1986 TRX350 questions

[handirifle]

I suppose 31 years is longer than they expect them to live

 

[dfkrug]

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

 

[handirifle]

OK an update on this one. They are not ball joints, they are called knuckle joints. Turns out they were in good shape, just needed to be repacked, which I did. One of the guys here gave me a link for a pdf manual, so I even got them set according to the book. Steering is nice now, seems easier too, probably cause they have grease in them now :thumbsup:. Funny how that works.

It runs fine, but when it's cold most times it needs a shot of starting fluid. I still have to check valve adjustment, plug gap, then I will try filling with premium gas to see if that helps. If none of that does I guess it will be time to look at the carb. Me and carbs do not always see eye to eye. Sometime I get them right, sometimes not.

Once it has been started and warmed for 30 seconds or so, it runs fine and restarts easily, unless it sits long enough to cool down.

 

[dfkrug]

Clean the carb jets. Easy, after you get it out. Sitting for a long time with
E10 gas in there does bad things. Often, the float bowl is green inside.

 

[handirifle]

Yea will have to have a look. I always run sea foam through them when I first get them. That always helps.

 

[bspeedy]

Valve clearances too tight may make it hard to start from cold, also. Easy to check / adjust.

Carb is, indeed, the most likely suspect. Check the pilot jet carefully. Plug gap too.