's sad but good for those that need parts.