252.5 mile wheelie

[riverrat]

Well not exactly, but it sure looked that way, on the back of my truck.

While everyone was sleeping on Sunday, a 250R poped up on ebay with a buy it now of $1000. I grabbed it.

When I got there, the guy took off another $100, and I didn't even ask him too.

It was sold as a rebuildable trike, but it starts and rides.

So far I see 4 things wrong with it.
Bear with me, I am not too familiar with the 250R.

The resiviour is not mounted, and flopping around.
The clutch does not fully disengage, looks like a cable issue. It is adjusted to its max.
Right in front of the front sproket, looks like the chain came off, and did some damge, there is a repair there, so it will need some welding I guess. I'll have to scrape the repair.
But the thing that worries me the most, is what appears to be a filler cap (looks like the oil filler cap on a four stroke) seems to have milky fluid in it, and that means water could be getting in that area.

I am not sure what that filler hole is for? Gear case fluid? Can water even get in there from the cooling system?

Other than that, the thing screams, and all switches and lights work, plastic is in pretty good shape.

I want to get it good mechanically, and ride it a bit, then I will do a frame-off restoration to it.

Advice is welcome.

[RedRider_AK]

If your water pump bearings go bad, I think it can leak water in there. That was supposedly a common problem with the new z400 quadsports, so it might not be true here, but just throwin that out there for ya. I wouldn't worry about that left-side cover being JB Welded or whatever unless you're seriously racing or restoring the trike. Just save your time and money. The filler cap is for the transmission, I believe. Another way it could have "milky fluid" is if the previous owner sunk it in deep water or somehow got water in the breather tube.

[riverrat]

For correction, the reseviour that is hanging is for the rear mono shock.
I would love to see a pictue of how it is mounted, so I can determine what to do.

Thanks for the advice redrider.
I guess I will drain it out, and then flush it, and refill with some fresh fluid.
Any clue what goes in there?

I need to purchase a manual.

[RedRider_AK]

You should flush it with diesel, it'll get the rest of the water.

As for what goes in the tranny, I've heard lots of different stuff, everything from regular 10w40 to 80 weight hypoid oil, to 50 weight tranny-specific oil. I'd suggest you ask around, maybe some of the racers will recommend something.

[200x newby]

honda dealer. honda makes a specific oil for the 250r tranny.

[Dammit!]

Not a bad deal. I know where I can pick up a running '85 right now for $800. I offered him $600 in an e-mail but haven't heard back yet. I'd pay the $800 if it was an '86.

[firefirefire90]

honda dealer. honda makes a specific oil for the 250r tranny.

You don't need Honda oil. Golden Spectro works just the same. I use 80w but that is because of the heat down here.

[250rfan]

Well not exactly, but it sure looked that way, on the back of my truck.

While everyone was sleeping on Sunday, a 250R poped up on ebay with a buy it now of $1000. I grabbed it.

When I got there, the guy took off another $100, and I didn't even ask him too.

It was sold as a rebuildable trike, but it starts and rides.

So far I see 4 things wrong with it.
Bear with me, I am not too familiar with the 250R.

The resiviour is not mounted, and flopping around.
The clutch does not fully disengage, looks like a cable issue. It is adjusted to its max.
Right in front of the front sproket, looks like the chain came off, and did some damge, there is a repair there, so it will need some welding I guess. I'll have to scrape the repair.
But the thing that worries me the most, is what appears to be a filler cap (looks like the oil filler cap on a four stroke) seems to have milky fluid in it, and that means water could be getting in that area.

I am not sure what that filler hole is for? Gear case fluid? Can water even get in there from the cooling system?

Other than that, the thing screams, and all switches and lights work, plastic is in pretty good shape.

I want to get it good mechanically, and ride it a bit, then I will do a frame-off restoration to it.

Advice is welcome.

Okay, Firstly i think the reason your rear reservoir is flopping about my be due to two reasons -
1/ You have lost the metal clamps which hold it onto a "specific" bracket which is welded to the 85 frame.
2/ The metal tabs ON this "specific" bracket have broken off, and there is know no proper way to mount your ressie unless you tie wrap it on.

I have attached some pics showing where the proper placement of the rear reservoir should be, unfortunately you cannot see the specific mounting bracket in the pictures,as the tabs on mine were broken so i replaced it with an 86 removable bracket, look around the area where your reservoir should be you will see there is a mounting bracket possibly the tabs have broken off but it should be there as it is welded onto the frame, there will also be a chain slider mounted underneath it which is fastened on with a 12mm bolt" i think",
*the bolt goes through the frame and through the reservoir mounting bracket*

I will try agnd get better pictures to show you, hope this helps for the moment.

[brrcuda]

I saw that bike and almost hit the BIN on it just cause it was a sweet deal. Nice score. Its funny how things don't get mentioned in the description huh. I didn't need the bike so im glad it went to another member here.

[rally4x4racer]

yea - I saw it too

I'm in the poorhouse - so I just left it

[riverrat]

Not a bad deal. I know where I can pick up a running '85 right now for $800. I offered him $600 in an e-mail but haven't heard back yet. I'd pay the $800 if it was an '86.

What is the big difference, or differences, between 85 and 86?

[riverrat]

Okay, Firstly i think the reason your rear reservoir is flopping about my be due to two reasons -
1/ You have lost the metal clamps which hold it onto a "specific" bracket which is welded to the 85 frame.
2/ The metal tabs ON this "specific" bracket have broken off, and there is know no proper way to mount your ressie unless you tie wrap it on.

I have attached some pics showing where the proper placement of the rear reservoir should be, unfortunately you cannot see the specific mounting bracket in the pictures,as the tabs on mine were broken so i replaced it with an 86 removable bracket, look around the area where your reservoir should be you will see there is a mounting bracket possibly the tabs have broken off but it should be there as it is welded onto the frame, there will also be a chain slider mounted underneath it which is fastened on with a 12mm bolt" i think",
*the bolt goes through the frame and through the reservoir mounting bracket*

I will try agnd get better pictures to show you, hope this helps for the moment.

Hey man thanks a lot for those pictures. I haven't gone outside yet, but I think the mounting tabs are still there. I do not know what the bracket looks like. I am sure I can fabricate something, as I am a sheet metal worker.

I also notice that on top of the reseviour, there is what looks like a piston, and there three small holes. A spring fell out of one of the holes, so it is possible that the resiviour is missing something, or screwd up altogether.

I will post some pics later. I could use a blow up of the reseviour to see how it works, and how it goes together.

I guess I should probably learn how to spell resevior first

I will post some pictures later, gtg make a buck....

[250rfan]

Okay,
looks like your missing the Anodised black compression adjuster cover, this is a cover which is bolted onto the top outer edge of the reservoir, when you turn it it makes a clicking noise to indicate its hardening or softening your rear suspension,

when you take the cover off you will see a little spring, and on the end of the spring a small ball bearing, if you look closely at the pictures i sent ,you should be able make out the black cover with the silver philips headed screw in the middle, which holds it onto the rear shock reservoir.

[1upfront]

The problem your having with your oil I believe that would be your water pump seal, I had the same issue with my 97 kx100, I drained the oil and coolant and replaced the seal then replaced the fluids and waalaa problem fixed, only thing is before installing a new water pump seal you always want to make sure the pump bearing turns smoothly because once you get the seal in on most bikes you cant get it back out without damaging it and I don't think you want to have to go back and remove the brand new seal to replace a bad bearing and end up buying a new seal again.
Just a little advice from my experience

[honda250sx]

Was this in NY man? Looks like a great candidate for restoration! Keep us posted!