I have a 1985 Honda atc250sx. It is in great shape, there are two problems, one, the lights are always on, the headlight on/off selector switch, does not work, I was wondering how to fix that. The second is that when I press the start button, the starter turns, but its got a very bad clanky, grinding sound. It sounds like somethings missing teeth and pieces are slamming together. Also, when I use the kick start, it feels like its slipping a little, or not quite catching the teeth on the gears. It still starts, but sometimes it takes a couple trys to get a good kick. After I kick it, it makes a whirring sound like there something spinning freely, and I have to wait for it to stop before I can kick it again. And finally, when I shut the motor off, the sound of something spinning freely is there again and then it stops with a clunk. And last but not least, when I first start the motor, there is a really bad clanking sound while its running, I thought at first that it was something in the motor that was bad, but I find that once its running, if I tap the start button a couple times, it will go away, then come back. After a couple times, it goes away completely and the motor runs beautifully, so I tend to think its not actually a problem with the motor but something in the starter, flywheel area. I dont know much about these machines. Please make any suggestions that you can come up with. Somebody told me awhile ago that it is a common problems with these particular atc's but they didnt elaborate. I much appreciate your input.
Thanks
Ben

 

No offence Ben, But it is time to buy a book and pull that side cover off........there is nothing your going to be able to do from the outside, and no way of telling what gear is messes without a visual.

 

AND Welcome to the forum!!!!!!

 

Welcome to the forum greenishiguana! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Does the ATC work well except for these noises? Can you shift thru all the gears?

T&C is right though, you need a book and to take the clutch cover off.

 

Hey, yes the three wheeler works great once its running,and shifts through all 5 gears and reverse without flaw. The motor runs smoothly with no odd noises. Any idea where I can get a book for this particular atc?
Thanks
Ben

 

go to 3 wheelerworld.com Deepa has his manual section up again (free)
Your kicker is propably the one way (sprauge bearing)
starter is probably bad bearings in the starter

 

when you go down hill on it a steep one does it take off like its out of gear

 

No, when I go downhill, the motor slows the trike down just like its supposed to. There is no problem with the way it runs or operates as far as I can tell, just when its being started.

 

e-mail me at socasml il help you threw fixing that problem i have 4 250sx and 3 extra moters so i think i can figure it out for you