aftermarket swingarm for atc185s?

[honda_rider81]

I bought a honda atc with what I might guess is a 200x frame because of the swingarm and mono shock, but the engine is a 185s and a 185 axle is bolted to the swingarm. I think... Is this an aftermarket swingarm, and can anybody tell me anything about it?

[gizmo_22]

it does look aftermarket , ive seen some of those kits on bikes here on the forum... although with the look of those welds it could be homebrew.. been wanting to do that to my 185 for awhile now.. have you ridden it yet? hows it ride...

[hondahaulic]

yea it looks like you have a 185 with an aftermarket swinger. those are pretty rare, awesome score!

[honda_rider81]

It rides great and is very cushy. I can ride down washboardy roads without any trouble at all. I just need to replace the axle because a previous owner broke and repaired it crooked and the wheel "wobbles" at high speeds.

[gizmo_22]

do you have any more pics of the trike? its gonna be a blast when you get another axly for it... may as well replace the bearings with sealed ones while your at it, the ones i got were like 6$ cdn and they last about 2 years of mud/sand riding

[erectordale]

you have a rare suspension kit frame on that machine they was sold back in the day nice find far as a axle what yr is it and I believe 200 axles are the same

[honda_rider81]

I will get more pics on when I put the engine back in. I have to put a new head gasket and top end gasket on.

[honda_rider81]

I got a code off the frame and the closest match is to an 83 185s. It came with an 83 185s engine in it.

[erectordale]

I'm sure I have a axle out of a 84 200 that will bolt right up good shape not bent

[Vealmonkey]

What you have is a weld on kit. They also produced bolt on kits. Both kits required that you cut the part of the frame off that held the stock rear axle carrier off. Some companies even made total custom frames. The most exotic of which would have been made out of chromoly, very light and rigid. The only bad side of a chromoly frame is that it takes special welding techniques and equipment if you ever damage the frame. I have 1 weld on frame and 1 bolt on frame. The bolt on frame trike I have pictures of on the web site here if you do a search and the weld on frame I've never done anything with. You can also find aftermarket axles for the 185s still. Just look around on several different web sites. I myself have a nos NASA axle for a 185s. A neat piece you have there. Just make sure you check those welds very carefully. A cracked weld from a backyard weld job can ruin your day rather quickly.

[honda_rider81]

Thanks, Vealmonkey. I'll be sure to check those welds over carefully. I weld for a living so I'm pretty sure I can make repairs if needed. By the way, do you happen to know who manufactured those kits?

[Vealmonkey]

There were a whole slew of companies that made the 185 kits. I would hate to have to look in my old magazines and count. Like I said, some made weld on kits, some made bolt on kits and some made complete frames. I think the most famous of all the makers was nicholson. They had mild steel frames and chromoly frames and would even do custom frames for you. You never said what year your rear axle was. Let me know the year and I'll tell you a secret that I don't want to type here. It's about the axle itself, the hot tip. Top secret stuff. Pm me if you want.

[Vealmonkey]

Here's a pic or 2 of my bolt on kit. I'll pm you about your rear axle.

[BigReds Forever]

HEY. no secrets!!! Come on, spill the beans.

[big schott]

Vealmonkey, those picts look good. I have a early 200 and think this would be a fun job to try.