I have 2 questions about my 85 250es.

[bigboy_toy85]

Ok, so I have an 85' honda 250es Bigred that my Grandpa gave me about 6 years ago.

Well lately ive been working on it, like I should have 6 years ago. And Ive encountered 2 problems.

First my gas tank has rusted where the seat sits on it, and a small leak has made itself present. Ive temporarly fixed it with JB weld but I want to get a new gas tank. So does anyone know where I can buy a metal gas tank? I cant find one and ebay or graigs list.

And I thought the battery was dead, so I pulled out the original Champion battery model 12-bs, and replaced it with an ever start battery, And it still want even try to start. Ive heard theres a fuse that will affect the starting. But I cant find it. Can anyone tell me where it is?

I have pictures of the three wheeler but there not on my computer yet, so once I get them I will post them.

Thanks alot and I hope you can help,
--Austin.

[Twilight]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HONDA-BIG-RED-FUEL-TANK-BIG-RED-250ES-GAS-TANK-1985-87_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2Q 7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3a 1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem3 70149047755QQitemZ370149047755QQptZMotorsQ5fATVQ5f PartsQ5fAccessories

Is the new battery charged?

[bigboy_toy85]

yes, I charged the battery and still nothing , the nutral light won't even come on, unless you kick start it. It's like the battery isn't even there. I think it's a fuse, but I can't find it.

[Twilight]

Does it kick start okay? If so I wouldnt worry about it, haha.

Cant be of much help, but maybe a wire has a short?

[hublake]

There is a fuse holder back by the battery. It is a rubber holder. Here is a picture that show the fuse holder with a bunch of lines around it. Hope it helps.

[bigboy_toy85]

it usually takes 3 or 4 kicks to get it started. But i'd really enjoy havin electric start.

and to hublake thanks, I think I know what your talking about, but your picture never showed up.

thanks for all the help.

[Nick_R_23]

Theres several common places that would keep the electric start from working on these. First of all, clean all of the connections, ground points, etc. Next there is that fuse, it is located between the battery and the airbox. Its a thin strip of metal basicly and tends to disentegrate over time. Also, the starter soleniod often goes bad, they are cheap and easy to replace, and are the same on most machines. Another thing to check is the start button, it tends to get corroded and a light sanding of the contact points will usually help. Last thing to check is under the headlight, there is a plastic box, held on by 2 screws on the side. There are 2 fuses under there that might also be the culprit.

If none of this solves your problem, either your starter motor is bad, or you need to check the wires for continuity.

-Nick :TrikesOwn

[bigboy_toy85]

ok, thanks everybody. I fixed it, it was the fuse by the battery. I got it replaced, and it ran pretty good.( I'm still burning our the varnished gas). Thanks for the help, but I have one more question.

when I took the air cleaner out I noticed there was some oil on the bottom of it, should I do something about it? I'm not sure if that's a bad thing or not.

But I did order a new air cleaner and muffler, and I bought a braided gas line so when I run out of gas I'll change it. So hopefully it will be as good as new bfore long.

[Russell 350X]

You probably should drain all that old gas out and put some fresh in it, it'll rub better, and get a can of Sea-foam, put a bit of that in there.

[bigboy_toy85]

I'm going to drain the tank today. Is it better to use 91 octane or should I just run the cheap gas, I think 81 octane?

And what should I do about the oil on the air cleaner?

thanks,
-Austin

[Nick_R_23]

It will be fine with 87 octane (regular). There should be a light film of oil on the air cleaner, but if theres too much then you can take it off and soak it in gas for a few hours, thatll take it all right off. Just make sure to squeeze it out good!!

-Nick :TrikesOwn

[bigboy_toy85]

Ok, good, I really can't afford 91 octane. And on the bottom of the air cleaner is a big blob of oil.

[bigboy_toy85]

ok so another problem. I was out riding the 250es yesterday, and it ran horrible.

it would start off good, but once I got into about fourth gear it would start to shut down. When it starts to shut down I have to stop, shift into neutral and rev it up to keep it from quiting.

So I think it's either the spark plug is going bad or the float in the carb is bad. But if it was the float and the 3 wheeler was flooding out wouldn't there be black smoke coming from the exhaust?

could there be anything else causing this problem?