[Stephan28]

Hello there! I just purchased a blue 1987 Honda TRX350D that is in pretty good shape considering it’s age. It’s currently at my friends house while I make room in the garage for it. I’ll post pictures as soon as I can.

In the interim I have some questions for all the experts here.

What should I specifically look for and address as soon as possible?

What parts are prone to failure that I should try and acquire as a back up for later on?

What are the best sources for parts?

What is and is not interchangeable between the early years of the 350D Foreman and between the Foretrax model?

Also, I’ve been told that even though the Foreman has a kick start, that it is impossible to kick start the bike without a good battery installed. Additionally, if you try you can damage the bike. I have a friend that just CANNOT believe that this is the case. He says.....“Why would they put a kick start on a bike that you cannot start if you are out in the boonies and the battery goes dead?!!?” Is this mentioned in any literature like the owners manual? What specifically circuit wise prevents this from being possible?

Also, is there a specific ATV cover that is recommended if I do have to keep it outside for some time? I live in the Seattle area so it rains quite a bit!

Thanks in advance! I’m looking forward to learning a great deal about these bikes!

 

[retro]

Here is a thread that answers some of your questions. It is a long read but there is a lot of info in there:

http://www.hondaatvforums.net/forums/honda-fourtrax/115625-86-89-350-foreman-differences.html

You can't start an 87 TRX350D without a battery because the DC-CDI ignition requires battery voltage to function. And if you disconnect the battery while the motor is running the regulator/rectifier will go postal on you... and will probably fry the CDI the moment charging voltage meets or exceeds 16 volts. Which might only take about 80 milliseconds if the motor is revved up when the battery is suddenly removed from the circuit.

The kickstarter is there to provide a backup method for cranking the motor over in event the electric starter fails to function.

As you'll learn from that thread linked above, The Fourtrax models had an AC-CDI ignition system. Those models will kick start without having a battery installed in them, but don't ever try it... the regulator/rectifier will go postal.

All TRX350 models require a battery be installed and all TRX350D models require a battery be installed to start them.

Do not disconnect your battery while the motor is running... unless you are very wealthy of course.

 

[Stephan28]

Thank you for the information! Hopefully some others will chime in with some answers to the other questions and or expand on the starting circuit.

 

[Duck0fDeath]

Hello and welcome!
Partzilla is a good source:
https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda/atv/1987/trx350d-a-fourtrax-foreman-4x4

They list what is and is not available still from Honda. For items not available, they'll at least give a part number that helps to search places like ebay. No problem getting things like filters. Other items are hit and miss. For instance, you can still get OEM CDI's, but if you need an oil temp sensor or ignition switch your only option will be to find NOS or used.

 

[Goober]

Another way to think of your question:
If your battery goes dead when you’re in the woods this assumes it can take a charge, or else you would have never left the barn right?

Congratulations on your new quad they are great BTW and you can spend a lot of time learning about this one. Link to the manual in my sig block below—see TRX350 Foreman folder.

A tightly fitted cover will trap moisture in your climate and if the ground stays wet will cause significant corrosion. To minimize Try to keep it parked on a well drained (elevated) paved surface (patio pavers). Under a deck would be OK if you could tack some tin on the bottom of the deck to divert rain water. Keep it clean and Spray the frame with WD 40 and wipe off residual

 

[Stephan28]

Hello and welcome!
Partzilla is a good source:
https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda/atv/1987/trx350d-a-fourtrax-foreman-4x4

They list what is and is not available still from Honda. For items not available, they'll at least give a part number that helps to search places like ebay. No problem getting things like filters. Other items are hit and miss. For instance, you can still get OEM CDI's, but if you need an oil temp sensor or ignition switch your only option will be to find NOS or used.

Thanks, I've been to that site quite a bit recently. On the items that they don't have I wish they still would indicate the quantity required. This would be helpful when trying to determine which hardware is which especially for plastic hardware because the diagrams can be kind of vague.

 

[Stephan28]

Another way to think of your question:
If your battery goes dead when you’re in the woods this assumes it can take a charge, or else you would have never left the barn right?

Congratulations on your new quad they are great BTW and you can spend a lot of time learning about this one. Link to the manual in my sig block below–see TRX350 Foreman folder.

A tightly fitted cover will trap moisture in your climate and if the ground stays wet will cause significant corrosion. To minimize Try to keep it parked on a well drained (elevated) paved surface (patio pavers). Under a deck would be OK if you could tack some tin on the bottom of the deck to divert rain water. Keep it clean and Spray the frame with WD 40 and wipe off residual

I was thinking of a situation where you go camping and using the headlight drains the battery down.

Good input on t he cover! Thanks!

 

[retro]

The service manual can be downloaded from Goobers link in his sig block above. You'll find it explains everything very clearly... showing differences in every system through the years/models. I'm still learning from the manual!

 

[Goober]

Another way to think of your question:
If your battery goes dead when you’re in the woods this assumes it can take a charge, or else you would have never left the barn right?

I was thinking of a situation where you go camping and using the headlight drains the battery down.

Good input on t he cover! Thanks!

Roger that. In that case you had a battery that was working and we assume it can take a charge. We’re saying if your battery will not take a charge or is disconnected then the stator cannot discharge to the designed load.

I don’t know if it sees the lack of battery as a discharged battery and keeps feeding it or what, but it overworks the charging system. Manual might explain

 

[Goober]

I haven’t seen a pic of your ride yet—post it up and we’ll give it a look over.

 

[SamUK]

I haven’t seen a pic of your ride yet–post it up and we’ll give it a look over.

It’s Blue!!! Another Blue Classic!! I like blue, I need blue, mmmmm, blueeeee!! :laugh:

 

[Stephan28]

Added a couple of photos.

 

[Duck0fDeath]

Nice ride, man!

 

[Stephan28]

Nice ride, man!

Thanks! Lots to learn here! Looking forward to the experience!

 

[Goober]

Looks great! Are those Maier side covers?
When ya download the manual take a look at the service interval and the fluid specs
You’ll want to clean the air filter—replace if it’s crumbly
Change the oil with atv oil and don’t install the filter backward!!
Change diff oil
Change brake fluid
You may want to read about setting valves and checking cam chain adjustment. Ya gotta take off the airbox that kinda sucks?

But that is a great looking machine

 

[Stephan28]

I'll have to check on the side covers to see if they are OEM or Maiers. I think that they may be OEM but from a different bike as they don't look quite as "weathered" as the rest of the bike. Once I find out I'll let you know. Is it a big difference if they are OEM or Maier? Thanks!

 

[Stephan28]

Looks great! Are those Maier side covers?
When ya download the manual take a look at the service interval and the fluid specs
You’ll want to clean the air filter—replace if it’s crumbly
Change the oil with atv oil and don’t install the filter backward!!
Change diff oil
Change brake fluid
You may want to read about setting valves and checking cam chain adjustment. Ya gotta take off the airbox that kinda sucks?

But that is a great looking machine

Thanks for the tips!

Confirmed, they are Maier covers, not originals. Sad face.