Let the games begin! (1986 350X project)

[dirtwheels]

The skid plate in your picture is not for a 350X. Perhaps it could be made to fit.

[Red Rider]

Still hoping to get that blue paint code!

First off, I can't believe I still have a can of this paint. I don't recall using it on anything other than my '85 200X, so unless I'm mistaken, this can was purchased in Oct. 1984, and I used it to paint my front brake, master cylinder guard. I'm not sure if it's the color you're looking for, but it was almost identical to the OEM seat/fork boots color on the '85 200X, which would be the same blue on the 85-86 350X.

Keep up the good work, and enjoy the journey!

[dirtwheels]

Here is the OEM 350X skid plate for reference.

[J!m]

Cable came in!

[BOB MARLIN]

Does the decomp arm actually move when you cycle the kicker ?. About 50 percent of the ones I've seen are broken . They get broken when people remove the side cover to work on the clutch and don't bother to line everything back up again before they tighten the cover bolts.

[J!m]

I’m not sure honestly. The cable was missing so I needed it either way. I know that pin gets broken a lot, and it’ll be coming off, but hasn’t yet.

[J!m]

Wait-‘so this is the wrong skid plate?

85/86 are different (but interchange)… what is that a picture of? I have to see if bolts line up now.

[dirtwheels]

The picture I uploaded is the OEM skid plate that came off my 1986 350X. I took it off the bike when I got it and put an aftermarket one on because it was in perfect condition and I did not want to trash it riding in the desert.

[J!m]

Well that’s disappointing.

I’ve reached out to the seller but not heard anything yet. Price was fair and maybe I can use the chain slider on the correct skid plate but if I can identify it I can sell it on if the seller won’t take it back.

At least I sorted out some wheels. Rears from one seller and front from another. My current front wheel will be for sale very soon.

[dirtwheels]

I'm pretty sure the skid plate you bought is for a 99-08 TRX400EX.

[J!m]

That’s a helpful guess. I’ll try to cross it with pictures.

[BOB MARLIN]

As far as the decomp function goes, Its not a pin that breaks, it's the casting itself that holds it in place. Just cycle the kick starter slowly while watching the actuator arm down at the top of the case. It should move. Having a broken decomp is no big thing, but having the broken pieces rolling around in there could be a problem. The decomp is a miss understood item. It has nothing to do with how easy (or hard) the engine will kick over. Its only there to help you get the engine to the compression stroke before you kick it. Unless you put a Goki on it you really don't need it. I have one now with a broken decomp and I was able to hook a cable to the parking brake to actuate it manually instead. I took the Goki off it and now I don't use the decomp at all and I don't notice any difference between the 350's I have with the with or with out the decomp when starting them.

[J!m]

Well that’s disappointing.

I’ve reached out to the seller but not heard anything yet. Price was fair and maybe I can use the chain slider on the correct skid plate but if I can identify it I can sell it on if the seller won’t take it back.

At least I sorted out some wheels. Rears from one seller and front from another. My current front wheel will be for sale very soon.

[J!m]

Looks like a TRX400 skid plate. Less than $100 on eBay currently...