1981 185s won't start

[Nick762]

Hey, I'm new here so sorry if it's in the wrong place.


Any way, I just bought a 1981 Honda ATC 185s for $100 not running. I got it running twice and now it doesn't run. I can pull and pull til I want to pass out. And I've broke 4 ropes in two days. Then today I discovered the decompression valve. Which does make it easier to pull, but now it won't start. It started and died just as fast, I RTVed the carb, rebuild the starter I don't know how to tune the carb. Here's how I start it: set to "run" set the gas cap to "on" turn fuel gauge to the top, close the carb but turning the choke arm up, and pull pull pull. It's in neutral. Please help, I want to ride this so badly

[tri again]

You'll be ok,
just take a deep breath.

You got nice spark? Plugs can foul so fast I can ruin a brand new one within minutes by
forgetting to turn the choke off.
Can you keep it running by teasing it CAREfully with short bursts of starting fluid?


All my honda chokes are different, some flip up, some down
and not always easy to tell which way is on or off.

Yeah, best to determine if it's fuel or spark related first. Easier for me personally.

I like to eliminate one problem at a time, but that's just me.
When they finally DO run, I wanna know why.

There are free manuals in the world class help section btw.

Where can you ride near millbrae?

[Nick762]

I'm tryin hahaha.

I do have a spark, replaced the plug yesterday. I tease it with starter fluid and it works, just had it running with starter fluid, it smokes but I'm hopping changing the oil will help with that.

I've got the online manual for mine but since I'm on my phone it's a pain to go through it.

No where, Hahah. It's not illegal til you get caught.
When I was younger me and my buddies would ride out dirt bikes, quads, go karts, gopeds and no one would care, but now the cops will flip.

[Headsup]

1981 185s? thought that was only 82 and 83? idk, Anywho check your valves, Was the engine torn apart prior? Is it timed? Yes the decompression cable helps a ton on my 83 185s

[Nick762]

Iono vin said 81.
How do I check valves? I don't know how to do any of that.

And where do I put the decompresser lever cable?

[tri again]

I'm tryin hahaha.

I do have a spark, replaced the plug yesterday. I tease it with starter fluid and it works, just had it running with starter fluid, it smokes but I'm hopping changing the oil will help with that.

I've got the online manual for mine but since I'm on my phone it's a pain to go through it.

No where, Hahah. It's not illegal til you get caught.
When I was younger me and my buddies would ride out dirt bikes, quads, go karts, gopeds and no one would care, but now the cops will flip.

ok, so to me it sounds like it wants fuel and ain't gettin' it.
Good to have spark. Count your blessings.
Chasing a no spark condition can take days.

whereas a new carb for 20 bucks takes 4 minutes to change.

Or clean it (on the inside) real good, spray carb cleaner in all the jets etc,
buy a rebuild kit for 20$ if you think you need it, maybe for the gaskets.

Oh, clean your fuel shut off valve. It may have a superplugged screen.
Try running with the gas cap off... sometimes they create a vacuum and won't let gas get TO the carb.

So???
if you pull the fuel line off the carb, I wonder if gas flows out.

Those shut off valves don';t always work.

Sometimes off is on and ON is NOT ON.

and their screens get plugged.

Wouldn't that be cool if it was just dirt?
Or gas cap that didn't vent properly.

Yeah, we used to ride all over the place by Pulgas water temple, up and over to Half Moon Bay.

[rdlsz24]

I would start with cleaning the carb. I bet your pilot jet is plugged

Rob

[swampthang]

It sounds like a fuel delivery problem to me. I personally wouldn't use RTV on your carb Gas will eventually desolve it and it can plug up your jets.

[Jason125m]

Take your carb apart.. Clean every jet... Check your air filter, check to see what the plug looks like, take the hose off the petcock to see if it is getting gas, change your oil. When it did run, what did it sound like? Was it a nice running or what it knocking/ticking? What color was the smoke?

[Headsup]

Decompression Lever would go up top of Engine, Top right with the engine sitting in front of you and your looking at the back of it.
Mine is an 83 so idk it might be different. I would imagine its just about the same thing.
Yes take the carb off and take it apart, Used Compressed air if you can to blow out Everything inside the carb, Taking jets outs and what not.
Valve Check Would be useful though. There the 2 big Bolt type screw caps on the Very top of your engine. Should be in your manual. The recommended Gap for the Valves is like .6 something MM Not 100% sure.
Do everything that Drjoe said and you should be fine, If u can get it started Your good to go, Sounds minor.
^^^ Said what i was going to.
More then likely a Carb Cleaning And fuel line, The petcock in the fuel tank on bottom.
Also i know Hondas are a trailprotrailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro to start when its cold outside, 90+ degrees Mine starts no problems. Gets harder The colder it is.
Anyway hope it helps, Reply if it dont maybe we can hep you further.
Any Pics of the Trike? We all love new pics

[Nick762]

So I got it to start with 3-4 pulls.
I took apart the carb and cleaned it, made a cork gasket, and turned that screw next to were the throttle cord goes into and turned it in all the way and 1 1/2 turns out. It idles low and dies with no throttle. How would I change that? And then I broke my shift lever. Bought a new one and hopefully get it goin by next Friday

I can't post pics from my phone but I can email some to someone haha

[Vealmonkey]

Firstly, get an online manual and get a friend to print it out on their computer. Secondly, you need to tune your trike. The manual will explain how to set the valves and set the static timing. Make sure you have a new plug and it's properly gapped. Make sure all your wires are connected, that all your electrical connections are good and that your ground is nice and clean. Make sure your chain is good and properly lubricated. Check your front and rear wheel bearings and that they are in proper order. Check your brakes for proper operation. No need to hurt yourself when you do get your trike running. Make sure you have your helmet for riding, no need to get hurt without wearing a helmet. Now, try starting your trike without the fuel cap on it. If the vent isn't working, the fuel cap will make it staved for fuel, if no change without the cap, then that's not your problem. You have to check your fuel tank for a clogged fuel line. Try running your gas line into a jar and check for flow. If the flow looks ok, the your carb may be gummed up. Just because you shot carb cleaner in there, doesn't mean you got all the little nooks and crannies cleaned out. You may have to take apart the carb, remove the jets and clean them out with small wires to make sure you have the small orifices free and clear. A shop manual will also tell you all your initial setting on the screws and such on the carb to try and help to get you started. Best of luck.