Who here flips trikes?

[MrConcdid]

I enjoy the hunt, buying, selling and repairing Hondas, I have been flipping 4x4s for the last couple of years. Along the way I get to keep the best ones and play with the rest.

This keeps me busy and makes some money along the way. Friday I'm going to look at a 1984 200es and a 1984 200x, the x is not for sale. Yet anyways. Trikes are hard to find here, I hope that translates into better sales.
There both in rough shape but they both run.

On other forums I do build threads as I go along, others chime in with suggestions or tips during the build. I learn a lot and others do to.
I'm new here and still can't post pictures. I really think you should change that rule.

MrC.

[Baba Yaga]

I flip a few, and keep a few. I try to buy package deals, where I can fix up and sell off one trike, and keep the other one. :)

[MrConcdid]

Hi baba yaga-
Exactly, when I bought my sx there was a 250 big red heir too, I couldn't make a deal for both so I ended up with the sx. Now I have found a 200es and 200x, he says the 200x isn't for sale, but I'm going to ask when I get here.

Mrc.

[ps2fixer]

When I read your title, I thought you was talking about flipping them while riding, not buying and reselling xD.

I've bought a ton in horrible shape to sell the parts. The ones I fixed up I still have, haven't even sold one machine. Tried to sell a pretty nice 250ES for $1000 and a couple people said they were interested but no one committed. I guess I'm not the best person to flip things, I'm too honest and not a very good salesman. I seem to do well with parts, pretty often people come to my place for parts (generally Toyota parts) and they get what they orig wanted, and spend the rest of the money they brought with other misc things they didn't remember they needed xD. Even had some come back after they got more money.


The 3 wheelers are defo getting harder to find here for a good price, almost all are over what I allow myself to spend on them any more so I've pretty much stopped looking, don't really have room for more anyway. Probably have to clean up the machines I never use and get them tuned up, carbs cleaned if needed etc and get them listed for sale in the spring and hope to make some room and take a small profit.


Are there title requirements for these old atv's in FL? Up here in MI no title is required for old machines. Out of 25+ machines I've only had 3 with titles.

[HorseMcHorseman]

I thought the same thing when I saw title, flipping them over.
My answer to that would probably be people that ride trikes.
Haven’t personally flipped one yet though, almost flipped a tractor before after pulley swapping it, and yesterday almost flipped a snowmobile.

as far as reselling things not really, for the most part when I get something it’s in running or almost running condition for about what it’s worth so the profit margin wouldn’t be worth selling and sometimes more is spent on tires battery and the like- than could ever be made back. Most importantly I wouldn’t want to have less three wheelers anyway

[MrConcdid]

Its one of my many hobbies, I enjoy all aspects of it, I like searching out a good diamond in the ruff, negotiating a good deal for it, refurbishing it (on budget) selling it and making some extra coin to finance other hobbies. Thats how I ended up here, I bought a non running 450es 4x4 and got it up and running cheap, new tires and a tune up she was ready to go. I kept it for a year (while flipping other quads) when hunting season came I sold it and made a good profit on it, it more than paid for my sx and pretty much covered my Christmas for the family. So now I am looking for the next flip.

They are rare, I have only seen 2 on CL this whole year in my area, (100 miles) I have to search much farther to get any good hits. The two I am going to look at are ruff, but they both run. the price isn't cheap but do able. A running driving big red will sell for $1,000 may be $1500 if it is in excellent condition, the 450r's go anywhere from $2500-$6,000. I have never seen an 350x or 200x sale in my area.

Flipping Backwards- no sir, I am much to old and brittle for those type tricks, I will stick to wheelies and power slides, just don't tell me insurance agent.

Titles- yes they had them, yes Florida requires you register it if you want to ride on public land. most people do not ride on public land, and therefore don't register. Neighboring states like Alabama and Georgia, do not require it, which makes it hard for Florida to enforce it. When a bike is brought into the state and bill of sale and a clean run of the vin number is all you need to get a FL title for it. I think it will soon change here to be like Alabama and Georgia.

Mrc.

P.S.
One day may be they will let me post a picture of my atc.

type o- I meant to say 450es 4x4 (electronic shift)

[ps2fixer]

Not sure how posting restrictions are here for images, you could always upload to another site and link us. Like photo bucket. The process to post images is different for mobile vs desktop. I don't use a cell to browse. On desktop you click go advanced, then manage attachments down low on the page, under the huge text box. In the pop up window, choose a file and click upload. Wait for the upload to finish (depends on your internet need) and you should see the image show up at the bottom of the screen. Just close the window, type your reply in the box and hit submit reply. I can post images... of how to post images if you want xD. I use gyazo to upload screen shots so mine won't look the same since I'm a programmer I normally do the "coder's" way of doing it with the [ img] tags + image url.


I wouldn't mind getting a TRX450R but their prices are normally more than what I want to spend.

What is a 450EX 4x4? Those are kind of conflicting each other, the 400EX was a 2wd sports quad, same with the 450r/er. There's S, ES, FM, FE for utility style machines, I think they are all 4x4. I'm guessing it was auto correct or something.

[Lanix]

Posting Permissions
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these are my permissions, I can not post attachments
I think thats the issue
MrC.

You do not need to post an attachment to post a picture. Like fixer said upload your picture to another site and post the link here. you can post a direct link of the image for a forum with the [img] tags around the link. Upload to Photobucket and use this:
https://support.photobucket.com/hc/en-us/articles/200724324-Linking-and-Embedding-Images?mobile_site=true

[ps2fixer]

The key thing is, he has the permissions in other sections, but not this section, I don't think this is intended so I shot Billy a pm about it. What's the point of blocking attachments, but not blocking the [ img] tags, makes no sense except to try to lower bandwidth costs which I doubt is a major problem, would save more bandwidth with a smaller header image than restricting only new users from posting images.

[Olred]

I buy stuff to flip but can’t get to the selling part. I cant post either, same rules I guess. Would be nice if it was clarified.

[bkvette3]

When I originally started out in this game - my plan was to buy - fix (if needed) - ride then sell/flip for a profit (hopefully). Well that never happened. Managed to find clean OEM original trikes. Kept them all - can't bring myself to sell any of them. Just purchased a mint FL400 Pilot. It is a sickness - I tell you.

260942 *** CLICK ON PIC TO ENLARGE ***

260943

[MrConcdid]

Bkvette3- you sir have a problem, and I want it.
That's an amazing collection. That's my plan as well.

Difference is, I can only find fixer uppers.lol
I picked up a running 200es yesterday
Plan is to make a quick flip on this one. I fully intend to keep the best one and trade up.
Thanks for sharing.
MrC

[sledcrazyinCT]

When I originally started out in this game - my plan was to buy - fix (if needed) - ride then sell/flip for a profit (hopefully). Well that never happened. Managed to find clean OEM original trikes. Kept them all - can't bring myself to sell any of them. Just purchased a mint FL400 Pilot. It is a sickness - I tell you.

260942 *** CLICK ON PIC TO ENLARGE ***

260943

That pilot looks in awesome shape! You 'hoard' nice stuff!!!

[Jim mac]

Any non running fairly complete trike 100 bucks or less I buy fix and sell. Im finding locally a hard tail running with repaired plastics will only bring max300 bucks so you have to be real careful what your original price going in. I bougbt 2 85 200x in august for $500. 3 master cylinders a seat cover $130 bucks for 2 bonded titles and paperwork. I sold them for $1150. Not a killing but its better than losing $100. Ive still got 2 85 atc70's I think I paid $200 each. They have new plastics, ran great when parked. I could probably flip those pretty easy but want to keep them fkr the grandkids. Also have a decent 85 110 that for some reason I cant bring myself to sell.
But I used to flip 3 or 4 a year. Atc70's to 350x. I dont think I ever lost a dime on a three wheeler. Jim

[MrConcdid]

Jim Mac- you are correct, you have to be careful and buy right (low) the market will only allow so much, I think of them backwards.
A Big red 200/250 will sell for $1000 to $3000 depending on shape, so to make any real money, you need to be all in for $500/$1000 in the bike you have to sell. that gives you lots of room to adjust, if its clean you could triple your investment, not so clean may be just double up. If you get upside down in one, there is always parting it out, its more work, but you will make your profit eventually. ebay, market place, Craigslist, letgo; parts or whole bikes. I only deal in Hondas, I feel they hold there value the best, parts are available and affordable, and if you stay in a set age and model, that part swapping is also a option.

MrC.

I just picked up a Big Red 200es, all original, I just serviced it and now its listed on the major classifieds. It owes my $485 I can adjust as needed, or sit on it for awhile. It rides good, but heck fire no way will I give up rear suspension!. my sx ride like a Cadillac.

[Jim mac]

I bought a big red in July 250es paid less than $200 for it, cleaned the carb, wrapped the seat with vynle. Slimed the tires. Plastics were decent ran great only got $325 for it. I should have kept it, added a battery it would have kept my bad knee happy. Jim

[ps2fixer]

$325 for a 250es?! Too bad you wasn't in Michigan and still had it, I'd buy it for that price. I've paid $350 for 250es parts machines and was happy to get those prices lol. My ugly rider was $500, nothing really wrong with it, just messed up plastics, came with the wrong tank, and the seat was recovered poorly.

[ATC King]

I've walked away from several sellers who clearly hadn't worked on trikes and didn't actually know the cost of 'simple' repairs.

Three new tires alone will often kill a flip. Chain, sprockets, brakes, cables, and all the typically neglected stuff isn't worth replacing if planning to resale. Buying a truly great condition trike will actually save time and money very quickly, all others are parts machines or basic junk riders.

It's like a ton of ATCs passed through Antiques Roadshow and every Tom, Dick, & Harry is now an expert on the value of such rare:rolleyes: machines.

I also think the previous advice of sticking to one type of model is beneficial. It makes accumulating, using, selling parts much simpler and economical


I've stopped buying anything other than parts machines. Can't even find a decent rider for a reasonable price anymore, they all need twice the asking price just to be dependable are ready to ride. Everything I have is 185-200 style hardtail, which means I've got enough parts to put at least a couple runners together. I take time here and there to clean and put away ready to use parts instead of just adding to a increasing pile of dirty junk. When I need a part, there's typically one ready to go. .

[ps2fixer]

That's good advice, I've had similar experience with vehicles, it just needs a timing belt, it's like $80, but they fail to understand it's a 10 hour job and you're trusting them to tell you everything else that's wrong. Just picked up a Toyota van for $250 with a timing belt to help a friend out with a Chevy with a bad timing chain (interference engine). The Chevy is a nightmare job, while the Toyota is like a 2-3hr job. He will have something like $700 - $200 for his old car (for the tires), so like $500 for the whole repair and have a vehicle that's more suited for his needs and is in better shape rust wise (he hauls a lot of stuff for his job).

Anyone in Michigan looking for a 2005 Cavalier with a bad timing chain (2.2L EcoTec)? Bring your own tires though, my dad wants them for his trailer lol.

My family have gone a bit crazy on Toyota's, so we have stuck to the idea "buy parts vehicles of the same model" and it has paid off well when there were parts needed.

[MrConcdid]

I said I would only buy/flip/part out Honda's, But this jewel is keeping my up at nights.
1983 Yamaha 125
Needs a pull cord assembly.
I notice there is not a lot of Yamaha parts on eBay or here, is there no interest or is there just no money to be made?
Check her out.
MrC.

[ps2fixer]

It seems the Yamaha's are a bit hit and miss. There's not nearly as many as the Honda's, so less of them makes parts harder to find too. Good news is Yamaha seemed to use a lot of parts that worked across models, so a 175 recoil might work too. I've seen Yamaha 3 wheelers running and ride-able for $200 locally with bent axles (two for $400). I was going to jump on them, but they sold quick, besides that haven't really seen much of anything else for Yamaha for sale locally. Tri-Z 250 is about the only model and it's always very expensive like a 85-86 250r or 350x. I suspect there's a bit less interest in them, like less known models and such. I wouldn't mind trying one some day, seems like they would be a fun machine to do wheelies on since the engine is so far back.

[christph]

You mean resell them? Why the hell would you want to do that?

[MrConcdid]

Money, my friend, Money.

I am picking this one in the morning, and looking at 2 others, If Im lucky i may come home with all three.
1-chain, 1 shaft and one I cant tell in the photo. all 3 are 200s


MrC.

[MrConcdid]

It was a great trip, lookie what I did!
And yes I have all 3 seats!

MrC.

[ps2fixer]

The 84 200ES looks pretty good. Not sure why the stator needed to be pulled, but FYI, there is a drain plug with an oil filter screen, wouldn't hurt to check that and clean it since no point in putting in new oil but have junk in the screen yet. If I recall correctly, it's the ~17mm hex head cover at the bottom left of the engine, same style as the valve cover caps (it's the same part number for some machines).

Guessing you'll make 2 riders out of the 3, or are there major problems with any of them?

[MrConcdid]

There like kids, named 1,2 and 3 lol
1 is the brighter red, it runs and drive, needs a tune up, battery and rebuild front forks I rode it already.
2 is making a terrible noise when I try to start it, look for my "name that tune thread" I uploaded a video of the noise, it looks the best, but unsure at this point whats wrong.
3 is just parts.
MrC.

[MrConcdid]

Update,
#1. Is waiting on new/used forks and a battery then she hit CL on Thursday night.
#2. Sheered the keyway on the rotor, and the P.O. lost the springs holding the one way starter bearing, waiting on springs now. A battery and a detail I should have her on CL next week. May even offer up the matched pair?
#3 . Has offered up some bolts and a usable plastic gas tanks and petcock. She has paid for herself already.

MrC.

[ps2fixer]

Always have to love the ugly parts machine to rob parts from =)

You keeping this thread as kind of a flip or log list of buys and sells?

[6bt]

I like to buy and sell, but the money goes towards toys. I thought about selling them off, but I'd take the money and replace everything I just sold. LOL.

Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk

[MrConcdid]

I was thinking about it PS2FIXER

I have just buttoned number 2 up tonight, so I will take some pictures tomorrow, number 1 hasn't sold yet, so I may offer them as a pair. we will see.
Here is a sneak peak.

Bikes 1 and 2 pictures attached. not bad for 2 weeks work.

MrC.

[MrConcdid]

Well Bikes 1 and 2 are running great now and off to new homes.

Look what the cat dragged home today.

MrC.

[ps2fixer]

If I'm not mistaken, the rear rack on the 125M is aftermarket, maybe Hondaline.

Seems like you really do enjoy fixing these machines up. I'd have a hay day with all of them lol. It seems like I always drag home machines that are beyond worth repairing that sat outside for the last 20 years.

[Deerehauler]

I stumbled onto a free (zero cash outlay) 250es and 250sx. The ES had a broken engine case and the SX had a good engine but the rest was JUNK. I put the SX engine on the ES and decided to build a snow blade for the ES, thinking it would be a great selling point. My downfall is that locally we have had two 1" snows since I got the blade done, so I haven't really been out with it in deeper snow to put it through its paces. I was kind of hoping to run across an impulse buyer who would see me moving snow on the trike with $1000 burning a hole in his pocket. So far no luck, but I discovered I kind of like tinkering on the ES, so I am not as likely to sell, but if someone had $1000, I could be convinced...

[MrConcdid]

Hi Deerhauler, I am not your guy, Florida dosen't get much or any snow. lol, but they are out there just keep the ads up on the net.

I just picked up that trailer load of bikes today, I haven't decided what direction to go, most of them are parts bike, I am hoping to make at least 2 salable bikes out of the lot.
the 200x has me thinking of building it up and keeping it. We will see, I am not much on long term expensive projects. I like to keep them moving.
MrC.

[ps2fixer]

What do you do with your excess parts machines? I'd guess you part them out, throw the parts up on ebay, or maybe you just list the left over parts back on the market as a parts only machine? If you continue to get a lot of machines, use mainly parts from parts machines, in a few years you'd have one heck of a collection of parts, or in better terms a private junk yard. Junk yards typically have the bad habit of just letting machines sit out in the weather though.

The 200x is an interesting machine, it's the lightest sports machine, but it doesn't have the highest power to weight ratio, in fact if you ignore the 250sx, it's the lowest power to weight ratio for the fully suspended machines that are sport oriented. That's an interesting spec to compare machines and how fast they "feel" stock, might have to add that to my spec pages since it's just weight/power. Like the 200x is 282lb and 17.8hp so 282/17.8 = 15.8 lbs per hp, while the 350x is 12lbs per hp which is about 24% better. I can see why the 350x feels like it has so much power than the 200x lol.

Just for fun I ran a search on my specs database and for the machines I currently have in it, the 350x is the winner for power to weight ratio. Second best is the atc200x (86-87, then 83-85), then followed by the atc250sx and the atc250es behind that. Going the opposite direction, the worst power to weight ratio for the 3 wheelers is the 82-84 ATC70 which isn't really a surprise, it was designed for kids so performance wasn't the #1 goal. Of course I don't have every model in the database, far from it, currently sitting at 106 machines that just exist in it, but only 33 machines that have a weight and power spec logged. FYI a machine is defined as a year + model, so like the atc200x 83-87 is counted as 5 machines. It's a slow work in progress.

[MrConcdid]

That's a lot of info PS2FIXER, thanks for sharing, funny you picked up on the 200x, I Have mixed feelings about it, I am a flipper not a restorer or keeper, I have wanted a 200x but to be fair, I think it would cost more to save this one than buy a running one. So that leaves me with some other ideas and options.
1. part it out
2. sell it as a roller w/ lower end
3. do a engine swap into it - this could fix the power to weight ratio real fast. (would also kill the resale value)
The market will only bear about $1500 to $2500 for a nice 200x, so there is a cap to what I can or should put into it that said may be $1000. Since I am missing so much, I would have to buy: a whole engine, carb, ignition, bushings, chain, repair seat, try to save tank. I just don't see it. Best option to save it, is find a running trx300 and do a transplant. that would be an upgrade and could be done for less than $1000 and would not kill the resale.


As for the other bikes, I bought that trailer load from 1 guy, this is a phase, It may last a few years, maybe longer idk, I am here for the memories and the money. I have not tried ebay as a seller of parts, that's next for me, I like selling running machines, less work, faster pay day. Ebay parting out has been my fall back plan since day one, what I cant fix, will become parts and ebay parts, what doesn't sell for parts gets scraped when I move to my next hobby. Cold truth. I will consolidate as I move forward, I will not have a junk yard. I can't save them all, but I have saved several so far, and hope to save more. (all my parts bikes are kept under roof)

MrC.

