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my "new" 300ex
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Posted by: mike maddrell

check it out. just got it a month or so ago and ive been getting it ready for Hatfield and McCoys. cant wait to get it dirty!

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/stussels/HPIM0531.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/stussels/HPIM0525.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/stussels/HPIM0526.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/stussels/HPIM0524.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/stussels/HPIM0520.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/stussels/HPIM0530.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/stussels/HPIM0532.jpg

it was stock when i got it except for the chassis skid. ive since added all the other crap.
in one of the pics you can see how i modded the reverse engagement to be foot operated, well worth the effort.
any other tips on a 300ex is appreciated as this is my first one.

Posted by: blasterfreak99

that thing is clean. wat year is it?

Posted by: mike maddrell

its a lightly used 95. i went over it pretty heavily as i do with all my new used stuff. it cleaned up well.

Posted by: Project300EX

Dang. That thing is mint. Nice.

Posted by: deerslayer45

very nice!

Posted by: 300exOH

Nice 300. You may want to consider removing the header wrap though. I had it on my header for a season and it caused the header to rust out VERY fast. It looked like corn flakes after only one season. Also do you happen to know what foot shifter it has for the reverse?

Posted by: mike maddrell

the header wrap stays! hell, i just put it on to cover up the rust. i guess once it rots out the header itll give me a good reason to get a nice stainless one. besides the stock one is so skinny it needs replaced if just for that.

the foot shifter i used was from a 76-79 goldwing. it had about the right bends in it it just needed to be mounted backwards and the peg on the end cut off and rewelded to the other side. bolts right on, tucks in out of the way, and works slick.

Posted by: bwamos

Very clean 300. Almost looks showroom.

If you don't mind me asking:
What bike did the shifter arm come off of that you used for the reverse lever?

Posted by: 300exOH

quote:
Originally posted by mike maddrell
the header wrap stays! hell, i just put it on to cover up the rust. i guess once it rots out the header itll give me a good reason to get a nice stainless one. besides the stock one is so skinny it needs replaced if just for that.

the foot shifter i used was from a 76-79 goldwing. it had about the right bends in it it just needed to be mounted backwards and the peg on the end cut off and rewelded to the other side. bolts right on, tucks in out of the way, and works slick.

I see. Just wanted to warn you about the header tape. Yes the stock header is very restrictive on the 300 even with a stock motor.

Hmm.. I was hoping the shifter was a bolt on deal. That upward bend on it is perfect for a reverse lever. The one I have is basically straight and it's a pain in the *** to get your foot under.

Anyhow...very nice quad. I like how you have the 6 pack rack workin for you too.

Posted by: rooster300ex

Thats what my 95 looked like when I first got it. Been along way since then. Looks good.

Posted by: mike maddrell

quote:
Originally posted by 300exOH

Hmm.. I was hoping the shifter was a bolt on deal. That upward bend on it is perfect for a reverse lever. The one I have is basically straight and it's a pain in the *** to get your foot under.

so then youve done this also? it is so simple im surprised i dont see it more. i think about every honda had the same number of splines on the shift shaft. i mean, if the goldwing shifter bolts on...

i bought a stock 300ex shifter first thinking i may need the splined end off of it. i put it on first just to test the idea and it worked also. the goldwing shifter just worked better.
if you looked more maybe youd find one even better suited.

thanks for the comments im sure ill be enjoying it soon. i used to have a 95 mojave awhile back and it was always a good time riding so im anxious to get back in it. this time a little wiser

Posted by: 250exkid

daaaaaaang how many hours on it???

Posted by: 300exOH

quote:
Originally posted by mike maddrell
so then youve done this also? it is so simple im surprised i dont see it more. i think about every honda had the same number of splines on the shift shaft. i mean, if the goldwing shifter bolts on...

i bought a stock 300ex shifter first thinking i may need the splined end off of it. i put it on first just to test the idea and it worked also. the goldwing shifter just worked better.
if you looked more maybe youd find one even better suited.

thanks for the comments im sure ill be enjoying it soon. i used to have a 95 mojave awhile back and it was always a good time riding so im anxious to get back in it. this time a little wiser

I bought a foot shifter off of ebay that uses part of the stock reverse lever but it doesn't really work that well. It is a bit easier than the stock hand lever though. I though about trying the stock foot shifter as well but never got around to it. I'm always looking for a better solution but I haven't found anything yet. I think I would have better luck buying a MIG and fabbing something myself.

Here is a pic of the shifter I am using

Posted by: mike maddrell

quote:
Originally posted by 300exOH
[B]I bought a foot shifter off of ebay that uses part of the stock reverse lever but it doesn't really work that well. It is a bit easier than the stock hand lever though. I though about trying the stock foot shifter as well but never got around to it. I'm always looking for a better solution but I haven't found anything yet. I think I would have better luck buying a MIG and fabbing something myself.

besides how bad the stock reverse engagement sucks, that ebay shifter is what gave me the idea to try a different shifter. i also saw a fourtrax 125 shifter i thought had good potential and could be a bolt on part.

not sure id buy the welder for this lil project. found a local welder guy to do what i needed for $20. a good local friend with the tools would be cheaper.

