I'm getting ready to restore an '87 LT80 for my son. It has electric start only. If I'm not mistaken, I thought later models had a backup recoil starter. However, I can't find this change specified anywhere in my shop manual wich covers years '87 through '05. Can anyone confirm if later years had a recoil backup, and if so what year was it added? Furthermore, how hard is it to add the backup recoil starter to an '87? Is it simply a matter of taking off the engine cover and replacing it with a recoil one, or are there additional parts that need to be added internally? Would really appreciate advice from someone who has made this upgrade. I've yet to look at it myself. I'm just hoping to learn a little before I tear into it.

Also, I bought the Maier nose piece with the headlight built into it. Will it be necessary to upgrade the stator with this?

 

I don't think the recoil has ever been standard. It was alway an option. I see them all the time on Ebay. they are around $100 at the dealer.
Yes just unbolt the small cover and replace it with the recoil. make sure you use the cork gasket.

As far as the stator goes.. It couldn't hurt, I'm not for sure on that. I do know that our quad barely keeps the battery charge unless he rides everyday.

 

Cool. Thanks.

 

zoomers correct on the pull start.
The stator may be fine depending on just how long you use the light ans the wattage of the light.
The pull start is a great idea when a light is added. If your battery goes too low, it will not start. Thus the pull start.
If you do need a stator change:: Ricky Stator has one.
[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

LT80, you seem to be quite the expert on these little quads judging by some of your other posts. Got a slightly more specific question for you. I found a recoil starter for the LT80 on eBay, however the seller states it fits 1988 to present. I sent him a question asking if it also fits the '87 model assuming it probably does, but he responded that it does not fit this model. Do you know of any differences between the '87 and '88 model years that wouldn't permit this part to work on the '87? I'm guessing/hoping he's just wrong.

I went to a dealer today and had them look up the kit. They showed that one did exist for the '87, but the part number has been discontinued and superceeded to a newer part#. I've found some pictures of the recoil on the internet and can see that some had "Suzuki" stamped into the sheet metal cover while others (including the one on eBay) do not. I'm guessing since this part is now also for the Kawasaki KSF80 they had to ditch the Suzuki letters. The part number of the new one without the suzuki letters is 18100-40B03.

 

They are the same. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
The zuki stamp on them just went away. I imagine they saved a penny or 2. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Great! Thanks LT80. I'll probably start tearing into this little quad within the next couple weeks. I know my son's excited for me to get it going. He's definitely outgrown his LT50. I'll probably have another question or two as I get into it. I have a new shop manual in hand so hopefully that will answer most of my questions. If you have any special tricks or words of wisdom for me, let me know.

I bought this quad about 3 years ago with the intention of restoring it once my son was old enough. We've never ridden it. The motor actually ran pretty decent the day we picked it up, but nearly every bearing in the chassis needs replacing and it's missing a few things here and there like the front brakes. I've already got another donor '87 LT80 in boxes that I'm getting the brakes from. Other than that, I just plan on replacing any worn parts and cleaning everything really good as it goes back together. My goal is to have a nice mechanically reliable quad for him. I'm sure we'll be bolting on some performance extras eventually, but for now I'm just looking for new stock performance.

 

Beware of bolt on stuff. Most is a waste. I'll gladly advise when you need it.
Gidday. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]