New member restoring a 3 for dad. Lots of questions.

[What2007]

Hello all. New to the site and new to ATC's. I've been restoring on Honda motorcycles for a few years now, but this is my first 3 wheeler. I picked up a 1983 Honda 185 this past weekend. It is the same exact bike my dad had when he was in his late teens and he absolutely loved it. So being the good son that I am, I picked one up on the cheap and am getting it all fixed up for him for maybe Christmas.

I do have a few questions though, mainly about the pull start. Mine is missing the entire assembly. I've done some researching and I read that the 200 pull start assembly will bolt up to the 185, but will any other models? It's highway robbery what they are charging for on eBay for the assembly. $100+!?!?! Hell I only paid $50 for the bike to begin with.

I'll try to get some pictures or something later, but it looks like a $50 bike lol

[yaegerb]

Yes, those recoils are expensive. Maybe some good Samaritan on our forum will see that you need one and offer one up for sale.

[What2007]

So will any other models pull start/recoil assembly work on the 185? I see the 200 will, but there are different types like the E model, S model, Sx model, etc etc

[atctim]

ATC 185S and 200S are the same. Other ones will have differences - 200E, 200ES, 200M are all a bit different. You are correct, it is highway robbery for that part, and you might find other parts are really expensive to source as well. What comes to mind is the metal seat pan for that bike - they are super hard to find in good shape, and when you find them, be prepared to pay! Restoring these old bikes is super fun and rewarding, but the pitfall will be the hard parts that are OEM only and people have found that they can set a high number on them and if someone needs it bad enough, they'll pay.

[coolpool]

Good on you to fix this up. Let me see if I have a recoil that works. If I have one I'll post a pic here and you can decide from there. It won't be terribly pretty I'm afraid.

[What2007]

Good on you to fix this up. Let me see if I have a recoil that works. If I have one I'll post a pic here and you can decide from there. It won't be terribly pretty I'm afraid.

Ugly doesn't matter so long as it's functional. I have a soda blaster and paint if need be.

[NEWDUCK]

Sounds like someone needs to water jet adapter plates for modern recoils for 200s :beer

[Aulbaugh]

Those "$50 dollar" trikes more often than not take some time/money if it is in pretty rough shape. Like other members have said, some parts (as your aware of) can cost some steep prices. How far of a resto are you looking to go?

[What2007]

Those "$50 dollar" trikes more often than not take some time/money if it is in pretty rough shape. Like other members have said, some parts (as your aware of) can cost some steep prices. How far of a resto are you looking to go?

Right now its just getting it up and running. He will probably eventually strip it all down and repaint the whole thing. He's not as mechanically inclined as myself, so I'm pretty much taking care of the functionality and he'll do the cosmetic part.

[What2007]

Quick picture
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[onformula1]

Not bad for 50 bucks

It looks like you have a comfy shop unless that's your living room. ..LOL

Sent from my SM-G386T1 using Tapatalk

[What2007]

Sounds like someone needs to water jet adapter plates for modern recoils for 200s :beer

Link please?

[What2007]

Not bad for 50 bucks

It looks like you have a comfy shop unless that's your living room. ..LOL

Sent from my SM-G386T1 using Tapatalk

Not my shop. That was a picture from the previous owner. I can't work on it at my shop because it's a surprise for my dad, plus my shop is currently occupied with this:
222250

[coolpool]

Here you go. The motor it came off was stamped 180cc, not sure of the year. I think 81-82? One of the little screws that holds a plate on was loose in the case so it's a bit rounded. It will need to be re-threaded. The de-compression cable pulls in when I pull the cord out and the gasket is functional too. I'll throw in the four mounting bolts. PM me if interested.

[What2007]

Plasti Dip FTW

Before and after

222614
222615
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[Jwheeler]

Are you still in need of a pull starter . I have several of them . PM me if you are interested . :p

[What2007]

I picked one up last week. Thank you though. I did find out that the bolt that hold on the little cdi flywheel was missing, so I'm probably going to have to set the timing on the bike again. I also discovered a stray green wire that I cannot find on the wiring diagram. It's in the same sleeve as the black/yellow wire for the coil.

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222618

[What2007]

So it never dawned upon me that this bike is a cdi, therefore there should be a cdi box somewhere. Looks like the wiring harness has been hacked up so much that it has been completely eliminated. Any good sources for a wiring harness?

[Aulbaugh]

those fenders turned out really good after you dipped them. pretty impressive! Are you looking for a new or used wiring harness?

[What2007]

A working harness. Condition doesn't really matter

[What2007]

Well awesome news everyone. Turns out in don't have a 185, I have a 200. Not the news I was looking for. Don't know what I'm going to do with this thing now

[Jd110]

I have a spare '83 200s that is mostly complete. If you want something off it let me know. I'm fairly new to this site, so not sure how to sell parts.

[Aulbaugh]

Yeah that stinks it's a 200. What brought you to that determination?

[coolpool]

Well awesome news everyone. Turns out in don't have a 185, I have a 200. Not the news I was looking for. Don't know what I'm going to do with this thing now

Keep working at it, learn from it and flip it for a profit. Then find a complete running 185 that needs a little TLC. These "cheap" machines are wolves in sheeps clothing sometimes.

[What2007]

I have a spare '83 200s that is mostly complete. If you want something off it let me know. I'm fairly new to this site, so not sure how to sell parts.

I really need a wiring harness to get spark.

[What2007]

Does anyone know where I can get a cheap CDI unit? Bought a harness and trying to get spark.

