Big red making me mad enough to get red...

[Twilight]

Okay, it started this summer when the chain started falling off the rear gear and slipping, but now its hard to start or barely starts at all. Then the rear brake lever broke and to top it off, the spark plug hole just got stripped!!!

Is there anyway to save this old red?

1983 200e BTW.
Thanks guys =)

[Twilight]

But im 20 right now.... =( lol

Costs me 100.00 to buy, so I might just sell =P

[bigreddaddy]

Naw man get that sucker running.

-clean the carb, every jet, check float and needle
-get a new air filter
-helicoil the spark plug hole or buy a used head
-change oil and filter
-new front/rear sprockets/chain

Oh by the way, I have two 200e big reds for parts.

[rally4x4racer]

leftover for clutter - lol - john, have you been watching oprah? ha ha, they have been having these "clutter maniac" episodes..... nevermind ha ha ha

[The Goat]

i'd say part it...at least double your money and move on...or go buy another one and use this one for parts.

[Twilight]

Its just that trikes around here are 500-3000 usually. I would like to fix, and im not new to mechanics. Its just that I have no idea why the chain was falling off.

[Twilight]

Mrs dont carte what i have, she loves the stuff =). But if teh chain problem cant be fixed, im not going to try and fix it.

[Dirtcrasher]

You need to kick back and attack one problem at a time, don't get so overwhelmed.

If the chain keeps falling off, there has to be something worn out or misalinged somewhere in that driveline? Whats up with it?

[rally4x4racer]

post some pictures up and someone might spot your problem

[gotcams?]

Or if the chain is very old, they'll actually stretch out from years of "riding". Metals not indestructable, though some are more prone than others. Or sproket could have some worn teeth, you can never know. Just get it in the air, in gear, and spin the tires manually and watch. Best way to fix things, IMO, is to watch and examine how they work because every mechanical problem is different in someway. Watch to see how, when, the chain starts to slip and just tinker. Sproket could also have a very hairline warp in it that'll throw the chain.

[Twilight]

Yup, its the chain, its really loose and when popped into second gear it fell right off with any amount of pressure to the wheels moving.

[Twilight]

Okay new problem, I cant get the damn engine out =\

[RedRider_AK]

The chain is popping off due to a misaligned sprocket or axle. Someone tensioned the chain wrong and it's now crooked, causing the chain to pop off the rear sprocket as it weaves back and forth.

[gotcams?]

Can't get the motor out? Should just be able to take the chain off, take off the motor mounts, and lift it out. Motor on my 250ES was around 50 lbs, but had a 246cc motor. I think the 200's a smaller, lighter engine. Well, what's holding that sucker in there?

[Twilight]

all mounts and chain is off.. its stuck and wedged somewhere...

[Russell 350X]

Okay new problem, I cant get the damn engine out =\

Why not? Those engines are fairly easy to remove, as long as the engine mounts come out.

For the chain problem, have you checked the axle bearings? I've had this problem a few times. The axle gets sloppy, causing the alighnment to go off, and the chain pops off. Are the teeth on the rear sprocket rounded over?

Also, clean the carb really good. Take the carb completly apart, and clean every little thing.

[Twilight]

Cleaned the carb till its all shiny and clear, all the jets are clear now and good to use. It seems that the choke lever does not work though as I can only movie it by hand. I was looking at my 200x carb and it seems that might be the same.

Axle bearings are tight, but the chain feels real loose. I need to look at the drive sprocket which is why I want the engine out. This will also let me change the head.

This is one thing I havent done and thats remove the chain, do I need a tool to do this? With my bikes chain I find the master and use a flathead, im guessing this is different?

[RedRider_AK]

If this one has a master, you can use the flathead trick and pop the clip link off. If it doesn't, you either need a heavy duty chain breaker for 520 chain, or you might be able to slip it over one of the rear hubs (with the wheel removed).

[Twilight]

Chain off, engine still being wedged. Took off all frame bolts, wiring, carb, outer chain cover, chain, and frame brackets... I dont know what else im missing?

[RedRider_AK]

Check around the engine to see where there might be interference. Maybe the shifter or brake pedal? Maybe something else?

[Twilight]

Looks like the inner chain cover might be hitting, took the shifter off does not seem to hit the brake pedal.

[Twilight]

My manual says the left, could this be why? im trying to remove it from the shifter side.

did find the cause of my engine woes, the head gasket is popped or blown, and the cylinder actually has a hole in it that was tack welded closed!

[james9r9r]

Just get a sledge hammer and tap on the right side of the engine. In the big red they didn't have bolts it just sits in the frame snug, So you will just have to tap it out from the right side.

[Twilight]

... i have 5 bolts that say differently...

[james9r9r]

Those hold the frame together.

[RedRider_AK]

Those hold the frame together.

Maybe on YOUR trikes.... :lol: :lol:

[Twilight]

Haha i wanted to say something to that effect... hehe. Okay I replaced all that i needed to! Has compression, spark, fuel and air... NO FIRE!!! =( none at all damnit. Compression came in at 167psi which should be correct right?

[RedRider_AK]

Then the timing is off.

[Twilight]

damn thats what i was thinking. I had the piston to the very top and had the cam to what i believed was dead center... is there any easier way to do it?

[TwoHundredEx]

EDIT: You said it's getting spark, but is it enough to ignite?
I don't really know here, just throwing ideas out there.
I'd say RedRider was right, it's probably a timing issue.

[250rfan]

If I laugh any more I will need to be hospitalized ! Those just hold the frame together, oh boy what a way to wrap up a Sunday night here on the boards :) simply funny as can be - thanks lol, uh oh there I go again.

john


JAMES9R9R - YOUR THE MAN!,

I JUST READ THIS POST, AND HAVE'NT LAUGHED SO MUCH IN DAYS,,,,,,,,

And Dirtcrasher - this is priceless...........

Disclaimer- The above statement is not limited to and or directly intended for 3WW member james9r9r. Any and all members are subject to the aforementioned text, thank you

A humerous post for a change - GREAT!!! :welcome:

[Twilight]

okay guys, lol enough... anyone out there help me with setting the timing please?

[Twilight]

Checked my manual and nothing mentions timing... anybody?

[rally4x4racer]

I think it was Rally4x4 I was talking with about pulling a 85 bigred motor and I was telling him how much a pain in the bottom I have always had.
In discussion I said something about taking them out the left side and he said HUH (?), mine come out real easy from the right.
I looked in the manual and sure enough it says to pull out from the right side.
I think he stopped asking me any more questions at that point :)
Hey, but I know it is possible, just harder.

john

HA HA - John, your answers are always welcome! You have been a lot of help lately - especially since I have not figured out that whole "read the manual" thing..

[rally4x4racer]

what manual are you using, twilight?

[Twilight]

honda manual, its missing a lot from what i can see.