Hello all,
first post here after reading quite a few threads over the past year or so.
I found a 87 Cyclone 250X wile searching for an ATC and couldnt say no. It appears to be all original down to the Dunlops, and really is in great shape. The power reminded me of my old 250R I wish I kept. Only thing I have hard time locating is front struts, Is there a reputable shop that rebuilds these old shocks?

I also have an early trail boss 250, 85 or 86 that could use the same service. That one doesn't go as fast to notice though.

 

Main difference on the Cyclone was in the clutching. I rode a couple that came into the shop and the way they were set up was like a drag car. Hold the bars tight,give it throttle and it would launch after the rpms got up and screamed to around 7000 rpm at top end. This isn't the first time people have tried to find some sort of replacement for these shocks. I don't know of any plce off hand that could rebuild them as they are oil charged hydraulic shocks.Top cap is sealed/welded during build. The other is that the mounting bracket is welded onto the shock body.Only way I could see on solving this is to find a suitable shock with close to the same length. Possible the strut cartridge from an 88 or 89 Trail Boss would work https://www.ebay.com/itm/Polaris-Tra...BZ5NSb&vxp=mtr But don't know if you could fab a mounting bracket and stop collar like on the old shock as these later model shock bodies were thinner and may not take the heat and pressure.Even if you could I'd be leery to trust them.Might be safer to just try to find heavier springs to help compensate on this beast.

 

That's what I was afraid of... If I can get my hands on a later model I'll see if it's worth it to fab in something readily available. Right now it seems to absorb a hit good enough but bangs pretty hard on extension.
Your right about the clutching though, it's pretty fun to launch. The trail boss I have grabs just off idle.

 

People have fabricated up some weird things,but anything's possible. Your 87 Cyclone versus the first 88 Trail Boss replaceable strut cartridge and strut support and spindle.I think the tie rod modification from the lower one on your spindle to the one on the 88 strut support would be the main thing to concentrate on. As far as it mounting up to the frame,don't think that would be the problem area.