87 has 6 head studs, and 88-90 has 7. Not sure of the way to tell from the VIN

 

I think the 87's were also giving the "J" after the "500R". Anyway, in the Kelley blue book a mint 87 Zilla sells for $1010.....

 

Well I think I am still going to try to get it. It looks nearly identical to Duneaddicts LT500 with the drag pipe, except for cut front plastic, and no headlight. I will have to wait until tomorrow to go back.

NADA says average retail $1010
KBB trade in value is $1580
KBB retail value is $ 2360

I think its worth chancing, especially as much motor work that has been done. I just wish I knew a little more about the condition of the motor.

Anybody else?

Would by chance, the bolt patterns be the same as Hondas?

 

Kelly Blue Book is a joke. IT is meant for dealerships, not the average person. The value of the quad is what people are willing to spend for it, so if you look in the classifieds and see that all Quadzillas are going for $3000, then that is what it is worth. What do you think KBB says about the Honda 250r. I am sure it doesn't believe they are worth $4000

 

Very true about the KBB..........

Thanks guys for all the posts.......keep em comin.

--A few more questions--
How much can it bored out?
Does the bolt patterns fit anything else like a Honda?

 

it has tones of power but its the type of bike that you have to costantly let of the gas or just burp alot so you can keep the front tires on the dirt cuase if you turn and gas it you will go strait so you have to pump the gas alot or burp it is what i call it ,that way you can keep tracktion and get a much better 180 out of your turn


-------------------------------------------------------
1987 LT500r(H)
all stock but everything is freshly rebuilt including shocks bracks and engine

 

thats a great deal $1500 i paid 3200 but i made sure i was buying the 87 from what ive seen and learned a stck 87 will out perform all the other qaudzillas if there all stock ive been hearing the intake is bigger on an 87 but you want to get your cylender sleave reinforced borfore you beat it up becuase yesterday i leaned all the 87 eventualy crack its a $150 fix and its well worth it and look into tudor's performance the will do a stage 1 port and polish and add a new type of crank bearings and new piston and rings and look over your hole crank case for $980 its supposed to solve the suzuki blowing of the top end therory.i will post as much as i can the lt500r have been getting bad raps becuase they were improperly taken care of.thanks for everyones time.

---------------------------------------------
1987 LT500R(H)
all stock but everythings been rebuild

 

The 87 Quadzilla had a problem with blowing head studs. Thats why in 88 they went to 7. A good idea is to have the larger studs installed, this seems to cure the problems.

packmaster
Its called spelling and punctuation. Look into it.

 

td: You mentioned its bored 120 over... That is the biggest you can go before you need to resleeve the cylinder (Or replace it) Why wont the guy let you start it? Can you run a compression check?
Nitro? I highly doubt it... Nitromethane is highly volatile. Mebbe Methanol (Alcohol).


Just a few thoughts.

 

if its an old guy show him the kbb page print it out and give him 1200 for it. thats what i would try.