[ps2fixer]

Before you scrap parts that are usable even if ugly, throw the whole collection on craigslist for 5x the scrap price and I pretty much guarantee you'll get it. It takes a lot of atvs to make 1 ton of scrap metal. My dad used to live on scrapping cars in the 90's he'd haul in 2-3 at a time because the pay was so horrible ($20-25/ton). The silly local scrap yard doesn't have steel prices posted right now, but I think it was something like $130-150/ton for tin (aka junk mainly made of metal).

The ebay parting out is good and bad, the desirable parts sell pretty fast and for a nice price, the rest can be slow to sell and ok prices. Some stuff just never sells, but that's normal. I originally started buying machines to fix up to ride for my self, and part out the machines that weren't worth it. Found out real quick it's a lot of effort to make all of those listings, and I don't get how the bigger guys list these parts in bulk for huge stock levels. I was also working on complete garbage internet, and ebay still doesn't work right in mozilla for updating the fitment table. I mainly sell new/modded parts only now, so it's one listing per product, just have to update the stock level once in a while when I get more in or make more, so much easier to manage.

Back to many random splurge of spec details, I filled out a fair few more machines with dry weight + horsepower specs ignoring all other details to get a fair few populated. No where complete, but the ATC350x and 200x stands up quite well for the early quads. Currently the only one to beat them is the TRX450R which didn't use an official spec but based on my research it's pretty consistent people are getting around 33hp for the 2004-2005 model. 366lb / 33hp = gives a lb to hp rate of 11.1. I don't have much for motorcycle specs, but I suspect dirt bikes would blow those numbers out of the water lol.

Not hijacking your thread or trying to derail it or anything, but I also recently found specs manuals, books just filled with tech specs for a bunch of machines. Didn't know those exist, there's so many types of manuals. I think I'm going to have quite a crazy collection of manuals, pretty much collecting all the manuals a dealership would likely have.

I didn't know the TRX300 engine fit, also isn't the TRX300 shaft drive or do you mean like the TRX300EX? There's a motorcycle engine that's really similar to the 200x, I think it was a 230 model that should be nearly a bolt in swap and fair chances it's a lot cheaper to find than a 200x engine. Could also use a 200cc 3 wheeler engine from other models, but there's a couple mods that have to be done like the right brake lever situation. The "auto x" is a common thing using a 185/s or 200/s engine. Less power, but semi auto (no hand clutch). I figured atleast one of the 200x's had the engine, could see the front one was missing, didn't notice the rear one was missing to (black engine and photo is in the shadows lol).


Anyway, a lot of people really love the 200x, I'm spoiled with first owning a 350x though lol. I suspect the ATC250R should beat the 350x easily for power to weight ratio, but there's no solid specs on the stock HP that I can find for any year, only ball park guesses like 26-33hp. I'd guess it's something like 27-28hp, more than the 350x slightly, but not tons more. The machine is just lighter so the power to weight ratio makes it feel like more power to the average consumer. Same logic throwing a small v8 in a tiny car vs leaving it in the stock v8 car, both have the same power, the weight is what changed. Related video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnpUYL8zVl4

Notice how easily his car breaks both tires loose (not sure if open diff or not). From my understanding it's more or less stock, just like this car it originally came with. I drive one daily, it doesn't drift easy unless you use the weight to break the tires loose, or it's raining. The drive shaft has two rubber couplers though because it's luxury so it's harder to break the tires loose because of that too besides the weight. Engine is a 1UZ 4.0L 250hp stock.

https://youtu.be/idUgy1kw6uU?t=810

[MrConcdid]

So this is the first one off the trailer and into the shop, I tested it and it had spark, compression was 150psi with 4 pulls WOT, a new plug and carb later and a bottle of fuel and she was running, you should have seen the ants exit the muffler! I got her warmed up and let her idle for 10 min. then dumped the oil for some fresh, valves are a little noisy but not bad. bogs a little if you stab it, but roll on it and she moves quick. The tank is soaking in a white vinegar bath after I shook some large nuts around inside to loosen up the rust. TIP count how many nuts you put in, and take out!

This one called out to me, vin comes up a 1985, the id plate says 1985 200s, but the tank decal looks like an 1982, sure the tank could have been changed.
Was this decal used for more than one year? may be

The front shocks ride so much better than a 200es/big red I had no idea.
I am going to clean this one up, and post it, sad though around here a pull start bike maxes out at about $850.

MrC.

[MrConcdid]

Here is everything that was buried on the trailer
There was also an engine, plastics and tanks in the truck bed.

MrC.

[ps2fixer]

Yea the 200ES shocks are more like just springs, while the 200s/200m are more of a real shock, with the 200x having the best one.

It's hard to beat the ride on a 200x, 250r, or 350x for the 3 wheeler models.

[ATC King]

If you're able to get the majority of these running, I hope you can continue to do so and make a profit. It's definitely better than what was happening to them before your ownership.

The 185S/200S hardtails are arguably the best bang-for-the buck trikes out there. A lot of fun, simple, and inexpensive.

[MrConcdid]

Things are moving right along, I have 1 of the 200s up and running, not perfect (pulls a great wheelie)
The idles hunts a little , runs flat out great pulls strong, but dose not want to idle ran it hard today pulled up the the shop and as it slowed to idle it just died, I had to choke it even though it was warm, she fired back up, I turned the choke off and it idled but hunted up and down a few 100 rpms. IDK

Number 2 of the lot
The starter would not turn it over fast enough to get a good spark, by chance I pulled the cord and it fired right up but then filled the shop with smoke, I just had to laugh, I knew it had low compression but dang.
I guess this one needs rings and a top end. I have 2 other 200's I am tempted to swap the top end over and keep moving forward.

My goal is to get as many of the 8 running the 110 has no spark I have looked at the 70 other than to verify it is not locked up.
MrC.

[MrConcdid]

Hey guys, So I went back through the smokin' Joe bike,
When I first got it, it had very low compression 75psi, I didn't think it would even run, but it did and smoked something crazy as you can tell from the picture above.
I am not one to give up, so today i though maybe a valve was hanging up and not seating, that could cause low compression but still run.
I noticed a large vacuum (suction) after I ran it when I removed the oil fill cap it when woosh!. I found the crank case breather tube completely clogged with dirt dobbers nest, so that took care of the vacuum issue
I found the valves were over tight, I reset them to .005 lash and re-checked compression, it went right to 150psi Bingo!
So I ran it again, this time is still smoked, not as bad as before, but still bad. It runs on choke only but smokes up the whole neighborhood.

So I before I order a set of rings in std size, is there anything else I should check or rule out?
I am confused as to how it has 150 psi compression and still smokes?
Could it be valves?

Do I have to remove the engine to do a top end rebuild?

Thanks
MrC.

[MrConcdid]

While waiting for parts
I have sold the little 70 as is.
I am waiting on a seat cover for the 200s
I am waiting for rings and a piston for the 200m
And picked up this baby today.
Turn key drove it on the trailer. It should make for a nice flip after I replace the back tires( dry rot) and do a full fluid change.

[MrConcdid]

I love most aspects of flipping ATC,
Like Indiana Jones, Looking high and low, for the forgotten and neglected antique Honda ATC, Following leads and clues to their resting place, negotiating the deal "the haggle", dragging home a new toy (investment I tell the wife) or a pile of parts, taking the bike apart is a mystery, finding the reason it was parked and forgotten all those years ago. looking for that broken wire or burnt contact, that striped spline or froze piston, Then the real decision, can I save it? should I save it? is it profitable to save it? Then the real hunt begins looking for the rare replacement part, that isn't made anymore or finding new old stock, checking the boneyard for that missing part. Then in the dead of night, hearing it roar back to life, the satisfaction, because of you have done something that most can't or are not willing to do, You have saved it! Going for that first ride, having flashbacks as a child blasting through the woods in the 1980s, no worries, no cares just me on my atc. Detailing/ cleaning your new ride, getting it just right and taking pictures, looking over the spread sheet adding up the total cost with parts, writing a catchy ad for the online classifieds, and hitting the send button for all the world to see. And now you wait, like fishing, you sit back and wait for that one person who appreciates what you have done and is willing to pay you for it and finally you hear the "ding" of the phone, you have a new message, is it? could it be? yes its a potential buyer. You meet, you haggle, they buy, their happy, your happy.
Now with a hand full of hundred dollar bills, it starts all over, but what will I find next, could it be the elusive mint 350x or a barn find 250r, or may be just another Big Red, no matter its all the same.

This is why I enjoy flipping trikes.
MrC.

Today I say goodbye to a awesome Honda 200s and a parts bike Honda 110, the hunt for the next flip begins.......

[ps2fixer]

"just a big red" xD, the 200es was the most sold machine in usa.

Might be a good suggestion to drive around all the Honda dealers in your area and ask if they have any old machines in the crate yet unsold in storage. I head over seas there was like 3 machines dug up at an auction from a Honda dealer, new in the crate, atleast one was an 86 atc250r.

While on your hunt, watch for "NOS" 350x engines too, it was common for dealers to cut the stator wiring when pulling the new engine out to "destroy" the machine from the big ban. Good luck on the hunt, maybe you'll run across a FL200 Fat Cat some time, those are pretty neat and unique bikes. The Odyssey was another pretty unique machine but made for a lot more years, last year 1985, then in 89-90 the pilot was made. I don't think Honda made another sit in style atv till the 680 Big Red side by side was released.

[MrConcdid]

Well this is getting interesting. I hope I don't burn out. The wife says I have to stop naming them and just number them. that could get embarrassing real quick.
I sold the 200s- ( one of my favorite models ) on Saturday, Today ( Monday) I picked up these two up in a Walmart parking lot, hence the name another Big Red "Walmart Special 200es", and another "Walmart Special 125m" . 2-hours later I was riding the 200es. supposedly it ran when parked 10 years ago.( never mind the advance springs where missing, the starter relay was trashed, the pull rope didn't wind up or that the timeing was 180 out). anyways, she rides good on a flat tire.

I plan to fix the 125, put it back stock-ish, I have never worked on that type of engine, wish me luck.

"Malone" is ready to go to market, I have included pics of it from the day I got it to completion.

Enjoy the show.
MrC.

[ps2fixer]

Man, that aftermarket front rack basket matches the "walmart special" package though, why would you ever want to get rid of it xD.

Also since you go through so many machines, might be handy to replace the handle bar grips on the worn ones. They are super cheap, and it's a part of the machine you interact with a lot, might be a solid selling point. These are a perfect match to OEM, except the very end doesn't have the flat for the end cap to clamp down on. It shouldn't be needed if installed correctly though.

https://www.partzilla.com/product/honda/53165-HP5-600?ref=dbf54ed32cb05fa23830280942caaeaecc9d43d9

[MrConcdid]

Funny, you mentioned that, I just ordered 3 pair of grips to keep on hand. Yes I am turning these pretty fast, about every 3 weeks it seems. I told you I would find another Big Red, lol there falling out of the trees down here.
That is a better price on the grips too, thank you.

The Walmart Special Big Red will sale easily here, the 125m not so much. I think the P.O. asked Santa for a pony and got a brown atc, IDK. If it runs good, I may finally get to paint one. Camo? Black? Red? wrap it or paint? we will see.

I think "Malone" really turned out good, runs as good as it looks, I have to say, I like the 200m and 200s better, there lighter, faster, easier to maneuver, more comfortable and just as capable. ie not having reverse can be a huge PITA. But I think you the driver can make up for it most of the time by thinking ahead.

Repairing the rear brakes on the 'Walmart Special Big Red" tonight. I hope to have it for sale in the next 2-3 weeks. Then I will have to slow down, I go back to school in the summer. yep old guy going back to school.

MrC.

[ps2fixer]

Oh yea, forgot to mention, the atc125m is pretty similar to a 200 series machine besides the physical engine angle change. Mechanical spark advancer and all, uses the same springs. I'd guess the 200e or 200m would be the closest relative.

[MrConcdid]

Here my assembly line as of tonight.
in order nearest to farthest
Malone, the Walmart Special and Smokey Joe

Malone - is for sale and ready to go.( new grips)
The Walmart Special - gets a bath and touch up, sandblast/paint racks tomorrow (waiting on a rear axle bearing now) others wise starts and runs good.
Smokey Joe - got a new top end installed, tank and few other parts soon, he should make the sale next 2 weeks.

Its a Hobby, It pays its own way and then some, when it becomes a job, I will have to stop.
MrC.

[MrConcdid]

Well today is the big day "Malone" and his sister "the Walmart Special" hit craigslist as a pair.
Funny, I seems to buy them (atc) in pairs but have never sold them as a pair.
We will see. I want to start on my Frankenstein build soon I hope these sell quickly.
MrC.

[MrConcdid]

Since the beginning, I have had an underlying motive in this game called flippin atc
That was to find bikes, fix them and flip them while keeping the best ones or at least the ones I wanted, let the hobby pay its own way
and enjoy the game.

I have been able to save a lot of bikes already, I have 2- 200es Big Reds currently for sale (Walmart Special and Malone)
So far I have found and kept a great 1985 250sx, and a crazy 200m but yesterday I found this diamond in the ruff. 1984 200x, it even came with a extra gold front wheel ( i am guessing off a 250r) well here she is. certainly not perfect, kicker slips about ever 10 kicks and she smokes a pack a day but she runs and is complete best part the price was right. I will be finishing up "Smokey Joe" before I tear into this one, but I just had to have it.

MrC.

[ps2fixer]

If it's a real 250r rim and in good shape, it's worth like $100.

[MrConcdid]

I am not sure how to tell if its a real 250r you tell me. Its dirty but wipes clean.
MrC.

[ps2fixer]

Look for any numbers on the rim. Pretty sure they say made in japan + the year. Might have the product code on it. It's been a while, but I sold a 86 250r front rim for like $125 shipped. Mine was in a bit better shape than that, but looked very similar. I bought a seized up front fork with the hub and rim still bolted to it, I Id'ed the fork as an 86 250r, and the other parts matched up to photos so I sold them as I'm pretty sure they were correct (like 90-95% sure). In your case, it's a little harder to be sure it's from that machine, but I don't think there's too many models with gold rims like that. The Yamaha machines had some gold rims, but the gold was different, more dull/yellow looking, it really looks Honda to me.

[MrConcdid]

Last night I took your advise and looked for markings, I found the name Enkei stamped on it, but no other markings.
MrC.

[ps2fixer]

I see. Here's an ebay listing to show the markings (assuming it's a true oem one).


https://www.ebay.com/itm/1985-85-250R-ATC-HONDA-OEM-FRONT-WHEEL-HIRATA-RIM-1986-86-ATC250R-350X-87-200X-/124118169925?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10

Looks really similar, but the backside is different. Could measure the bolt pattern, rim width and rim size (says on the tire it cam off from, last number) and could list it on ebay. If all the numbers match a 250r/200x/350x etc then someone probably would still be willing to pay fairly good money for it, just don't list it in a misleading way. Depends how much you value that rim on the machine vs using a different one too.

[MrConcdid]

Good news in this world of dis-par, I mean we lost Kenny Rogers today, the original "Gambler".....
Well life goes on and I got bills to pay.
I sold not 1 but 2 Hondas today to 2 different people, ha!
I am happy to say "Malone" and "The Walmart Special" have gone on to new homes. I wish them well and many happy trails.
Now to find some more to flip.
what could I find next?

MrC.

[ps2fixer]

I wonder if you'll find more easily from the recent news, or harder. I can see people selling off anything they have to help their financial situation, but there's also the call for social distancing, so I suspect some people that normally would be selling at this time aren't to prevent the virus spread.

Quite unique times we are in atm. The next month or so will be real interesting to see where this goes. Numbers in China are looking pretty good, new cases dropping a lot, sick are recovering, etc.

[MrConcdid]

I think it is the same, people who can afford a toy, have land to use it, So if I have land and money and 14 days off, I would enjoy riding around the property on a new vintage Honda.
I kept my distance and met outside. lol
MrC.

[ps2fixer]

Yea, would be kind of silly to buy an atv, but then live in the middle of the city and can't ever ride it with out a road trip involved. Same logic of owning a boat in a desert. I did sell my old enduro bike to a co-worker which lived in the city. He had a truck to transport it but still seemed silly to me. I would go crazy living in the city though, so maybe there's a whole different viewpoint from someone that lives in the city.

[Maynard James]

I have flipped dozens. Even sold a few.

Badum tsss.

Heres one I built for 100 dollars and sold for 450 about 5 years ago

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=192510&d=1399063729

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=192512&d=1399063577

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=192513&d=1399063535

[Maynard James]

This one I bought for 200 and built a custom 10:1 compression engine for using an XT225 piston and a shaved head. My brother owns it now.

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=231398&d=1461358639

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=231399&d=1462748679

It looks different now with Mudlites on the rear. The motor is very powerful. We sent the head to Zforce and had him serdi cut it port it and shave it. Some might balk but it is surprising. No 4 wheeler up to 500cc will outrun it.

[Maynard James]

Another DX that was built from 2. Had around 475 into this one and sold for i think 1800. (Been a while)

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=188829&d=1394414283

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=188831&d=1394414313

[Maynard James]

Here is one that I built to be 50 state street legal and rode 1300 miles in 5 days from Arizona to Nebraska. Cost me around a hundred, maybe 200 to build. Sold for over 2 grand. Shouldnt have. I could easily build one again.

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=191848&d=1398124663

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=191846&d=1396911406

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=257632&d=1551478938

[MrConcdid]

Now your talking. Great looking flips.
MrC.

[MrConcdid]

I had planed to keep this one, I really like the 200m wider front end, it handles great. but I want to use it to finance my 200x build, now that I have the X and knowing it needs a complete rebuild and a kickstart spring and backcut, I think it may get a little expensive. So Since it turned out so good, lets see if it will make a buck. It is a risk, there isnt much market for race styled bikes, I may have to swap the tires out and add a rear rack to sell it. lol. we will see.
I have a trick L.E.D. headlight set up on order, let see if it make it here in time.
MrC.
262060262061262062262063

[MrConcdid]

Sad to say, I Sold Smokey Joe, as a Flat track style ATC, customer liked the wider lower stance so Its off to a good home.
and I am off, to hunt for some more atc.

Smokey Joe
Before - after.
MrC.

[ps2fixer]

That's a lot of smoke, probably more money than what it's worth to fix unless you cut corners anyway, probably best to sell it as is to someone. With that much smoke, I'd dare to say broken ring. I just helped someone with an ATC110 that smoked like that and that was their case atleast.

