As I mentioned in my initial thread after registering here, I recently got an '86 Fourtrax 250 for $300.
Issues:
Then there are smaller things like a broken taillight lens, headlight held together with a big wad of duct tape, reverse lock doesn't work, some play in the front ball joints, and it doesn't look like it has been washed since it was new.
The good things were the frame was in good shape and the handlebars straight. The grips had no wear indicating a crash or anything. As filthy as it is, I wonder if the previous owner dug it out of a pond, though.
To date, I have:
Rebuilt the carburetor. It was unbelievably filthy inside after not having an air filter for no telling how long. Thoroughly cleaned carb body, blew out jet holes and tubes, and installed new jets/gaskets. Odd, though, my manual didn't exactly jive with the carb jet layout. On one tube there was only a small rubber stopper on the top and another tube, where the manual definitely showed a jet, didn't have anything on it. No threads or anything. The tube didn't even look like it went anywhere. Curious. I didn't have any extra jets left over in my rebuild kit so I crossed my fingers and figured it was okay.
Adjusted the valves. Intake valve had no clearance at all. Exhaust valve had too much. I got the rotor cap off but I couldn't get the timing cap off. I figured TDC by using a small thin screwdriver inserted through the spark plug hole.
New air filter and related hardware.
Installed new rear brake cable. Waiting for the end pieces that attach it to the lever at the rear hub. I'm going to have to use some JB Weld on where it mounts to the brake panel because the socket thingy has a piece broken off.
Repaired headlight case so that duct tape is not required. The clips that hold the lamp against the front of the frame were missing. At $9+ each, they can stay missing. Generous amounts of silicone adhesive inside the headlight frame holding the lamp in place.
Took front wheels off, inspected bearings, repacked the dust covers with grease and reinstalled. Cleaned several decades worth of dirt out of the hubs, bled the brakes, topped off master cylinder. Brakes still don't quite grab but I believe the shoes are pretty worn down. I'll either try the adjusting knobs or just wait and get some new brake shoes. I hit all the grease points with grease... probably the first time they've ever seen it.
On inspection, noticed that the starter gears were missing as well as the teeth on the armature shaft were stripped. Off to eBay! Starter/gears on the way.
The previous owner had overfilled the crankcase with oil. I have the oil and a new filter and that's going in these evening.
About the blue smoke. Haven't been able to check compression because I need one of those 12mm adapters for my gauge. It's on my list. My neighbor who is, among other things, a retired cart racer, recommended that before I get the whole cylinder/piston apart to first try a generous helping of AeroKroil (sp?) penetrating oil through the spark plug hole just in case the rings are stuck. It had sat, according to the previous owner, for five years without being ran.
After I get the oil changed I may try and start it either today or tomorrow. Hopefully it'll be better than when I started. This forum was a great help searching for tips.
Issues:
- Blue smoke.
- Runs rough/would not idle without stalling.
- Front brakes go "to the floor" with no resistance.
- Rear brake cable frozen with broken mount at rear wheel.
- Valves sound like somebody beating on a trash can lid at idle.
- Starter spins but doesn't turn crankshaft.
Then there are smaller things like a broken taillight lens, headlight held together with a big wad of duct tape, reverse lock doesn't work, some play in the front ball joints, and it doesn't look like it has been washed since it was new.
The good things were the frame was in good shape and the handlebars straight. The grips had no wear indicating a crash or anything. As filthy as it is, I wonder if the previous owner dug it out of a pond, though.
To date, I have:
Rebuilt the carburetor. It was unbelievably filthy inside after not having an air filter for no telling how long. Thoroughly cleaned carb body, blew out jet holes and tubes, and installed new jets/gaskets. Odd, though, my manual didn't exactly jive with the carb jet layout. On one tube there was only a small rubber stopper on the top and another tube, where the manual definitely showed a jet, didn't have anything on it. No threads or anything. The tube didn't even look like it went anywhere. Curious. I didn't have any extra jets left over in my rebuild kit so I crossed my fingers and figured it was okay.
Adjusted the valves. Intake valve had no clearance at all. Exhaust valve had too much. I got the rotor cap off but I couldn't get the timing cap off. I figured TDC by using a small thin screwdriver inserted through the spark plug hole.
New air filter and related hardware.
Installed new rear brake cable. Waiting for the end pieces that attach it to the lever at the rear hub. I'm going to have to use some JB Weld on where it mounts to the brake panel because the socket thingy has a piece broken off.
Repaired headlight case so that duct tape is not required. The clips that hold the lamp against the front of the frame were missing. At $9+ each, they can stay missing. Generous amounts of silicone adhesive inside the headlight frame holding the lamp in place.
Took front wheels off, inspected bearings, repacked the dust covers with grease and reinstalled. Cleaned several decades worth of dirt out of the hubs, bled the brakes, topped off master cylinder. Brakes still don't quite grab but I believe the shoes are pretty worn down. I'll either try the adjusting knobs or just wait and get some new brake shoes. I hit all the grease points with grease... probably the first time they've ever seen it.
On inspection, noticed that the starter gears were missing as well as the teeth on the armature shaft were stripped. Off to eBay! Starter/gears on the way.
The previous owner had overfilled the crankcase with oil. I have the oil and a new filter and that's going in these evening.
About the blue smoke. Haven't been able to check compression because I need one of those 12mm adapters for my gauge. It's on my list. My neighbor who is, among other things, a retired cart racer, recommended that before I get the whole cylinder/piston apart to first try a generous helping of AeroKroil (sp?) penetrating oil through the spark plug hole just in case the rings are stuck. It had sat, according to the previous owner, for five years without being ran.
After I get the oil changed I may try and start it either today or tomorrow. Hopefully it'll be better than when I started. This forum was a great help searching for tips.
