Let's discuss trikes in different countries.

[200Maniac]

And where's their 86 TRX 250R?

Who knows.. may have never been sold here. Stopped keeping tabs around 86-87.. Anyone know?

My guess is the US had/has way higher proportion sport market. ATVs more expensive in Canada, skidoos might scratch that itch for a lot of people, yada yada...

[200Maniac]

So I guess the 86 200s in the US was the last of what I would call a "classic" ATC. Bubble tank, hard rear, pull start...

[swampthang]

I don't know much about what it would take to set the machines up in a factory to build an ATV or if Honda would have kept any of the molds/jigs and whatever else they would of had to built a trike back in the day but could you imagine if they was to come back with a NEW retro Atc even if it was for a special limited one year only production. Build the 1987 250r or 350x and sell it as a new machine. I guarantee every single one would sell even if it was $7000 guys would buy it just knowing it would be a valued collector item.

[oldskool83]

You want a new 250R/350x/ or any year 200x email HRE. he will build you a new frame and swinger...rest is one you.

[200Maniac]

Is it possible to build say a 70 from just current after market parts without having to DIY? including frame? Though stock-like frame not impossible to make?

I was thinking about getting a POS 125M but use older 90/110 style plastics/headlight, tank and ribbed seat to give it that 70s/early 80s look.. Looks cooler IMO, and I would think would be easier to find/replace the cosmetic pieces.. unlike the seat-over-tank setup

[Leevvii]

I used to ride with a friend back in the 90's, who modified the 200X motor into a honda 90 style barrel configuration, as in layed down jug about 30deg to horizontal, they called it "Projext X", think it was put into a honda 90 trike, and a 2 wheeler honda 90 "postie bike", i was lucky enough to see the 90[200 Projext X] trike in action, blew me away. Is that a common mod over there?
Another mate put a YZ 80J engine into a Honda 70 trike, complete with the handlebar mounted radiator from the 80J, he called it "the goat", as it did resemble a small goat with the radiator in front, power to weight was amazing, i wrode it twice, .....ffffaaaaarrrrg, it could pass a 250R on beach straights and keep going, only handling was the issue, not the most stable of beasts, those were the days

[ps2fixer]

Doing major mods to engines isn't all that common over here, however I do recall a person took a 250R engine and laid the cylinder down to make it more like the atc70/90/110/125m engines and somehow fit it in a atc70 frame. Never seen it in person, but man that thing must be a death trap lol.

Found it, can't seem to find photos but here's a youtube vid link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=x-POdl4f1r8

[greenhuman]

I used to ride with a friend back in the 90's, who modified the 200X motor into a honda 90 style barrel configuration, as in layed down jug about 30deg to horizontal, they called it "Projext X", think it was put into a honda 90 trike, and a 2 wheeler honda 90 "postie bike", i was lucky enough to see the 90[200 Projext X] trike in action, blew me away. Is that a common mod over there?
Another mate put a YZ 80J engine into a Honda 70 trike, complete with the handlebar mounted radiator from the 80J, he called it "the goat", as it did resemble a small goat with the radiator in front, power to weight was amazing, i wrode it twice, .....ffffaaaaarrrrg, it could pass a 250R on beach straights and keep going, only handling was the issue, not the most stable of beasts, those were the days

That's my Project X engine mod. Only in the ATC70 frame. I am still doing the 200x mod and also CRF230 electric start out to 290cc's and am still working on a 320cc version with DOHC four valve top end[ATTACH=CONFIG]255195[/ATTACH

[greenhuman]

I have a 70 with a build date of 11/86

[ps2fixer]

I have a 70 with a build date of 11/86

Could you post a photo of the build date and the machine? Could be wrong but pretty sure that build date would make it a 1987 model. The last year of the ATC70 was 1985 in the USA, 86 & 87 got a TRX70 though.

[Henrii]

In France the ATCs had some success. There were even ATC-only clubs all around the country.
They have never really been officially banned but the FFMoto (official association which organizes the competitions and affiliate clubs) did not want to hear any more about it since 1987, which put an end to the competitions and selling of the ATC in France.
You will find vintage photos on http://www.passion-atc.com/?page=archives

[El Camexican]

Three wheeled vehicles continue to thrive all over the world with the exception of the countries that claims to be the beacons of free will and thought. Street legal bike conversions with reverse hardware all the way up to 5 ton behemoths with dump boxes. Ironic isn’t it?

[swampthang]

The guys that where running the show for Honda Back in the 80s really knew what they was doing. Just look at how fast they could kick out the new machines. New exciting machines every year or two and improvements to existing models. In a very short time look at where they went from. 1980 no sport trikes and a 185 with no suspension was the top of the line bad boy. 1985 a showroom full of awesomeness we may never see again from Honda. Now days look at them... Still a 250 Recon on the showroom after 21 years kill that thing already. And a 15 year old Rincon as there top of the line model The 2015+ Rubicon restored some faith in Honda but the price and a top speed around 40mph sucks. I hear people saying 2020 will be a big year for Honda I hope they need it.

[El Camexican]

The guys that where running the show for Honda Back in the 80s really knew what they was doing.

They sure did. Their patent lawyers kept the other three Japanese players out of the market for years. They didn’t start stepping it up until the other brands entered the market. The massive lineups of 1985 almost killed the Japanese manufactures. Yamaha in particular. I doubt we’ll ever see a catalog like that again.

[swampthang]

They sure did. Their patent lawyers kept the other three Japanese players out of the market for years. They didn’t start stepping it up until the other brands entered the market. The massive lineups of 1985 almost killed the Japanese manufactures. Yamaha in particular. I doubt we’ll ever see a catalog like that again.

What ways did Honda try to slow the rest down? I know the ATC Name was a big deal Honda wanted for them selves but what else? Speaking of Yamaha the 225DX was a game changer. 1983 4stroke full suspension shaft drive electric start and a plastic gas tank. I always like them better then the 250SX for some reason.