i am looking for a four wheeler to use on the farm and in the woods.. i found a 1986 fourtrax 350. it's not in perfect condition, it's well-used. the owner (high school kid) used to ride it everyday until he got a new quad.

the good:
-engine runs and sounds ok
-seems to shift gears ok


the bad:
-electric start doesn't work (kick start only)
-no brakes
-makes a little bit of white smoke
-plastic on one side of front fender is broken
-ripped seat


he's asking $1000 and i talked him down to $900. is it still too much to pay for such an old bike? what other kinds of problems should i be looking for?

 

I live in Canada where prices are higher for used ATVs, I got $1400 for a 89 350 Yamaha 4x4 Big Bear with no front brakes and electric start and it had a zillion miles on it but it ran great.

Used 3 wheeler go for $800 up here. For $900 I would be happy if it just ran, you don,t need brakes just down shift and look far ahead.

For $900 I would be happy if it lasted two season befor it blew up with no regrets. If it lasted longer I would call that bonus rides.

Kick start? It must have the XL350 motorcycle motor and tranny, those things are tuff.

 

Parts, Parts, Parts. You will have a hard time finding them for that ATV. That doesn't mean you shouldn't buy it, but I think the price is a little high for something that may have to hit the junk pile if you break a timing chain or something like that.

 

Don,t they make parts for years? In 2000 I ordered a piston and head gasket for a 1974 Honda 250MT stroke Elsinore on/off road motorcycle.

I never had problems getting parts for my Yamaha 86 250 Moto4 or 89 Big Bear.

 

No, they don't. Best is to look at a site like DGY and look at the quad in question. You'll see lots of "No Longer Available" parts. Here is what I saw when I just looked that is listed as "No Longer Available"
Oil pump, crankshaft, cylinder, carb, timing sprocket, alternator, front and rear final drive parts, rt crank cover, tie rod ends, transmission parts. And the list goes on. I say if you can pick it up for $500 it might be worth it. That way, if it breaks something after a year or two, that is not available, you can afford to junk it.

 

it is hard to find parts for them but ive got one and there almost bullet proof only downfall is the electric fuel pump