Is this 350X a good buy?

[smvorndran]

I've been tripping over 3-wheelers left & right this week. I found an 85 ATC350X with a 4" extended swingarm for $400 firm. It's about 45 minutes away from me. It's in pieces right now. The guy said he sold it to a friend, then he sold it to a kid who trashed it. It's complete, but needs rebuilt, and put back together. He said he had to cut the swingarm bolt out of it to get it out, so it would need that as well. I don't mind putting in all back together, but how much in extra doo-dads do you think it would take to make it a reliable runner again? My last 350X was in nice shape, and I bought and sold it for $1000, but you don't seem to be able to buy a 350X for that anymore. What's your thoughts? I've already have 5 trikes in my garage, but could squeeze a 6th in there. I could replace my 200X with its big brother!

smvorndran

[i58829]

Hmm well i've bought a few 'complete' basket cases before, i'd plan on having to replace all of the bearings, going over the motor, figure in some money for extended rear brake lines, swingarm bolt/bearings, tires, plastics and it goes on and on. Basically you could spend anywhere from a hundred or two up to a thousand or more to make it a complete running machine again.

You really need to go look at it to see what is there, missing, beat beyond repair and not as nice as you'd like to have it before you get a good idea of the costs involved, TC..

[dizasterzrfun69]

wheres this at? im in Elkhart and dont seem to find any 350x's around here at all. i do have 2 of them though.

[longbedGTs]

Well, do you want another project? This sounds like a pretty good one for a good price too! Maybe that swinger is a rare piece that you could sell and replace with a stocker.

[bp739]

I'd buy it...the motors worth $400 alone.

[big schott]

I agree with all the guys above to a point.

If you are looking for a project and you are looking at restoring it or just riding it for YOU I'd say go for it as long as you don't put too much to get it running.
With that said, I wouldn't buy it if you are looking to restore it and sell it for a profit. I bought a 350X in good shape runs like a champ but the plastic was OK to Poor. I paid $1400 for it and put about $500 into it to make it look good. Will I get $1900 for it now? Maybe, but probably not.

Should you buy it? I'd say yes but, not to fix it up. Buy it, take the good parts off sell them to fund one in good shape and fix that one up.

My two censt.:)

[smvorndran]

Well, you can't wait around on deals like that. He sent me pictures at 8:30, and at 9:30 it was gone.:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: It was real close to Ft. Wayne.

I was going to run down tomorrow, but I guess I have more spare time now. I'll add another 350X to my stable someday. Do you think the 350X will come down in price in a few years. About 3 years ago, you could easily pick one up for $800-$1000. They seem to be $1500+ nowadays. Has anyone paid close enough attention for the last 10 years to see how the prices go up and down on these? It just seems that they've appreciated dramatically in the last couple of years, and I can't figure out why. There are always fewer and fewer trikes, but they can't be disappearing that fast?!!?

smvorndran

[smvorndran]

As for a project, I wouldn't mind assembling it in my basement for a year or two, and drag it out ready to ride. Now that prices for these have gone up, I wouldn't be inclined to fix it and sell it. I miss my old 350X. I called the guy I sold it to a couple of months ago looking to buy it back, and he sold it to a guy in Canada. Anybody up north have this trike? It had tinted lexan in front of the headlight lenses. It looked pretty cool.

smvorndran

[Dirtcrasher]

EVERYTHING is gonna be cheap.... Oil is gonna hit 200$ The economy stinks... Everyone around me is selling everything they own to stay afloat. Things are bad and gettin worse....

If you want more trikes, hold off awhile - great deals are a commin!!

[big schott]

I'd say everything is citrical. A couple years ago a 200X was $1000+ and now you can find them for around $800. (At least this is what I have found) The craze for the 350X and 250r's is right now but in couple years the guys that want them will have them and some will be looking to sell.
For the $400 one, I'd find out where it went. Many of these are being bought by guys that think they know how to fix them up and after 6 months to a year it will be back on the market and maybe for less.

[i58829]

I think that with new atvs selling for 5k+ people will pay the asking prices that are a few hundred more than a couple years ago just to get a reliable name brand machine. I have a ton of money in my 350X and wouldn't expect 2k out of it although i'd hope for more. Anyway i think its also because a lot of people my age (low-mid 20's) grew up around these things and just now have the funds to buy them. Its kind of like the baby boomers were with muscle cars on a smaller scale...