ATC 70 Questions

[murfman]

Now that my 350/500X is done, and I think I am going to hold off doing anything to the 250sx as it has been soo damn reliable. But I have been bitten hard by the 70 bug... I have 2 1/2 acres and a perfect spot for a small oval track with a few small obstacles that would be hella fun with a few 70s ripping it up. So I have read the year by year breakdown with the different transmissions etc.. My questions are
1. Is there a year to look for or stay away from?
2. Are there any problem areas to look for?
2a. If there are problems are they on a year by year basis?

I am going to look at 2 this weekend, an 85 and a 74?

[Jon Boy]

i have a 74 and still learning things about it so i can't realy help with the reliablity/problem areas. the frame seems pretty beefy (heavy) to me, so i imagine the 85 would be lighter and you do get 4speed and CDI on the 85 vs. having 3speed and points ignition on the 74. if your wanting to up to a bigger newer motor (lifan, pp, etc...) then i would say go with the 85.

[oldtime3wheeler]

I dont think the 85 is cdi. I think that only came on the 86 and 87 trx70. I could be wrong though.
I have had several 70's. I prefer the down shift 4 speeds of the 82-84 years. On the 2 tracks we race them on the 4 speed works better than the 3 speed. Im not a big fan of the 85 4 speed up shift. I think because so many of the 70"s I have and had were the earlier years Im just used to the down shift.

[atc350xer]

Yeah, 70's never got the CDI upgrade. I have 3 '85's (only 1 of them has a 70 motor, and it's got an 88cc kit on it), and they're a blast. '73-'74 were completely different than '78-'85. The newer ones are basically the same except for transmission changes and stickers/seat color.

[murfman]

Of the 2 I am looking at, the 85 is a runner, and the 74 is a pile of parts, I'd like to add a pitsterpro 155HO to the 74 and deck it out and eventually do the same to the 85 once the 74 is done.

[Jon Boy]

oops, my mistake on the cdi. sorry about that, was thinking they started in 83.
forgot about the shift pattern too. i'm used to my 125 so much i was always getting it backwards when i first got the 74.

[350xx]

85 is so much better. If you can handle the wierdo body style of the 1st gen then go with it! Usually, the newer, the better.

[Jon Boy]

Of the 2 I am looking at, the 85 is a runner, and the 74 is a pile of parts, I'd like to add a pitsterpro 155HO to the 74 and deck it out and eventually do the same to the 85 once the 74 is done.

so you did get them both then?
been considering selling my 74, but really would like it to go to someone who's willing to restore it. it's not perfect or the best, but it would make a good candidate for a resto IMO.

[murfman]

I am going to see them Saturday.

[dcreel]

They are addictive as hell.. I'm right in the middle of putting a manual clutch 125 Lifan in my 82 right now.. Too much fun. I ride my 70 more than the 110, 250r, or Tecate anymore.. lol

Picked it up for $400 6 months ago with the original paperwork. It's in great condition.

[murfman]

Damn that is nice! I have been "grooming" an oval track in my backyard that would be great for some 70 races...