Hello all, I'm new to the Suzuki forums, but definately not the whole site. Question is, i just picked me up a nice '86 250 Quadracer & want to know from any owners or knowledgable people what to look for as far as problems, concerns, performance.... Anything!!

I have had such great help in the other forums, so I hope you Suzuki boys are just as helpful.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

i know they had weak frames wright above the front upper shock mounts.

 

the very first thing i would do would be to check everything over really good,like compression,bearings,stuff,i would change all the fliuds completely,and pay attention to what the fluids you drain look like. the most important thing i would think for an old 2 stroke is maintenance,never let a problem go unfixed just cause it runs ok with the problem,treat it good,and it will treat you good

 

Yes and no. Their biggest problem is that the front shocks are only 12-1/2" long, so they're more likely to bottom out on big hits. There also are no crossmembers tying together the A-arm mounts. However, I weigh 200+ and rode mine pretty hard on the stock front end and never had any weakness issues, although I never rode mx back then. The engine's not as powerful as the 87-92 LT's and it only has 5 gears. The swingarms also tend to crack around the bearing carrier but are very easily repaired/reinforced.

So what's good about them? They only weigh 293 lbs dry. The engine has very good low end torque and is extremely reliable. They're really fun to ride and suprisingly fast. Not bad for the first ever sport/race class atv.

 

Thanks to all so far. Keep it coming though.

It does have a broken swingarm, right by the carrier. I hope I can get it fixed.

 

fixing the swing arm is easy. I had some 1/4" aluminum diamond plate laying around so i just used that and cut out a top and bottom plates and bent them to contour the carrier you can go to a local metal recycling yard and pick up some 1/4" aluminum cheap or buy new. I took it to a local shop and had them heliarced on for $100. it cured the flex feeling when you ride on 2 weels in the street, and it still weighs less than a steel swing arm. the alternative would be building your own steel swing arm or buying an aftermarket one, I found a shop here in phoenix that sells them for $500. check out my page for pics of my swingarm.
also check the engine case around the sprocket gaurd (if it still has one), if you don't keep a good chain on there and keep it within spec they come off and can rip the gaurd off leaving holes in the case, or crack the gaurd mounts. they can be welded eaisily buy pulling the cases apart can be a pain. on mine after i bought it, i found out they had jb welded over the holes.