Nicholas Fluhart

In keeping with the ATC (All Terrain Cycle) theme, I thought I’d post a bike I sold a while back: a 1986 Honda 350X. This was a restoration project completed in the late 90’s by some friends of mine, and only OEM Genuine Honda parts were used from the tires up. Today most of those parts are discontinued and virtually impossible to find. Now, if you are a true Honda nut, you will see that there are four parts that are not OEM which I will address below, but in the mean time see if you can identify them…

This might be the cleanest 350X you’ll find short of building a time machine and traveling back to 1986 (something I dream about frequently). I’ll provide a loose rundown of what was done to it.

First, the bike was completely stripped down to the frame. All components were sandblasted and then powder coated, such as the frame, foot pegs, kick starter, swing arm, hubs, etc. A new OEM exhaust system was stripped and then JetHot coated. A new OEM heat shield was coated and installed on the header. All bolt-on parts, i.e. air box, lights, plastics, switches, cables, etc., were replaced with brand new OEM genuine Honda parts. Even the rims and tires were purchased from Honda and are period correct to the 1986 model.

On to the engine: When three-wheelers were discontinued in the 80’s, dealers received monetary compensation from the manufactures for existing inventory, but the physical machines were dismantled and scrapped. However, several engines survived as the dealers donated many of them to small-engine vocational schools. Many of these engines, although there are much fewer today, are still around and untouched. They are commonly referred to as “crate engines”. Through my moderately extensive contacts in the industry, I was blessed enough to have obtained a few of these priceless jewels, one ATC250R engine and a couple of ATC350X engines. One of my 350X engines found its way into my TRX350XX conversion bike. These guys got their hands on a couple of them as well, and one was used in this trike. It was repainted with high temp paint and clear coating, and there were some parts that were polished and cleared.

Here are some closeups of the trike:

Now, were you able to identify the 4 aftermarket parts? Well, to a true Honda enthusiast it should have been fairly easy. Up on the handlebars you’ll note the clutch lever is an aftermarket upgrade (1), and since it doesn’t facilitate a parking brake cable, you’ll notice the parking brake blockoff on the rear brake caliper (2). And also at the rear end, you’ll see the machine has a stance that is much wider than factory, and that is due to the upgraded rear axle which is a Dura Blue plus-5 extended axle (3). And finally while your looking at the rear view, you’ll note the word “Ceet” on the back of the seat. Ceet is the leading brand of aftermarket seat covers (4).

The guys did three ATC350X restoration projects simultaneously, and one even turned out better than this one (I know….that’s hard to believe). I don’t know the overall cost of the build, but I sold this trike to a collector for almost one thousand dollars more than the bike’s original MSRP. What’s also astounding is that an original, unrestored bike in this condition will bring even more. The ultra-clean ATC’s from the 80’s have now officially reached collector status.

Here are the vitals:

Maximum torque output: 21.7ft.lb @ 6000RPMs
Maximum power output: 27PS (~26.4hp) @ 7000RPMs
Starter type: forward kick
Wheelbase: 50.0″
Ground clearance: 4.7″
Maximum load capacity: 270lbs
Overall height: 42.6″(1985), 42.3″(1986)
Overall length: 74.4″
Overall width: 43.9″
Seat height: 29.5″
Foot peg height: 11.4″
Fuel capacity: 2.65gal
Engine weight: 91.5lbs
Engine type: single cylinder, four-valve head, single over head cam, four stroke
Fuel: unleaded
Displacement: 350.4cc
Bore: 81mm
Stroke: 68mm
Mechanical compression ratio: 8.5: 1
Corrected compression ratio: n/a
Cold cranking pressure: 178psi
Carburetor type: dual valve
Lubrication type: forced pressure and wet sump
Ignition type: CDI
Ignition timing advance: 10 degrees
Electrical system:

Dry weight: 320lbs
Final drive type: chain

Transmission type: 6-speed, no reverse
Clutch: manual
Transmission primary ratio: 2.833: 1
Transmission 1st gear ratio: 2.750: 1
Transmission 2nd gear ratio: 2.050: 1
Transmission 3rd gear ratio: 1.609: 1
Transmission 4th gear ratio: 1.308: 1
Transmission 5th gear ratio: 1.103: 1
Transmission 6th gear ratio: 0.935: 1
Transmission final ratio: 3.077: 1
Front brake type: disk, twin piston
Front brake quantity: 1
Rear brake type: disk, single piston
Rear brake quantity: 1
Camber: 0°
Caster: 23°
Toe in: n/a
Trail: 1.36″
Rake: 23-degrees
Front suspension travel: 8.0″
Front shock leverage ratio: 1:1
Front shock type: telescopic fork
Front tire size: 23.5×8-11
Front wheel type: aluminum
Rear suspension travel: 7.6″
Rear shock type: gas charged (nitrogen)
Rear tire size: 22.0×10-9
Rear wheel type: aluminum
Original MSRP: $2599

Until next time…..