[BOLT]

Restore & update 1996 Honda 300EX for Yolanda's (wife) Bday

Turns out like many things Honda... these things NEVER change much. So all the new style parts bolt on. The goal is to take this old, low hour quad thats been growing rust in my back yard into something fun that looks like my TRX450ER. I shouldn't admit it but she recently bought a matching helmet and riding outfit too.

For an inexpensive suspension upgrade the 400EX front end is a straight bolt on. Ebay to the rescue. I've actually had the suspension in the garage for years. I'm also using some new take off parts from my TRX450ER to add to her update as well. Scored a complete NEW takeoff '06-09 450R exhaust system that I'll be modding to fit. Then a simple Stage 1 cam. And lastly, all these Frankenstein parts will of course require that I finally invest in an O2 meter to properly jet the little beast. (What a round about way to get an O2 system into my tool box... LOL)

Should be fun.

Before pics:

Here is my 450ER... This is the look we are going for on her 300EX.

 

[BOLT]

The Tear Down:

 

[BOLT]

Most of the parts are here now. UPS dropped off the plastics today. Just waiting on the exhaust & CRF450 perch and lever (ebay) and the JB Racing shock mount & then the rest is on me.

Gonna use a Yamaha ebrake lever on the side rear of subframe. Works real nice cause you can grab it when loading into a truck. Then the reverse cable gets attached to the CRF450 mini HOTSTART lever on the clutch perch, cleaning up the bars a LOT.

 

[Redracer]

Very nice, welcome to the site. I have a 450ER too

 

[shadetree]

agreed^^^^^^^ very nice ride !!!..i'm all utility though...i'm not in a hurry to get to heaven though..wait..i think thats where i'm going on mine ?!

 

[C-Daddy44]

Very nice. You will need you some custom decals that say 300EX and not 450R but fit the 450 plastic.

 

[Helmut]

Welcome to the forums.

 

[tomgodd]

Welcome to the Family!! That is going to be a mean looking 300EX. Can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[BOLT]

Very nice. You will need you some custom decals that say 300EX and not 450R but fit the 450 plastic.

Only the front fenders are 450R... and the 300EX Decals are here. You can see them in the parts pics laying in the grass next to the 450R fender.

The tank cover, rear fenders and seat are all 2008 300ex. It just costs a lot less to use 450R fronts. And I don't like the stubby nose they put on the 2008 300ex fronts. I'll have to do some custom brackets for a solid mounting system in the front. But when she tears up a front fender it will be cheap to replace vs the 300ex version.

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone ! :icon_ peace:


A little side by side action:

 

[TRX2fiveO]

I want to do that to my 250X which is the same as the 300EX looking good cant wait to see the finished product.

 

[daniel_300ex]

you can buy maier plastics that already look like 450r ones.

 

[BOLT]

Maiers are more expensive... the snout looks nothing like the TRX nose... the front end is one piece so if you crack a fender you have to replace the whole front end... the system uses the old style seat... and if you use the front or rear you have to use the matching set, can't use just the front or back fenders.

OEM plastics are stronger... the front end cost me $75 to $100 less than the Maier front. The back cost me $100 less than the Maier rear. I put this money into the new style headlight... seat... and hardware I needed. If and when I need to replace any plastic in the future it will be super inexpensive.

 

[TRX2fiveO]

Agree^^^^^ I looked into maier but for 500 bucks you can buy the complete new style set-up including all the hardware as bolt mentioned.

 

[turbojerk]

Nice work so far...

 

[BOLT]

Cleaned up the bike and new arms. Got it mostly mounted today. Need to clean up some threads on one of the ball joints before I can sinch it down. Still waiting on shock relocator so she is sitting on the 300ex shocks for the moment. Width front and back is now approx 44 inches. This is the way Honda should have built this thing in the first place.

 

[BOLT]

I was going nuts to see the final so I mocked up the fenders. The front is drooping about an inch or so... but you get the idea. Also the red wheel hubs and gas knob will be black when it's done.

 

[TRX2fiveO]

That is a great looking frakenstein bro

 

[Helmut]

Yes, very nice!!

 

[turbojerk]

Real nice...

So what all did you need to do to mount the new fenders and such??

 

[BOLT]

From the gas tank back it's mostly bolt on since I bought all 300ex parts. I am making my own fender support brackets rather than paying for Honda brackets. But for about $20-25 I could have bought theirs.

The front is more custom as I chose to use 450R fenders and hood. I am using 450R headlight/fender brackets. The rest will be custom. I need to wait for my shock relocator to show up so I can start fabing the rest because it is the foundation for much of the fender mounts.

I've decided I don't need the 300EX graphics if anyone wants them. They go for $33 per side. I'll take $50 for both and ship them for FREE. PM if interested.