[iam2sam]

Hello. First post here. I have acquired an '87 TRX350 4X4 that seems to be in fine running condition for a pretty good price. However, the seat assembly and front-end plastics went AWOL sometime during its career. At minimum I need to come up with a seat base and front fenders. I am having a bit of difficulty in locating used parts for this year & model. I suspect that some body parts would interchange between this quad and different displacement versions of the same line (TRX250, for example), and/or Foremans of similar vintage, which might give me a much better shot at finding what I need. Unfortunately, I have no clue how to actually find out what definitely fits, what definitely does not, and what might. Are there parts interchange/compatibility lists for quads as there are for automobiles? Does anyone here have access (and a pointer) to that information, or experience in similar parts interchange? Has anyone improvised seats or front fenders for these vehicles and have insights you'd like to share? Many thanks in advance.

-Sam

 

[Pain]

Through a lot of research and absorbing information over the last months of 09, I can tell you the 86-89 350 Fourtrax are all about the same in terms of body parts. The engine is slightly different on the 87-89 models from the 86, but even it is very close.

I bought an 86 at the end of last year as my first quad and spent some time tweaking it and repairing some stuff to learn what I was doing, and then I sold it and bought some newer machines. That year you have is what is considered the original 'bullet proof' quad and is sort of the father of the 300 fourtrax that sold from 1990-2000, but parts don't interchange between the original 350 and the 300.

The 86 was known as the 350 fourtrax 4x4 and the 87-89 were called the 350 foreman fourtrax 4x4, but were sort of the exact same machine, save a few mechanical differences. The 87's were the introduction of the name foreman.

With all that said, you can 'probably' interchange the body parts between any 86-89 machine, but you won't find new parts. Ebay is your best bet, but quiz the seller to be sure they know what they have. I bought a starter gear set that was listed as an 86, but was from an 87....that was one of the few changes made, and the scrap yard selling it assumed all 86-89 engines were the same. That was the beginning of my research into the differences between the machines.

 

[TRX2fiveO]

This is the front plastics for a fourtrax 250 1987 you can also try Motorcycle Parts, Motorcycle Accessories ? BikeBandit.com for OEM replacement parts.
this picture came from Maier USA.

Welcome to the Forum!

 

[iam2sam]

Thanks for the info. Actually, I can buy a new Honda OEM seat assembly from a number of sources, my problem is the price at an average of over $300. The quad is intended to be a utility vehicle for my wife on some acres we own in the Blue Ridge that is pretty steep at the top, so that we don't waste a lot of time on projects getting up and down on foot (I've got a '74 Rokon Trailbreaker that I'm fixing up to serve the same purpose for myself). I'm unwilling to invest a ton of money in the TRX project to make it "like new" or cosmetically pleasing, I'm after the function only, and I'm a bit of a cheapskate. The quad only cost me $1000, if I can put the "right" parts on her for less than another $500 I prefer to do that, if not, I think I can improvise a functionally adequate (if ugly) seat and fender arrangement for considerably less money, but at the expense of time that I'd rather spend on other pursuits.

-Sam

 

[mud99]

You can find it on eBay some times at a deal.
Welcome to the forums.

 

[Pain]

Yes, I would definitely check ebay and keep an eye out because parts are always coming up for sale from people who buy junked machines and parting them out. I'm certain that if you keep your eyes out and check ebay at least once a week that you will find everything you are looking for. In fact, if you find a guy who is selling parts from your year, email him and ask him if he has what you need. Often they will and you can strike a deal, but still only pay through paypal. I bought several things like that...I bought one thing from a guy and then asked him if he had other stuff, and then bought it all at the same time.

Having just sold that machine, be warned that parts are becoming hard to find. That's really the main reason I got rid of mine. As I was trying to repair stuff I would find the parts unavailable/discontinued. When you're talking about cosmetic stuff that isn't a big deal, but if you need an engine or electrical part that is unavaible, it could spoil your whole day. Beware before you sink a bunch of money into it and then have something important fail that you can't replace.

Having said all that, those models are really easy to work on and are great machines. I admit the newer bikes are nicer to ride and handle better, but in terms of just no-nonsense utility machines, it's hard to beat the original fourtrax.

 

[tomgodd]

Welcome to the Forum!

 

[iam2sam]

Thanks to all for the advice. I don't intend to sink a lot of money into this machine, I know it's old and marginally supported, and I also know it's very reliable and that can negatively impact parts availability. I was hoping to find that there was a master ATV parts interchange reference available somewhere, like the Hollander manuals used to be for salvaged auto parts. Guess not. This particular machine appears to have low hours (original tires have about 2/3 tread left) and since I don't anticipate putting more than 150 hours per year on it, I don't expect to need major mechanical parts anytime soon (no need to point out the "climate is what you expect, weather is what you get" syndrome, I'm well aware of it in this context It also will only be used in dirt, so the disadvantage of full-time 4WD won't be noticed. If it will help anyone else, I did find a site that has microfiche parts files for this quad (and others) on-line, with a link to purchase OEM parts from a BOM list related to the fiche:
World of Powersports w/ MC MART's 1986 Honda ATV TRX350 FOURTRAX 4X4 Parts List

-Sam

 

[Redracer]

Thanks for the link, Sam...

There are ATV salvage yards, they might have something similar to what you are seeking.

 

[iam2sam]

New Question (sort of)

There is a running 1988 Fourtrax 300 2x4 with intact body on the local Craigslist for $500. The pic looks a _lot_ like my quad. Does anyone here know for certain that body parts from this model will NOT fit (or could not easily be made to fit) a 1987 TRX350 4X4. Otherwise I think I will take some measurements off my quad and go take a look at the for sale item. If a fit is achievable this looks like a no-lose proposition. Comments, please?

-Sam

 

[Pain]

Here are some pics of my 86 before I sold it. One difference between this one and the 87 is that the 87 had stock racks, and the 86 were ad on racks. I also think the front lights were different...86 were yellow markers, 87-89 were headlights. Not sure if the front end is exactly the same except for the type of light though.

Here is a link showing some of the older models. The body of the foreman and fourtrax 300 are definitely different, but given enough time and effort I'm sure you can make it fit. I don't know if it will bolt right up, but I doubt it.

http://www.atvriders.com/atvmodels/honda-history-1987-foreman-4x4-atv.html

 

[Pain]

Here is an 86 on ebay that you would have much better luck with. Like I said, if you keep your eyes out, you'll find an 87. This set on ebay is missing the 2 'shark gill' covers on either side, and the front, black plastic bit that goes under the headlight.

Honda TRX350 TRX 350 Rear Fender Plastic Front Fourtrax:eBay Motors (item 170423757990 end time Jan-22-10 20:08:54 PST)

ADDED: Oh, that says local pickup only, but you get my point anyway. Just keep watching. Here is the front, black plastic and the 'shark gill' plate for the right side.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1987...ors_ATV_Parts_Accessories?hash=item1e5455bc3f

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hond...ors_ATV_Parts_Accessories?hash=item56323fdf6b

 

[unknown350]

Do you know if

Pain, would you happen to know if there is a cv joint rebuild kit for an 86 trx350 ? I bought an aftermarket one that said it would fit an 87-89 and neither the shaft or hub fit the splines(hub spline to large to fit into Hub, shaft spline too big, shaft just flops around.) They are quadrax rebuild cv joints.