[MrConcdid]

It wasn't that bad PS2fixer, Basic top end rebuild new: hone piston, rings, valve guide seals and lap the valve the exhaust port was almost completely closed off from carbon build up.The muffler was slammed full as well, I had to remove the baffle and clean the inside and really blow it out once I rebuilt the top end. then put the baffle back.
It runs great now, no its not perfect but it dosen't smoke anymore, starts right up (electric) and pulls hard through all the gears, so far it was my favorite flip.
What more can you ask?
As for cost yeah I was chasing that one a bit, but in the end it turned a good profit well worth the effort.
MrC.

[ps2fixer]

I see, just someone rode it till it started smoking, and just kept riding it for the next 10 years lol.

[bkvette3]

Here is one that I built to be 50 state street legal and rode 1300 miles in 5 days from Arizona to Nebraska. Cost me around a hundred, maybe 200 to build. Sold for over 2 grand. Shouldnt have. I could easily build one again.


http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=257632&d=1551478938


I usually like OEM original - but this build is awesome. Nicely done.

[MrConcdid]

Oh the Quarantine...... Well I got to feed my flipping addiction. So off I go,

Not only did I pick up this sweet 200m, named "Wacissa" small town in North Florida where it came from, I made an investment into myself and bought this sporty little 6x10 trailer, so I can haul more atc's seems like when I find 1 there is always another near by. I have a big 24ft equipment trailer but wanted something small to get in tight places.
This 200m "Wacissa", just needs some TLC and a tank and fenders. It should be a quick flip, I have already got it up and running and it rides good. Out of all the hardtails I like the M the most.

MrC.

[ps2fixer]

Nice, you should be able to fit about 4-6 3 wheelers on that trailer if you stack them in right =).

[ATC King]

Practical size trailer to have and they're lightweight enough to move by hand, like to relocate when mowing so there's not always that one spot with tall grass.


Those fixed jacks though...they all end up bent sooner or later. A bolt-on, wheeled, folding jack isn't expensive and makes connecting/disconnecting faster.

[ps2fixer]

Yea on a small trailer like that a boat style jack would work well. I don't think they hold up well for heavier trailers, the fixed jack style is used on trailer houses to give an idea of their strength.

[MrConcdid]

Hey guys,
Q. this 200m pulls to the right, I found there to be a big difference in rear air pressure right low left high causing a lot of the pull but while looking I found the front wheel 1/4 of an inch closer to the right side (brake side) I think this might be part of the pull also. I pulled the front end down and can't find anything missing (spacer/washer etc.) I measured all 3 wheels and they all have a 5 inch center. the front tire is a goodyear 25x11x9 and does clear, but a 25x12x9 will rub. Also I measured the forks there 13.5 apart at the top and bottom so there not flared out.
Any thoughts as to what I could be over looking?

thanks
MrC.

[ps2fixer]

Check if the fork is bent in ward, like it was ran into something.

My 350x clearly has a bent fork in this pic. Hasn't really been a problem for pulling, just handle bars off a little. The rear tires will probably be the cause of the pull.

[MrConcdid]

This was a down and dirty kinda flip, it didn't need much to be dependable, I repaired and re-place what was necessary and then dress it up a bit. I am waiting for a plastic aftermarket tank and air filter, the factory one looked great on the inside until a paint bubble popped and fuel started leaking out. I have chased a few tanks with mixed results for the money a plastic tank is the way to go. buy it once and never worry about rust again. I love the look of the old tanks, but hate dealing with rusty trash.

MrC.

[ps2fixer]

You could give a shot at brazing the tank, of course it won't come out perfect but from what I could see they come out better than most welding attempts. Proper fix would be fix the hole, clean out the rust inside, then line it with something to prevent rust, repaint + new stickers. It's a lot of work and cost, so I can see why going with the plastic tank was the pick for you. Could probably get a fairly good price out of the tank on ebay if it's in otherwise good shape.

I have seen a guy that repo's atc70 tanks using fiberglass, they come out great and look like OEM. I read fiberglass can hold up well as a tank. Kind of shocked there isn't more tanks being made as fiberglass since they look so original. I don't recall what they did about the tank cap.

[MrConcdid]

Tire Weight I had no idea, I should have scaled them. The front tire was a goodyear on "Wacissa" weighed wheel/tire maybe 4lbs, the rear tires wear Carlisle must have weighed closer to 10 lbs each. I shook them to see if they were full of water. something to think about on these lesser powered machines.

Tanks, I have had good luck taping off a area sanding to bare metal and J B Weld a pin hole, then remove the tape and just leave the gray square from the JB weld showing, this tank had more than just the one small whole. You are correct brazing is something I should look into, its a skill I don't have (Yet) I have seriously considered building a shelf and showing my tank collection, I have may be 8 or so from different years and models it seems to be growing.

I should have the tank and air filter this week, I hope to get this back on the net and flip it in a week flat.

UPDATE, she is done, tank arrived today, I think over all she looks great, I choose to mix it up a bit and color matched the wheels and rear rack. what do you think?
Another good flip, now off the the classifieds, to make rent.


MrC.

[ps2fixer]

I wouldn't mind a tank ID page on my site if you'd give me permission to use the images and of course take the photos. I can't just steal them off google legally lol. Ones with OEM stickers is what I'd be looking for, don't need to be pretty, just identifiable.

Look at some videos on youtube about brazing gas tanks, it looks about as hard as soldering. I showed my sister how to solder, and she was soldering well within a few attempts and she has had zero metal working experience. I'm pretty sure it's all in proper prep work to have a presentable outcome.

[MrConcdid]

Here is a super odd Duck, I pick it up Tuesday,

1983 200es big red, you may ask yourself why is the second most common atc considered odd?
it has the illusive add-on "reverse kit" to a chain drive atc!
Of course that is the part that is busted on this machine, the reversing chain snapped and cracked the case, owner parked it.
I am going to try and take the add-on reverse kit off , and restore it back to just high and low. chain drive.
MrC.

[ps2fixer]

FYI, unless that's some amazing early production 84 200es that was sold as an 83, the 83 was an atc200e big red =). Looks like it has the 200es gas tank though.


That reverse kit is probably worth something, You'd just need to find a replacement chain for it that's the right size.

I'm pretty sure the 200es parts I have here won't work, so you're kind of stuck shopping for the gears off ebay and the case. Should be fairly easy to fix though after the parts are found.

[MrConcdid]

I have a sub trans off a chain drive 83, I should be able to just swap out the boxes and gears.
I have never opened up a sub trans. One of the few parts I havent had to go in to.
I was surprised when the owner sent me the pics and told me what happen. Oh well I will figure something out.
One of these days I want to build a fat cat. Bucket list kind thing. Dout if would sell well here. So I will probably never get the chance.

What did you think about the color matched rack and wheels on "wacissa" bike I just finished?
I'm going to do one with red racks next and red wheels see how that looks. Ha I get paid to experiment
MrC.
Happy Easter to all and to all a good night.

[ps2fixer]

I'm a bad person to ask for colors and how things look, I tend to prefer the OEM look lol. Once in a while something comes together that's flat out awesome looking though. Like the 350x headlights, 200x front end + skinny tire on the atc250sx, that comes together really well. I think they used an atc250r front fender. It didn't look like a mash of parts, it looked like it was OEM designed that way.

My advice on the sub trans, even though I've only pulled like one apart. Use gravity. Drain the oil, tip the machine up, pull the cover off carefully. If you've never worked around transmissions, try to keep the gear sets as complete as possible so things don't get mixed up. Photos would be a great idea before pulling gears, even marking the ones you can reach wouldn't hurt. It's not super complciated, but it's a lot of parts to manage, luckily the sub trans is only 2 gears, high range and low range, so that should be 4 gears total, 2 on the input shaft, and 2 on the output shaft.

I'm not sure but maybe it's possible to pull the whole sub trans off with out removing the cover. Never worked on the 200e though, only the 200es which has 3 gear sets, high, low, and reverse + it's shaft drive so wildly different.

Once you get experience with the sub trans, a real trans is the same thing times about 3, 5-6 gears, some with reverse, generally 3 shafts and 10 or so gears to keep track of with what seems to be 3 shift forks for the typical setup vs only 1 in the sub trans. Service manual covers the info on the gears fairly well, so even if it all fell apart, you should have the data to follow to assemble it back together just fine.

I'm not sure how the sub trans gears are labeled, but it seems Honda labels the main trans gears as M2 or C2 which means main shaft (input) gear 2 or counter shaft (output) gear 2. Sometimes 1st or the highest gears aren't really labeled, or part of the shaft, like "low" could be first gear. Never rebuilt a trans, but I've pulled apart 4 or so engines and toyed around with how they work.

Pretty much if you can take the top end off an engine and put it back together, you should be able to swap out the sub trans. Good luck, I'm sure you'll be successful. Also, photos of the reverse kit and the damage from inside would be interesting. I've only recently learned about the kit and yours is the first one I know of that has failed. I'm guessing the chain broke and it bunched up against the case and broke it. Fair chances the chain is gone by now.

[DAM shop]

262263 we flipped this one today.

[MrConcdid]

Nice bike DAM Shop
Whats the specs? did you do a lot to it?
1979 90cc

MrC.

[DAM shop]

Doubled our money on this one made 200 bucks. Trikes like this are in the 4-500 range as far as we’re concerned. Plus we received a stock 110 carb, and a new coil we didn’t have to use. And an extra set of fenders with seat. We put on a plug wire cap, adjusted timing used set of good brake pads had maybe 2 hours into getting it ready. It’s far from perfect but it starts and runs good and doesn’t leak fuel or oil.

[MrConcdid]

Awesome job Dam Shop.
Extra parts go a long way on the next build.
I am off this Tuesday I have 3 bikes lined up to get if they do there part, it will be a long day, 3 different people across 200 miles.
2- 250es and 1- 200es. lets see what happens.


MrC.

[DAM shop]

We typically only do the 90’s and 110’s we have plenty of spare parts for those. Our next flip will be a Nicholson frame 110 with decent fenders on it. I’ve got a guy close to me that has 3 110’s and a 200 all pretty tuff shape but o e of the 110’s has a turbo style front wheel we want it matches what we have on one of our trikes. Problem is we don’t want all of them just the one. He’s asking 550 for all fair price for sure but said he’s been offered 250 for the one.

[ps2fixer]

We typically only do the 90’s and 110’s we have plenty of spare parts for those. Our next flip will be a Nicholson frame 110 with decent fenders on it. I’ve got a guy close to me that has 3 110’s and a 200 all pretty tuff shape but o e of the 110’s has a turbo style front wheel we want it matches what we have on one of our trikes. Problem is we don’t want all of them just the one. He’s asking 550 for all fair price for sure but said he’s been offered 250 for the one.

Maybe I'm thinking too simply, but why not buy all of them, and just resell the ones you don't care about to recoup the cost? Locking down to a buyer that will only take all of them really limits the possible buyers. Of course don't have pics or anything, so maybe they are in pretty bad shape. I don't really do much with 110's or 200's though, I've targeted mainly 250+.

[MrConcdid]

Heads up there is a gorgeous 350x just listed on Facebook marketplace it's museum type bike. $5000.
Which I don't think you could build it for that.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1822868104602131/permalink/2677713935784206/?sale_post_id=2677713935784206
MrC. P.s. not my bike.

[DAM shop]

Yeah I agree with that if I was selling all of those I would definitely sell individually. As far as buying them all, yeah we could of made some money or at least made our money back without having to do anything at all to them. The honest truth is we really didn’t want all these trikes taking up space and then having to list and sell. This last trike we listed on marketplace. Within 4 hours it was sold full asking price. I probably received 30 or so messages about it within 2 hours. I really hate dealing with all that and dealing with fb but honestly it’s the best way to sell something like this.

[MrConcdid]

Well the Barn got a few new ponys
Welcome to the fold "Dale" from Dalewood fl. and the Junkyard Dog from a junkyard in Dothan, Al.

[MrConcdid]

More of today's haul
We rode 220 miles, time well wasted at $1.55 a gallon :lol:
MrC.

[ps2fixer]

Yea that 200es is pretty trashed looking, but it having the recoil is pretty crazy with all the other parts robbed off it. I'd say pull the recoil, inspect and check if it works. If not fix it. That's probably $100 and a commonly needed part. I suspect the 200es and 200e recoils are the same but not sure if that's true or not. The real common issue on the 200es's is the front forks always get worn out and are beyond worth fixing, looks like that machine is no exception.

[patriot1]

MrC:

Why aren't you making videos of your flips? Your 200 youtube video got how many views? Lose your camera girl?

[patriot1]

Why don't you make videos of your trike flips? Your three wheeler vid had how many thousand views?

[MrConcdid]

I think you have me confused with someone else.
I have only made one video of a cranking issue. Long since deleted it.

MrC.

[MrConcdid]

This is getting kind of ridiculous, I know you are beginning to think I don't have a 9 to 5 well I do, but I am very much single minded, when I do something it is 110% WOT until I am finished with what ever the task may be.

How bout a big Welcome for "Timbo" 250es Big Red. He runs, He drives, He shifts, He lights up and even stops just fine, but needs some prettying up and some new shoes ( i think that's what the kids call tires), taillights and seat wrap. and off he will go. would be nice to keep him, but he was expensive so, we will see about that.

This is my first 1985 Big Red 250es- that detachable headlight is a bear to get off. the rest seams pretty straight forward.

First night, tear down, straighten the racks, make a parts list and access what needs to be fixed.
MrC.

[MrConcdid]

I flip these so fast, I never seem to have many at one time, but since my parts are all non-priority shipping, they have slowed me down.
But it does give me a chance to get some nice group shots. The Big Red didn't make to the photo shoot today.
MrC.

[patriot1]

How's the Big Red coming? I am working on one myself. Removing paint and primer and polishing fenders is taking more hours than anticipated, but most stuff does. Keep us posted on the flips.

[MrConcdid]

Details, details, details. Its coming along. I'm waiting on tires and a ignition switch. I sand blast the racks and parts I want to paint, Its not faster, but gives a better more even finish. This one ran already so it's just clean up and pretty work.
I have decided to keep the Big Red. It completes my 3 piece collection. From the beginning I wanted a 250sx, 250es and a 200x. Now I have all 3, I will upgrade them as parts come in on other bikes. But these are mine.

MrC.

[MrConcdid]

Well guys the Corona has finally caught up to me.
Its hit me hard, right where it hurts. My parts Supply
It seems, I can't get any parts, and that has put my flipping business on ice.
I just had a set of tires back ordered on me after ordering and my new clutch pack is not going to arrive til NEXT MONTH.
Luckily that's all I lack to finish my last 2 builds, one for me a 250es and one to sale 200m.
I turned to the local market and picked up a set of 4 bear claws today. They are going to look sic on the Big Red.

At 46 yrs old, I go back to school again to complete my second degree this month, This has been a blast flipping ATC, In less than 4 months, I bought and sold over 16 atc, reviving them all but 2 that already ran and some that where bought for parts. I have tried to give back to this community, that has treated me so well. I am not done with this Journey, just starting a new chapter, I am thankful to have completed my financial goal and my personal atc collection of Honda's 250SX, 250ES and 200x.
I will continue this thread but at a much slower pace with Faith, Family, Work, School must come first. I have learned a lot, and hope to continue to be active here on 3wheelerworld.
Thank you all for your help, advice and guidance.

Though my collection may be complete, riding a 250r is a bucket list item that still needs to be checked off.
MrC.

[MrConcdid]

Quick note, I had to replace the kicker engagement spring on my 200x, I replaced stock spring with this one HONDA 28223-KK0-000 SPRING
from I believe a XR200, it is a little larger around a about an inch longer, to used a pair of plyers and tighten the two ends to the same size OD as the OE spring so it would fit the spring cup correctly. I took a risk, spring cost $4, I did a new top end, hone, piston, cam chain, guides at the same time. I has not slipped yet after 20 or so starts, before it slipped every 2 or 3 kicks, I say it is a success. Its a lot of work, but I wanted to keep the hand clutch and kick start on this bike.
I hope this helps someone. I wont say its the correct way, but it is a way.

MrC.

[ps2fixer]

Pretty sure the XR spring is the known upgrade for the stock 200x kicker, but didn't have the details. Posting part numbers and such like that is priceless, I really wish more people did that kind of stuff when posting about parts they were able to use from other machines. Good luck with the schooling and such.

[patriot1]

Enjoyed your flips. Let us see the Big Red when finished. How did coating your tank go? Good luck in school!

[MrConcdid]

The rest of the racks should be dry by morning. I have ordered a seat cover, I don't think gift-wrapping will do this one justice, a lot of compound curves.
Wheels and tires look great, Factory wheels with 22x12x9 bear claws, I got a set of 4 (4x4 guys are so dumb) they only need 3. lol
I know there a size smaller, but they are heaver than balloon tires, and its whats available local. and for the price I had to take them.
I have $170 in all 4 brand tires mounted, new nipples and all.

Being completely honest here, I had never ridden a 200x, 250es or a 250sx until this year. I grew up on a friends Honda 110 ( and 4 wheelers). Today I rode all 3, they are not even comparable. You would think the SX and ES would be close, but they are not, the SX just wants to flip over backwards, the 200x is so light you can throw it around and is very comfortable, the ES is a tank, no wheelies other than off of a bump, but certainly no power pulls into wheelies. My mind isnt changed, I still think the SX is the best all round bike. but the 200x is fun with the clutch and disc brakes.
I may have to look for a 350x just to see whats all the hype is about.

MrC.

[patriot1]

Looks awesome! I am working on an 85 Big Red now. I bought a 200x awhile back but had a bad tank and have never ridden it. I have another tank and may put it on and ride it today. My 200x looks awesome. Thinking of taking a trip to get a SX-6hours away and not in good shape. Don't pass on a early 90 if you run across one-just because.

You do good work. My projects drag out.

[MrConcdid]

So, the gauntlet has been thrown down. I challenged myself, While talking to a friend, I placed my hand on the handle bars of the "Junkyard Dog" (pulled from a junkyard in Dothan, Alabama) and said, I'm going to ride this one. Let's see.

I have a vision for this beyond just being a 3 wheeler, and no, I will not be spending a ton of money on it. I really like these foot peg platforms, I am thinking way outside the box here. follow along and watch me waste time.
This bike is really complete, little things like pull rope, carburetor, handle bars, cables, etc. little things that should have been striped off long by now, this tells me that whoever owned it, wasn't mechanically inclined and /or didn't need the parts for another bike. I know there are other reason's it could have been parked but these are good signs.
The following steps could help anyone with any project. First thing to always do is check for oil, smell oil, taste oil, if it looks black, smells oily and taste like poo, you got a good one.

