Didn't ride 10 minutes......

[Zookie250R]

I hate for this to be my first post on this forum, but I have been royally screwed over, and the problem is the guy that screwed me is actually a nice guy, so it's hard to get mad.

Today I bought an 86 Suzuki LT250R for $700. I thought it was a steal since it has LOAD of modifications on it. ( Weisco Piston, FMF Pipes, Reeds, Shocks, etc).

It also has a "Full Floater" aluminum swing arm, which is the source of my grief tonight. So I bought it, took it home, and rode it maybe 2 minutes before the chain popped off. So I put it back on, pops off in two feet. I notice one of the chain guides is missing a bolt so I limp it home and put a bolt in. Still loose. I start looking at the rear axle...hmm, the bolts for the rear sprocket are running against the swing arm, oh, I'll fix it in a minute. Start riding, chain pops off, put it on, pops off. Put it on and give it a little gas, ENTIRE F*CKING REAR END POPS OUT.

So no I need a new swing arm after riding a grand total of 6 minutes, and some of that was chain installation. The P/O is actually a nice guy and I'm gonna call him up and tell him what happened, and we'll see just how nice he is...

I could go into more detail, but thinking about it depresses me. ALL I wanted to was FREAKIN' ride a little before dark, and THIS happens. Now I search for a new swing arm, and I guarantee I won't be a "Full Floater" POS.

[zillaguy89]

the "full floater" is the factory swingarm. Be prepared to spend big money on an aftermarket one. The factory arm is a good design. Sounds like poor maintenance to me...

[Zookie250R]

K thanks, I didn't know that. I'm guess I need to get a rear axle bushing set while I'm at it, because I sure as hell don't want this to happen to me. I'll take some pics tomorrow, I think this may have been due to a repair job, I'm gonna get into it later, I'm too angry at the moment, I just need to sleep or something.

I found a swing arm on ebay, I wonder if it is the correct type? I'm pretty sure I have an 86, and they say that came off an 89. I hope they are compatible, I just want this to work so I can ride.

Edit: Looked in the Clymers manual and found they are not compatible, never mind.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuk...QQcmdZViewItem

[sykolincoln]

where in GA are you? if near by I could check it out for ya

[bones9401]

That's the perks of buying a 1986 model sport ATV. As good as you might know someone or how nice they are there is an infinite amount of chance involved. In 20 years that thing has probably been ridden more and harder than your average B-list porn chick. Before buying you really need to go over the bike really thoroughly. If you are green, take a veteran with you to help you make an educated decision. Don't let your eagerness to ride get you onto a hunk of crap. ALWAYS ride it before you buy it. But a 1986 Quadracer for $700??? What did you really expect?

Just take it as a lesson learned and use this opportunity to put the quad back together right and even better it by building it to your liking. It's alright, I learned the hard way too. Good luck gettin' her back together. The guys on this forum will help any way they can. This by far the BEST forum of its kind that you will find. Again, sorry about your luck and welcome to E2S!!!!!!!!!!

[zillaguy89]

I was there when I bought my 500.....its all straightened out now though

[1badlt250r]

Feel ya guy i bought my 85 for 900 and thought it was great then the chain poped off and i got looking,one of the axle bearing holders on the swingarm was cracked and wouldnt keep the axle tight.I had it rewelded and its good as new.The 89 swingarm will require lots and lots of different parts so i would just wait a week or so and find the right one.Look for cracks and if it can be repaired then do that,ive seen so many of the 85-86 cracked right there but they are lots lighter than the 87-up.just my 2 cents

[Zookie250R]

Originally Posted by sykolincoln

where in GA are you? if near by I could check it out for ya

I'm in Newnan, GA. If you think you can help, I'll load the thing into a truck and cart it to you...lol. I'm not an idiot at fixing things, I'm just unfamiliar with 2 strokes engine and Sport ATV's in general. All I've ever ridden are 4 strokes like LT125's and King Quad 300's. Always Suzuki though.

I don't think this could be welded very easily at all. I haven't looked at it very closely yet, but I think it has already been patched. Also the bottom retainer piece was bent about 3 inches down or better, it may break off. I'm searching ebay like hell trying to find another swing arm, swing arm pivot bushings and bolt, and possibly bearing while I'm at it. I already know it need the pivot bushings, the bolt may be bent but it never hurts to have an extra, and the left rear wheels can be "jiggled" from side to side when I grab it. The right wheel doesn't do that.

Thanks for the advice, I don't think I was completely screwed, this thing has a lot of potential and the engine runs great, I just hit a MAJOR speed bump right at the beginning, oh well, sh*t happens.

On a side note, it's amazing what a couple hours of your favorite music and some pizza will do to your mood, I'm not even pissed anymore...heh.

LaterZ.

[bones9401]

Thing are lookin' up already. Most two-strokes are old and have been ridden hard simply because that's what they were built for. On top of that, most two-strokers aren't pu**ies and we ride like we're trying to break stuff anyway! Fix it right and you'll be throwin' roost in no time!

[sykolincoln]

newnan is a drive away from me (i think about 2 hrs) im only 40 miles north of florida right of I-75, I was hoping you were closer I wouldnt have a problem seeing If I could get yu going again.