New to the ATV world and I just got a new-to-me old Honda Fourtrax. I know it is late 1980s, runs good, and has a dead battery. I've been jumping it off my truck battery (that's how I know it runs). You'd think changing a battery would be easy but it doesn't appear to be with this one. I think I'm going to have to take the rear rack off but that just seems such an inelegant solution and that tells me that it's wrong. No manual. Not even sure what model it is, but I'm guessing a 250 as it looks like a picture I saw on the 'net. Anyone know how to tell what model it is and how to get gosh darn battery out? I'll download a manual once I know what the thing is. I found a manual to a 1985-87 but the batter compartment is different. In the manual you just remove the holder and that's it. The battery in mine is only half visible and you cannot take it out of the small space.

 

If its an 85-87, the battery should be behind the left tire on the frame. Post some pics.

 

With one that old who actually knows if taking off the rear rack is wrong this time? What I mean is, a previous owner could have had a taller battery they were determined to use and had to remove the rack to get it on. Maybe they replaced battery cables with shorter ones thus the reason you have no slack? Im just saying you may have to remove the rack this one time, then make sure to replace everything with the right size and length, then you won't have that issue anymore.

 

The rear rack removal part makes me wonder what this machine really is. I have a 1986 TRX 350 Fourtrax with front and rear racks. My battery is under the rear rack in the center. The center of the rack is easily removed. It is held in place by 4 very small rubber straps. You have to look very closely to see it is removable. Once it is off, the battery is easily accessible. Hope this helps.

And yes - mine rides like a buckboard and will last forever. Bulletproof !!!