1. Its locked up, pull rope no pull, I pulled the plug and filled the cylinder with PB Blaster
2. let set 3 weeks, pulled on rope every couple days (no workie)
3. removed pull rope to verify it wasn't the rope assembly binding. ( nope, pistons is frozen)
4. hook up a battery charger (on low) and checked for voltage ( no key, thin screwdriver works)
5. pushed starter button (nothing, but dash lights work, and its in neutral)
6. relay/starter solenoid didn't click, so jumped it with a screwdriver (nothing)
7. Put charger directly to starter (nothing)
8. removed starter (bingo)
9. piston now moves a little but not complete cycles yet.
10. starter is locked up, caused engine to be in a bind.
11. worked crank with large wrench slowly back and forth until the piston was completely free, reinstalled pull rope assembly
12. Now pull rope works and piston moved freely pushes all the PB blaster out, messy.
13, lay plug on exhaust, pull rope look for spark. ( no spark )
14. replace plug with a new plug on exhaust ($6, braking the bank already)
15........ phone rings had to go to work, join me next time at this old garage and we will find that missing spark.

MrC.

[MrConcdid]

Welcome back to this old Garage,
We pick up our host MrC, hunting for the illusive spark,
Side note; I replace one part at a time, If no change then I plug the old part back in service, this is not good mechanics, this is parts changing. It works for me.

15. Compression test is always a good indicator of the condition of the engine. (new was closer to 150psi so this one at 112 is low)
16. I cut both ends of the coil wire about 1/4 inch, no luck
17. I replaced the coil with a old one I had, no luck Replaced the old coil back.
18. I replaced the CDI box and Whamo! we have spark ( 696 CDI)
19. So to recap we have spark, and air, engine turns freely, we need fuel
20. I installed a new ebay carb and filled it with fuel from a bottle. - dosen't run
21. check timing, removed valve covers, inspection cover and pulse generator cover, verified pulse is at pickup when valves are closed and flywheel is at F. check
22. Still not running, cleaned pickup and magnet on rotor, still not running.
23, pulled plug out very wet and dirty, seems it still had alot of PB Blaster in the cylinder. (fouled plug) so I sprayed air from the air hose into the plug hole, and dried out the cylinder, and I noticed air coming out of the carb, I verified the intake valve was open and it was, i rotated the engine with the rope slowly until the exhaust valve was open, and blew air into the plug hole again, NO AIR came out the muffler, AH HA!.
24. Commercial break............
25. The muffler was shot so I removed it at the half way junction and tossed it. Now just with the header in place, I pulled the rope pop pop pop , I pulled it again and VARROOM! with a puff or smoke and wad of rats nest its alive.
26. I set the fast idle and set back and laughed at this old neglected, forsaken thing, left in a junkyard to rot away. Not only running but idling on it own. I really can't believe it, no knocking, no smoke, no timing chain slap, just running, talking to me. In the last pic, you can see the rotor spinning. I let it run about 30 sec or so, and dumped the old oil/water/trash out, it will drain over night tilted at an angle. I will refill with new oil, and see if I have any tires, I am going to ride this beast.

I have under 4 hours, a new $15 ebay carb, a $6 spark plug and a $12 696 CDI invested.
I am not a mechanic, I enjoy the challenge and like to see what I can do, as a child MacGyver was on TV he "could make anything" I will never be that good, but have always considered myself to be handy. There a saying I like “I have done so much for so long with so little that I can now do practically anything with nothing.”

I have plans for this one, far from factory a LOW budget neighborhood cruiser. First step was to see if it ran. I would say Yes.
MrC.

[ps2fixer]

Nice work with the diag work, too bad there isn't an affordable way to test CDI's with out having a spare on hand that's a known good unit.

I checked out the CDI number and maybe you read it up side down or something, I haven't came across a 696, but there is a 969. Would have came from an atc200es, trx125, or trx250. Round CDI connector 6 pin. The other number on the sticker if you can read it should be CI-42

https://atvmanual.com/honda/honda-cdi-identification

Those CDI's are basically "dumb" CDI's, no ignition timing, or extremely little in the box, some Chinese ones work pretty well on those engines. The advancement is done by the pulse generator mechanically with the weights and springs. Of course they likely won't last long being low grade Chinese stuff.

After the engine ran for a while, did it have any visible smoke? According the the specs I've seen, the suggested range is 142-171 psi, but 112 should be good enough to run fairly well on. Biggest thing is it might consume a bit of oil. New set of rings could bring the compression back up if it's not a leaky valve.

Either case, we know it runs, now does it move? xD

[MrConcdid]

Hey, PS2FIXER, No Faith?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAoABEI7cL8

I am sure your right about it being a 969 CDI.

Funny thing, this is a 1983 with hi/low and reverse, Its the first 83, I have seen, I thought that was a 1984 and up option.
It may be an odd duck, Id tag says 9/83

MrC.

[ps2fixer]

Manufacture date means nothing, the model year would be 1984, aka that machine is an ATC200ES. Over seas, the ATC200E was sold into 1984, and the 200ES was sold into 1985, but wasn't sold here that way. Still possible a machine could have been imported, but since it's shaft drive that alone makes it the 200es which started in 1984 model year. Same story goes for cars, before long you'll be able to buy 2021 cars even though it's not yet 2021.

Pretty sure on the opposite side of the neck there should be the VIN number stamped into the frame, that would ID exactly year and model. Also the engine serial could be used.


Anyway, about the moving thing, you didn't say you tried to drive it, so it's possible there's transmission problems, transfercase, rear end, etc. Not saying it's likely but you said you wanted to ride the beast, that requires it to move =).

[MrConcdid]

Quick post, I just rode it. Forwards and backwards.
You need more faith PS2FIXER.

You are correct, I had not noticed the build date being different from the model year. that bike vin comes back as an 84 200es, just as you said and I originally thought, I just have never notice the build date. Thanks for pointing that out.

As for the ride the shifter is stiff, and with no muffler very loud, I got it to second with 2 flat tires, i tried low, high and reverse all ranges work. I will have to really consider what to do with it now.
MrC.

[ps2fixer]

Sounds like a solid machine to start with. Some tires and "TLC" and it's ready to be a rider =).

I didn't say I didn't think it would move, just that it's possible it could have more problems. Some of the machines I've gotten only had one main problem, while others were just a mess and not worth trying to fix, every machine is a different situation. Kind of like the 350 moto 4 Yamaha quad I bought. It was "locked up", I pulled the right side cover, oh look the primary clutch went bad and caught the case. New used clutch, gasket kit and fresh oil/gas and it runs... but it's a heavy smoker and has a nice timing chain slap. Haven't cared enough about the machine, just been sitting in a shed, but need to put new rings in it and the timing chain and either ride or sell it. Paid $200 for it, so can't really be mad.

[ATC King]

Anytime something has sat for years, there's always a chance piston rings are stuck. Sometimes just getting something running and flogging on it for a bit fixes issues. Filling the entire cylinder with a solvent and letting it sit for a week helps to get junk out of the piston grooves, then running it for a while to finish getting the junk out. Like a good long ride, not just around the yard.

I was given a motorcycle that wouldn't shift gears and had sat for years. The clutch and some other stuff must have just been frozen, because after running it up and down a steep hill, putting a little pressure on the shifter and yanking the throttle open and closed, everything freed up and worked fine.

[ps2fixer]

Anytime something has sat for years, there's always a chance piston rings are stuck. Sometimes just getting something running and flogging on it for a bit fixes issues. Filling the entire cylinder with a solvent and letting it sit for a week helps to get junk out of the piston grooves, then running it for a while to finish getting the junk out. Like a good long ride, not just around the yard.

I was given a motorcycle that wouldn't shift gears and had sat for years. The clutch and some other stuff must have just been frozen, because after running it up and down a steep hill, putting a little pressure on the shifter and yanking the throttle open and closed, everything freed up and worked fine.

Yea I've had the frozen clutch thing before on a motorcycle that sat for along time. My trick when I was like 15 was to start it, push it as fast as I could and pull in the clutch and hit it in 1st gear. Ride it around kind of hard and by the time I was back near the house the clutch worked fine. Haven't really had the stuck rings problem but I've seen other people with that issue.

[ATC King]

People say i`m lazy and crazy as a loon.........cause i get stoned in da morning............i get a drunk in dee afternoon...........and i ain`t askin no body fer nuthin .....if you don`t like the way i`m livin ya just leave this long haired .....ATC King alone !........just rip the carb off it and piss on it.........piss on it !

The long hair may end soon. Always had a high hair line because of head shape, and it ain't getting no better with age. It's been peeled before, but if I go that route again, I'll compensate with more piercings or head ink. Can't be looking like a politician.

Pissing in a carb may work, after a night of Wild Turkey Rare Breed.

[ATC King]

Fortunately, air cooled engines run on the hotter side and stuck rings are less of a problem, because the engines tend to stay cleaner. Short trips and cold engines let more junk build up in the piston grooves and after sitting, the rings don't want to boogey like they should.

Still a possibility on any engine, especially with the weaker oil control rings.

[patriot1]

Looks awesome. What all did you have to buy? Replace?

[MrConcdid]

I cant keep doing this.
I dragged home a 200 and a 185s today.
I stripped the 200 and the was riding the 185 in just a few minutes. I going to flip it as is. I stole all the good parts off the 200 for my Junkyard Dog 200es build.
Imagine a 1984 200es, stripped down with a 200s front end. the perfect hard tail. I will post up picks of the ultimate hard tail tonight.
MrC.

[MrConcdid]

185s- got a detail, carb, seat wrap, brakes adjusted and all the stupid stuff taken off its awaiting sale now.
200- got stripped, gave up the goods for the 200es build. ( more on that in a minute) the 200 had some crazy hacked up mods, I took what I needed, and will part out the rest, I kept it a roller, for move-ability.
MrC.

[MrConcdid]

So, using what I had laying around the shop, I wanted to build the ultimate hard tail, since thats what I have the most of. It had to be a 1984, I wanted reverse, it had to have a good shock type front end, and the 200 I just brought in had a lot of good parts, so starting with the locked up 84 junkyard dog parts bike, I grafted on the 200 front end, fenders and tank, I had to use the trunk and seat from a 200m, I made brackets for the fenders and reused the triangle shaped supports for the rear. The grab bar is from another 200es build and the rack is from the 200, I will need to move the mounts to line up with the wholes already in the fenders and then extend attachment point to meet up. Over all I think it looks factory. The only part missing from this build to truly be the Ultimate is a 200x engine, but may be I can get a 200x cam for it. I also want to get two round LED lights for the front, kind of an off-road baja style. Once I get the rack on, I will blow it apart for paint and detail. The wheels and tires came from the 200, your not going to believe this, the P.O. RVT'ed the 2 piece wheels together mounted them to the axle and aired them up, when I unbolted the wheel from the axle it semi exploded letting all the air out as the RVT let go, there were no bolts holding the two halves together. jeesh some people should never be allowed to hold a wrench.

MrC.

[MrConcdid]

Well the Ultimate hard tail (JYD) is coming along nicely,
I have really tried to keep this on the cheap
I found an ignition switch with key in the boneyard from a 84 125m fit the 84 200es dash perfect. I found a brake lever from an old 200m and cable also from the 125m still worked, actually I took the brake shoes too, the 200 front end did not have any.
As you can see in the pics, I am just about finished with mock up, I have had the fenders on and adjusted, the truck shaved down and fit perfect then it was time for the rack, I liked the smaller rack from the donor 200 instead of the larger 200es rack, I had to cut off off the mounts and lower the 200 rack to fit good with the 200m seat. I think it is a success. Tomorrow, tear it down I will wire wheel finish weld and paint the chassis, the wheels had rust through holes, I have already welded them up ground down and painted them. The 25in tires are way under sized closer to 22'', that's OK I like the shorter tire anyway. You can see I had to break down and buy a muffler its another TS tractor muffler, I weld a washer on the end to finish it off and give it some back pressure. I may put the Big Red front rack on it, I am not sure. I have some round 7 inch L. E. D. lights coming for it. I may just use one like the OG three wheeler's from the 70's

I may have made a mistake, I have been getting a lot of people asking for some"cheaper" three wheeler's, so I did not "completely redo" the 185s, just got it up and running, fixed the pull rope and set the valves, new carb and wrapped the seat. Its been 2 weeks now and the same people who wanted a cheaper 3 wheeler now want something nicer, jeesh, I guess they want my nice bikes for cheap. That's not going to happen, I will redo the 185 my way and then they can buy it for more or I will keep it, its a blast to ride.

MrC.

[patriot1]

You lost me with all the bikes you have involved in this one lol. I got my first trailprotrailprotrailprotrailprotrailprotrailprotr ailpro stepson today, a Yamaha 225DR. Kinda excited that he joined the fam but I have some raising to do with him.

[Jim mac]

my easy flip, bought a 200x frame with suspension, motor, seat pan for 100 bucks. sold the frame/parts for $150 sold the mystery motor (kicked over) for $150. too bad they aren't all that easy. jim

[MrConcdid]

Yeah the junkyard Dog is quite the mutt, but coming along nicely, Tonight I rewired a new square CDI from Beatrice ATV, mounted the wheels and tires together, started detailing the engine and frame, finish welded the rack and mounts for it. Since these fenders and tank are already painted, I and thinking about repainting them a red I like, then ordering up a set of decals for it. I have never painted fenders so we will see how that goes.

I got side tracked tonight mounting my new kenda front tire on the new gold rim for the 200x, and the 400ex hubs and gold wheels, tires will be here next week. bling bling, All I can saw is WOW, check that out, Pimp gold wheels on the 200x. Over all with the 400ex hubs and new offset wheels I gain almost 5 inches total width. Also note the new to me chrome headlight guard and matching front brake fluid guard. They both came off the parts bike 200x from the trailer load I got back in January. free bling. I sold that 200x roller for what I paid for the whole load. I am seriously thinking about putting stock 200x wheels on the back of my 250sx, those steel wheels don't do much for the looks department.

MrC.

[ps2fixer]

The only prob with sport atv rims on the 250sx is the drum clearance. If it's off set enough to clear the drum, run em!

[MrConcdid]

Working hard.
Install all balls headset bearings, new L.E.D head light, cleaned up some wiring, final assembled the fenders and rack. And went for a ride in the cool night air.

Mrc.

[MrConcdid]

This could be a big weekend, I just sold the 185s, this was a test, I bought it not running, only made the necessary repairs to get it riding and running proper. I had been asked for less expensive bikes, even some fixer uppers, this was that test, took me 4 weeks to move that unit. not bad considering the state of the world these days. Its off to a good home. I don't think I will do that again. I will finish them my way, they can buy them that way or not.

The 200m may be going to a new home as well, I have a man driving 2 hrs to get it tomorrow. Lets hope so. not counting my chickens yet. PS2fixr- just for you i put on a new pair of hand grips. lol, that was your first comment to me when I started this thread.

That will leave only the Ultimate Hardtail Junkyard dog in the "to be sold stable", seems like a good place to take a break, in the second week of school now, things are ramping up. Its been a blast finding and fixing these, I will certainly continue, but not at this break neck pace. As for the JYD retro fitting the 200 fenders and rack was a lot harder to get it right than I thought, I have may be 4 hours into just that part of the build, even with the high cost of fenders, it would have been wiser to source a pair, than to repair these and make then fit. Live and learn.

And only After 4 months I finally figured out how to change my avatar. ha!
MrC.

[ps2fixer]

Haha, you have to love the feeling of the new Honda handlebar grips =). Not to suggest being miss leading, but hand grip wear is kind of a way to guesstimate the hours on the machine, if it has new grips, then the person has to look at the overall condition more. Your machines seem to always turn out looking good, so that should be a nice little value increaser. Kind of the same logic of looking at the brake pedal of a car to judge if the speedometer rolled over or not (5 number, not the modern 6 number ones). Kind of funny, over 100k miles was a big deal long ago, now every vehicle I buy seems to have 200-300k miles xD.

[MrConcdid]

Well good news, It was a busy weekend, Friday I sold the 185 and Saturday I sold the 200m very happy to say the JYD build is almost finished, It should be ready to post for sale by next weekend. I used a set of 200 fenders and front end and tank, they had all been painted, I tried to pressure wash the paint off, but it didn't budge. So I resorted to painting them again, not my first chose but I was committed after working so hard to make them fit.

What a pain in the butt, restorers have it so much easier than customizer, cars/atv/atc whatever, they are moving puzzles, if you make one change in the chain of parts everything beyond that changed part must be altered. The 200 tank no issue, the 200 forks front fender no issue other than modify the steering stops, but those dang rear fenders, new mounts, different trunk, completely rework the rack, remove all the mounts off the frame/ make new frame mounts, spread the inner most bars of the rack so the trunk will open, raise the seat to match the fenders, I reused the triangle fender supports ( I like those ) just a bunch of work.

Bottom line
I would have been money ahead buying the correct fenders, I will not make that mistake again.

Sh rides great, really could be the best runner yet. I still have some detail work but I think she will bring a good profit, I don't have a lot of cost in parts in this one but close to 15 hours most of which was the rear fenders.
MrC.

[ATC King]

Packed nicely, it's pretty incredible what'll all fit into a 200ES trunk.

I carry a tool kit, tire pump, tire plug kit, tow rope, quart of oil, spar spark plug, and bungee cords, at all times. I pack the extra space with foam to keep everything from bouncing around.I forget what's in there most of the time. Looking at some of the new quads, they have a tiny trunk that's not nearly as secure. Matter of fact, I seen a 2019 Honda ATV trunk ripped open with a love tap from behind. The 200ES trunk is protected from that type of damage.

[MrConcdid]

Ok Boys, aside from a uni air filter, the Ultimate Hard tail, the Junk yard Dog is complete. She runs better than see looks, and she looks great. Like I said, I will not retro fit another set of plastics, just not worth it, but this one turned out very nice, no rattles, no squeaks it was done right, and i think it shows. The 84 big red is the best year of the 200cc class, it has the most options and with the 200 shock style front end, how can you loose. its the best of both worlds. Yes, I lost the front rack, I could have made it work, it would just be more time. Which I am all out of on this build. May be next time I will retro the rack onto a shock front end. It should bring a nice return on my investment. I know the stickers are not correct, but they catch your eye. Cha-ching.

MrC.

so If anyone is keeping score
Just this year 2020 (5 months)
bought 21 atc
Sold 13 atc
Kept 2 atc
Have 6 parts atc left over

I have 2 more bikes to complete my personal collection a 250r and a 350x lets see what the rest of 2020 will turn up...... can I find them all in 1 year?

[ATC King]

Nice job!

You've done a lot to keep trikes going. Otherwise, they would've sat or been parted out.

[MrConcdid]

Before and afters are always fun.

MrC.

[MrConcdid]

Lookie what the cat dragged out of the woods in southern Alabama........oh my!
Mrc.

