u/HiTechRedneck

Here we have for sale one 2005 Honda Big Ruckus PS250, #496 of that year.

I bought this BR new in April of 2006 from Honda of Rolla, MO and proceeded to ride the hell out of it for about 7 years. Yes, this is a single-owner BR. No, it is not a cosmetically perfect bike. Front left turn signal is broken, floorboards are scraped (yes I did lean it that hard), wear spots on side covers. Bike comes with new aftermarket turn indicators.

Mods? It has a few. I built the OG K&N filter for BRs because they didn’t exist at the time. Upgraded main and slow jets, tapped out the carb vacuum slider and the exhaust. Rear rack is the front rack off a ‘70s Kawasaki. Seat back lock is modified to a slightly more upright position. It HAD heated grips, but the wiring ended up damaged. So, the grips are there, just not the wiring. Upgraded YSS shock, not the craptastic OEM one. Bypassed kickstand starter switch. Running 3 Dr. Pulley sliders and 3 OEM roller weights. I lived in the Ozarks, this combo gave me the best top speed plus climbing at the time.

Recently revived after sitting for around 13 years, the scoot runs and rides. Carb has been thoroughly cleaned and carb kit installed. Fuel lines, pump, and tank all thoroughly cleaned and checked. Radiator flush and filled with fresh Zerex coolant for Honda vehicles. New tires, fresh oil change with Honda GN4 10W-40. New battery.

This bike was religiously maintained when I commuted on it. Always Honda GN4 motor oil and Honda final drive oil.

GOODIES
Dug into my parts box and located:

1 set of new Honda brake pads
2 new spark plugs
1 used but good drive belt
1 new in bag drive belt
1 bag of assorted Dr. Pulley and OEM sliders
1 Honda exhaust gasket
Assorted Honda bearings and a snap ring
1 set of JDM leg shields

Bike will also come with my original Service Manual from Helm, Inc. bought in early 2007.

Also have a set of Heidenau tires that never quite fit right, but they can go along, too.

Priced at $3500 USD. You’re not just buying a BR, you’re buying a piece of Big Ruckus history. Really.

I’m starting a new job after being unemployed for 8 gorram months. But, it’s 110 miles daily round trip. Definitely don’t wanna drive my built out Gen2 Tacoma—the gas alone would break me.

I’ve had a 2005 Honda PS250 Big Ruckus sitting since 2013. I bought it brand new in early 2006 and rode the hell out of it. Over 32k on the odo. I thought, “The BR gets around 60mpg, I’ll just get it back up to snuff!”

So I did. Took a few days to thoroughly clean the carb and fuel system, drop in a new battery, replace the fluids and, voíla! It fired right up and ran.

Then I realized, “A 75-mph highway on a now-vintage scooter that tops out at 70 mph? I need to rethink this.”

I hit up a scooter peep I’ve known for ages to talk it all through. He says, “I’m gonna buy a Goldwing, I’ve outgrown my Honda CTX700DCT and am gonna sell it.”

Without even really thinking about it, I said, “Sell it to me. Gimme a price. I can fly out and ride it home.”

He’s in Athens, GA. I’m in Las Cruces, NM. I haven’t ridden long distance on a motorbike in almost 20 years. And I sure as hell haven’t ridden anything as heavy since probably the turn of the century.

Project 1: New Riding Gear
Last time I bought gear was 50 pounds ago. Back then I could make do with men’s gear. Not anymore. I had to drop $500 on a jacket and pants from Wind&Throttle. And helmet costs! JFC! My beloved Nolan helmet is way out of its “use by” date. So an LS2 Advant-X was acquired. Oh! And a mag-safe phone mount to keep my phone charged. And a dash cam recorder with front and rear cameras. And helmet speakers. And a comm. And an evaporative cooling vest—because the TX and NM heat in August is no joke.

Project 2: Get To Athens, GA
I HATE TO FLY COMMERCIAL. Seriously. HATE IT. But I booked an overnight flight to Atlanta and a shuttle to Athens on the cheap.

Project 3: Ride It Home
Google Maps told me it was about 1600 miles with AVOID HIGHWAYS selected. In truth, because I stopped off to see family and friends along the way, the total mileage was 1880 across 5 riding days.

RESULT
Holy shit. This bike is a DREAM to ride. Plenty of throttle for sustained speeds on 75-mph roads, handles twisties like nothing, and is comfy AF. OG owner slapped a Corbin seat with backrest on it. The comfort of these seats is not a lie, but I’m glad I wasn’t the one to pay for it.

So I’m home and the new job starts on Monday. I can’t WAIT to ride “Lucinda” every day. 😍

EDIT Fixed!

Greetings all,

I’m getting my old 2005 Honda PS250 Big Ruckus up and running after about 13 years. I bought this scoot brand new in April 2006.

Yesterday I got the bike to run after a thorough carb cleaning and rebuilding. Today I flushed and filled the coolant and discovered I’d hooked up one of the carb heater coolant lines wrong. Cleaned everything up (including the spark plug and the cylinder), correctly reconnected the coolant hoses, and now the bike won’t start again.

When I crank the bike, fuel pours out of the port circled in the pic. Am I missing something? I thought one of the breather hoses connected to this port. But fuel coming out a breather tube is not good.

I’m in the process of pulling down the PAIR valve to make sure it isn’t flooded with coolant.

HALP.

And so it begins…

I bought this BR brand new in April of ‘06. It’s been parked since 2011 and made several moves since. Through all kinds of crazy personal shit, it’s waited for my attention. Now I’ve the time and motivation. Let’s DO THIS.

I don’t want to over post today, but I’m really trying to process and only those of us who’ve lost dachshunds before truly understand.

