My 86 200X. Restore or sell.

[bigezee]

Bought an 86 200x about 6 months ago. It was pretty rough when I bought it and only got it for 700 bucks. It had a little knock in the motor but I planned to get it rebuilt anyways and didn't think too much about it at the time. I dropped it off at my atv mechanic soon after and told him to crack the case and see what it needed to be stable. I told him I had plans to restore it to new and to take his time and get to it whenever he can. He is a one man shop and he is very good at what he does. You just can't be in a hurry for it. He calls me today after cracking the case on the motor and tells me he has some bad news. I guess it needs pretty much every thing replaced. Cam, crank, piston, all shot to hell and overheated and burned up the top end. I guess that knock was louder than i thought and getting worse. He has estimated all new parts and labor to be around 1400 dollars. He is a very honest guy that I trust and have known him forever so I believe he is pretty accurate on his estimate.

So I am at a point now of whether to go ahead with the rebuild or just give up and get rid of it. He said he is gonna call around and maybe save me some money by buying some used parts to get it going. Just wanting you all's opinion on what you guys would do. thanks

[fabiodriven]

If I liked it I'd keep it. If I didn't I'd get rid of it.

[UPNATM]

What about looking around for a turd 200x that may be aesthetically ugly as hell, but has a strong motor that you could buy for half, or even a quarter of what it will cost for the rebuild?

[DohcBikes]

You can buy a Lifan 200 engine, more HP than stock, electric start, bolt in, for $600 new. Or you could do like I did and buy a whole used chinese dirt bike with a Lifan 200 e-start for $300. That way I got the wiring harness and all the accessories too.

The true lifans are excellent motors.

[fabiodriven]

Y'know, I originally thought this thread was dumb, but both of those guys have some really good ideas that are much more affordable than the route you're thinking of going. Well done.

[bigezee]

What about looking around for a turd 200x that may be aesthetically ugly as hell, but has a strong motor that you could buy for half, or even a quarter of what it will cost for the rebuild?

That is what he is gonna do for me. He knows a lot of people that might have some used trikes.. Every trike I come across locally is either in mint condition and expensive or always smokes and leaks and is in just as bad shape as the one I have now....

You can buy a Lifan 200 engine, more HP than stock, electric start, bolt in, for $600 new.

That sounds like a great idea. I really wanted to keep it all original but that might me a way to go here. I will let him know that and see what he says. Anyone have a picture of a Lifan motor mounted in an 86 200x frame and maybe some install pics? How much modification would it take to get it in? I guess I'll do some research on it. Thanks for the suggestions guys. much appreciated. I'll let ya know what happens here. Definitely not gonna spend 1400 on it....

[200x350xtriz250]

The Lifan motor may fit with some work but it is NOT a bolt in for the 86-87 200x's. A TRX200sx motor MAY bolt in and would give you an auto-x. Other than that, 86-87 200x is the only bolt in option. Post up some pics of the bike. Are you sure it is an 86? IMO $1400 is......nuts. There was a complete running motor listed on ebay for $500 recently but didn't sell. Last running motor that sold on ebay was around $400 shipped. I've bought more than 1 86-87 200x complete and rideable for under $500. Crate motors for these have sold for less. Keep looking.

[DohcBikes]

My mistake, I didn't see that it was an 86, thank you for the correction 200x350xtriz250

I think, judging by his response, maybe the o.p. understood that it would need to be modified to fit the 86, even thou I made the mistake. My 200x is an 83. I apologize for any misleading information.

Either way there are much cheaper options than a 1400 dollar rebuild, not that 1400 is out of line for a good, complete rebuild.

Bolt in or not, if youre in the area bring it to AZ, I'll put a Lifan in it.

[RDH/86200X]

Hey if you decide to go with a lifan motor I would be interested in the old engine.

[cap]

Lifan for 389$+ 89$ shipping.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LIFAN-200CC-...1a714f&vxp=mtr

[DohcBikes]

Wow I haven't seen them priced that low in a while! That one is the pushrod version, the same one I have. Usually you can find the carb, cdi, coil and other accessories for another $50 in a package deal. I was happy to get a whole bike because it gave me the accessories, wiring, twist throttle I was wanting, a free battery, key switch, etc.

Another great benefit to these engines is having a lot more juice to power lights, and a reg/rec to have regulated 12vdc.

[fabiodriven]

Those have push rods? That's crazy!

[DohcBikes]

Yep. They are contained inside the jug casting.

The 163FML pushrod has a 63.5mm bore with a 62.2mm stroke.
The 169FML pushrod uses a 69mm bore and a 53 mm stroke.

Some time I would like to see if I can somehow combine the two and make a 69 mm bore with a 62.2 mm stroke, but I have no idea if it is possible yet.

[bigezee]

Hey if you decide to go with a lifan motor I would be interested in the old engine.

If I decide to go that route I would post the old motor here in the classified section before going to Ebay.

If I just give up I'll probably sell the whole damn thing on here. I bought it for 700. As long as I get my money back.

Do you think It is worth selling for $700? I'll post some pics.

I recently bought a decent headlight, chain cover, and exhaust shield for it

[200x350xtriz250]

Personally I would keep it and fix it up. Not trying to ruffle any feathers but sadly I think you overpaid for it and will have a hard time getting your money back as is. Your area of the country maybe different. There are some things you could do to help the value, that are low cost. Recover the seat - a decent seat cover is around $30 and is easy to put on with a stapler. Put on some fork boots - about $15 should get you a set. See if you can find an unbroken tank scoop - I may have one and will check today if you are interested. See what you can do about the droopy front fender - maybe try putting a block of wood under it on your front tire for a while.

Parting it out is always an option too. You have a nice looking tank - $100. Motor that runs - if it is reassembled $300. If the axle is straight and splines are good $150-$200. Forks - $50-$100. Brakes if they work - $50-$100 each. There's $700 on the low side already and you still have a lot of parts to go.