[ATC King]

That stuff is definitely out there, finding it is the hard part. I know where one of those Sasquatch type trike frames is and knocked on the person's door two or three different days over a month. Someone was home, but never would answer. I could see it in their back yard, from the road.

[MrConcdid]

I think this one is finished, "South Port" became one of my personal bikes to add to the collection, this is what I envisioned when I bought it earlier this year, it took a little while but here she is.
Upgraded kicker spring, new top end, mukuni carb, supertrapp exhaust (vintage) sounds awesome, new 18x11x9 rear tires on some D.I.D. gold wheels and a kenda upfront on a matching 11 in gold wheel, pair of 400ex hubs and coned shaped washers and nuts. She starts right up and the smaller tires is what the 200cc engine needed to give it a little more grunt on the trails. I am very pleased with how it turned out, I may opted for some new decals, but I do like the vintage worn look.

Can anyone tell me about the chrome headlight/Master cylinder guard. Are they hondaline? aftermarket? or OE.

Update, I sold the Ultimate Hardtail, "JYD" bike today, that empties the shop of all for sale bikes, dang now I have to go find another to flip.

MrC.

[patriot1]

263112

I bought this 185s a few months ago, got it running, rode it for fun a lot, cleaned it up and sold it and made a few $$

263113

I bought this 200x at the beginning of the outbreak and finally got it running yesterday and rode the h out of it! Local cop stopped me in town-wanted to look at it and told me it was a "very nice bike" and I was on my way. Still have to paint the tank black but it's a bada$$. NFS

[MrConcdid]

Welcome, and nice find, what Handel bars are those on the 200x? Seem really high.
MrC.

[patriot1]

263115

No idea! Whatever was on it when I got it. Very fun piece of equipment

[MrConcdid]

Well," Today was a good day" It was full of highs and lows, I went to pick up my 350x, and to look a 2 other bikes, a 200x (original owner) and a 185s.

We went to see the 200x, found out he has 1 complete 200X and 2 parts 200X's, but would not sell any of them, we made an agreement for me to check back in a few months. I respect that. The 185s was a total piece of junk, no brake, like no pedals, no cables, no grips, no levers, more JB weld than metal holding gas the gas in, carb leaked like it had a hole drilled in it, no pull cord housing, non repairable seat pan, broken rack, like in 3 pieces, shock front end bent and rusted solid, 3 bald tires , if it wasn't a Honda, it would have never started. but it did, its the first bike I have ever passed on. It was listed as in "great condition" We couldn't make a deal, I played dumb, I ask about the brakes, he says these really never had any. The piece of junk was listed for $700, WOW some people.

So while driving home feeling like I had struck out I went by a junkyard in Grand Ridge, Fl, We asked if by chance they had any old 3 wheeler's, your not going to believe this, he replied " yep, there's 1 in the back" I may have over paid for scrap price, but I picked up another 185s, just like the piece of junk I walked away from, no kidding. I paid $30 for this one, after an hour It runs, and after 1 more I drove it. no fooling. Wow, what a day, so I looked the 350x over after I got it home, I make the hard call to sell it as is. I posted a ton of pics and a good ad, with in an hour the sale is pending.
What a great day, Spent the morning running the roads with my buddy and I was back home in just enough time for lunch and a nap.

Everyone say hello and good by to my first ever 350x and Welcome home "The Ridge Runner" 185s
MrC.

[Fox250R]

I’ve flipped a few! Still have the scars to prove it :)

[MrConcdid]

Back in the saddle again,
Picked up this sweet 1985 70 this morning, has no spark.
Stripped a donor frame for the flat track 185 build I am working on.
Also sold the 350x. I will find another.
MrC.

[MrConcdid]

Well, less than 24hrs, I sold the 70, did my first sale using Paypal, what a modern world. I still prefer cash.
The "Ridge Runner" is coming along nicely, Basically I am doing a frame swap with a 200, keeping the 185s shock style front end. The air filter attachment points are different, otherwise I cant tell much difference between a 185s and a 200 frame. The 185 frame was so rusted and bent, I choose to do the swap. I did notice the rear axle sprockets are different the 200 has the floating rubber cushions, while the 185 did not.

MrC.

[ironchop]

Can anyone tell me about that tank I am using, I can not find the decal anywhere to pinpoint a date, the gas cap is small. I can find 185s decals, but not 200 that look like that.
MrC.I'm pretty sure it's an '81 ATC200 (no "S", "M", "E", "ES"...... just "ATC200")

Decals here....

http://www.2040-parts.com/1981-81-039-honda-atc-200-atv-gas-tank-11pc-graphics-decals-stickers-atc-free-ship-i2006497/

Also....
https://atctanksanddecals.com/81-atc-200-gas-tank-set



Sent from my Z958 using Tapatalk
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200615/cb033b1f9b477065faa051a602cd5a30.jpg

[MrConcdid]

Thank you, Since its a 185s engine and fenders, I picked up the 185s version of that same decal. thank you.

MrC.

[patriot1]

263193263190263191263192

Next to bringing my two boys home from the hospital, this might be my proudest day ever! Picked up 250 ES, 250SX, 250r, 250r, 110, trx70 and a Suzuki JR50. What a day!!

[ps2fixer]

Dang that's a big pick up there now. What year is the trx70 and is it in really poor shape, or repairable shape? I'd have to check my notes but I think I need the harness for one of them and maybe the ignition switch so I can reproduce them. Over half of the machines you grabbed are quite desirable, so the ones you fix up should flip fast and for a pretty good price if they are in any kind of condition.

[patriot1]

The trx70 is fixable but will be the last in line, so I can send you whatever you need. Probably going to fix the sx, its in good shape. I'll use the two r's to make one and sell the leftover parts, I have two 250 big reds that both run but need help so I will rob from it and sell the rest. 110 runs but I don't need it so it'll sell. The JR50 dirt bike will be fun to figure out eventually. Pretty good day!

[MrConcdid]

That's awesome Patriot1- that is a great haul, if you play your cards right, you stand to make a lot of money, if that's your plan otherwise that's an instant collection!
If you plan to flip for profit, keep a log book/speadsheet. its the only real accurate way to record real cost of goods and services. Like I have shared before, I have a excell sheet and log every part/service for every bike, this keeps me focused on the goal, I don't over build, spend what I have to, buy wisely. you can get upside down with just one or to bad choices in parts.
Case in point the "Ridge Runner" I paid $30 for it, got it running and driving for another $25, but to make it nice and sale-able, I will dump another $600 into it, which is very easy to do; tank, tires, seat, fenders is the bulk of the cost, but you have to do it, if you expect to get a good return on your investment. Air filters, carbs, handle bar grips, cables, paint, oil, clutches, batteries will ruin a flip. I end up putting half of what I sell them for into them before I am finished.
Great haul Patriot1 enjoy the ride........

Tonight's progress
I am digging this little front tire $5 at a yard sale, its a 20x7x8, I am going to blow it out onto a factory 8in wheel and see how it looks, I have some 20x10-9's coming for the rear, should make it very low to the ground, I have said this before, but I want to keep this one for awhile, I am building it my way, not just rebuilding it OE to sale.

Q. Can I run a L.E.D. light off a bike without a battery? I have not tried it yet.

MrC.

[MrConcdid]

Just noticed you have a 350x on that trailer, you sir scored!
MrC.

[ps2fixer]

A 350x wasn't mentioned, so I'd assume it's just the 350x headlight on another machine, pretty common swap.

For the LED question, the raw LED doesn't care, it just allows power to flow in one direction (DC), however, it depends on the LED. If it's like a light bar, it might be designed for DC input only, if it's a basic "bulb" then it likely just uses a resister for the power supply and it doesn't care AC or DC. Generally LED headlights and light bars have a more complex power supply in them, bulb replacements that go into existing housings seem to be the simple style that isn't a big deal.

[MrConcdid]

Thanks PS2fixer,


If you look at the second pic I uploaded last night you will see the light in question, it is a pod style L.E.D. light with several bulbs, I used it before on a bike with a battery (200es) . I will try and hook it up tonight, and give a report. It was a 2 pack of lights for $39 on amazon, by only using 1 on a bike, I average down my cost. so $20 for a very upgraded headlight that looks cool too. I am sure that a bulb replacement is less, but most of my housings are busted up, so this is a far less expensive than buying brackets, housing, bulb. Plus its a through back to the OG round headlight, and with a modern flair.
MrC.

[patriot1]

350x light on 250R. Maybe one day I'll get a 350 but right now my hands are full, but if the right deal comes along....:)

[MrConcdid]

Where did you find such a diverse score of bikes? an old repair shop? a private seller?

Thanks
MrC.

[patriot1]

Private guy in Memphis, said he used to race the 250r's. Good guy, just ready to clean his yard.

[MrConcdid]

Ha, this just came in tonight, I had to run get it. Amazingly the forks look straight but the front axle is broken, other than a oil leak high up near the head, looks very salvageable.
We will see. If I can get it running, I will build it up. I just hate parting out a bike when I know I can save them.
MrC.

Introducing "Montana" it has a Montana state park sticker on it.
1985 250es Big Red.
The seat is a wrapped job but the base is solid
the tank is rusted inside real bad but no holes, I am going to have to soak this one a lot. I am going to try metal rescue and see how it goes. I am not sure what to coat the inside with after the metal rescue? any thoughts?

[MrConcdid]

After 24 something bikes, I finally got serious. No more teetering on jack-stands say hello to my little friend. Harbor Freight hydraulic lift table.

"Ridge Runner" is coming along nicely, the bargain front tire has a pin-hole in the sidewall, I still can believe it the bead seated on such a wide rim, I will be swapping it out for a wider tire asap.

"Montana" LIVES it started on starter fluid just for grins, but I didn't run it like that, the carb is gunked up I'm sure, the front axle was broken, I found one local and swapped it out tonight, also grabbed a factory rim, it had an odd one that didn't match on the rear, If I can locate a left side rear fender I will be golden. I need to verify it runs, shifts etc. before I spend any real money on it. give me another day or so. lol

MrC.

[ps2fixer]

Left 250es fenders if I remember right is the common one to get busted up. I guess most people are turning right when they screw up and flip machines.

The tire on the wide rim might not be ideal, but the tread of the tire is super flat, looks like a dirt track tire. Probably have to run the psi higher than normal to keep it seated on the bead but I bet it would perform fairly well =). I'm sure you know about tire patches (installed inside of the tire), and tire plugs (make the hole bigger and glue in a stick of ribber and cut off the excess). Tire sealant could work too, but it's not really a long term fix.

You defo have a good hand at making machines look 100x better after a day of work on them and generally speaking a 3 wheeler's value is directly related to the appearance. Looks like you have a fair bit of land, maybe a shipping container would be a good idea for you to store your parts machines in the back and the pending to fix machines up front. 8x40 floor space , 8.6ft walls. I paid $2250 for mine delivered from like 400 miles away. Should be able to fit a lot of machines in one side and leave a walk way on the other side to get them out. If you need more storage, build a shelf system so you can double stack them. Write it off as a business expense and count it part of your business operations (business space divided by living floor space + shipping container floor space 360sq ft gives you a solid % to deduct your bills as business expenses, electrical, internet, etc). If the garage is basically dedicated business space you could claim that too. It's when it's mixed personal and business use when it gets hard to classify. Have to love the tax game, if you play it well you can pay very little in taxes... I'm just learning the tax game so I'm way behind the curve lol.

[ATC King]

Talking about running a narrower front tire, I had a 110 that I narrowed the two piece front wheel, besides adding front suspension and a front brake.

I cut the wheel halves down, slipped them over each other, and welded them back together. Not a single leak. A 110 Wide Glide, if you know Harley stuff.

263281263282

[MrConcdid]

ATC King, I thought about just that, but wow the dedication, that must have been tedious, It looks great.

As you all can tell I have slowed down a bit, The re-frame of the 185s, took a little longer than expected, I had midterms this weekend and parts are still coming in slow. I did find an front axle for the "Montana" 250es and have some plastics lined up to get, in a week or so. The battery came in today, it needs an carb, ignition switch, tires, fluids, air filter, clean and paint touched up. that's all I know of right now, I hope to ride it before I put any more money in it, I want to rule out any possible rear axle, drive shaft and trans issues, If all that checks out than a good tear down clean and paint is in order. Its should bring a good amount of money, everyone down here wants "The Big Red".

I like to add content that's useful to others when I can, I am not an expert or a mechanic. I needed a seat pan, all I had was this Swiss cheese part of a pan, I found a rear fender but no seat pan. Jesse James eat your heart out. My first seat pan.

I started with a cardboard template, laid that out on some 14g. sheet metal for my pattern, made a metal break, using my table and some angle iron then removed the 2 cups from the swiss cheese pan and welded them on, checked for fit, I had some old bolts that fit snug in the rubber alignment grommets on the frame,. bingo bango I made a seat pan.

MrC.

[ATC King]

Don't forget to drill some large holes in that new seat pan. When the foam compresses, air needs a place to go.

For that empty hole in the pull rope cover, a automotive drum brake inspection plug will fit pretty good with a little trimming.
263304

If your pull starter still has the plastic piece for the decomp and you want to get that functioning, the other parts are available here. http://shop.3wheelerworld.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=304_307&product_id=455

All of my pull starters are missing that main part, so I can't add the auto decomp if I wanted to. I really want to.

[MrConcdid]

Hey ATC King,
I have rebuilt 2 de-comps before, this engine fires right up without it. I watched the video by D-Ray about 20 times, until I figured it out, this one was missing the bail piece, so I will get that plug. I received my decals today hope to get them on soon. I opted to get a new wider front tire to match the rear. For me a there's nothing better than a matched set of new tires. On the stand it runs out good, smokes a little on hard throttle and at start up. I have not really rode it hard yet. I want to get it good and hot before I change the oil again.
I asked in the other thread about the L.E.D. lights, I took a chance and mine worked using the green and white wire from the factory head light, I guess I got lucky, it did pulse at idle but evened out above idle. I like the round light better than the rectangle. This is the second of a pair of lights I got off amazon, by just using one on each bike, its a nice upgrade for a little money. As for the hole in the pan , I did not know that about the air escaping, thank you.
Don't laugh at my seat covering, I am not happy with the pillow look, the foam I used was from a couch cushion it is too soft, I need something more dense. I may even opt for a sewn seat cover, I would still need a piece of foam. Over all its coming along nicely.

"Montana" on the other hand, took me for a spin tonight, nothing fancy first and second and reverse all work, the cables are shot. the exhaust valve was loose I adjusted it and most of the ticking went away, I want to try and adjust the cam tension-er, I read there's a trick to shim it. This one is odd, I really like working on the pre-85 big reds, there so much simpler. Running some numbers on this one I may punt it now that it is running, in business sometimes its best to cut you losses, I don't want a long term project anyways.
MrC.

[ATC King]

If you're going to run that LED off of AC, I suggest at least getting a cheap AC voltage regulator.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Voltage-Regulator-Rectifier-For-1993-Yamaha-Blaster-200-YFS200-195cc/233573651104?hash=item36621312a0:g:gLUAAOSwa2Ze0Yh c

What people who are blowing out LEDs on the AC don't realize is there is no voltage regulation on the ATC and it gets down low at idle to something like 50-60v on top. Those LEDs assemblies will tolerate a range of voltage, but do have an upper limit. You're running a larger one and it may be handling the higher voltage, but also may be near the limit.

Running like you are is only giving you half the power the system can provide, because it's like running half wave. The LEDs only function on DC, so they only use the positive power, when the polarity flips, that portion is wasted, using it how you are. Probably enough to run that LED, just letting you know.

Those cheap voltage regs work fine. I've used them. Just hook the wire to the power source and ground the case. Really, even on a stock trike, they're good to have in case one bulb blows out, like the headlight, it doesn't take the taillight out with it. It's like the old school bicycle wheel generators. They had not voltage regulation and worked fine during normal speeds, but hauling the mail downhill would cause the bulb to blow out. TrailTech sells an adjustable AC regulator, which allows the user to adjust the voltage for maximum bulb life (lower light output) or maximum light output (shortens bulb life). I have one on my motorcycle.


On the seat foam, just get some blocks of closed cell foam. I'd probably go with light to medium stiffness. The hard stuff is...hard. I use 3M upholstery glue (in a spray can) and it holds like a rock, the foam will rip before the seam comes apart. They sell a 185 fiberglass seat pan on the store here.

[MrConcdid]

Hey ATC King, Thanks for all the advice, I will look into a regulator asap. Where would I find closed cell foam? Joann's

I found 2 of the worst looking Big Reds, I have ever seen, and a blue thing.
One is a 85 the worse of the 2 is a 86, it has the helmet lock, nerf bar skid plate (which I have plans for), What up with the honey comb hideout rear brake shield on the 86?? and the big question? yes, I have both seats. These are parts bikes, the 86 is locked up I will strip it the 85 i am not sure, it kicks over and sound pretty good too. It may be time to build a monster Big red? may be, may be not.

MrC.

Oh the blue thing, looks factory but from underneath you can see some yellow plastics, odd was the Yamaha plastics painted blue or did the color not go all the way through? I think its a YTM200e I'm not sure, It was part of the package deal. So I had to take it, it should bring a few dollars in parts. it has reverse, the shifter is stuck and the pull cord is frozen. Must have been Yamaha attempt at a Big Red with the front and rear racks and reverse.

[ATC King]

Bow wow, those look ruff.

Tetanus shots need a booster?

[MrConcdid]

Wow what a weekend.
Hotter than Hades, could only work in the shop a few hours at a time.
The "Ridge Runner" gets her new tires mounted tomorrow, and she is done. The new lift was a great asset to the shop. I hope to ride her a bit tomorrow.

"Montana" 250es, is making me work for it, I adjusted the valves, the exhaust was loose, the cam chain was rattling a bit to, I made an extension onto the cam chain tensioner. That quieter her right up. I opted for a new carb (Chinese) only after cleaning the old one to no avail. She runs and idles pretty good, couldn't get her to fast 3rd gear, running her off a bottle and ZERO brakes. The tank looks salvageable, I am going to get some metal rescue tomorrow, and try to save it, I hope I can, I don't like the look of the aftermarket tanks. So the short list, cables, brake shoes, light bulb, key switch, left side rear fender, left side front shock/fork.
I broke one of the bolts holding the cam chain tensioner, I had just about 1/8 inch numb to work with, I opted to weld a bolt to the nub and hope for the best, I got lucky, getting it hot helped, it backed right out.

Q. these two freeze plugs, located just above the spark plug boot in my picture? in the head look like flat head screws are weeping oil? I can't turn them either direction, any thoughts on how to stop the oil leak?

