Originally Posted by Gimpster

Take off the seat. Look along the frame rail where the seat rests, just above the side covers. There are some wires routed there that the connectors have been known to get loose. Since they are single bullet connectors with black rubber coating, the female ends can be slightly snugged with a plier and reconnected. I have had heavier riders of those old 350's that after prolonged use they sag the seat and will actually stress these connectors, from the seat pushing against them just enough to loose connection when shifted into gear killing the engine. It is worth looking into.
I have also been seeing CDI problems lately on the old thugs doing the same thing

Carb problems with them around here are generally taken care of by replacing the needle jet set. If the unit pushes any black smoke from the exhaust, the jet needle has rattled a groove in it and worn the needle jet. Also on the side of the carb under a plastic cover there is a link assembly from the throttle cable plate pivot to the venturi. If the gap in the fork is set wrong, it will make the venturi lift the jet needle too soon or too far as per opening position of the throttle plate, causing them to run rich and foul spark plugs after a few rides also.

Fuel pumps on these units, as noted before, will fail. To make sure the problem is cured when replacing it with a new Honda pump unit, also replace the fuel pump relay. When one of the two units fail, the other is soon to fail there after. If a relay is not replaced along with the pump, it can cause a new pump to fail shortly after install. After replaceing over 200 of the pumps and relays together I have had future failures of them on the repaired units at nearly 1 percent.

Yes, from the get go, these units have had poor starting systems. Starting with the gear tooth problem outlined by dzzy. I have also seen high amounts of one-way bearings (sprag) failures. Mainly in units that oil changes are far and in between. The starter motors on them have a 4 brush holder in them and turn over backwards compared to the newer Honda ATV starters which have 2 brush holders within. Try not to crank these units over for long periods of time. Premature brush wear will result. Note: the brushes on these starters will wear down to the wire leading to the brush and will destroy the armeture when the brush wears out. Newer Honda starters (2 brush type) have a stopper, so to speak, within the brush holder plate thet will keep this from happening. As I stated before, the newer (better designed) starters will not interchange into the older 350's, as they turn the wrong direction.

Lumber wagon ride on the pre 90's 350's are result from short travel suspention, and also contributing is the fact they do not have front A-arms. Rather a front swing arm simular to the rear on a solid axle quad. If looking into purchasing one of these quads, pay some attention of the pivot bearing condition of the front swing assembly. It is a neglected part in maintainance by owners and many "oil change" type bike shops (non dealers).

Hope you can utilize some of this info... In good condition they are a pretty good work horse, not a speedster though

----- Gimp -----