mrbones has gone retro outlaw with an '86 ATC250R!

mrbones · July 07, 2006, 11:17:25 PM

Ok, I needed something different to make the same old trails at Croom seem more exciting. So I drove up to Ocala and bought an '86 ATC250R today. It needs a little engine work and cosmetics but on the way home, I stopped at Croom and rode it for about two hours. It doesn't have any low end whatsoever so it must need some tuning. When I get the revs up and keep them there, this thing takes off. I was quite surprised on how well it handles. Maybe becuase its hitting 1/2 the bumps up front with only one wheel. It was a blast to ride, even with it's engine quarks. I hadn't ridden a 3 wheeler in 4 years and never rode a 250R before. It took some getting used too, but after that, awsome. I'll have to fix it up some, but for $700, its hard to go wrong.

mrbones · July 07, 2006, 11:24:52 PM

Oh yeah, someone asked me at Croom, Aren't those things illegal here? Ahhh...no.

kfx400rob · July 07, 2006, 11:25:37 PM

sweet for 700 bucks and it runs good enuf to ride it, pretty good deal

dynodon · July 08, 2006, 08:35:13 AM

Sweet deal, I would have picked it up too for 700 bucks !!!!
Sounds like your reeds might be bad, or possibly carb is just dirty inside. I had one way back when, and that thing was BAD!!

mrbones · July 08, 2006, 09:55:30 AM

Yeah, it has to be the carb or reeds, aka intake. It'll take some tinkering but I'll get it screaming.

Scramdaddy · July 08, 2006, 10:16:13 AM

I used to assemble those new from the crate and "test ride" them and I gotta say It was always a treat. You wont be disapointed. Be safe.

mrbones · July 08, 2006, 03:23:52 PM

After some research, it turns out this is an '85 with an '86 frame. I'm a little bummed, but I think overall, this will be a cool ride. When I get it titled, it will have to say '86 tho.

TRX450R_Racer · July 08, 2006, 07:40:12 PM

Cool!! One of my friends still has an 86 ATC250R that he bought brand new in 1986. It hasn't been ridden in 18 years.

4fittyr · July 08, 2006, 07:51:25 PM

how did u ride in croom without title in your name?? or u snuck it in

mrbones · July 08, 2006, 07:55:51 PM

You show them a bill of sale.

mrbones · July 08, 2006, 07:56:20 PM

Quote from: TRX450R_Racer on July 08, 2006, 07:40:12 PM
Cool!! One of my friends still has an 86 ATC250R that he bought brand new in 1986. It hasn't been ridden in 18 years.

I'd love to see that!

dynodon · July 08, 2006, 08:01:15 PM

Quote from: TRX450R_Racer on July 08, 2006, 07:40:12 PM
Cool!! One of my friends still has an 86 ATC250R that he bought brand new in 1986. It hasn't been ridden in 18 years.

Yeah me too !!, Brings back some good ol memories seeing them !! Heck almost makes me want another !!

klutchbuster400 · July 09, 2006, 12:51:54 AM

My neighbor has a 200sx which WOULD be immaculat if he didnt leave them heavy bags on the rear plastics which led to them craking lol.
That thing is a beast.

MadMudder · July 09, 2006, 05:32:20 PM

Wow that thing looks to be in pretty good shape and for 700 bucks you cant beat that!

kawGIRL · July 11, 2006, 06:29:17 PM

Got all the parts for my 200X, now I've gotta remember how it goes back together

dreadhed · July 16, 2006, 10:39:14 PM

Nice R. Some day I will add one to my 3 wheeler collection.

mrbones · September 06, 2006, 01:01:05 PM

Kaboom!

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mrbones · September 06, 2006, 01:01:41 PM

Bam!

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mrbones · September 06, 2006, 01:08:54 PM

I went up to Croom on Monday hoping to shoot some video and get some riding in. After 20 minutes in the pit, I heard a clank and the engine siezed. When I got home I tore it down and found the wiseco piston exploded and cracked on both sides. Fragments fell into the crank!

:banghead.gif :cursing.gif :gh :F :gr :K

Thanks to whoever that was that towed the trike back to the parking area!

The piston is on its std 66mm bore. Kinda surprised at that. I took it down to RTM to have it bored to 66.5 and I'm going to put in a ProX cast piston. It sucks, but I can at least give the engine an overhaul and make it reliable. I decided to pull my 400EX off the market so I have something to ride. I might have to keep 'ole reliable for awhile.

HondaATC · September 06, 2006, 04:15:04 PM

Hey Bones, can you get a picture of the top of the piston? From the side it looks like it was getting a little detonation? Or maybe that was the pieces of the piston skirt bouncing around in the topend

mrbones · September 06, 2006, 04:28:57 PM

Here's the pic. I never had a piston do this and I've owned quite a few bikes. Any ideas?

There were a lot of piston bits in the top that caused a bunch of damage as you can see.

[attachment deleted by admin]

gery350 · September 06, 2006, 04:34:13 PM

based on coloration id have to say heat.
i think if it was lean youd have made a hole on the top.
i dont know much about 2 strokes though.

mrbones · September 06, 2006, 04:52:09 PM

idk. I cleaned off those two spots so I could read the numbers on it. I know light brown on a plug means the mixture is good, and it was. Not sure on the piston color. I took it to Croom 4 times already. The cylinder looks pretty worn, could've been too much clearance between the cylinder and piston causing movement.

Nightbreed · September 11, 2006, 11:02:30 PM

Piston slap = 2 stroke killer.
Let me know if you ever want to get rid of it.

mrbones · September 12, 2006, 10:41:39 AM

10-4 good buddy. Not only is the cylinder worn, I can wiggle the rod back and forth in the crankshaft assembly! :ouch.gif