I suppose 31 years is longer than they expect them to live
There are plenty of quads from the 80s that are still running fine. My '86 Bayou 300 is a good
example, tho I restored it. Also the '86 TRX250 Fourtrax I bought years ago is owned by a friend
and still runs fine.
I am not sure what ball joint you are referring to, but I have subbed them before. Note that
the front end of a 4x4 TRX350 Fourtrax/Fourtrax Foreman is kinda unique and unusual with
the solid (straight) front axle. If it is the axle ball joint, you have a challenge. Steering
ball joint should be substitutable or adapted with some custom work.
In Norcal, any good condition name-brand 4x4 utility ATV with title should bring $2500 and up. 4x2
utility, you can get a good one for under $2K.
I believe all new ATVs sold in CA now come with titles. Registration is still optional, but
required if you go thru the DMV process to have a title created for you for an ATV that
is not in their system. BTDT