1982 Honda ATC 185s

[Zoila]

G'day all, first of all would like to say what a great site this is and as a new member, have already found a lot of helpful information and interesting discussions on the world of 3 wheelers.

I first started riding atc's in the 80's ,My dad and I used to go beach fishing for the local salmon, places where pretty much no car could go, they never let us down, we had the 90cc trikes....great memories.

I since have purchased a 1982 atc 185s, pretty cheap, and partly resorted it to as close to original as I could get, but finding parts in Australia is getting pretty hard now.

Recently I got my hands on another 1982 185s (pretty much just a frame and motor),bottom end of it is all good,the problem with the engine is that I can only get the flywheel to turn half a turn each way, it seems stuck, as I do these small turns the stator moves so the timing chain is all ok.

Now before I start taking the motor to pieces is there any way of freeing it up? This motor was sitting around for years, still has plenty of oil in it. When I took the carby and hoses off,there was a bit of dried matter inside the motor (old fuel maybe?).

Any help will be appreciated, Thanks.

[jakep53]

welcome to 3ww from VIC I'd say a valve is stuck open...take the valve covers off and see if a valve is stuck open!

[Zoila]

Hi, thanks for that, I took the valve covers off and had a look, it appears the exhaust valve moves ok, but the intake is stuck, is there anyway of freeing it without taking the top end off?

[coolpool]

My gut feelling is that it's bent. You could try giving it a small tap with a piece of dowel in case it's just stuck from sitting, you might get lucky?

[Zoila]

It looks like it is stuck down, should I try pulling it up? Or could it damage the valve?

[bumsted200s]

I've had to fix a few like this before. One on a 200E big red and other '85 200X. In both of my cases cam chain tensioners let loose, therefore timing got off an bang valves were bent. If it were me... I'd pull motor out of frame and rebuild. About all I can offer. Gives you opportunity to inspect top of piston also. Chances are pistons fine takes a lot to mess them up.

Brian

my wheelers:
1981 Honda 200 5-wheeler
1982 Honda 200 Hondapotomus
1982 Honda 185S
1982 Honda 250R
1984 Honda 200S
1985 Honda 200S
1985 Honda 200X
1985 Honda 200 auto-X

[Zoila]

Yeah, looks like I will be cracking it open and having a look ,will post what I find when I get to it.

[Zoila]

Hey all,cracked it open & this is what I found...203990
203990

[coolpool]

Oh boy thats a rebuild. Either it got swamped and parked or the plug was left out in the weather.

[Zoila]

yep you got that right, plug was left off for some time, it wasn't as bad as first thought,I gave it a good clean up , the piston moves now easily,and the valves move and seat correctly, 204029 204030 , not sure what to do from here test it or rebuild...

[joesouth]

I say rebuild, it's already apart. That way you will have peace of mind knowing it's done.

[Zoila]

yeah, I would probable have to get the cylinder honed which would cost $$ ,then a new piston & rings ,more $$,and more than likely new valves.....I might even, look at finding a cylinder jug end from another working 185 or even a 200, the bottom end works sweet, it would seem a shame to just let it sit around again for years, I would love to hear it running again.

[rdonald1979]

At least slid the jug off and have a look. You need a top end gasket kit anyways (and always buy OEM gaskets for the top end). Maybe just get away with new rings and valves.

[Zoila]

thanks rdonald1979, I will need the rings,(one snapped when getting them off), and the gaskets, are the aftermarket ones no good? the cylinder jug seems to be ok ,how bad does it need to be to have to get it honed? One more question, I want to get the flywheel off, any easy way to get the centre nut off?,

[86125m]

As long as you get the Vesrah gaskets you should be fine. Vesrah is said to be the original maker for the Honda gaskets.

[rdonald1979]

The top end oem gaskets are metal, aftermarket are not and will leak. Like 86125m about the Vesrah gaskets. You will need a flywheel puller to remove that. Cheap on ebay. An impact gun for the nut as well.

[Zoila]

thanks ,I have ordered one off eBay now.That nut I reckon is going to be hard to get off though, I am going with the vesrah gaskets, and have decided to put new valves in, any hints on getting that retainer of the valve spring?
I took the cylinder jug to the the local Honda shop, they gave it a quick hone and bad news, it will need to be rebored. So I will not order the rings until I see how that goes.

[Crazyktmmatt]

Buy a 200x piston and rings for it. That should wake it up.

[Zoila]

Got a quote on the re-bore $250 including piston & rings, he reckons he'll take about .5mm off....so I am at the crossroads...I really want to get this running, but is it really worth spending this much on it?

[rdonald1979]

For sure. It will last another 30 years after this.

[Zoila]

Yeah, I guess its a small price to pay for another few decades of riding, my teenage sons are helping me with the resto, I hope to pass it on to them, so at least they will have the years of use out of it..

[Tpg69]

There was a new 185s engine on eBay recently. Might be cheaper in the long run