Help identify my TRX!

[aaron7]

Pics here: 250x pictures by aaron7 - Photobucket

Got this the other day on Craigslist for next to nothing... runs and rides fine but needs some (all?) cosmetics worked on as well as some small parts.

Ebay seems to be the place to go for parts but I need to make sure I know what I have!

The frame is pretty obvious; 1987 TRX250. That's where my knowledge ends!

First off... this is shaft drive. Pictures of 87's all show chain so that's the first question.

Second, I've been told that Honda didn't use electric start on quads till 1993. Is this true? The motor here has it but all wiring does look factory. I don't see a start button on the handlebars however.

Third... the red plastics. Can't tell if they fit right yet (haven't worked on it much, too cold!).

Last... the rear brake sits in the right side wheel instead of near the carrier... ??

Anyways... I know it's a POS but I just wanted a woods beater and this thing runs awesome!

[Here 2 help]

What's the VIN? The 10th digit is the year code. With the VIN I can positively ID the vehicle.

[aaron7]

[joeylowthers450R]

i dont think it is a X just fourtrax trx 250, i had one in the 90s

[Here 2 help]

1987 TRX250 FOURTRAX 250

Honda Product Code HA8

The first 87 was JH3TE060*HC200001
The first TRX250X was 1987 JH3TE130*HM000001
The last TRX250X was 1992 starting with VIN JH3TE130*MN400001

[aaron7]

So the TRX250 is different from a TRX250X? Now THAT is confusing.

This motor original to the frame do you think?

I'm just trying to locate parts for it and I have no idea what years and models will fit!

[Here 2 help]

Think that is confusing? Try ordering parts for them. The TRX250 is different from the TRX250X and the TRX250X is different from the TRX250EX and the TRX250EX is different from the TRX250FW and the TRX250R is different from all of them.
That's why the parts guy wants to know the VIN when you ask for a headlight bulb. Some parts ARE the same, but not necessarily so.

[aaron7]

That means unless someone specifically puts 'utility 250' in the auction on ebay I have no idea if it fits.

I need basic stuff like the left foot peg, front plastics, gas tank... but it seems these parts are TRX250 only!

[trx2fiveO]

www.maier-mfg.com check there for the plastics. the 250X was a sprot quad the the 250 you have is a utility model it has/had racks it's a 2 valve engine the 250X is a 4 valve engine too by the way.
MY avitar is a 250X

[Here 2 help]

To answer a previous question - is the motor original to the frame - according to the Honda model identification guide, you have have 1985 engine cases. trx2five0 is right about the difference between a sport and utility quad and the number of valves in the engine.

The TRX250 (product code HA8) was produced 1985 to 1987 then discontinued.
1985 engines started with serial number TE06E-5000001
1986 engines started with serial number TE06E-5100001
1987 engines started with serial number TE06E-8200001

To answer the last question - unless the Ebay, Craig's list or any other seller states specificly the model the part is off of, you should question for specifics. A good start would be to ask if the part is off a chain drive or shaft drive. A good second question would be if the motor is a 2 valve or 4 valve.

Hope this helps