I was looking at the 86 that "almost runs" (kinda like being almost pregnant, right?)Continuing mechanically... correct me if you find any mistakes here and I'll update this...
Most of the major parts will interchange with all years/models. All motors, front ends, rearends, swingarms, transfer cases, driveshafts, axles, etc., are interchangeable.
When swapping complete motors from bike to bike, you need only match the proper stator & flywheel, crankcase breather (Fourtrax models have a breather box while Foremans do not) type and starter motor type (86 starters and reduction gearsets were one of a kind, 87 Fourtrax & Foreman were one of a kinds, 88 & up the same) that was OE.
Topend motor parts (heads, rocker boxes, jugs, pistons, carbs, exhaust, cams, chains, guides, tensioner etc.) all interchange (same as ATC350X), with the only difference between years/models being a revised camshaft part number (87 & up cams are ground on a smaller base circle) and the compression release type. You can swap the 86-87 cable operated compression release into the 88 & up rocker boxes, and vice versa.
Front brake systems will interchange among all years/models as long as you transfer everything together from bike to bike... backer plates, drums and hubs etc.
Racks and bumpers are interchangeable among all years/models as long as you keep all Fourtrax rear rack/bumper pairs together and all Foreman rear racks/bumper offerings together. The Foreman rear bumpers are all longer (extend out the back further, adding overall length to the bike) than the Fourtrax bumpers.
Fuel tanks are identical among all models, but the Foremans include a sending unit for an LED fuel gauge.
Seats are interchangeable, only the covers and toolkit compartments differed. Most small plastic panels interchange as well, but there are some minor year to year differences between fenders used on the Fourtrax & Foreman models. Fender flares for the Fourtrax models were narrower than all Foremans and the later Foreman flares are styled a bit differently than the early Foreman flares. Front grills differ from model to model, not all are interchangeable.
Standard lighting systems differ between the Fourtrax and Foreman models.
Yes, the 86 left side cover is one of a kind as well, because of the unique starter, unique reduction gears set, and rounded oval shaped reduction gear cover. The 87 & up starter and reduction gears (extended armature shaft in the starter motor with a support bearing in the cover) set use the same style left side cover and reduction gears cover.Don’t know if this makes a difference:
Early 86 Fourtrax had a round-edge elliptical starter gear cover; later models had a more sharply ovoid cover. Does this mean the side cases are also different?
Yeah, you can bring the entire motor along, but you must include the starter motor from the 86 Fourtrax motor... and vice versa. 86 have a short armature shaft while 87 & up have an extended armature. Other than that starter issue, those two Fourtrax motors are identical. No other parts need to be brought over...I was looking at the 86 that "almost runs" (kinda like being almost pregnant, right?)
It will pop a bit when I turned it over with a little starter fluid, but didn't really act like it wanted to fire. It had a cheap china carb on it that I'm pretty sure is a 300 carb. I figured I'd rebuild an OEM carb, put a new spark plug in it, and see if it does any better.
That said, the rest of the 86, after looking it over, is rougher than the 87 that the kid brought me. One of the rear shock nuts twisted off, lot of stuff like the voltage regulator is hanging loose, so I'm wondering if it wouldn't be easier just to swap the 86 motor into the 87 Fourtrax.
Am I correct that this will be a direct swap? If I need to swap starters I need to swap starter and the starter gears under the cover, and then the 87 starter will work on the 86 motor?
Hoping I can get one running without opening up a motor just yet.
Cuz the long drain tube melted when it hit the exhaust header? That’s what mine did. LOLAnother difference I noticed, on the 86 models, the air box drain tube (see pic) was an actual long tube whereas on the 87 and up models it was just a little black valve. Any idea why?![]()
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do you have a pin out of cdi plugs for the 1986 trx 350?Thanks for that detailed explanation Retro. That will help a lot in my parts search. I don't like the fact that I can only use ignition system parts off another 87 if I can't find new. At least I'm less likely to get the wrong part like I almost did on some NOS I found on ebay where the seller claimed his brand new ignition switch worked on all models from 86-89.