Q. I have a 200s front end, the lower shock section looks to be very close or the same to the 250es, could I swap out the lower fork/shock section from a 200s onto a 250es?

Thanks
MrC.

[ATC King]

Hotter than Hades, could only work in the shop a few hours at a time.


Same here. My light gray shirts turn dark gray, and my black shirts, white.

No, 200S forks won't be the same. The 250ES has a larger front brake and the anchor is in a different place. The 250ES also has leading axle forks, the 200S are trailing. While you can technically turn 200S forks into leading axle by just swapping them and turning them around, it'll screw up the brake cable routing and there's a raised oblong pad that's normally on the inside of each slider that'll now be on the outside, which doesn't affect operation but makes it easy to tell they've been flipped.

Same goes for 185S/200S forks versus 200M forks. Trailing versus leading axle. AFAIK, all the 25 inch tired, suspended ATCs had leading axle and the 22 inch tired ones had trailing. That's the utility trikes, sport trikes may vary.

The parts numbers for the legs aren't the same either, but if you've got some 200S forks, you could see if the leg will fit into a 250ES slider. I don't know if they are the same diameter. 200S is 30mm.

[MrConcdid]

I am still waiting on my new front tire, but i couldn't help myself, I had to cruise around the neighborhood a bit and air her out. "Nimble little minx" If you know that line than your a child of the 80's
Runs good, starts on the first pull, does smoke a little, but pulls hard through all the gears. I am going to miss this one, I think it turned out awesome. At 20ft she is a show stopper.
I plan to redo the seat cover, not happy with the pillow effect I got from the couch cushion. I have a front fender too, I need to put it on. Over all very, very pleased.

MrC.

I included the before picture along with the afters, this one took me 4 weeks, but I had midterms and the whole world pandemic thing slowing me down.

[MrConcdid]

I do have a hub problem, I used the 200s front end, and it was set up for a factory 8in wheel and small 4 bolt pattern, I wanted to run 9in all round but the bolt pattern on my 9 is the larger 4. I have a hub from a 200m that has the larger pattern but the brake block is wrong and the width is wrong also.
Any thoughts?

MrC.

[ATC King]

I've been using a 200S fork on my 200ES for years. I just had the 200ES hub cut down and the bearing pockets machined in again.

I also bought a 200M fork recently to replace the 200S one.

A couple things are the 25inch tire will bottom out against the fender, and you won't be able to run the mud flap because it will constantly be sucked into the tire.
That's why I'm going to stop using mine and switch to the 200M forks.

[MrConcdid]

Ah!, I was thinking about cutting down the wider hub, I did not realize the bearing pocket required machining.
I opted to re-order the same size tire in an 8in, and just use the hub that already fits.
I know I said I wanted to keep this one, but when I sell it, I still need to watch my margins. Which may come sooner than later.
I really like having stuff posted for sale, its been a good steady income. I have people asked me daily if I have another for sale, Its hard to turn down
hundred dollar bills.

Thanks, for the advice/information. I wasn't sure which direction to go, looks like I made the right choice just to re-order the 8in tire.
MrC.

[MrConcdid]

After alot of thought, I opted for a new tire and keep the 8in rim, it was just easier, this is a flip, I need to remember that.

Montana, got stripped down today, she runs good, found the front fork was bent slightly, that why it froze up. I have secured a 250sx front end for it, I will do my best to save the rack and fender, I still want it to look like a big red.

So I posted " Ridge Runner" 185s it runs really good, I have had this one 5 weeks, a little longer than most, I am slipping. I am proud of it, its a very nice bike.
MrC.

[ATC King]

The hardtails are plain hard to beat for just a fun trike that you don't have to tie a lot of money up in. There's faster and better riding, but nothing more simple and still fun. I got out an rode mine the night of the 4th. I'd like to have a nice 200X or even one of the 250 two strokes, but with prices the way they are, I've got street legal dual sports that make more sense to own and are way more useable.

[MrConcdid]

Well, I did it, I pulled the trigger, I am committed to the team, I am all in. It took me 7 months 27 bike/flips to do it. But it is done.
I have completed my goal, I have assembled the best of the best 4 strokes (that I can find and afford). They all run and drive, there all paid for with earnings from flipping other three-wheelers. Never let anyone tell you they can't afford something, if you truly want it, you will find away. I started with a $300 big red.

I want to thank all of you who posted in my crazy threads and helped with advice and support, I hope to continue this quest, but wow what a milestone. Never owning a three wheeler as a child, I think I have made up for it some, and I didn't just write a check for them. I think that means the most to me.

I haven't named her yet, but she is awesome. welcome to the fold 1985 350x (w/ 86 plastics) don't fret I have a set of 85 red one that came with it.

MrC.

[patriot1]

Awesome job! Thanks for the inspiration! I have enjoyed following your builds! Very interesting. Good job. I will be there one day soon and Ill also have a 250R!!! (fingers crossed)

[MrConcdid]

Well now its just for fun. My goal has been met and from this point on, I will continue to look for hondaline accessories and update my herd.
I did just score a BR stump guard, I will get it installed asap.
Right now I want to finish up "Montana" 250es Big Red. I have it running really well and now its time for some detail work. It should bring a nice return, I still need some big ticket items, tank, fender and forks.

MrC.

I know there will come a day when my collection will be sold, sad but true, I hope its not for a long time, that said, I plan to recreate this poster from 1987 with my collection, I have 3 of the 4 all 85's , I will substitute the 250r with my gold wheel 200x. That way I can, kinda enjoy the collection and the accomplishment even when there gone. Plus it will fit in my office.

[MrConcdid]

I am Happy to report "Ridgerunner" is gone to a new home, that just leaves "Montana" to finish up, I need to look for my next flip.
Does anyone have a source for plastic or fiberglass rear fenders for a 250es Big Red other than maier? There nice, but pricey.

I am doing my first part out, I really don't like selling parts, I know just as soon as I sell a part I will need that for my next build, I have chosen the 86 honda 250es to part out, it is very rusty, I paid $50 for it, I have removed the hondaline stump guard, that's for me to keep, the front forks and front fender for "Montana" and I have just sold the rear axle. I will hold onto it for a while longer but now that it is not movable (rolling) it looks like junk in my yard, and we cant have that for to long.

Ridgerunner before and after 4 weeks

MrC.

[MrConcdid]

Happy Saturday,
Long story- short version, I had a neighbor say his dad has a "Big Red" in the barn, I might could buy it, I said great!
2 months later I finally get to see it. You tell me.........

MrC.

[patriot1]

Good find! 185 before the "S". Looks like they couldn't fix the pull cord and it just sat there. Probably good shape. Plastics look solid. You'll probably be riding it by tomorrow evening lol

[MrConcdid]

If it wasn't 100 degrees outside today, I would have already tried to.
I think it will clean up nice, seems to be all there, I will throw some tires on it and see if she has spark, and go from there. basic flip, I do like it, its the oldest bike I have had 1980, so that's kinda neat.
I dare say no suspension will be to much fun to ride. I like the stance some 20's all round would look killer, I am digging the orange color too, matches my tractor.

MrC.

[ATC King]

It has the Big tires and it's Red...


Pretty cool survivor. I'd want to keep the factory size tires on it.

Looks like someone put an automotive spark plug wire (& cap) on it. That fuel tank is probably a goner. Looks like some rust bubbles under the paint on the left side. I really dig those front fenders, how they wrap around the fork legs.

Those are good yard/field machines. Simple and good enough for light work. Nothing wrong with a full rigid if the speed is kept low. Most people's law mowers don't have any suspension and they seem to work just fine.:beer

[MrConcdid]

You are sharp?, the plug and wire are automotive, It shocked me pretty good too. It has fire, I will look at the carb tomrrow, the tank may be gone, I will see. I have the "Montana" tank in metal restore right now, for its second treatment, It looks great inside already.

This one is empty, so I will see in the am when its cool, how bad it is. Yes the 25 inch tires makes the look of these smaller machines.
I was going to sell this as is, but the more I look at it the more I like it. This is the oldest one I have ever had, I may hold onto it awhile. I bought it right (cost) so its wont hurt me to keep it.

Days like today make me want to quit my day job and flip atc for a living. lol, I fear that my area will dry up eventually. this one was 11 miles from my house, in the back of a old tobacco barn, serving as a squirrel and spider condominium. I have a uncle tell a story of a snake living inside a rotted and cut open tire, this has 3 tires like that, That's why I didn't pull it into the shop already. taking it slow, and hope for the best, you may notice a shovel real handy in some of the pictures, the 4.10 is just inside the shop, just in case.

MrC.

[ATC King]

We've got some really long black snakes here. A 5 foot black snake will raise it's head up like a cobra, looking for rats. They climb buildings that have bird nests in the eves. We have chickens, so I'm used to black snakes. I absolutely hate to kill any snake, so I won't unless they are a direct threat. Rats and mice are much worse than any snake and much more likely to spread disease.

[MrConcdid]

Since its Orange, and its the elder of my collection, and its from the 80s' There is no other name for it than......" The General" as in the 1969 "General Lee" dodge charger.
I found spark late yesterday, I couldn't help my self, so I got up at dawn and went after it, I pulled the mice/ratt invested tires( tire had been the home on many creatures) I didn't want to take any critters in the shop. I stripped it down and through on a carb, but no dice, I had put in a new rope and reinstalled the pull rope Assembly already, I gave her the gas, but nothing, I checked the valves and they seems a little tight but not bad , gave it some carb cleaner and nothing, no kaboom! Wheres the Kaboom?, I pulled the plug and verified spark again, ouch yep it sparks. swapped plugs still nothing. I was stumped, pulled the rotor cover , everything looked ok, timing was good, still nothing..... I plugged in my compression gauge and to my surprise it read 30psi, humm I said " there's your problem" , I sprayed some PB blaster in the cylinder and re checked it, I got 60psi this time, I checked it again, not adding any more PB Blaster and this time I got 90 psi, I said well that's not good. I tried this before with good success, I got the air hose and sprayed air into the plug hole, while air is going in, pull up slowly on the pull rope, you will hear the air move out the carb on intake stroke and out the muffler on exhaust, I did not get any air out the muffler. AH HA!, So I blew air into the muffler to break up all the rodent/ bug mess, and then blew back though the cylinder plug hole, this time roach droppings and rust came flying out the muffler. BINGO
I screwed the plug back in and pulled the rope VVVRROOOM the general woke from his 25 year slumber. (just in time I might add)
You know what I did next, I grabbed some mix-matched old tires and bolted them on. Me and "The General" made about 10 laps around the property, I could not wipe the smile off my face, it never once died or coughed. The clutch is toast, but it would still pull a nice little wheelie in 1st and 2nd.

The plan is to leave this one looking worn, no paint work, I couldn't match the orange/red anyways, just clean and detail, new tires, carb, muffler and seat cover, grips and odds and ends.I want to keep the patina. I may even add a little white number 01 somewhere discreet.
Its a one year only color, I want to respect that, the tank will require some JB weld, I may touch those spots up a bit,
Otherwise, I plan to keep it.

There's a construction crew with a fresh pile of dirt just waiting for me to jump it, YEEAH--HAW!

MrC.

[patriot1]

I hear Dixie playing....:)

[ATC King]

The ol' muffler plug. Too bad you didn't get a video of the expulsion.

Give it a fresh oil change, ride it for a while, and see if the clutches start acting right. Sometimes they get a film on them from sitting so long and some fresh oil and a little use will have them working. If there's no odd sounds coming from the clutch, that's what I'd do before popping the cover.

[daddy420big]

i buy and sell and part out all the time been doing it for the past 10 years . prob meet a few from here along the way to that bought off me

[Yelowfincroaker]

i buy and sell and part out all the time been doing it for the past 10 years . prob meet a few from here along the way to that bought off me

Have you ever met that funny reefer man...........if he trades you dimes for nickles and calls watermelon pickles .........thats that dog.......thats that reefer man !.........i sho would like to meet that reefer man.........if he trades you 200X for two fiddy R and calls 4 strokes faster than 2 strokes .........dats dat dog dats dat reefer man ! ...........very interesting but shtupid !

[MrConcdid]

Wow Daddy420big 10 years, your a pro. I bet you have seen a lot of bikes over the years.

I took a few of "my personal" bikes out this weekend, trailer holds 3 perfectly.

"Montana" is coming along nicely, the tank cleaned up very well with using metal restore. It didn't flash rust like vinegar will. I am thinking about ordering a whole set of new plastics, I know it will hurt the profits some but it will speed up the resale. I just hate to reuse busted up plastics. Of Course that means new decals and painting the tank to.

MrC.

[daddy420big]

MRC i have seen a few had tecates 350x's 250r's the only a few that i never got is a tri z u.s 90, and like the rare ones. but i dont sell all of them eather guys that know me from facebook bust my balls about keeping one . i think they bet one how long i keep them.lol. as of right now i have a zinger and atc 70 that are for my boys my wife trike is a 200es and i am building a full suspended 185s right now . and idk if i will keep the r i just got or the 86 200x . eather one of them will be sold off . oh and i gave my dad a 200es bc he wanted one . so i gave him four parts bikes and he made one out of them all.

[kb0nly]

I used to flip a few here and there, but now they are at the post flip prices to get a junker here. I used to be able to find them for a few hundred bucks, but in the last couple years they have steadily climbed in price. The cheapest i know of for sale around me right now, listed on FB Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay, or just by word of mouth, is $900 asking price, i tried talking them down since the fenders are mostly gone and it doesn't run, but they won't budge. Its an otherwise complete 200, but i think its a compilation of two different trikes because the paint is faded differently on the parts, like one was sitting out in the sun and the other was buried in a shed somewhere.

If it runs its $1k here now, no joke... I have seen $1500-$2500 for trikes now, all the listings call them vintage or rare, and people think they have the holy grail in their barn. I haven't been able to buy a cheap one in years.

Now if i drive a little farther, say 5-6 hours drive, i can find sub $500 junkers that would require buying a half dozen of them to part together one complete. They are harder to find both worth buying and affordable now for me. I have been looking for the last year for another 185 or 200 for my wife, she loves my 200ES but all i have currently is the 200ES and my ATC90 i did a ground up rebuild on. She rides the 90 a lot too, but hates the pull start and wants electric start, and the 90 has always been a bit ornery to get started, i think i need to replace the points and condenser on it again and go through everything, i can get it to run fine, but she can't pull it over fast enough to get it to fire.

After a year of searching i am not any closer to finding one for her.

[MrConcdid]

KbOnly- I would have to disagree Sir. First I think your not fishing correctly. Place an add saying "wanted" honda big red or 200es atc 3 wheeler, yes you will get a lot of crazy people calling and texting you, but you will find a couple of big reds to pick from, I bet you could have one in a month or two. then take down the add. Let the fish come to you, don't buy a bike that's for sale (posted) you want to buy a bike that the owner doesn't know he wants to sell, until he reads your add.

I just started flipping atc January of this year 2020 (I have flipped, cars and 4x4 atv prior) you can see in this thread most of my flips, not all. I think the higher prices make it great time to flip, when else can a nice 350x pull $3500 and a 250r get $5,000up. I have a strategy that seems to be working for me, I wont bore you with it, but I classify all the atc bikes, it helps with establishing value and desirability.

Specialty bikes (collectors)
70, 90, 200x, 250es, 350x, 250r these bring the most money

Horizontal engines
110, 125m 185 these bring the least money and are the least desirable

Vertical engines
185, 185s, 200 (s,m,e,no letter,es) are my bread and butter great resale, very desirable, very affordable

Big Cubes
250sx - Odd duck, doesn't sell well, not very desirable ( but I love mine)

Stick to the bread and butter, If you want to be a high roller, play in the collector category, but be careful.
Stay away from the horizontal engines unless you get them really cheap and they already look good or run.
3 things kill a flip; rusted gas tank, missing seat and broken plastics (fenders) that is where the money is for resale, miss anyone of those and you better think long about not buying it or buy it as a parts bike (cheap). I specialize in the bread and butter bike category, I have a few parts bike that are also in this category. This offsets buying parts retail and working mostly in one category my parts bikes are more interchangeable.

I'm sure Daddy420 has some insight (10) years dealing with tecates and 250r's neither of which I am ready for. May be next year. Id like a 250r, just to have one in my collection, but not a necessity for me. I dare say I would ride it enough to justify it. I will admit that there is not much that looks sexier than a flat tracked 86 tecate. They are reasonably priced around $3500 now, personally I think that is a great price, for the limited numbers of them that still exists.

Some will say those of us flipping have ruined it, and drove the prices to high, I stand firm that I bring them back from the dead (this thread proves it) and invest 40 plus hours in most bikes plus parts, that's barely $10 an hour. Those who complain wont work this hard for that amount of money. So I say its a great thing prices are up and its something I can do at home in my free time. Plus look how many have been saved from the scrapyard.

Good Luck on your search KbOnly and Daddy420 welcome to the thread, would love to see some tecates and 250r's
MrC.

[patriot1]

Any new projects MrC?

[MrConcdid]

New projects no, just finishing up these two (final exams tomorrow)

"Montana" is almost ready, She is finely off the lift and back on the ground, I am really considering all new plastics for it. I think it will bring a very good payday with them versa old busted up plastics. The tank is on its second soak in metal rescue, it looks so much better, no pin holes just rusty, I have a new petcock and screen and filter for it, it should be fine.

"The General" I hate, really hate two piece wheels, I broke down and bout some new one piece wheels for the rear, they are wider and I gained about 3 inches total width, I think it will be a better handling bike because of it, I did get the same 25 inch tire all round for the general like the Originals. I want to preserve the look as much as possible. I will color match a one piece wheel I have laying around. the rims on the general were rotted through, I have welded up holes before but not missing sections of the rim, I think that's not necessary when I found these wheels new for $40 each free ship on ebay. the offset is 6/3 so they will only work on the rear. Since it is a 1 year color (Daytona Orange) and a 1980 (kinda old) I am going to keep it for awhile. I have said that before and the money always calls to me, That would make 5 personal bikes. we will see. I am going to have to add onto the shop this winter, i guess another 20ft will may have to do.

I found another 84 big red, I hope to get it by the weekend, we will see...

Patriot1-Hows your flips coming? which did you pick to flip first? did you use the formula? How did you do?

MrC.

[patriot1]

I am currently working on 2 1/2 bikes. I am cleaning the plastics on the yamaha 225DR-(Going to be sweet!), she is running but I am also looking for rims for it because they were rusted. She smokes so I might have to work on it more than I wanted to, we'll see.

Also, working on the 110 because it's an easy turn. First there was no fire, then I got fire and with a little blaster down the hole she started and ran the next day!! Carb was dirty so I replaced it and cleaned the tank and now she won't start again.

