Haha it is that one! I got in touch with the kid who said he was getting a ton of emails and drove down to pick it up that night. He bought it brand new and signed the title over to me, just a younger kid. It's definitely been used, but it starts right up and runs really well. I have ordered a ton of cosmetic parts on eBay for it, but the plastics are all in great shape. It needs those swing arm bearings, and the valves adjusted, I'll do all the oils and filters and it should be good to go.
I did sell my 87 - to a guy who was collecting the older machines. He fell in love with it almost immediately and couldn't wait to get home and ride it. It was a good machine, but not for trails. It made me nervous that no one would work on it, and I was just looking for something a little newer to ride with some of my friends. Once I get a few small things taken care of on the rancher I'm thinking it should be ok.
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Even if it's been used you can bring it back, these Honda machines are tough, you know that. It's also fun to work on them and very rewarding to bring them back and enjoy them on the trails. I bought a non running 2005 Recon Es for $500 and brought it back and it's now being enjoyed.
I've found that in our area, if you find a great deal on Craigslist, you have to have read the post in the first two hours and have to call right away. Also, have the money at home and trailer ready to go pick it up. I've been beaten to a good deal in one hour of the post.
Good for the guy who bought your 87 Forman. It would be great to collect older Honda atv, wish I had a big barn to keep them in, like poeple do with antique cars. interesting how you think it was not a good machine for trails. I've never ridden one and have always wondered what it would be like to ride one. I see a lot of older 350 and 300 for sale on Craigslist and are always intrigued by them especially the 300's but I think that the Rancher 350 would be a better machine to ride on the trails and I have two, so I don't look to buy one. Would a 95 300 be a better ride than a 2001 Rancher? Probably not, but don't know.
I've done it once, replaced the swing arm bearings on my friends 2000 Recon, not sure if it's the same as a Rancher. I ended up buying a tool to take out the left side nut with all the slots. If you decide to do it yourself I have the tool. I go up to Sunapee area often to ski or to take a ride in my car. Beautiful area you live in.
Thanks man! It is nice up here, if you're ever going to be around let me know and we can hit some trails together. I like exploring, and riding to enjoy the ride, not much into hammering the * out of my machine in mud holes or on rocks. The 87 was a great four wheeler, I got it for a steal thinking it would be good for what I wanted. It was a work horse, that, in low gear, would climb the side of my house if it could get traction, but on the trails, my knees were in my chest, the suspension was similar to that of a tank, and it's turning radius was way too wide. Also, I couldn't find a winch mount for it, I can't weld, and I don't know anyone who can. The winch was on the rack which I wouldn't have used to pull anything but a plow with.
I've had a Can Am 800, Can Am 650, 2 arctic cat 650s, and a Honda 400ex. I like these ranchers the best out of any other ones I've had. My buddy has an 07 400 and he's put that thing through more than anyone could think of and it's still lugging along with no problem. They aren't speed demons, but I'm not into that anyways. Like I said, I think mine will be a nice machine with some attention, I'd like to find some bigger tires and nicer looking wheels for it, but I can live with what it has for now. I called freedom cycle in concord and set an appointment to have them fix the swing arm bearings, but I'd be all for some help and direction from a forum member who knows what they're doing if you'd ever want to. I can pay you, I can bring beer, and I can at least hold a mean flashlight....
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