need some info on my honda 200

[slowman9786]

I just picked up my first 3 wheeler last night! I have always wanted one and finally talked my wife into letting me drag one into the garage.

All that the guy told me was its a 80 something big red 200. It has a gas tank from what appears to be a dirtbike zip tied on and no front brake handle/cable. Also the pull start broke on him, he took it apart and was not able to put it back together. Also the carb was full of water as well as the gas tank.

I have a couple of ?'s. 1st: It doesn't want to go into neutral. on the pull start cover there is an "N" and there is a "stud" of some sort sticking out, seems like there used to be a lever on there? My next question is are these 4 or 5 speeds? Is neutral at the bottom and 4 up 4 down, or is it 1 down 4 up? Also, how to I find out the exact model/year?

Thanks in advance, I'll try to get some pics up after work.

(BTW it is chain driven no electric start if that helps)

[atc007]

The last part helped! ALL Big Reds have elec start. There should be a year tag on the steering neck. Numbers say it will end up being a 200S. But we can't help a lot till you figure out your year and model! There should be a VIN # 17 digits long on the steering neck,we can decode that easy enough. And Welcome!!

[muthey]

It still can be a big red atc007, if it is an 80-82 200 my 81 is a big red more or less was just before they called it big red, the stud you were talking about is a gear indicator, just missing the white neutral indicator. the gears should be n at the very top the rest all go down. with the pull start check to see if it has the metal setup inside with 3 ratchets or if it is plastic with just one, it will make a difference when ordering repair parts for it. they are 5 speeds, and with the carb make sure you clean it out fully, as they get very picky if you half-ass it. Does your 200 have individual fenders on each side an a black lid on the back?, will also help in identifying the year of it. suspension on the forks or not? I also highly recommend going to the world class help section and downloading a manual for it as well will save you money, and most people on here can refer back to the manuals to help you with questions you might have about it.

[mullet]

It still can be a big red atc007, if it is an 80-82 200 my 81 is a big red more or less was just before they called it big red

I don't mean to be offensive, but Honda came out with the first "Big Red" in 82. Model 200e. It is different than a 200 or 200s because it has electric start, hi-low range, and front suspension. Not all Honda atc's can be called "Big Reds". Just a peave of mine because it seems like 75% of the people listing three wheelers on craigslist call any Honda ATC a Big Red...


Slowman, welcome to 3WW and congrats on the wheeler! Be sure to post pictures when you get a chance.

[slowman9786]

sorry for not getting back earlier, been busy.

I finally got it running! It was a gummed up carb. I still cant get the pull starter figured out but I'll get it.

I cant find any serial #'s on the steering neck, are they on a sticker or stamped on there? There is a sticker but nothing is readable. It is a split rear fender with a black "trunk" in the middle and it does have front suspension. It does have the metal setup with the 3 ratchets inside the pull starter.

When riding around I noticed that it needs rear end bearings very bad, and also it wants to pull to the right. I think Im going to replace the rear bearings then inspect the front end to see what I find.

If anyone can give me any ideas on the year it would be great. I will try to keep yall informed on my progress and hopefully have it trail ready in a few weeks.

[tri again]

It should be stamped into the metal and may start with JH, as in japan honda.
Usually hidden behind the fat wire harness and running vertically or parallel to the axis
of the steering stem.

The stick on stickers can fall off or get painted over.

I wonder if the engine serial# is supposed to match the frame.
On some it's along the bottom of the engine so that it can be seen from the side.

I think the 'decode your VIN' is somewhere on one of the opening pages here at 3ww.

dratv has those little gear indicator shaft caps or whatever they're called.

Manual are free in the world class help section and you almost can't go
wrong with
a) free
and
b) info on the 185 or 200

as far as most general info.
There should also be an actual number on the base of the cylinder stating
198cc or similar.

I had one with a plastic pulley inside the pull start.
very hard to find.

So there's some info in no particular order.

Most bearings can be found locally at a bearing supplier and
is usually some common size and not Honda specific and waaay cheaper.
Sometimes the numbers and seals can be cross referenced.

ps - the owners manuals and orig sales brochures are fun to read too and should be posted on the front page somewhere.

[Motorious]

ps - the owners manuals and orig sales brochures are fun to read too and should be posted on the front page somewhere.

Yep...under the Old 3ww link: http://www.3wheelerworld.com/oldsite/

[muthey]

I would say it is roughly an 81 or 82 atc 200, I have one just like it, carrier bearings were around 30$ from honda, so not too bad a prices, also the pull start is the same as an 83 200's, and what is it about the pull start you don't understand?

[MonroeMike]

It is a split rear fender with a black "trunk" in the middle and it does have front suspension.
That would make it a 1983 200.
You can run the VIN here, to be sure.
http://atcvin.webs.com/

[slowman9786]

I just ran the vin on that link and it's saying a 1983 ATC 250r. I wonder why it says that? This is the VIN# I found on the steering stem: JH3TB0601DC204703

I appreciate all the help I'm getting. This is a great website. I'm going to tackle the rear bearings and get the brakes sorted out. I'll start another thread if I need some help with the repairs.

[slowman9786]

Nevermind on that vin, I had to get some paint stripper and strip the few layers of paint off and the 7th digit which I thought was a 6 is actually a 5 and it came out to be correct, an 83 ATC 200. Just 1 number off is a exact match for a 250r vin#.

[MonroeMike]

Here's a manual.
http://www.oscarmayer.net/atc/manuals/honda/Honda_ATC185s_200_Service_Manual.pdfService data
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php?126290-ATC185-200-Service-Data

[84honda200s]

welcome to 3ww. sounds like a nice little project you have going . a recoil can be a pain to rebuild but read the manual and you will be just fine. try to avoid removing the big coiled up spring because they can take a long time to get back into the recoil. ive done way too many of them. more then i care to have done. be sure to check all your bearing for any signs of rust or friction. take your time and go threw it good. good luck with it and welcome to the wonderful world of trikes. just remember trikes are like pringals .... get have juss one !!

[tri again]

welcome to 3ww. sounds like a nice little project you have going . a recoil can be a pain to rebuild but read the manual and you will be just fine. try to avoid removing the big coiled up spring because they can take a long time to get back into the recoil. ive done way too many of them. more then i care to have done. be sure to check all your bearing for any signs of rust or friction. take your time and go threw it good. good luck with it and welcome to the wonderful world of trikes. just remember trikes are like pringals .... get have juss one !!

Yupp, ya gotta keep them hidden or they can act like duck decoys.
I've honestly found one in my front yard one morning.
It was wounded and crying for help.
I STILL don't know who dropped it off and that was a year ago.

[84honda200s]

wow cool deal .. wish someone would drop one off in my front yard haha