GeoD

Works Performance sells some replacement shocks for our ATCs. They are quite expensive but they are comparible to Ohlins. I would shop around a bit before dropping the cash. Works also offers a gut replacement. You give them your shock and they replace the stock guts with their parts and recharge your reservoir. The price is a fraction of what a brand new shock would cost you. I don't know if you have a service manual for your R. But if not, here is a link to dload one: http://honda350x.com/manuals/81-84atc250rservicemanual.pdf

I never rode a 2 stroke so I can't really compare 2 stroke to 4 stroke. But, back when I was 19 I was looking for a 200X. My buddy bought one out from under me (nice friend eh!?) and I couldn't find one anywhere (I wish the internet was around back then). Then one day I saw a 350X for sale. It was a total POS but I bought it anyway. It turned out the motor ran like a champ. The rest of the bike was trashed. But I fixed it up a bit and rode the nuts off it. Ever since my first run with it I was hooked. I sold that 350X and bought the 85 I currently own (shown in the pics). My brother bought a sweet 200X for his son and was looking for another 200X for himself. I kept telling him he should buy a 350X. He was intimidated by my bike (he never rode it) and kept saying the 200X was plenty big for him. I told him he's taller and heavier than me and the 350X would fit him better then a 200X. I also told him he would get a 200X and we would go riding and we would switch and he would be kicking himself in the arse for not getting a 350X. Turns out he found a 86 350X and bought it. He loves it and is very glad I talked him into the 350 instead of the 200. One day I want to take a 250R for a spin and feel the difference. I hear its night and day compared to riding a 4 stroke. One day.....

How did you bust up the vertebrae? Did you land in the water or the ground? Hope your recovery is speedy and you don't suffer any future complications from your injuries. Ive been down and out since Halloween. I broke my ankle in three places and tore the ligaments. I thought I would break my first bone doing something extreme like skydiving, hangliding, rock climbing, three wheeling. But noooooo! I break my ankle all to ell by walking to my car!!! I slipped on a tree stump covered with wet leaves. Im in a walking cast right now and still rely on crutches and a wheelchair to get around. I miss walking, driving, and riding!!!!

Great video!!! Thx for sharing. A lot of the footage took me back to memory lane!!!

You can try bikebandit.com Its a great source for new parts. A bit expensive but they maintain their list of available parts. If the line item is greyed out, then it means its no longer available. Then its salvage yards and eBay to search for the parts.

Just remember... SPEED DOESN'T KILL!!! IT'S THE SUDDEN STOP!!! My main forum I belong to has a "Master Parts List" that includes rear shock rebuilds and replacement options. The site is honda350X.com

Below is a screenshot of a 85 350X service manual: .

Your R is looking very sweet!!! I wish I could ride on dunes. All we have here is coal hills, mud, dirt, rocks, and other rough terrain. The new front shocks are nice. I want to upgrade them to Progressive springs and different weight fork oil. The seals only lasted two years. Time to rebuild again! I want to get my old ones polished and rebuild them with Progressive Springs. While Im replacing the seals on the shocks Im probably going to get the trips polished. That's one more thing crossed off my "to do list". As you said, it never ends. Im always tinkering and adding things to it. Right down to my front shock mascots!! LOL!!! My bike is almost exactly how I always wanted it. Not too much more to do and then I can park it an never ride it again!! LOL!! NOT!!! .

Im going to say just about any of the Honda ATC's are the toughest (especially the 85-86yrs). I started out with a 185s with no suspension. That puppy was a tank. It took everything I threw at it. We also had another 185s with front suspension, a 200s, and a 200m. All of them were tough as nails. Ive owned my 85 350X for 20yrs now and the only maintenance I ever done to it (besides regular maintenance) was replacing the rear carrier three years ago. It came apart while I was riding and it got clogged with coal dirt and gravel. I put it back together by hand (no field tools) and I rode it ten miles back to my truck. Needless to say the rear was destroyed inside. But, it got me back to the truck!!!! Not bad for never touching the rear for 22yrs of its life!!! My brother has a 85 200X and 250SX. He also has a 86 350X. All the bikes needed some maintenance after he bought them. But now they run like champs!!! Ive also heard from many ATV mechanics that Honda ATVs run forever!! I agree. But I will say this, regular maintenance and care will extend the life of any ATV.

Thx TM!!! That clutch cover on your R looks fantastic. Nice job!! Its taken a long time to get my bike where I want it. (little here and there for yrs) I also clean it really good after each ride. You will see on the last pic above that I have no problem getting it dirty. Usually during the winter (my off season) I clean, wax, and maintain the bike top to bottom. The bike looks exceptionally clean in the pics above because I had the bike apart to redo the steering head bearings, new front shock assembly, new front disc brake and pads, new front wheel bearings. I also rebuilt the entire rear with an aluminum 2ble row bearing carrier, axle, sprocket, and rear brake assembly (all brand new). All the aluminum was hand polished before the event. I also refinished the rear fender before the event (QuadFest 07). Again, it didn't last long!! LOL!! Below are some pics of the rear during and after the rebuild: .

Here is a 1987 Honda ATC Brochure: (The 250R looks awful. The 350X looks sweet!!) http://honda350x.com/gallery/showfull.php?photo=356

I am a die hard 3 Wheeler!!! Ive been riding them since 12yrs old. A few years ago I bought my first....AND LAST quad!! Its a Ultility Quad and it has a purpose (Im still trying to find out what). I will be posting pics of it on this forum soon. My main ride is my 1985 350X. Ive owned it for 20yrs now. I also have a 1986 350X. The motor has been totally rebuilt and Im deciding what I want to do with it. Maybe a trail bike. Maybe a dragger. Maybe I will sell it!! honda350x.com