A little back story: A couple months ago, I had a 10 page, 143 post extravaganza in which a tremendous effort was put forth by several members here to help me get it figured out. Thanks all for your patience and sticking with me on it! I learned a lot about this little Honda engine in a short time!
Through that process, and in the time since, I've been plugging away at it -- doing the following:
- Replaced EVERY component in the ignition system with new parts.
- Swapped out the carb
- Re-magnetized the flywheel
- Made an entirely new ignition wire harness (sounds impressive, but it's really just 5 wires with connectors)
- Checked compression (155 psi)
I bought a compete parts machine and one-by-one swapped out parts -- still no change.
Finally, on a lark, I decide I'll put the Cobra exhaust from the parts machine onto the "problem" trike. (the Cobra is MUCH larger diameter pipe than the stock pipe on the "problem" trike, and the Cobra has a completely gutted muffler)
I get the exhaust system swapped, give the rope a pull, and it barks to life and runs/rides great! Albeit a little lean and a LOT loud... but those things I can fix.
I assume the problem was that the muffler was plugged on the stock system. I tried blowing it out with compressed air and nothing substantial came out. I may try blasting the b'jesus out it with a pressure washer and see what that turns up. I suppose it could be the header pipe. It's a pretty small pipe, but the fit of the header and muffler are OEM, so unless the system from a 110 or 125 would fit a 200ES, I don't see how that could be the issue.
Anyway: Thanks again to everyone for your help. And in my best mad scientist voice, "IT'S ALIVE!!!"
Now to see if I can turn my "parts" trike into a runner!