[86125m]

Well actually your bike is a hodgepodge of alot of different bikes. The front end is off a 200m or 83 200. your rear fenders are 185s . your rear tires look like there off of a 83 200 200m And your tank is off of a 200s. So you really need to run the vin number off of the neck of the frame to be certain what it originally was.

[What2007]

Well actually your bike is a hodgepodge of alot of different bikes. The front end is off a 200m or 83 200. your rear fenders are 185s . your rear tires look like there off of a 83 200 200m And your tank is off of a 200s. So you really need to run the vin number off of the neck of the frame to be certain what it originally was.

Frame vin keeps coming up invalid in the decoder. From what I can tell, it says JM3TB0505DC257551

223059

[What2007]

Still having issues getting spark with the new coil, plug, and harness. How often do these stators go out? I'll try to test it, what would its normal output be?

[ps2fixer]

Still having issues getting spark with the new coil, plug, and harness. How often do these stators go out? I'll try to test it, what would its normal output be?

I was just about to chime in that I make wire harnesses new, but sounds like you already have one.

Any more details on the plastic dip process? Is it the same thing as recoloring plastic (hot water in a tub with colored die)?

Based on the manual decode methods for that VIN....

Year: 1983

Yea that is all I know how to do manually lol.

Based on this site though... http://atcvin.webs.com/

1983 ATC200

Sorry I had to be the one to confirm the "bad" news. In my view point, the 200 should be an upgrade over the 185 if it runs well. I'd say if you have your heart set on a OEM 185, buy another "parts" bike, and combine the best of the two to make one. As confirmed by another member, it has the 185 rear fenders, which is another part that seems to be hard to find around my area. If the seat pan is good I'd keep the bike just because of the value of those two parts until you get the 185 you plan to build you won't know what parts you will need. I know a lot of parts interchange between the 200 and 185.

Now onto your spark issue. The service manual troubleshooting steps mention the following items in this order:

Faulty/Fouled Spark Plug
Faulty CDI unit
Broken or shorted high tension wire
Faulty AC generator
Broken or shorted ignition coil
faulty pulser generator (part under the cdi cover)
wiring
pulser generator rotor air gap incorrect


Kind of odd it lists a spec adjustable thing last lol.

Coil specs:
Pulser Generator - 20-60ohms and gap of 0.3-0.4mm
Ignition coil - primary 0.2-0.8ohms, secondary 8-15k ohms
ac generator (stator) - lighting coil white/yellow to ground shows connection, exciter coil 245ohms (black/red wire I'm pretty sure)

Odd the exciter coil didn't have a range of spec, but the service manual is a more generalized one for the 185 and 200. Of course it never hurts to mention... is the kill switch to on? =)

For the giggles of it, I looked up the 200x specs, which might have a bit higher ohm specs than the 185/200 but should be similar and gives an idea on how much of a range is acceptable.

Pulse Generator: 30-200 ohms for 83, and 50-150ohms for after 83 and the gap is the same
Exciter coil 100-400ohms
ignition coil: primary is 0.2-0.8 and secondary is 3k-5k ohms

Good luck. There are service manuals around, but I don't have the link saved in a handy spot :(.

[86125m]

Ok Ive done some research and your bike is an 83 200 your vin is actually JH3TB0505DC257551 you mistook the H for an M. Some one modified you rear fenders from an 185s to fit your 83 200 becuase the fenders for an 83 200 are so rare. Now do not get to upset that your bike is a 200 because the original atc 185 was not that much different from the 83 200. The only real difference was that the engine was slightly larger and it had front shocks which a lot of people put on there 185's because it was such an upgrade from the rigid front ends. now as for your cdi it more than likely is the root of your problem either that or you ignition coil in your stater. The output of your stater should be in any shop manual. Now as for a cheap cdi just go on ebay and type in atc 200 cdi and find the one with the square plug. I have heard good and bad things about the aftermarket cdi boxes. The best things to do would be to find an nos honda cdi box but those are few and far between and cost a lot when you do find them.

[ps2fixer]

FYI on the NOS CDI, there is still time that has hit them, I'd say new is always best when it comes to a CDI unless you really want a perfect down to the bolt OEM restore.

Personally I put in JH8TB0505DC257551 as the vin, but both brings up the same machine.

[What2007]

Well this thing is a bit of a hodgepodge. 200 frame and a 185 motor. The harness I have takes a roundish CDI with 6 pins. I'll try getting one in if the stator tests good. Which two wires should I test on it again?

[86125m]

well if it take the round cdi this one is perfect because it is made by the original Honda cdi manufacturer here is the link http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-HONDA-ATC110-ATC125M-ATC200M-ATC200S-CDI-BOX-/191723092625?hash=item2ca3963a91:m:mv63WkPeD5E-G7QzokJxeZQ&vxp=mtr. Its more expensive but it is the original box.

[ps2fixer]

Black/Red stripe to ground (green wire or engine ground)

Interesting on that CDI listing, brand new and the round plug!? Wish I could find the opposite plug for making the wire harnesses, instead of having to use old plugs with new pins installed.

There is a post around where a member replaced the round plug with a 4+2 style plug like all the modern machines have used since 85. Of course he ended up using a $5 china cdi off ebay and has a spare on him at all times + 2-3 in his shop.

[What2007]

Black/Red stripe to ground (green wire or engine ground)

So which one is it then? Does my ground on my voltmeter go to the green wire or black wire?

[ps2fixer]

It don't matter which direction you hook it up on a coil, but you need the multimeter on the ohms setting to test resistance, not voltage. It measures if the coil inside got burned up (super low or super high resistance), or no connection (broken wire). Everything is tested with engine off and wires unplugged from the harness.

Sorry I didn't make it clear before.