First Time Rider
Arm chair racerNew to the board
What are the major differences in the 85 and 86 motors. I have heard that the 85 had a weak top end. Is this true? There sure seems to be alot of 85's still running. What makes the 86 motor better and will the better made parts fit an 85 motor? I am thinking about buying an 85. Which needs a head. I just want to make sure I am not rebuilding a factory problem motor that will never stay reliable.
83 200x, 85 trx250 fourtrax, 85 klt110
Teaching Quads A Lesson
Arm chair racerRoostin Away
As far as I know, the motors are the same, its just brake modifications, and stronger frame points, and color, and seats that are different.
Power User
Teaching quads a lesson
The problem with the 85 engine is if it were to tip on its side and keep running for awhile, it would burn up where the 86, they changed that. You will also have to route the clutch cables and such differently.
86-87 Tecate ROCK!
Ride fast...........brake late............and Slide the rear!
First Time Rider
Arm chair racerNew to the board
I wonder wy the difference on the motors turning over?
83 200x, 85 trx250 fourtrax, 85 klt110
Power User
4 Wheels? Huh?
They modified the oil pump pickup. Also the kickstarter gear ratio is different... cam journals in 86 have additional oil 'holes'. Of course the clutch cable routing.... seems like something else with the cam tensioner? I know the crank case breather tubes are different too.
Bruce
'85 ATC350X - "Showgirl" '86 OEM plastics/Fork boots, Rear Axle/Rotor/Hubs, Hondaline Fender stabalizer/extender, Speedo/Tach, Tank cover.
'86 ATC350X - 'Go-Go Girl'
'82 ATC250R - 'California Girl' - Progressive springs F and R, Hondaline HL Guard, Fairing and Speedometer.
'82 ATC250R -'Snow Bunny' Ice Racer, Very Clean, Hondaline Fairing, custom FT tire, will put in the 300R motor
'70 US90 'Ol'Girl" - Aquarius Blue... all original seat and tires. Resto project in the future
'85 ATC250ES-'Workin' Girl' CMP Footguard, Hondaline Mudflaps, Speedo, HL Lens, Block Heater, Work Light, Foot Peg Covers and Cooler Rack
'85 ATC70 - All Original
'84 Yamaha 225DX - Durablue +3" axle, DR motor, New Plastics, Foot, Hand and HL Guards.
'85 Yamahauler - Gun Rack & 'Nerf Bars'
'85 Yamahauler - Nearly together and restored
'83 Suzuki ALT125 - Pieces
'89 Suzuki LT-4WD - Token Golf Cart
First Time Rider
Arm chair racerNew to the board
The biggest difference between the 85 and 86 atc350x motor was that the oil pump pick up point along with an aeration control baffel was redesigned into the right crank case so, you could ride across the face of a steep hill and still have oil circulating through the motor. So it looks like you can't mix and match the right side crank case with an 85 and 86 atc350x bottom of the motor. I asked my local honda dealer and he told me the same thing because the part#'s don't match or change up for proper use. But , I have never heard of someone burning up their 85 atc350x motor just by riding their bike across the face of hill whether it was small or steep. I also believe that the shift shaft and clutch shaft had redesigned surfaces and beveled ends to prevent seal damage.
Some of the small changes were routing the clutch cable differently on the 86 vs 85 atc350x as mention by ScottZJ and the others.
I guess if your not sure of what can be interchanged between the two years I then go and ask you local atv or honda mechanic or parts person they should be able to help you out.
Take it easy
350xman
No- Point in standing around and just watching! Get out and ride!
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