86 250R - Privateer - Updated 2/2014

[NWrider]

So, posting this for a couple of reasons.

A. Cool old trike with some race history - Privateer. Worst case enjoy the photos of a cool old trike that rolled with the big boys back in the day.
B. Likely to be for sale soon.

It's not mine - yet - but I have first right of refusal on it. Even though it could be mine, there is a strong liklihood that I will either buy it and resell it or simply pass the opportunity onto another member that wants it more than I do. Not that I don't want it - I do - It's just that I'm not really a Honda guy (Team Green) and I have enough on my plate and another trike is probably not wise.

What I'm looking for from you guy's is -

Interest. Anyone gotta have this trike?
Comments. See anything super cool, super rare, unique?
Value. What's a guy think this is worth - as is. It is not running and the owner thinks its a spark issue. With all the rare old parts on it there is no doubt that it has some real value.

Anyway, here's what I know.
The trike was given to this guy by an old and ill x-racer. He's not really a trike guy and would rather have the money than try and fix it or kill himself riding it.
Along with the trike - in a "package deal" - would also be some other items. Word is the original plastics, original wheels/tires, 2 extended axles (still in the bags) and mounds of documentation - receipts, mods, race data, tire perfromance data on various tracks and in various conditions, etc. Supposedly the x-owner was super detailed on what he was doing and kept all his research data. All would be included. Not sure about title, but assume no. In my initial converation with the guy he was thinking about trying to get $4k for all of it. Of course "all of it" isn't yet total defined. Do you think he's in the ballpark at that price? My thought was that was too high, but what do I know? Maybe you guy's can help define the value?

So, Let me know your thoughts. Worst case I wanted to share the photos I have. I have seen the trike in person, so it's real.
Hit me with a PM if you want to chat about it. I really don't know much more, but I do have contact info on the guy to facilitate any conversations or ask any questions.

Thanks for looking - we'll see how this all plays out.

[Bryan Raffa]

its a honda no one wants that... ill sell my FRESH race bike with my black book for 4K any day!

[just ben]

cool pics But I think his expectations are a bit high

[wisconsinite]

i agree, it's a cool trike and would be neat to own, but a little spendy.

[oldskool83]

i say 2500 if it runs. its a total redo...thats for the entire packege if the other stuff mint in plastic. its cool but not 4K cool.

[kiser]

You should Raffa! Its a Yamaha LOL!!! Looks like a cool 250R! Im not a R expert but it looks like it has a 86 motor and seat. It has a short track tank. Probably was a flat track bike from the tires and tank and I dig that!! 4k I think is a lil steep but it may be worth it to somebody. I wish I had the extra funds because I would make a offer on it for sure. Cool pics and thanks for sharing!

[ceaserthethird]

Buy it and restore =)

[dcreel]

Whats' a short track tank going for these days with all of the parts?? The seat looks to be in good shape, the rear low pro fenders, That front Hoosier if it isn't weather checked and holds air is worth quite a bit, so are the rear H-Track tires.. If the cases are good, the motor is worth quite a bit.. Even if it isn't running and was ported by Paul Turner..

I think $1000 is a bit low...

[xrider]

I 100% agree. Low Pro Fenders, Short track Kit, H-Traks, Bills Pipe?, and of course the Hoosier Tri-Trac Front tire. That's $2500 worth of parts alone.

Whats' a short track tank going for these days with all of the parts?? The seat looks to be in good shape, the rear low pro fenders, That front Hoosier if it isn't weather checked and holds air is worth quite a bit, so are the rear H-Track tires.. If the cases are good, the motor is worth quite a bit.. Even if it isn't running and was ported by Paul Turner..

I think $1000 is a bit low...

[pistolpete88]

if it was all restored and running 4k wouldt be the most it was worth id offer $1800 the way she sits today only cause of the short track tank otherwise its a 1000-1200 bike pm me if you wanna make a deal

[bkm]

This is a sad case of the bike being worth more in peices than as a whole. Its unfortunate because it should make no difference, but that is the current climate of these bikes.

[NWrider]

Thanks for the input thus far - about what I expected to hear.
I do know a thing or 2 about old parts and value...
The pipe is a Paul Turner pipe, not a Bill's. Hard to tell with all the rust on her.
Don't forget that included are some original parts and a couple of axels. How hard is it to find a Durablue extended axel for an 85R? Supposedly he has 2 - gotta be a hundred a piece for those, eh?
Thanks again.
It's just cool to find an oldy, but goody that's been sittin around for a while. Obviously a total flat tracker.

[Tri-Z 250]

BKM Your right-on broken down and sold to guys looking for just a peice will bring the coin.

To bring the Pro-race machine collector it needs to have a few things besides great time period correct mods and trick parts...for top$
1. Who rode it? A true sponcered PRO or some guy who rode the proclass as a Privateer?
2. Finishes? Was it a winner and proof of it on the track pics in such.
3. History...more the better, build specs...brochures are even helpful.

It's still a really nice 3wheeler just on it's own....but people often become attached to items and give objects a love value. $1000 too low but $4000 is outta sight. If I was the seller, I'd want it to be restored and ridden, or restored and shelved...I'd rather sell it for a $1 to someone I know who will enjoy and take care of it proper. To think of this as highly as a peice or race History it needs to be sold to the right buyer...If it's just a Period correct racer that raced back in the day, then it just that. It's still going to have each buyer $3000 in the hole just getting it to race ready condition. There was a sweet X at the NatyBula this year...The difference in yours to his...He was a sponcered Pro, tons of pics, the write-ups in Mags bike was track ready and spotless. The machine was a contender and 1 of 3 built for a TEAM that did the entire season. He turned down an offer of $5000...I handed off the collectors # and said when your ready to sell it this guy will simply store it for years to come....Which is what the owner wanted, he didn't want it parted or beat to death and parted later. His love hasn't ended for his machine and I believe your friend as well.

[keister]

Don't forget that included are some original parts and a couple of axels. How hard is it to find a Durablue extended axel for an 85R?

I bought a brand new Durablue extended axle for my 85R a couple years ago. I think it was around $300.

Also, I borrowed a set of H-Trac tires like those for the TT race in July. Everyone was trying to buy them from me. They are impossible to find. If those are in good shape you will have people lining up at your door to buy them.

[FastZ28]

I would just like to point out that the bike looks like an 86R to me. It has the 86 motor color, looks like an 86 rear swingarm and brake setup.
So that would make the axle topic a moot point since 86-87 axles are readily available. Even the seat is the 86 style.

I would stick a 1500-2000 price on on it as it sits, even with all the extras. They are worth nothing until there is pictures of them.
I would personally buy it, fix it up and use it for FT/TT races but I would give no more than 2000.