[Keefdiezel]

Picked up a 1986 TRX350 after not having a quad since I sold my 1997 TRX300FW in 2001. I finally got to take her out the other day. She was in pretty rough shape when I bought her— after a few hundred bucks on Fleabay, a pant load of maintenance, and several weeks in the garage, here we are.
-Tune-up
-Replaced seat cover
-Replaced shifter bolt
-Carb rebuild
-New fuel filter, pump, and relay
-F/R brakes- bled front, freed rear pedal, replaced cable
-F/R diff change
-Adjusted all lever travels to spec
-Truck bed liner on all accessible black surfaces
-Replaced random missing parts
-Cleaned and de-rusted gas tank (RES tube was buried and clogged)
-Installed replacement accessory outlet.

 

[_Wilson_]

Welcome to the forums! Nice job on refreshing! Future winner of the month ?? (Yep)

Good eye>>

-Replaced shifter bolt

 

[shadetree]

welcome to the forums, nice job on the restore !. I've done a few of these models, they are tanks.

 

[shadetree]

if ya got the extra cash ?, I recommend that you buy a plastic fuel tank from G&H on ebay ( I think that is where I got mine ? ), and never worry about rust in the tank again !.

 

[misterclean59]

Wow, nice wheeler! As previously mentioned, these are tanks......very reliable........and rough riding lol

 

[mrbb]

welcome to the site

 

[Keefdiezel]

Thanks for the welcome, guys. Yeah, poly tank is on the list but that’s a good chunk of what I paid for the machine ? I’m currently tracing the decals so I can get reproductions made, then I plan to buff the plastics out (Back to Black looks really nice until it collects dust). Just got a K&N air filter to slap in because the Moose one came apart (POs did a good job of scavenging/losing parts, including the front air filter bracket). First ride was with my buddy who has a ‘92 TRX300FW... He noticed how hard this thing was to steer and I could barely keep his straight it was so easy to turn! Brought back some fond memories of my 300 though. I’m looking forward to a lot of years with the ‘86!

Random query— any idea what top speed on this old girl is?

 

[_Wilson_]

(Many years back) i can recall laying her ears back (on flat pavement coming back from frog gigging) around 35-37 mph.....but i didnt have the tire pressure up. Tight.
@Goober has done some of his Hondas with this kit, he'll probly chime in, altho.... He's been gone here lately, here's a pic of the kit chemicals, he knows the application method.

 

[Keefdiezel]

That’s about what I guessed... I remember the old man’s 450 ES doing around 45 mph or so, and mine is nowhere near that. My buddy’s 300 had a little more speed when we were topped out on a back road, and I thought my old 300 did 40 or so. I could probably pull twice the weight though— hard to believe that extra 50cc amounts to almost half again as much hp ?


Thanks for the Novus suggestion. I watched a YouTube video where a guy used Meguilar’s Medium Cut Cleaner and Machine Glaze. Frankly, I’m a little afraid to touch it, but I want it to be as “new” as I can get it. Probably should have just bought a new one; I’ll have just as much in this when I’m done ?

 

[shadetree]

30-35 tops. they are not speed machines at all !..lol. they were made for work, nothing but work !. and yes, it takes a few feet to turn them..lol.

 

[shadetree]

That’s about what I guessed... I remember the old man’s 450 ES doing around 45 mph or so, and mine is nowhere near that. My buddy’s 300 had a little more speed when we were topped out on a back road, and I thought my old 300 did 40 or so. I could probably pull twice the weight though— hard to believe that extra 50cc amounts to almost half again as much hp ?


Thanks for the Novus suggestion. I watched a YouTube video where a guy used Meguilar’s Medium Cut Cleaner and Machine Glaze. Frankly, I’m a little afraid to touch it, but I want it to be as “new” as I can get it. Probably should have just bought a new one; I’ll have just as much in this when I’m done ?

a new one wont last nearlyyyyyyyyyyy as long as this one..lol. my '89 trx350D foreman will out last most new atvs made today.

 

[Keefdiezel]

I agree 100%. Glad to see there are a few more of these around. I have yet to see an ‘86 with my decals though.

 

[shadetree]

I agree 100%. Glad to see there are a few more of these around. I have yet to see an ‘86 with my decals though.

oem decals ?, or your design decals ?, cuz..I've restored a few of these ( 1986 ) with '' like new '' oem decals. yep, there are a lot of these models still around today, what does that tell you ?..lol.

 

[Keefdiezel]

OEM decals. Mainly
The “4x4 Fourtrax” decals on the side panels. I’m missing the airbox cover decal too— not sure if there was one on the ‘86. I’m an expert Googler, but I’ve struck out on decals. Best I’ve found is a place that will reproduce them from traces of mine. Do you know somewhere to get a full set? ?

 

[shadetree]

OEM decals. Mainly
The “4x4 Fourtrax” decals on the side panels. I’m missing the airbox cover decal too— not sure if there was one on the ‘86. I’m an expert Googler, but I’ve struck out on decals. Best I’ve found is a place that will reproduce them from traces of mine. Do you know somewhere to get a full set? ?

yep, air box has a 4x4 on it. as to where to get them ?, I have not checked lately ?, but last I checked, no one makes them to be 100% oem. and yes, I know oem from fakes on any honda ( old school ), and motor cycle decals.

 

[Keefdiezel]

I figured repros are my best shot at this point— the originals are mostly shot and if I take them off I can buff more easily. The only other option so far is finding some good used fenders or buying the super nice one on FB Marketplace for $2500 lol. I figure this thing will be with my for a while and I’m not that mint-crazy. Plus I have too much money and effort into it to want to ever sell it ? Any chance your front right fender warning decals are intact? Mine are toast and I have no idea what they say. The rack and tongue ones are gone too.

 

[shadetree]

I figured repros are my best shot at this point— the originals are mostly shot and if I take them off I can buff more easily. The only other option so far is finding some good used fenders or buying the super nice one on FB Marketplace for $2500 lol. I figure this thing will be with my for a while and I’m not that mint-crazy. Plus I have too much money and effort into it to want to ever sell it ? Any chance your front right fender warning decals are intact? Mine are toast and I have no idea what they say. The rack and tongue ones are gone too.

my decals are mostly gone, and I don't even care about decals, shoot..i could brand new decals on my '03 trx450fm, but I don't care to spend the money, and I know what it is..sooooooooo..lol. now..i know someone that has dang near mint front and rear fenders with great decals for our models, and i'm still trying to get him to give them to me..lmao, i'll get them..some day !, but he wants to sell them, and they are in great shape, no cracks, not faded, dang near perfect !..lol.

 

[shadetree]

and no, they wont fit your year, the 1986 model has different sub-lights, unlike the later foreman models, like mine.

 

[Keefdiezel]

This place I found will give me a free set for supplying the tracings. Can’t really argue with that! I’m sure they won’t be perfect, but they’ll be good enough. I’ll probably just have to scour the web some more and see what I can dig up. You buy your Foreman new?

 

[shadetree]

This place I found will give me a free set for supplying the tracings. Can’t really argue with that! I’m sure they won’t be perfect, but they’ll be good enough. I’ll probably just have to scour the web some more and see what I can dig up. You buy your Foreman new?

nope, it was DOA when my bud ( who has the fenders I want ..lol ) gave it to me, I restored it from the ground up. it was in very bad shape when I got it. we work together, about 22 years with him, I fix his atvs he buys, he lets me have any parts I need for free, well..a barter system..lol.