Hey just joined and read some posts, good stuff!
I just got an 85 fourtrax trx250 4 wheeler today, and I have a few questions.

1. The taillights work, headlight doesnt. Fuse is obviously good, and the headlight bulb is good. Am I missing something?

2. The electric start doesnt work, I dont know how to check this out really. When I hit start button, the nuetral light dims a little, but nothing happens. (kick start will start motor)

3. I read somewhere about a high/low range transmission in these? I dont know anything about these, but mine is a 5 speed man./auto clutch. It seems pretty dang fast top gear wot., like at least 55 or so?

Are these quads any good? I really dont know anything about 4 wheelers but from what I see, it seems decent? Well I hope I made some sense!!

TIA for any help[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Congrats on the Honda!
How much did you get it for?

1. Headlight problem: Hard to say, need more info.
2. Electric Start: Starter might be siezed, does it sound like there is power to the motor like a clicking sound when button is pushed??
3. Gearing:
You probably have a low and 4 foward gears. ( 5 in total ) I think. This is from memory.
I dont know if this helps, good luck.

 

Thanks! I actually got it in a trade: my 84 dodge ram for the 4 wheeler, an o'neil helmet, and an 84 s10 (beater)

I could have gotten a lot more out of my truck, but I couldnt pass up this deal, I just always wanted a 4 wheeler that actually WORKED!! LOL

1. I really don't know on this, I'll just have to pull out all the wires and check it out.

2. No clicking, but when I kick start it, sometimes if it doesnt start on a kick, I can hear some gears spinning, sounds like starter to me...

3. I failed to note that, yes its low and 4. um...ok on the left (er...drivers side) of the motor there is like a nut with a screw in it that says tension or something, whats that? I dont think its like chain tension or something, because it's driveshaft driven.

4. Do you know where I can get an owners manual or maybe a repair manual? Or maybe someone has scanned one and I can view it online?

Well, thanks for the help!! I appreciate it!

 

I'm pretty sure Calymer or Haynes make a repair manual for that make/model. Try thier websites. If not try Honda itself... you can buy thier service manual but thier pricey$$$ Try .http://www.repairmanual.com/atvs/1986/27/4/460

 

1. It's a pain, but try tracing the wires from you headlight to see if anything is unplugged.

2. Like devocorky said, the starter might be frozen up, but it doesn't sound like it. If it were locked up you should still get a clicking sound from the solenoid. Have you checked the battery? That might be the problem with the headlight as well. The battery could be putting out enough juice to light the taillight but not enough for the headlight and starter. Check the battery and the condition of the terminals. See if they're corroded and look around at the wires there to see if anything is unhooked, cut or grounding out.


3. These were 5 speeds w/reverse. In fact these engines are almost identical to the ones from the 250 Big Red and 250SX three-wheelers. They didn't have high/low ranges.

That's what you adjust the auto clutch with. If you feel it starting to slip, like you have to give it a lot more throttle than necessary to climb a hill or something you can screw in the screw to put more tension on the clutch springs.