Starter Rope Question

[83ATC185]

Well, after having several different types of rope in the starter of my 185, and having all of them break after a short while, I'm looking to try something different. Ive used the double braided stuff from a small engine shop, it lasted the longest i think, then i got a real honda rope for 20 dollars, it broke after 2 months and it was the largest diameter rope. Ive checked and doubled checked for burrs or other causes of breakage. Inside the housing, on the pulley, i cant find anything the would wear my rope out. The honda rope only broke at the end. the rest wore down and finally broke. I was looking into using something like parachute cord(ive got 100 feet or so) I think the problem with the honda rope was that i couldn't get enough on the spool and it only pulled out like 2 feet, so inadvertently id pull it to the end on occasion.

Anyone have any suggestions on a good rope to use or what could be causing them to break constantly?

[fabiodriven]

Climbing rope or wire rope (cable).

[86125m]

hmmmm that's strange we have a lot of pull start only bikes and the rope usually last at least a year. Is your 185 missing the decompression lever.

[83ATC185]

Its got it but I never use it...may be time to start lol. I'm leaning toward rebuilding the thing completely. It drags when its pulled when its off the bike. Hard to explain but it feels rough. And the dogs are greased up nice and everything.

I considered the cable, how hard is it on the housing/pulley?

[fabiodriven]

I don't know. I've only ever seen it in a Sachs snowmobile motor that I never saw run.

[rdlsz24]

I would check for a sharp edge on the pulley that may be fraying the rope. Also, if you use 1/4" rope you should be able to wrap it around 3-4 times. About 6' feet of rope

Rob

[83ATC185]

Ok after pulling this thing apart, cleaning the spring and rewinding, and polishing all surfaces(spindle, bushing in the pulley, ratchets and where they ride) with 2000 grit and a fresh coat of grease on the moving parts, I'm very happy this fixed my "dragging" issue. I'd recommend doing this if you have it apart, it made it feel like brand new. I found one spot about 1/2 inch across that was slightly pitted on the pulley, i polished that out until i felt it wouldn't be an issue. Replaced the rope with new 1/4 inch rope, so we will see how long it lasts, I'm pretty confident in it now, the difference is night and day.

[whitneysandel]

I am having the same problem. I go through them daily. I will try polishing it up today and see if that fixes the issue. Thanks 3 wheeler world!