<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: AlabamaDan

Hey guys! Y'all are a little more advanced that I am and I hope my questions aren't too simple, but ya gotta start somewhere right? I had started my own thread, but it appears the lt230 owners just tag onto this one so I'm jumping in. I recently bought a used 1986 lt230. It isn't running but looks complete so it's my new project. Oh and I've never owned a bike or quad.



When I'm looking up parts I see model numbers like lt230e, lt230h, lt230s, lt230f, etc. How do I know exactly which one I have and what's the differences between them? Anything I should worry about?



Are OEM parts the way to go restoring this thing? I figured so, especially for some unique parts but what about a battery, air filter, oil filter, headlamp bulbs, etc?



What type of oil are these recommended to use? I know 10w40, but any particular brand proven or just the same stuff I put in my car? Same question for the gear oil.



Thanks and I look forward to the education. BTW, It's the model with racks and such. I plan to use it for hunting and low-key recreational riding. </end quote></div>

The quad you have appears to be a lt230EF, lt230EG, lt230EH, or lt230EJ. F=1985, G=1986 and so on. http://www.alpha-sports.com/suzuki_atv_parts.htm

The 10th digit of the vin is the year.

Whatever parts you want to get are fine, oem or aftermarket. Aftermarket are generally less expensive.

Don't use car oil! Could cause your autoclutch to slip. Use something that says "for older vehicles" like 1988 and older. Or else use something just for motorcycles. The new API (SL?) stuff will make your clutch slip.

Gear oil doesn't matter.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: red230

cool, I finally figured out how to get some pics up on my page. I posted some of my 230 project as it is now, but plenty of upgrades still need done. chain, sprockets, swingarm bearings, ect.. ect...</end quote></div>

Looks in pretty good shape. [img]i/expressions/beer.gif[/img]

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: atvman29

well from the looks of your +3 project Randy, those extra couple of inches on the 250R shocks might be nice. The only thing that would be of concern would be their angle unless I made upper brackets similar to yours.</end quote></div>

You have to understand that if you mount the shocks so they're at a flat angle, they will be extremely soft. And if you mount them so they're straight up n down, they will be really really stiff. 30 degrees is the angle I found to work well. Its the angle the 250S is to begin with. The 230 is some other angle that sucks, apparently.

15 inches is a lot to have to accomodate... That's for sure. The top mount may interfere with the plastic.

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>How much do you need to widen the front to bring it to the same width as the rear? From my rough quick measurements yesterday before I left for school ([img][/img]isgust) was about 2" per arm.</end quote></div>

Depends on how wide your back is. I forgot exatly, but with my douglas rims I'm just a little shorter in the back than the front. So, that's probably about 46 inches in back. The 250S axle is 2 inches longer and I have one laying in the garage... Just haven't gotten around to installing it yet.

I'm a little worried that the back wheels might clip trees since I'm not always paying attention to the back wheels when riding. I usually can get the front wheels to miss trees, but the back I can't see. So, I may be better off to leave it 46 inches instead of going as wide as the front. 2 inches in back is probably not that big of a deal in cornering ability. The important part is to make the front wide. A 3 wheeler with 2 wheels in front and one in back would take corners pretty well.... As an extreme example.


<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Here's the shocks I'm looking at:



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...trksid=p4506.m20.l1116 </end quote></div>

I don't know. I wouldn't take them over the 250S shocks, but if that's all you can find.... How about 250x shocks? Or Mojave shocks? Or some other brand of 250? They don't have to be suzuki shocks to work.

 

man its looking sweet are you going to race it? or just as a project something to mess around with?

oh yea i got thet chain guard made today for mine

 

I'm just screwin around. Its been said more than a few times that I "Tim Taylor" everything. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

haha i just got an offer for two from a old bikebarn. he said 100 bucks for the both for parts

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: jory230

haha i just got an offer for two from a old bikebarn. he said 100 bucks for the both for parts</end quote></div>

Two 230S's for $100? Thats quite the steal.

These are some nice looking shocks for a good price, I wish the guy would respond and tell me the eye to eye length though. they don't look too long.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...3AMEWAX%3AIT&viewitem=

 

yea there ltf though. i dunno if they would do my any goof for the sport quad but if not ill make a go cart or something

 

anything with wheels for a hundred bucks is a good deal! well maybe not a matchbox car, but you get my drift!

 

yea i ran into a problem today though my grand father parted my throtle cable and i was wondering if the one of the ltf whould reach?