These pics are Sweet Pea and me through the years. This heifer had more adventures and traveled more miles than a LOT of people. From traveling strapped to my chest on the Big Ruckus from mid-MO to KC when she was barely 3-months old to backpacking, kayaking, camping, and traveling.

I was a “non-traditional” student and graduated with my BS degree in 2011. I’d lost my first dachsie in November 2010, and Sweet Pea was my grad present the following April. She’s been the most consistent presence in my life though so much darkness and loss since she arrived in my life in 2011. I’ve not just lost my dachsie, I’ve lost this enormous part of who I am as a human being. Gawd this sucks.

Rest well, my lil Head Bitch in Charge, my Sweet Pea La Pendeja.

800+ miles into a week-long trip and 160 miles from home? ✅
Out on a gravel byway going through the asshole end of [stunningly beautiful] Nowhere, NM? ✅
Brake line bracket bolt exit the chat? ✅
Brake line break at caliper? ✅
Got spare brake line, ferrules, and flaring tool? Fuuuuuck NO.
Make do with what ya got? Fuuuuck YES.
Locking pliers and rope, 3 working brakes, and knowing how to downshift? ✅
Doggo, my Tacoma (el burrito dorado), and the idiot mechanic are all safely home.

Drawer contains 2-burner Coleman stove and other kitchen things. Small griddle, kettle, french press (yeah, I like good coffee), and dry goods.

5-lb propane tank is mounted to the rail and rests atop the drawer.

20-gal water tank is plumbed to an RV water pump and a flex-neck faucet. Has an inline water filter, too.

Toolboxes and recovery gear are strapped to a slide-out tray.

4-switch panel is wired to 300Ah battery and controls LED lights, water pump, and accesory 12-v outlet for RTT. I use a CPAP machine, so found a 12-v plug for it.

Overhead is a truck-bed cargo net mounted to eyebolts and carries traction boards, 300W solar panel, and camping carpet. Yeah, I just slapped the paper towels on a bungee cord.

The “office” is self explanatory. I won’t be running with it until I (hopefully) get another damn job. FYI, FUCK DOGE. RAM mount for the monitor and a cheapy clamp-on swing-arm keyboard tray. Computer and monitor run off 500W pure sine wave inverter. Can’t afford a laptop ATM, so this was the most cost-effective solution for now.

Left in the factory back wall trays. But I did soundproof behind them and where the 2/3 seats were. One tray holds a 100Ah battery, the 200Ah battery is under the shelf. Also under the shelf is a shallow bLowe’s tote for clothing and toiletries.

Batteries use a Vevor switch for alternator charging. Wired for solar panels and set up for generator and shore-power charging. Cab 12v outlets run off the batteries through a fuse panel and dash-mounted switch (for fridge and USB, etc.). Bed 4-switch panel has built-in breakers and is direct-wired to batteries.

Lastly, installed a cheapy feEbay grille. Prettied up the letters with a sticker I had laying around. Scuffed and sprayed the shit out of it with UPOL UV clearcoat.

RTT is an Inspired Overland Lightweight RTT. Freaking love this thing!

Drawer contains 2-burner Coleman stove and other kitchen things. Small griddle, kettle, french press (yeah, I like good coffee), and dry goods.

5-lb propane tank is mounted to the rail and rests atop the drawer.

20-gal water tank is plumbed to an RV water pump and a flex-neck faucet. Has an inline water filter, too.

Toolboxes and recovery gear are strapped to a slide-out tray.

4-switch panel is wired to 300Ah battery and controls LED lights, water pump, and accesory 12-v outlet for RTT. I use a CPAP machine, so found a 12-v plug for it.

Overhead is a truck-bed cargo net mounted to eyebolts and carries traction boards, 300W solar panel, and camping carpet. Yeah, I just slapped the paper towels on a bungee cord.

The “office” is self explanatory. I won’t be running with it until I (hopefully) get another damn job. FYI, FUCK DOGE. RAM mount for the monitor and a cheapy clamp-on swing-arm keyboard tray. Computer and monitor run off 500W pure sine wave inverter. Can’t afford a laptop ATM, so this was the most cost-effective solution for now.

Left in the factory back wall trays. But I did soundproof behind them and where the 2/3 seats were. One tray holds a 100Ah battery, the 200Ah battery is under the shelf. Also under the shelf is a shallow bLowe’s tote for clothing and toiletries.

Batteries use a Vevor switch for alternator charging. Wired for solar panels and set up for generator and shore-power charging. Cab 12v outlets run off the batteries through a fuse panel and dash-mounted switch (for fridge and USB, etc.). Bed 4-switch panel has built-in breakers and is direct-wired to batteries.

Lastly, installed a cheapy feEbay grille. Prettied up the letters with a sticker I had laying around. Scuffed and sprayed the shit out of it with UPOL UV clearcoat.

RTT is an Inspired Overland Lightweight RTT. Freaking love this thing!

Drawer slides arrived yesterday, so I was finally able to build the 3/4 seat delete shelf and fridge slide out. This helped me finalize restraining and wiring up the accessory battery system.

I’m so close to being done-done with this build out. Which is good, because I’m SAG-wagoning for a bikepacking event next weekend.

Is it perfectly square? Nah. Is it lightweight? Fuck no. Does it slide? Yah. Can I put stuff in it? Also yah. I’m about 75% done with the overall buildout. Really looking forward to finishing.

Despite being overbuilt and HEAVY AF, I think it’ll do. Finally about 75% done with the overall build. Only need to build up the shelf for the 3/4 rear seat delete and finish up the accessory/12v/solar wiring.