Please tell me I'm not wasting my time!!

[Lambo200s]

I had a 1985 honda 110 as a child and this thing was a beast. For a 12 year old in the (low) differential setting there weren't too many hills or places this thing wouldn't get you. It was like a billy goat. I recently came across a well-kept 84 200s and decided to buy it. I will use it for hunting and trail riding but I NEED advice. This thing looks great but the engine needs to be rebuilt. At least the top end does. It starts after a few tries and idols fine. Only...when you get on the gas it leaves a trail of blue smoke. It feels like the compression is strong but I am not sure. Bc this is the first 200s I've owned I really don't have anything else to compare it with when referring to compression. I am debating whether or not to buy a manual and a top end rebuild kit online and trying to rebuild it myself. It will make a good project this winter. Any advice will be appreciated!! I would think between youtube, the manual, and limited tools that I am a few specialty tools, and some advice short of, completing the job myself. Even if it's my first time. Honda mech's want way too much than my budget allows for rebuild but I am confident in trying to do it myself.

[mi500]

Go for it. Download the factory manual off people on here and you will be fine.

[fabiodriven]

Of course you're not wasting your time. People rebuild those all the time. There are endless resources in this forum.

[audioworks04]

Dig in, there is no better way to learn than by just going for it. Get a manual and take lots and lots of pictures and notes as you go.

[dougspcs]

A wise amphibian once said it..."cowabunga dude"

I suggest you listen!!

[MonroeMike]

http://72.52.143.80/~trikes/Manuals/ATC%20manuals/ATC200S%2084-86%20Shop%20Manual.pdf

[muthey]

I recommend the downloadable manual on here, and when you start tearing it apart, check the valve seals before removing the cylinder and piston, however before even pulling the motor check the valve gap which is all explained in the manual. after checking valve gaps, and seals, and finding no problems then start checking the cylinder and piston plus check the crank for bearing wear. All in all it is definitely worth repairing and not extremely strenuous to do your self. be very careful on the exhaust nuts as they tend to snap which causes a major headache. Search through here for 185s and 200s rebuilds. You will find an abundance of info to reveiw

[bigworm626]

You can do it. 200S are the shiz nit home boy!

[hoosierlogger]

The Honda motors are super simple. I can have a 200S motor out of the frame, top end off, fresh jug and piston installed (I have a spare in the shed ready to go), motor re assembled and back in the frame and running in less than a day.

The 200 motor was the first 3 wheeler motor I ever took apart. I have done about 8 of them in the past year.

Go for it, if you goof it up you will remember what not to do next time.

[Nubbinz]

185s and 200s are the easiest things to work on ever. Not kidding I dont know how to work on drum breaks but i rebuilt my 185s engine.

[Lambo200s]

So I thumbed through the manual that someone posted to this thread (btw thank you!) and noticed my decompression cable is not installed on atc. Don't know if someone forgot to reinstall in past or what but either way the valve lifter is rested forward. From manual pictures and interaction it should be in the "up" position with "decompression" cable attached at top.
2 questions:
1)what is the decompression cable and valve lifters job?
2)is it damaging to engine to operate without these parts functioning correctly?

Thanks!!

[fabiodriven]

The decompression's job is to bleed off cylinder pressure resulting in easier starts. The only thing it may damage by not being hooked up is the pull start mechanism and rope or maybe your arm.

[Lambo200s]

The decompression's job is to bleed off cylinder pressure resulting in easier starts. The only thing it may damage by not being hooked up is the pull start mechanism and rope or maybe your arm.

Oh...:(! Well the first repair made on this thing was the pull rope. That thing was a bear!! If that bleeder valve will relieve pressure from pull rope then that needs to work properly. I don't want to make a pull rope repair any more then i have to. Thanks for response!!

[hoosierlogger]

IMHO the 200S does not need a decomp valve. The only time it came in handy on the ones I have owned was when I was starting it while standing on an iced over lake. A 10year old Ethiopian girl can pull start a properly tuned 200S with her left hand.

[Lambo200s]

IMHO the 200S does not need a decomp valve. The only time it came in handy on the ones I have owned was when I was starting it while standing on an iced over lake. A 10year old Ethiopian girl can pull start a properly tuned 200S with her left hand.

So in your experience you have used it but it's "unnecessary"? Hmmm... Well, I'm gonna replace it to save the pull rope some stress. If Honda put it on there I'm sure it helps. I'll trust their design. Thanks though!

[hoosierlogger]

It helps, but not as much as it looks like it should. You can flip the lever on the head by hand to find out how much it helps.