250r with 350x engine questions??

[dirt308]

I've searched around the forum a bit and found alot of useful information but I am looking for some advice, I have been a member here for quite some time but had gotten out of the 4wheeling scene for about 3 years as I left for college and left the wheeler back home. I just sold a 400ex that was set up as an xc bike and am ready to buy something different. I found a 86 250r with a 350x engine bored and stroked to 430. It still can be ran on pump gas and has lonestar a arms, axle, axle carrier and swing arm. Also has axis front shocks and pep rear. It also has bead locks all the way around and itp hole shots in good condition with another pair that come with it. Hes asking $2000 obo so my question is does this sound like a good deal? Also is this motor any more powerful than what my 400ex was? Are parts going to be easy to find for example clutches and things like that? Thanks in advance for any input.

[250Renvy]

If the thing runs pretty good and is fairly clean, I'd say it's a good deal. The 350X motor should be more powerful than the 400ex since it's obviously had a bunch of work done to it.

The overall machine should handle much better and feel a lot better than the 400ex.

I'd be careful though and have a good look around the chain area of the frame as well as the chain mounts on the motor. Take the plastic off and look carefully at the frame. These motors if not properly installed can cause the chain to slap the frame and cause frame damage as well as motor damage. If they are not properly centered it will often cause the frame to twist/flex more than the 250R motor that it was designed for.

Motor parts may be hard to find, but there are plenty of 3 wheelers out there you could buy and take parts from if absolutely necessary.

Hope that helps.

I have a 250R with a 300ex motor in but it was built for it.

[dirt308]

Thanks for the reply, I will look at the chain area and check for cracks. I rode it and it ran excellent but seemed to be around the same as my 400 considering that had some work done to it also but I didn't get to reallt get on it and see how it would go. Heres the link so you guys can get a look at it. It was set up for xc so all the lonestar parts are stock width.

http://rochester.craigslist.org/rvs/1270593692.html

[deathman53]

what are there, demarini flex bars. The only flex bars I know of fasst company and four play bars.

[dirt308]

from what I can find they are bars mostly made for dirt bikes and alot of people seem to like them on the dirtbike forums but thats all I can find when I google the company. Any one ever ridden one of these hybrids and have any input?

[deathman53]

I never rode a 350x hybrid, I do have a crf450r hybrid. It feels just like the 250r, somewhat heavier. I love mine, I still will take the 250r over it at times. For tighter tracks, its the hybrid. When the track is more open or in rough conditions, its the 250r. You really feel the weight of the motor when things are rough.

[dirt308]

I won't be riding it on a track much just for trails and the ocasion harscramble we have around here. I'm more worried about being able to get things like clutches and other engine parts. Anyone know if any of these parts are still around?

[deathman53]

you can get most of the stuff, some is discontinued and happens to be very needed. The cylinder head(easily damaged by running low on oil, long wheelie, and/or high revving). The oil pump is gone, but a 300ex can be adapted easily. Oem gasket kits gone, probably crank and some gears/transmittion parts. With the right care and maintenance those motors can keep the stock top end for 20 yrs. If its a 85 model motor you have(you usually can tell by the routing of the clutch cable, it goes right near the headers), they had problems with the oil passages and oiling of the cylinder head. 85 and 86 motors are more different than most know.

[dirt308]

Thanks for the reply, sounds like I should probably stay away from it unless I can find a 3wheeler for parts.

[deathman53]

yeah, just like 250r's now. You are gonna want a pile of motor parts and 3-4 spare motors. Honda is discontinuing these parts quickly. They never expected the 250r and 350x to be around 25 years later and still being used.

[350ex]

FYI the clutch discs are the same as the 300ex. The clutch springs are different. I have been able to find most everything I have needed so far. I have a 350x hybrid in a 250x frame and just smoked my clutch pulling someone out of the mud. My roomate has a 400ex mostly stock and I beat him out of the hole every time. He catches me in right around 4th gear and continues pulling to about 15 feet at around 55. My quad is much more stable and seems to have a lower center of gravity. I am using a 250r rear swinger and a lonestar +4 rear axle. We both prefer riding my quad.

[brian350rx]

like 250Renvy said - be sure to look at the frame very close. around the swingarm pivot, all motor mounts, down tubes, and also the braces/gussets of the steering stem clamp mount
good luck and get some pics of it for us

[dirt308]

will do thanks for all the help guys. I stopped there today but it was raining so it was inside and the owner was gone, I'll try again tomorrow.

[dirt308]

well I bought it and got it tuned for the weather, she runs good, now I just need to find some 20" 6ply tires for 8 inch rim. The only ones I've found so far that I like are holeshot xcr's. Wheres the best place to send shocks in to be re valved? they're axis with remote res.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k240/dirt308/250r.jpg

[dehner47]

i use to race a 350rx back in the day. back then, they were the hot s**t set up. you'll like it. trust me.

as for the shocks, if they axis you can send them right to axis themselves. or you can always give seth a shout at SF Racing. he will do them up right.

[sm00th026]

Parts are not hard to find i have a 350x on a 250x frame and when i rebuilt my motor i just googled atv parts and looked for the cheapest parts form the web sites it show me and there is a web site called ebay:)

[Slinky]

i miss mine :(

[harrisandsons]

Here are ours......

Thanks to Andy (SLINKY) and Brian (BRIAN 350RX)

[harrisandsons]

This is my son Jace's

[harrisandsons]

This is my son Ty's
with his 2 little brother's being crazy

[Slinky]

Originally posted by harrisandsons
This is my son Jace's
if you ever consider selling it...you know who to call first :D

looks great!

[harrisandsons]

andy, you know you would have first dibbs. might be selling it soon and maybe both of them. your old one has electric start now. and since the pic the red and black one has a new (not rebuilt) motor in it i found. the boy has put about four hours on it so far.