I have a buddy putting one of the R's together for me. Good deal on that. Hard to find some parts but it's coming together.

Will post pics soon.

[MrConcdid]

That's awesome, I sold 3 bikes in 2 days, that's my personal best. but when you have that much inventory, you start to dout yourself, and the bills come in before the profits. Its a balance. that's why I try to work on just 2 at a time. I may buy a few during those being worked on, but keeps me going, always having another to build in waiting.

A few things, I invest in myself (shop) as money allows, I bought a sand blast cabinet works great for small parts and wheels (no tires) I clean, sandblast and paint, most of my wheels and small parts.
Tools like: a good pressure washer, sandblaster cabinet, press, lift table, compressor, parts washer, tire machine these type tools cost but pay for them selves very quickly, I am on the hunt for a good used tire machine now.

let see some pics Patriot1

MrC.

Check out the butt on the General 185, those offset wheels filled it out nicely. I have a older wheel I will paint to match, a seat cover and a few other odds and ends and she will be done. The hondaline front rack is pretty sweet too. Like I said this will be my time capsule, just maintenance on her mostly.

[patriot1]

So I said pics and I am somewhat embarrassed with MrC having a lift complaining about jack stands and I work off milk crates! lol, No, worries-shop is coming soon! Can't wait.

Introducing "Sexy Black" and "Dueces", both look hopeless but just wait.
263747263748

Dueces will be ready by this weekend. Just needs a brake lever, and o ring in the petcock.

Sexy Black is a work in progress and is taking too long to try and shine the plastics and waiting for rims.

I have cut it down to only working on two at a time, that's the only way I can get anything finished; however, I did have an interesting day :)

263749263750263751

The Road Goes on Forever and the Party Never Ends

[MrConcdid]

That sx looks great, I like Duece's to.
I really like that headlight guard on the sx, first one I have ever seen, you may want to take it off, keep it for a future personal build (something you will keep) or throw it on ebay, it will bring more sold separately.

MrC.

[patriot1]

The double set of twins (2 200's and 2 SXs) were a new score from over the weekend. They came from Cali and had been stored inside a trailer for the last ten years. Interesting and a lot of potential in both sets.

And...I moved the two sets of twins into the new indoor, climate controlled facility today! I feel like George Jefferson-moving up!

263774 263775

Super Sweet!

[MrConcdid]

Wow, Patriot1, you sure know how to party. I love the shop, Looks like a old auto dealership or military base with the lockers on the wall like that. I will keep my big mouth shut when trying giving you advise in the future. lol.

I dragged home another 84 Big Red, nothing special except the fenders are amazing. long story short, I was dealing with a "guy" on the web, he was young and cocky, until I said I was on my way, then he quit responding. When I arrived, "dad" didn't know the son was selling his 3 wheeler, it was awkward to say the least (to be fair, the dad said he would sell it to the son, off handed, the son took it upon himself to list it for sale) the son ran off, I defused the situation, told "dad" hey, I just drove an hour to look at a 3 wheeler, did I waste a trip?, he paused and said no, right this way. He ended up throwing in a parts bike, I didn't even know about. Funny thing, I got a better price from "Dad". lol I didn't say anything to the boy, he was 16, I hope his dad does.
Overall it was a good trip, I may have made a friend out of "dad", he had several other 4 wheeled bikes, and knew of more 3 wheeler's. I will check back in a few days.
Note to self, ALWAYS TAKE THE TRAILER!

Introducing "Quitman" from Quitman, Ga. another fine 1984 Honda Big Red. Don't know much about it, other than its not locked up, the trans shifts, the tank is very clean, the seat just needs a cover. I wont start on it till the general or Montana are complete But it should make a nice flip. Of course the front end is locked up, and I am all out of 200m front ends.

MrC.

[kb0nly]

Your not finding any fishing around here like that... I had an add on FB, CL, and a few other swap sites here in MN and after six months i had not a single bite around here. I had a few replies to the FB post from Wisconsin, but it would be a long long drive for me!

If i look right now on FB marketplace and sort to within 100 miles from me i see four posts currently from others that are WANTED, LOOKING FOR, and SEEKING, three wheelers, Honda ATC, etc etc. I know all four of those guys, they keep them up, one of them actually got a reply a few months ago, but the dude wanted $1000 for a clapped out 250 that didn't have any fenders or racks left on it, basically a tank and a seat and the handlebars looked like they were driven over by a truck.

Searching the same for ones for sale, there is a nice 200ES about two hours from me for $1800, i will say its a really nice minty example and honestly its probably worth that being a survivor. And then there is a bunch of 90's, 110's, and a couple 125's. There is a 185 with no fenders and the top half of the motor in pieces in a box, a 200S with no rear end but decent fenders, the rear axle is completely gone along with all the parts, and a 250 that looks like it was in a car crusher but hey it runs! LOL...

I think everything around me has been picked over to no end. Nice to hear there is still places with them available. About ten years ago here i would haul them home a trailer load at a time! No joke, i would stack them on top of one another to get them all home, power wash them, get them running, do the bare minimum on them to get them to run and drive and sell them back off. I even bought one about 8 years ago that was one i previously flipped, and i bought it from a guy that bought it from another guy, that bought it from the guy i sold it to. Seems they change hands quickly. Back in the day when they were abundant i used to sell a lot of them every fall and winter to guys going ice fishing, they didn't want to take an expensive quad out on the ice. I know one that went through the ice, but it was pulled back out the next spring, still running believe it or not, after a lot of cleaning and some work of course.

If i wander over into South Dakota i know a guy down in SE corner of the state that has a small hoard of them, but he sells at crazy high prices. And there is another i know up in Fargo ND, about the same, he generally parts them out rather then sells them whole, and i mean he picks them down to the bone and then the frames eventually get cut up for scrap after he's made his money on the parts. Thats the problem, its guys like him taking them out of circulation as whole trikes that narrows down the population. Other then that there is a guy in St Cloud that deals in them, a lot of guys on here know who that is i won't get into any arguments just mentioning him for completeness.

Every now and then one pops up, but if i showed you a screen grab of what they are going for up here you would want to ship them up here and sell them here instead. I even had a guy offer me $1500 for my 200ES at the gas station one day, i ain't never selling her she's my favorite and was my keeper the day i found it many years ago, because i wanted one like i had in my younger years.

[MrConcdid]

Hey Kb0nly,
Sounds like you have been in this game along time. I sold a 70 to a man who paid me through paypal (cost him the fee ) the payment was secure and once it was deposited he had a shipper that only does atvs show up at my convenience and picked the bike up, I got to talking to the driver, he travels the whole east cost and runs 2 trucks/trailers ( him and his son) I received a message from the buyer, 3 days later, all was well and he was very happy.
Are you a member of Honda Horders on FB? Tons of bikes there, and willing to ship, there are at least 5 shippers on there with very good reputations. Otherwise I would recommend you plan a mini vacation/road trip if you find one at a distance, if the bike doesn't check out at least you made a trip out of it.

I guess, you may have fished your area out 10 years ago, and now you may be right, you need to broaden your area and be willing to travel or have it shipped.
We all know there is a finite number of them out there, I agree, I don't like parting them out (salvageable machines) As my thread shows I try to save them all, its therapy for me.

F.B. is fickle, don't sort marketplace by closet to you, use the "recommended" setting, you will find more bikes and the distance is not correct on FB, I have many items less than 10 miles from me show up "just out of my area". Also, join all the groups atv, atc, honda horders, yamaha boys etc. local market places, yard sales, garage sale and so on. There posting will not show up in general market place listings unless your a member of that group. When searching, search each keyword separately like: search 200es, then search honda etc. I search about 8 words each time I am looking. People list bikes all kinds of ways. 200, 200s, atc, 3-wheeler, honda, atc, trike, Big Red. all of those key words could be used for 1 bike depending on the person posting. So it can be time consuming, the Big Red I just picked up was listed as a 1985 Big Red. that's all the title said. Clearly it isn't a 85 but hey, that's people.

Id say get in the truck, 2 hours for a minty bike, the exact one you want for $1800 is a deal, he may take $1500 or meet you part of the distance. You would be hard pressed to build a mint bike for twice that amount.

My tactics may not work in every area, I am just trying to help you and others out with some of the things I have learned over the years. May be you know all this, and your area is just fished out.
Then your only hope is to pay shipping or travel.
Good Luck, I hope you find one soon.

MrC.

[patriot1]

Good back tires on your 84 too! Crazy story but I hope the boy pulls it together and learns from his experience.

"Dueces" was put off another week, but is 90% there. "Sexy Black" is growing in leaps and bounds. I am ready to get them finished.

[ATC King]

And...I moved the two sets of twins into the new indoor, climate controlled facility today! I feel like George Jefferson-moving up!

263774 263775

Super Sweet!

Is that an old high school shop building? Arkansas has had a lot of school consolidations the past 20+ years, I know many of the old school buildings have been up for sale.

[MrConcdid]

Quitman, taught me a lesson last night.

So it didn't run, we figured that, now for the why.- Back story the P.O. was and had a motorcycle repair shop. keep that in mind.
so, I had spark after changing the plug, that's good. The wires to the key switch were cut and the key assembly was missing, I connect the yellow/red with red, grounded the green and didn't use the black. Now the button and electric starter works. That's good.
Swapped the carb for a new one, and at this point, I thought I had it licked in 10 minutes. No dice. It had spark, it had fuel. it had air. it had 100psi compression. exhaust was clear not plugged, I loosened the valves to make
sure they were closing. Still nothing. So I went back through each system Air-check, Ignition- Check, fuel- check.
After an hour of triple checking everything.
I noticed it seemed to be sucking in through the exhaust, and blowing out through the carb. Something wasn't right
It didn't even pop with carb cleaner sprayed in it.
I tore down the rotor and determined the rotor was in time, but no dice.
I tore it down again this time going all the way to the timing chain.
I spun the engine by hand, watching the valves open and shut, I verified TDO just before the exhaust valve open. I knew this was true TDC.
But the cam was not loose it was under pressure, the TDC dimple on the cam sprocket was 180 out. AH HA! The cam was 180 out and the rotor was 180 out from the cam reading correctly!!!!
So I spun the cam and sprocket, re-timed the engine, put it all back together with the rotor in correctly, and now with a push of a button it roared back to life.
I sit there in wonder at the marvel of the 4 stroke engine, the longer it ran the smoother it got.
"Quitman" is alive. This is why I do it.

Brooks and Dunn have a song from back in the 90's "Hard working man" my favorite lyric is
I can do things with my hands that most men can't

MrC.

[patriot1]

Good eye!!

[MrConcdid]

Well It was time to get focused on "Montana" this one seems to dragging out a little to long for me. I received a new set of decals today will put them on tomorrow. and post it for sale on Thursday, I like Thursday that way its near the top on "Pay Day" Friday. I added a before picture and some afters, I will take more when I put the decals on it and post it for sale.

Tonight I buttoned up all the loose ends and gave it a really good wipe down. I have been debating buying a whole new set of fenders for it, that's about $600 on ebay for Maiers. I just dont think there is an upside to that kind of money, yes it would sell for more and faster than with the OEM plastic, but the profits would be marginal and the risk increases the higher the price goes. So with all that said I have choose to see what it will bring as is. Here in the south these range from $1500 to $3000 in really good condition, I think I will fall right in the middle when the dust clears. Lets See.

The General is awaiting a new petcock and seat cover and a real good bath, otherwise it is finished

Quitman is in waiting, I want to complete Montana and the general before dumping any money into Quitman it only need the usual now that I have it running. Air filter, fluids, detail, paint racks, front tire, battery, seat cover, ect.ect.

MrC.

[patriot1]

263889

Started with this

263890

Finished with this. "Dueces"

I am not as good as most of you guys but I am super excited when I do turn one! Also, I absolutely loved riding this thing!!

[jasong_10]

This is a great thread, kudos to all you guys saving these trikes. I learned on a '79 110, literally flipped a Yamaha 225 Shaft that ended up on top of me when I was 11, had a 200x in high school, and then took a break from them, but have always had a soft spot for them. Fast forward to 10 years ago and I find the registration to my father-in-law's '85 ATC 250r in my birthday card (my wife is an only child), best birthday gift ever, lol. It was rough and dirty but complete and on a fresh rebuild (I blew it up the first time he let me ride it, lesson learned). Eventually I tore it down completely intending to just do a good clean up and replace the plastic, that turned into a repaint frame, powdercoat swingarm, complete resto. I can't take credit for it though as my buddy that worked for Honda for years did most of the work and all of the cleaning/tedious work. I helped with most of the final assembly, and after riding it again I was back into it. My oldest daughter loves to ride so my father-in-law got her a 50cc Eton. The R isn't really well suited to ride with her so I found an '87 200x. It runs great and was 99% complete, and if/when all daughters lose interest in riding, I think I could do a similar resto on it and still make $. Honestly though, after reading this thread, I'm tempted to look for a '86 350x to have one of each "sport" ATC and one from each of the later years, 85/86/87.

[MrConcdid]

Welcome to the fold.
Jasong_10. I have an update coming

[patriot1]

Update??? 250R? Grandkids? Yamaha trike? Corona positive? lol

Jasong_10: Pics of your bikes? You married well with father in law like that!!

[jasong_10]

Update??? 250R? Grandkids? Yamaha trike? Corona positive? lol

Jasong_10: Pics of your bikes? You married well with father in law like that!!

263932263933

Yup, one of many reasons I married well :)

[patriot1]

You're set! A rich man! Appreciate and enjoy! lol Awesome bikes

[MrConcdid]

What a weekend,

I took a day for a shop upgrade, nothing like Patriot1 but an upgrade non the less. I picked up a new never used 36'' exhaust fan It took awhile to build the frame and get it up there, but it is done, you can stand out side and feel the hot air blow down on you from inside the shop, Its not climate controlled but it does help.

"Montana" 250es Has been posted for a few days now, I have has several hits, but I think it is sold tomorrow, I have a potential buyer coming to look at it.

I had a guy call and offer up all his left over big red parts, your not going to believe this pile. mint nos fenders, goods seat with tool kit, working non rusted front end and a great no holes or patches tank. He had everything except an engine and a frame (which I have) down to a nice matched set of tires and wheels. This will be a slam dunk if I can save the engine I have.

"The General" 185 has parts lost in the mail apparently the seat cover was suppose to be here Saturday and the petcock last Friday, neither have shown. so it waits.

"Quitman" 200es Funny thing it needed the following; battery, air filter, plug, tire, front brakes, fuel line and filter and a muffler. I had everything already in house other than a battery, its been ordered.

[jasong_10]

You're set! A rich man! Appreciate and enjoy! lol Awesome bikes

Thanks, I'm fighting the urge to start looking for a 350x, I have to wait at least until I finish the 200x, haha.

[MrConcdid]

Good News " Montana" is off to a new home.
Now to finish up "Quitman" and " The General" after those two, I will start on the "Mexico Beach Parts" bike

Jasong_10- I use to think 350x's were rare (they kinda are) but after buying one this year, I have seen 4 others listed and 3 sold. so no rush, there out there.

MrC.

[jasong_10]

Nice shop upgrade MrC, and that's a great parts score you landed.

[patriot1]

How have you enjoyed riding your 350x? We need more details and pics of that one.

[jasong_10]

Good News " Montana" is off to a new home.
Now to finish up "Quitman" and " The General" after those two, I will start on the "Mexico Beach Parts" bike

Jasong_10- I use to think 350x's were rare (they kinda are) but after buying one this year, I have seen 4 others listed and 3 sold. so no rush, there out there.

MrC.

Yeah probably could get one from the guy I bought my 200x from but I'm not sure if I'd like the price tag. Trikes up here in good shape go for a 10x of their displacement at the least. I didn't pay that for my 200x but I think he felt it was the roughest of the (3) '87s that he had, and I think he just gave me a deal. All his 350x's were in pretty good shape so I imagine he'd want a decent number for one. Maybe I could ask for a "previous customer" discount, lol.

[MrConcdid]

The General
1980, 185 has returned.

MrC.

[oldskool83]

I've fillped and roller many hill climbing...flipping for profit about 10 years ago I could make good money flipping non runners...now days its too hard since every kid on facebook "knows what they have" and its hellish over priced. I got a free toy other week and just to service it and get ir running good im already over $100 and 6 hours of my time...not even worth it. Parting is where it's at.

I still see prices cheaper on craigslist but there are never toys really forsale on there anymore.

[patriot1]

oldschool, you are so right about parts. I just enjoy the hunt of seeing if I can find something and then actually make it run, make someone happy with a new old bike and making a few bucks on the side.

I've had an interesting week. "Dueces" found a new home in East Texas and a guy from Oklahoma came and picked up a TRX70 and Suzuki JR50 that I picked up in a package deal.

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Dude asked me if the 70 ran and I told him, I had no idea. He asked me to check if I had time so I went and put some gas in it and pulled it 3-4 times and what do you know? Jackpot! It not only ran but it idled!! This thing had tires that had rotted off, a nest in the tail pipe that I didn't even clean out and had sat for years and years. I didn't clean carb, change spark plug or anything. I put gas in it and pulled the cord 3-4 times.

So I sent the guy a vid of it running, he was as surprised as me. My price stayed the same and the guy appreciated it because I stood tall like most trike guys will do (assumption, but from my experience)He was so happy that he told me he was going to bring me a few trike things since he wasn't really into them. He brought me these:

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Totes and totes of parts! Many brand new and many NOS original OEM!

Now, how cool is that? I've not had the chance to go through it all yet but from what I have saw very well worth not raising the price after the 70 turned out to run.

[ATC King]

Congratulations. It looks like you made a new friend.

Isn't it amazing that just being honest dealing is rare nowadays? I wasted half an hour waiting in a parking lot for someone to buy something today and they never showed.

[MrConcdid]

Patriot1- Great score on the NOS parts, you did him a solid, and repaid you, awesome!
ATCKing- you are correct, honesty is something we are lacking in this day and age.

Quitman- is coming along nicely all the sandblasting is done and the paint is drying, I opted to buy new tires for this one, I think they just look and sale better with new shoes. Its not that expensive, and its a whole lot easier to work with new tires than hard heavy 30 year old tires that might leak after you remount them, or pinch a whole in a tube.

I had a call come in tonight on a 83 200e I think this might be a good candidate for my 200 autox build. Electric start bottom end with my refreshed 200x topend with high and low could be fun.

I put a few more laps on the "General" tonight, that is just a fun little bike.

Oldskool83- You are correct, parts is where the money is, I think we all understand that, but choose to save them rather than kill them. We also know that some must die to save the others. All that said. With much respect to you, I would like to offer another point of view to your comment.

