I've got a 85 350X that I don't ride much and I'm thinking about selling. I've also got a 00 XR600R dirt bike that I ride a lot. The 350X comes stock with a small oil cooler which I don't think it really needs. The XR600 does not have any oil cooler and desperately needs one. It looks to me like the side covers for both bikes are identical with the exception of the 350X cover has porting for the cooler lines. Both bikes even use the same oil filter and oil capacity is 2 quarts for each bike. Has anybody ever tried doing a swap like this? Seems simple enough but would anyone also know if this oil cooler designed for a 350cc would be effective on a 600cc bike? I'd appreciate any tips or advice.

86 ATX200 (mama bear's)
98 LT50 (little bear's)
85 ATC350X & 00 XR600R (papa bear's)

 

Sure, I believe the cover will fit on the 600, and there are companies that make aftermarket coolers for the XR, so it's definitely do-able.

The thing is, the modern XR600 is a dry sump, right? You add the oil to the frame, am I correct? If so, you'll have to be very careful about the increased volume for the oil cooler. Make sure you get the right amount in there - too little or too much will damage the engine.

Also, the 350X really does need the oil cooler, it was designed to work with one. If you remove it, don't run the bike without replacing it with another. The engine doesn't have any other cooling system for the oil.

 

Yes, the 600R is a dry sump where the frame accounts for part of the oil resevoir.
Are you sure the 350X has to have this cooler. I figured it was just a bonus. With a 2 quart oil capacity I wasn't to worried about it running hot since there are alot of bikes, like my 600R which only hold the same capacity and don't come with a cooler. I think the smaller 200X only held 1 quart and it doesn't have a cooler either.
Max

 

the 400ex has an oil cooler too..its because these engines run HOT HOT HOT. Leave it on there, the oil cooler kits aren't that much money.

 

"I figured it was just a bonus. With a 2 quart oil capacity I wasn't to worried about it running hot since there are alot of bikes, like my 600R which only hold the same capacity and don't come with a cooler."

It's not so much the quantity of oil, but it's ability to move away from the heat source and cool down. Some engines (like the 200X) have a small two-valve head design and don't generate that much heat (relative to 4-valve designs). They can cool the oil effectively in the sump. Other engines, like the 350X, required more cooling than can be accomplished in the sump, so they added a cooler. Later, Honda did the dry sump design, which really created an effective cooling system.

Actually, the bikes that "feel" like they're running hotter are the ones that are typically running cooler oil temperatures. It's because they are radiating that heat out to the air - so you feel it more.

The ATC 200X probably has really hot oil temps compared to your XR600. What you feel on the outside of the engine isn't necissarily what the oil feels like on the inside.

That said, the 600 does benifit from a cooler, especially if you ride in muddy conditions, or very hot ones. But don't run the 350X without the cooler, it will not feel hotter on the outside, but inside, you may be cooking the parts.

 

definatly dont run the 350 w/o the cooler. My 350 gets real, real hot sometimes. If your ATC still runs good I would not rip it apart, they are collectables, I would love to get one, it would be the last honda trike I need. you can also buy external cooliers at dennis kirk or you can get a 350 cooler off ebay for cheap.

L8r

91 TRX350X
85 ATC250R
86 ATC200X

 

OK, you've all conviced me to leave it as is. I'm still planning on selling it since I don't ride it as much anymore. I'm also going to sell my wife's ATX200SX and use the cash from both to buy a new Polaris Trail Boss. I'll miss the 3 wheeler since I bought it new in 85 but it's time to move on and update. Thanks for all the help.

Max

 

sell a Honda for a Polaris? bad move.

 

MaxAZ,
How much you want for it? I live in Scottsdale now, so don't let the Illinois address fool you.

 

From what I've seen in the cycle traders their going from $1700 to $1900 so I'll be looking in the middle. It's got a good set of scattrak haulers on Michelin rims too. I completely cleaned it up about 2 monthes ago planning to sell it but when I was done it looked so good I just couldn't do it.
Max