1987 XR200R | Needs Cam. ??

If the cam is shot, most likely you can expect the rocker arms to be worn out, too. If there is enough time to wear out a cam (or maybe it got ran with barely any oil in it), the vavle train may not be the only thing on its way out.

If the rest of the bike is in excellent shape as you say, and you buy it, you risk the chance of having to spend hundreds of dollars on a complete top end rebuild.

Hmmm... a 87' XR200, only in need of complete top-end for $1000. I would do one of two things,either RUN away, or try to get it for much less.

Chances are very good it will need an entire top-end. Could easily run into a $400-500 job. That would be without any carb. parts, tires, fork seals, clutch, wheel bearings, swingarm bushings, cables, sprockets, brakes, etc. The oem parts are also getting hard to come by for that model year.

This engine (if it is the 2 valve head) is the same basic engine currently in production by honda. parts for this engine are relatively cheap and readily available. i just did a complete top end for an engine run w/low oil levels which resulted in need for a new bore, piston, rings, cam chain, cam sprockets, gaskets, etc. -- except for new valves-- on an 83 engine. parts cost was about $250. However, the bike only cost $250 and was in pretty good shape otherwise. Consider what it will be worth after a rebuild, subtract out the rebuild costs and that is what you should offer to pay for it. A risky proposition otherwise.

tb

Might want to take this into consideration before plopping down the green. My son also bought a '91 xr200 "just needing a new cam & rocker arms" so he was told. The bike wasn't running, but seemed liked a pretty good deal for $600., the price also included a new cam, rocker arms & new pulse generator . After tearing down the top end I confirmed not only was the cam & rocker arms totally wasted. The aluminum head & cam cover which also make up the cam journal bearing halves were also boogered up. I found it to be a poor design & decission on Honda's part to just run the cam on the soft aluminum head with out some other superior bearing material in place. The opposite side of the cam sprocket did have a steel bushing pinned to that end. Still not the best choice in bearing material, the alum. head & bearing saddle was just as bad on that side. After that depressing sight, I concluded that the bottom end would need to be stripped down to clean/inspect for alum. material & damage, oil pump replacement etc. I've considered having the head & cam cover machined to use some sort of bearing. Interesting though, I had contacted XR's Only and found they're totally famiiar with this problem/design & have a kit to correct the problem so you can use your boogered up head & cover(new cam w/turned down cam bearing journal to use bearing inserts, approx. $190.) I was basicly told that it was a poor design on Honda's part, probably done that way to cut down on production cost since the xr200 is considered a lower end, entry level bike. Since I have the cam, etc. it was also suggested to buy a new head/cover assy.(approx.$225.) Luckily, I will be doing the work myself, I couldn't imagine what it would cost to have a shop do the job. My spare bike is a '83 xr200, always been super reliable, never been torned into, but of course it's always highly maintained! *some food for thought:think aloha! ....renny