You spent just over $100 in parts and 6 hours ( at $10 an hour that's $60) so you have roughly $160 into a free bike- would you sell that bike for $320? i bet not, but if you did that's double your money in 6 hours. can't do that at the bank. Would you sell it for $640? that's 4 times your investment still with only 6 hours spent. that's $640-$100 parts=$90 an hour for your time. Here in the south a running driving Honda 3 wheeler brings anywhere from $700 to $1000 depending on condition and model. That's $1000-$100 parts = $150 an hour. Is it still not worth your time Dr. Oldskool83?

I understand not every market is the same and you may not be able to sell in your area for that much, but to say its not worth your time to save one of these bikes, I don't think is really a fair statement, especially in a thread dedicated to showing how flipping 3 wheeler's can be fun and profitable. I started this thread to help others and share my insanity, and ultimately, flip for profit as many 3 wheeler's as I can. to date I have flipped 26 bikes in 8 months, that's flipping a bike every 9 days for 8 months straight.

I just wanted to point out you can make a profit and save them, you don't have to kill good machines to make money.

MrC.

[BarnBoy]

Cool to see you fixing up those old trikes. I just picked up a 81 185s nearby. Gave 250 bucks for it....runs but smokes with 135 psi compression dry. Seat pan is kinda roached, worst part is the frame is much worse that I thought. I talked him down from 350, even though he had about 100 people messaging him. Anyway, I saw a hole and used that as a bargaining chip but dang....shoulda flipped over lol. Anyway, its not in terrible shape other than that and its got a rear rack.

I try to buy any I find cheap and nearby. Got a 125m for 75 bucks that is very rough but runs and rides. Found it by calling in to a local radio program where people can call in and buy and sell stuff. Mostly old people but some of them have stuff tucked away. Id like to be able to keep riding trikes for most of my life...so I'd really like to find an air fooler 250r or 350x, and 250sx as currently all my bikes are hard tails.

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[MrConcdid]

Hey BarnBoy- I just did a re-frame between a 200 (no letter) and a 185s, it turned out very nice. easily swapped everything over onto a clean painted rust free frame. Keep an eye out for any 185 or 200 cheap with a good frame.

Quitman- is finished. other than waiting on tires. so I moved it out of the way for now and started on this jewel I found today "bradford" looks to be an 83 200e big red? not sure, its rough, I may part this one out, I had to replace the harness today just to get it to fire up. Not sure, it needs a seat, I will get it running and go from there, The next thing it gets is a bath.

Ya'll wont believe me, but I got one of those old broke down 250es to run and idle, smoked awful, white smoke, I left the shop laughing as it filled up the space with a cloud.

MrC.

[BarnBoy]

Hey BarnBoy- I just did a re-frame between a 200 (no letter) and a 185s, it turned out very nice. easily swapped everything over onto a clean painted rust free frame. Keep an eye out for any 185 or 200 cheap with a good frame.

Quitman- is finished. other than waiting on tires. so I moved it out of the way for now and started on this jewel I found today "bradford" looks to be an 83 200e big red? not sure, its rough, I may part this one out, I had to replace the harness today just to get it to fire up. Not sure, it needs a seat, I will get it running and go from there, The next thing it gets is a bath.

Ya'll wont believe me, but I got one of those old broke down 250es to run and idle, smoked awful, white smoke, I left the shop laughing as it filled up the space with a cloud.

MrC.

I may have found a clean one from a fellow member I can have if I just pay shipping. So that would be cool. Theres not much to swapping it over. I may fab another seat pan though.

That's a 82 200E unless that's the wrong tank. I'm sure you know where the id tag is on the steering neck. That will say for sure. Or the motor serial # will tell you as well.

[MrConcdid]

BarnBoy you may be correct, the ID sticker is long gone, I have not ran the vin number yet. I did get it running and rode it around the yard today. I think the neck is twisted, it sits crooked and pulls to the right. Its really a rough bike, no brakes, no seat, no keys. it runs really good, idles fine, I may use this engine for my auto-x build. make my 200x electric start.
I will pull some tape tonight and try and figure out is the neck bent or is it just the front end frozen crooked. The will decide for me whether to part it out or save it.

MrC.

[BarnBoy]

BarnBoy you may be correct, the ID sticker is long gone, I have not ran the vin number yet. I did get it running and rode it around the yard today. I think the neck is twisted, it sits crooked and pulls to the right. Its really a rough bike, no brakes, no seat, no keys. it runs really good, idles fine, I may use this engine for my auto-x build. make my 200x electric start.
I will pull some tape tonight and try and figure out is the neck bent or is it just the front end frozen crooked. The will decide for me whether to part it out or save it.

MrC.

I'd be surprised if the neck was twisted but possible. Could be that the rear end is sitting crooked. Or maybe the forks are bent/siezed like you said. No shame in parting it out if its real bad, but I like the decals for the 82 BR

You will need to notch your 200x frame if you run the electric start bottom end.

[oldskool83]

Theres profit in anything if you can get things for a decent price fix one or two things and blow right back out. There is no profit in paying top dollar with blown up junk then sinking tons into it to list for even higher price. I get most people cant change a cam chain or clean a carb these days.

My free toy I got for me kid was 2 cases of beer.



next it was unbend handle bars - (bend them back in line, added a cross bar and got a cross bar pad) $8
next was grips - (it barly had grips left that roated) $17.44
next it was air filter - (half was gone) Moose dual stage $15.85
next it was special nut that held on air cover lid - (it was gone) OEM $8.63
next it was clean the air box out - (free)
next it was spark plug - (was black as night) NGK $5.56
next it was carb float plunger - (rubber tip was gone) OEM $16.11
next it was new front brake cable - (none were made anymore so removed all the stuff)
next was wire tie rear fenders together - (bag of 100) $8
next it was fuel petcock - (is was broken and didnt work) $9.28
next it was a carb bown gasket - (had some cheap chineese paper gasket that leaked) OEM $10.38
next it was 3 stator cover allens - (all were rounded off pillips deep in counter sunk holes 3 hours to remove)
next it was stator cover gasket - (somone never put on back on...so off to the next hard steps) $16.70
next it was a fly wheel - (stripped / rusted away inside theads and rusted fast to shaft 1 hour to remove, 2 broken magets) $20.23
next it was a stator plate - (stress fractured from guessing broken magnets holding on pulse timer) $30.00
next it was cam chain - (timing didnt line up at all and chain was very streched) $22.16

All together im about 8 hours so far messing with it. When i go to sell ill make profit but me saying its not worth my time is based upon i have other things where my time is better spend.

Hopefully there is not much else it needs since i did go over the machine pretty good.

[MrConcdid]

Sounds like 8 hours well spent, I get a lot of people don't enjoy working out in the heat of the shop, or would prefer to do other things. I enjoy fixing things, it seem like everyone of these I drag home has a different problem or multiple problems. I have a touch of ADHD I guess, I cant sit and do nothing for very long, I have to be busy, otherwise while I am sitting (watching a movie, ect.) my mind is fixated on what I could be doing out in the shop. Vacations are the worst, everyone wants to leave home and "get-a-way" which takes me away from where I really want to be. I know its sad, but sitting on a cruise ship or beach in some far offer place, all I can think about is why something isn't working back home, and how can I fix it. Its a sickness

I wanted to point out that the higher price points on these is not a bad thing, its all relative, they cost more to fix, therefore their worth more, and should sale for more.

As for my currant builds;
"Bradford" has got that gangster lean from one fork froze 1/4 inch lower than the other. I have 1 more 200m front end, I was saving it, I also have a 85 125m front that's ridged, the thought has crossed my mind to make it fully ridged, since it does not have reverse, it will never be worth what an 84 Big Red would be, so I hate to use up my last good front end on a less price point bike. I could weld the stock front end call it ridged and cover the weld with shock boots, but that feels wrong.
Again, that's another reason to part it out, I knew when I bought it the front was trash, its a given with this model bike.

MrC.

[oldskool83]

I have a remodel project in effect, plus finishing up 1 build, plus finishing up another build, plus starting to find parts for another build, plus fixing this free atv, plus everything else, (two jobs and being dad to my kid plus home projects and all the outside mantiance. 8hours is 8hours didnt really have went i went into it knowing it needed a cleaned carbed and oil change per my buddy.

[patriot1]

Honestly, as here lately, it might take me two weeks to put 8 hours into one but sometimes that's a good thing. It gives me time to run the process of what needs to be done through my head.

[jasong_10]

Sounds like 8 hours well spent, I get a lot of people don't enjoy working out in the heat of the shop, or would prefer to do other things. I enjoy fixing things, it seem like everyone of these I drag home has a different problem or multiple problems. I have a touch of ADHD I guess, I cant sit and do nothing for very long, I have to be busy, otherwise while I am sitting (watching a movie, ect.) my mind is fixated on what I could be doing out in the shop. Vacations are the worst, everyone wants to leave home and "get-a-way" which takes me away from where I really want to be. I know its sad, but sitting on a cruise ship or beach in some far offer place, all I can think about is why something isn't working back home, and how can I fix it. Its a sickness

I wanted to point out that the higher price points on these is not a bad thing, its all relative, they cost more to fix, therefore their worth more, and should sale for more.

As for my currant builds;
"Bradford" has got that gangster lean from one fork froze 1/4 inch lower than the other. I have 1 more 200m front end, I was saving it, I also have a 85 125m front that's ridged, the thought has crossed my mind to make it fully ridged, since it does not have reverse, it will never be worth what an 84 Big Red would be, so I hate to use up my last good front end on a less price point bike. I could weld the stock front end call it ridged and cover the weld with shock boots, but that feels wrong.
Again, that's another reason to part it out, I knew when I bought it the front was trash, its a given with this model bike.

MrC.

I know what you mean about vacations, my wife loves to travel and would go somewhere everytime I have some time off, and all I want to do is putter in the garage, lol.

[ATC King]

Rusted frame = parts


If you start chasing rust holes, they'll keep a coming, until you're eventually covering patches with patches. That's one of the first things I look at. Flip it up on the rear grab bar/rack and have a look at the bottom. Price negotiations go straight to parts category if it has holes or thin spots.

Solid frames are getting harder to find, which is why when considering a long distance buy, get good pictures to start with or don't bother unless it's already at parts trike prices. A lot of inflated prices for junk trikes right now. Money pits you'll get stuck with if not going straight to parts selling.

I'm pretty much out of buying any more trikes. The majority for sale around here aren't good for much more than parts. You guys finding the good deals, keep on keeping on. That pool has dried up in a lot of places.

[BarnBoy]

Rusted frame = parts


If you start chasing rust holes, they'll keep a coming, until you're eventually covering patches with patches. That's one of the first things I look at. Flip it up on the rear grab bar/rack and have a look at the bottom. Price negotiations go straight to parts category if it has holes or thin spots.

Solid frames are getting harder to find, which is why when considering a long distance buy, get good pictures to start with or don't bother unless it's already at parts trike prices. A lot of inflated prices for junk trikes right now. Money pits you'll get stuck with if not going straight to parts selling.

I'm pretty much out of buying any more trikes. The majority for sale around here aren't good for much more than parts. You guys finding the good deals, keep on keeping on. That pool has dried up in a lot of places.

I agree. Maybe I gave too much, I paid $250. I probably could have knocked him down at least another 50 bucks if I had flipped it over right there. But honestly its one of the nicer ones I've come across lately aside from that. Most are beat to shiit, spray painted etc. I have a lead on a rust free Cali frame, so if that works out ill just swap it.

Around here I would agree that most are now parts bikes. Unless you find a really good deal where some dudes owned it forever. Im just cheap and so I'm always buying old bikes and fixing them up. I just can't see spending $2k plus on a super nice one when I can get 6 rougher bikes and fix them up for that price. Idk, maybe I should pony up for a nice one sometime. I just feel like Facebook has really caused stuff to be way overpriced. Never used to be like this...just saw some nut asking 8500 for a 350x that wasn't even all original. Crazy.

[ATC King]

...just saw some nut asking 8500 for a 350x that wasn't even all original. Crazy.

Trike bubble?

I've got a couple good frames and enough parts to build them both up, minus some plastic, tires, chains & sprockets, brakes, cables...the typical stuff most trikes need anyway. The way I see it, if I put $1,000-$1,500 into them, for my own personal use, I'll have a finished trike far nicer than what I'm seeing for sale at those prices.

At the very least, all these 185S, 200S, 200M trikes have old, dried out fork seals and wipers, with boots MIA or destroyed. That's easily $50 just for parts and not counting the basic labor for that, plus cleaning up the old aluminum legs so they don't look like hell. Oh, and I've got the fork parts, most of it ready to install. I've got some I redone a couple years ago that I put back, but will probably use in the near future. I've also got OEM dust wipers, waiting for some other unknown project. I'll buy aftermarket seals, but won't use anything other than OEM wipers.

You know the cost of tires, brakes, cables, chain & sprockets, seat covers, plastics...it all adds up really quick. That's IF the engine doesn't need work.

Yep, a lot of junk for sale out there and overpriced. Glad I have what I already do and I'm going to sit on it, because I can't afford to buy any of it again at the current prices.

[ATC King]

I just missed a $300 200S. I hope someone on here got it. Northwest Louisiana.

I seen it too late on C-list. Was listed there less than 20 hours. At least the seller got back with me and said it's already sold. Was fast about taking the listing down too. Two very rare things on C-list anymore.

First one I've seen in that condition below $500 in a whiiiiile. Had a decent looking rear rack on it too, and not one of those ginormous expanded metal and square tube jobs either.

[MrConcdid]

I have not been slacking, well may be a little, school for the kid has started back and I go back the 30th. I keep telling myself just four more months, just four more months. I hope they realize how many 3 wheeler's I could flip in 4 months!

Updates-
The General 185- I have listed it, I have chosen to let it go.
Quitman 200es BR- is ready but waiting on a clutch, then I will list it.
Bradford 200e- is being testy, I got it running, the tank is soaking, about to order parts for it.
I pulled out one of the Bonifay 250es bikes, It runs but smokes, a topend plus the truck load of BR parts I have will make a great bike (good profit too) When It's turn I wil name it "Bonnie"
But this morning, I couldn't help myself, I picked up another 1985 BR 250es. It looks amazing, is super complete; 2 side panels, tank, seat, both fender hold down knobs, everything. only problem.......... Motor is trashed. Dang it, it wont spin over, it hangs up, the timing chain is stretched a foot to long, the one clutch is toast on the kicker, the centrifugal is burnt up. So against my better judgement, I am going to punt this one, sell it as a non runner, hopefully someone will come along with a good engine. Still profitable just not a slam dunk.
Its name is "Crawford". I have already listed it for sale.
MrC.

[MrConcdid]

Updated pics
in order left to right
Quitman 200es BR, The General 185, Crawford 250es BR

[MrConcdid]

"Bubble" yeah its coming, I feel it.
I will say no matter the economy, quality items will always hold their value. These bikes are collectible, well built and a less expensive alternative to a atv or sxs. I price my bikes just under or at least equal to a good used 2wd Honda atv, this keeps me in the range of other bikes. Now that's all out the window when your talking about 250r's, 350x, 70's these will always command the most money. Their the most collected models.

I look at it like this; Parts + Labor + Demand = Value

Parts- are pretty constant
Labor- about $30 hr
Demand- this varies with the wind, right now its up, it could change any day, no one knows.
so always buy at parts bike prices, control your labor and sell before the demand disappears.

MrC.

[MrConcdid]

What a week!

It all started with a change of mind, a desire to keep the cash-flow, flowing. I had listed "The General" with no real bites for the last week, jones-ing for another sale, like a crackhead, I opted to sell a few parts I have collected over the past few months, I have turned down countless request for tanks, seats, fenders. But it was time, my boneyard is getting quite large, and that is a no go. I will not have a mess at the house. So i gave in, I agreed to sell a 250es seat, and 250es rear axle and this prize jewel (to someone) an official ATC Honda Speedometer- complete with all brackets and drive hub. Those 3 items alone covered the profit margin on the sale of an entire bike. I will concede to Oldskool83 that there is great money in parts, I just prefer to save them, but when your stacking parts up in the shop, its time to thin the heard. Not only did I move 3 very profitable parts this week, I sold "Quitman" in less than 24hrs after posting it. This just leave " The General" which is ok by me.

Currant projects;
Bradford may get stripped, the Achilles heal is a bent axle. on top of everything else it needs. I have a couple axles in the boneyard, I could swap it, but I need a good bottom end to make my 200x and autox with electric start. I got Bradford running, and it runs good, no smoke, the plan would be to swap my new 200x topend over to this bottom end, notch the frame and build a rear brake bracket and battery box, I would probably just cut up Bradford for those pieces. The biggest issue with that build, is it doesn't pay.

I have "Crawford" 250es Big Red an engine coming, that will make a very nice flip not sure how hard it is to pull a 250es engine, I have never done one, does the rear end have to be removed first?

Then there's that Truckload of Big Red Parts 250es parts from Mexico Beach, I saved one of the BR from Bonifay, it runs and smokes its name is "Bonnie" I think a topend and those parts will make another great flip.

I got to get back to work,
MrC.

[jasong_10]

Cool speedometer, as a guy who always used a tach to drive manual vehicles I've always wanted to put one on my R (as a precaution as well). I've seen them out there but they're usually silly money, so I figured it would be good for me learn to ride by ear, lol.

[MrConcdid]

I have let my greed get the better of me (again)
I opted to not use "Bradfords" engine in my autox project, I think a hot 185/200 pull start only would be best, it would keep the package as light as possible, no starter, no battery, battery box or regulator. So on the back burner it goes. "Bradford" needs to make me some money.

Tonight I striped "Bradford" down, now that it is running good, It needs a bath and then some paint, I will put on a 200m front end I have been saving and the rear axle from the same 200m, that will fix most of the issues with "Bradford", It had nice fenders and racks to start with, I have already ordered a seat for it, I may have to swap the tank or do some repair on it. I ran the number before I ever put a wrench on it, it will bring good money if done right. Not having reverse is a hard sell down in the south, but having High and low and electric start might just save the day.
If I had more time I might consider lifting this one, I think this model would make the most sense, being chain drive it would be easy to stretch it, along with high and low gear to pull those larger heavier tires. That's not my scene but I appreciate the work involved.

I am picking up a new to me/used engine tomorrow in the am for "Crawford BR 250es" that will be my first 250 engine I will remove, wish me luck. Can you pull the engine and leave the rear axle and drive shaft in place?

The Margins are better on "Crawford" so I will jump on it asap. The Big Red 250es is the real money maker if you can find a good one.

MrC.

MrC.