Posted by: 300exOH

I'll have to check out the fourtrax 125 shifter.

The welder was something I've been considering anyhow but you are right I could have a welder make up something for almost no cash. I have a couple of ideas but it's a matter of taking the time to get it done.

Posted by: 250exkid

how many hours are on the quade?

Posted by: mike maddrell

quote:
Originally posted by 250exkid
how many hours are on the quade?

dont know, never seen an hourmeter on a 300ex

Posted by: 250exkid

well i didnt see if you had bought it brand new and just stored it over years or what because that looks like it only got like 30 hourse of ride time

Posted by: mike maddrell

quote:
Originally posted by 250exkid
like 30 hourse of ride time

your guess is as good as mine. i bought if from a guy who said he bought it from an older guy who was the original owner.
definately hasnt seen too much action.

check out my "new" hondaline mudguards. this is gonna be one cush trail quad

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/stussels/HPIM0537.jpg

Posted by: mike maddrell

another
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/stussels/HPIM0540.jpg

Posted by: 250exkid

dang ur not gonna get muddy from the front tires anymore!

Posted by: stew2010

man im diggin ole geezer mud flaps

Posted by: JBacon

Wow, thats nice... Is that shifter closest to the motor the reverse shifter? That looks like a pain. I always wondered why they had two shifters.

Posted by: Bigun55

Man that is EXTREMELY clean. Nice quad you got there.

Posted by: mike maddrell

quote:
Originally posted by Bigun55
Man that is EXTREMELY clean. Nice quad you got there.

thanks yall. i thought it looked pretty good too for a 12 yr old machine. one of those ebay gems, ya know.

ive got a hondaline headlight guard coming in the mail that i hope to eventually modify to mount my gps onto. ill post pics if i ever get it together.

Posted by: mike maddrell

some pics of the "new" hondaline headlight guard and the gps i'll be mounting on it somehow. wont be long now!!

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/stussels/HPIM0549.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/stussels/HPIM0550.jpg

Posted by: JMann2380

Just curious what you paid for that, I am looking for a 300ex for sister and they are all beat and they want like 2 grand for them.

Posted by: mike maddrell

yeah i wasnt in a hurry to buy one so i just looked on ebay for a long time. you get better deals in the winter months of course.
but patience is key.

this one i got was in better shape than most of the 03's i looked at, and since its essentially the same machine...

final bid was 1775.00 without all the aftermarket stuff i added.

Posted by: JMann2380

Damn, nice job. 95% of the 300ex's are junk, kids own them, don't take care of them, and then want a mint when they want to sell. I had a 93 when they were first released, I was 13 and loved that quad.

Do you have a link to the auction? I want to see what it looked like in the auction pics. Did you have to drive far to get it. I am so afraid of buying something with a bottle of armorall on it and when I get there it is junk.

Posted by: mike maddrell

finally got my gps mounted to my headlight guard. ended up using a modified headlight guard from a foreman 350 as the cradle for the gps. i then cut a piece of rubber to use as a damper under it. its strapped down with easily replaceable rubberbands.
the gps runs on the electrical system so no worries about battery drain. the backlight will be great for night rides and it can be set up to tell you all kinds of different info. i dielectric greased all the connections to help seal it up.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/stussels/HPIM0590.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/stussels/HPIM0592.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/stussels/HPIM0591.jpg

Posted by: TWISTED DINLI

looks real nice. very clean.

Posted by: CRich[814]

holy trail 300. nice ride.

Posted by: mike maddrell

finally got it dirty. looks better now eh?

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/stussels/HPIM0612.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/stussels/HPIM0613.jpg

this was after my first real ride on this unit and i must say it did real well. a little soft on the low end, seemed a gear somewhere in between 1st and 2nd wouldve been nice for the trails we were on. got it stuck once in a hole but thats all. nice ride, great weather, cant wait to use it again.

Posted by: JIMFROMTEXCO

I looked so pretty before!!! now its muddy

i bet you allready have it shining again

Posted by: mike maddrell

quote:
Originally posted by JIMFROMTEXCO
I looked so pretty before!!!

oh, im sure youre STILL pretty

and yes, it is clean again

Posted by: backyardbuilt

Where did you get the mudguards I tried searching for them but could'nt find them looks like a slick idea!!!!

Posted by: JIMFROMTEXCO

DARN IT I MADE MY SELF LOOK LIKE A FAIRY ON THE INTERNET!!!!! im gonna go eat a raw steak and chew some cope...

Posted by: mike maddrell

the mudguards are old honda accessories for the 250x. they come up on ebay every now and then. i never rode it without them so i cant compare to without but they seemed to do the job pretty good.

lol@ cope, that is some manly stuff there

Posted by: JIMFROMTEXCO

fine cut at that so you know im not kidding around