I'm looking for a quad so I can ride with my son.

I found an 87 kawasaki mojave 250 that is in pieces but needs fixed. They say the gear sycronizer on the kick shift needed replaced.

I am not an mechanic and have no experience, but would love to learn.

Want to know if it is a good idea to buy this quad for $600? Even with no experience in fixing quad's.

Thanks.

 

The Mojave was a good little quad, quite the engine in it. Depending on condition I would try to get the price down a couple hundred at least. Sounds like it can't be run as it sits so you can't really tell if it has a tired/ worn out engine and that is always a risk. ATV engines, especially the older vintages, aren't that difficult to do most work on. You just need a good shop manual, good and proper tools, a clean work space, and some patience.

I would just point out that running 250X Hondas from that same era can be had for 1K or less and are still fairly easy to find. The Honda was as good or better in just about every category over the Kawie. It sold in higher numbers(later on as the 300EX and currently the 300X.) Aftermarket support is still readily available for the Honda as well.

I am not trying to steer you away from the Kawie at all. It is a good machine that had a decent production run in its' own right.

 

There are other pieces that tie in here. They are actually willing to trade for my apple macbook. I had it laying around and have not been using it. They are saying that it works, but just needs put back together. I saw pictures of it today and it's got the frame, engine, and wheels on, but the rest is all disassembled. I was interested mostly for a cheap fun project to do with my son. However, I'm not sure if the challenge is to big. "Re-assembling a quad that I have no idea how it all goes back together. What would someone charge to do the job if I gave up after a few months?

Thanks for the responses.

 

If they are willing to trade then it could be fine. No idea what someone might charge to put it back together. Shop rates are $75.00/hour around me, but there are always enterprising individuals around if you look hard enough. Is the wiring harness still on? Suspension? Brakes? Carb and intake? If it is just plastics and controls that shouldn't be bad to do on your own.

 

Thanks for the responses. I decided to go with my got, and what everyone else was telling me to do. Pass on it. I'm definitely interested in finding a honda 250X like you mentioned. Know of a good place to find them?

 

Craigslist, kijiji perhaps, local want ads, etc. A ton of units out there. The 300EX is just the next gen with e-start and a bit more power. They have been around long enough to have decent examples in the 1K range as well.