New to trikes. need a little help

[backwoods22]

Hey everyone just picked up my first trike. honda atc 110. got it for pretty cheap, has an aftermarket muffler, strange little seat. It runs absolutely mint once its started but i can only get it to start by putting a little gas in the carb. I just ordered a recoil spring so i can get that back on there, and it needs the drive chain put back on.

So, I've searched around on here for a little while but i'm hoping to get some direct answers from you guys.

1st: the starting thing. Its annoying to take the air filter off and get some gas in there to start it. whats causing this to happen. the motor idles perfect once it starts so i don't think its a fuel thing. what are some possible causes? i have very little experience with small engines. this is the first i've owned.

2nd: the guy i bought it from said that the drive chain kept slipping off. He grew up racing quads and bikes so I assume he messed with the tensioner and tried to tighten the chain. He decided to take the chain off and try to remove a link(didn't do it though). so now i've got the chain and master link with a stock length chain. Should i put it back on and try to adjust it? how do i get it on there? Should i take his word for it and have a link taken out?

Any other mods or tips you have for a first time triker? besides riding the crap out of it....performance? maintenance?

Thanks guys, great site you've got here. some good info

Steve

[harryredtrike]

that chain needs to be addressed,dont ride it around with a sloppy chain.you will crack a case eventually.probably needs a chain and sprocket replace.compression loss can cause a start problem.could be dirty carb.anytime i buy a new to me toy i take the carb off and clean.new plug,and change oil.

[MonroeMike]

Welcome.

What year is your 110?

[backwoods22]

I haven't been riding it, chain has been off and master link taken out. the sprockets look good. im going to change the oil. i have 3 extra plugs that need to be cleaned but like i said the engine runs mint once its started. just needs that little bit of gas in the carb. he says it hasn't run since halloween so i'm thinking it just needs to run a little. is there a way to clean out fuel lines?

by the way, its a 1980. i don't have it here with me unfortunately. i have 2 weeks left of school then heading back home to get it riding.

I've never ridden anything like this before. down is 1st, neutral, then all up?

[200XMichigan]

Put some fresh gas in there, and don't bother cleaning the old plugs unless your broke. Get NGK plugs. Also I don't know how new to things you are but all vehicles with manual chokes have their own technique, sometimes you just have to get used to it. Just replace the fuel lines if you are worried about them, probably cost under 3 bucks for fuel line. I always put a clear inline filter in their, just lets you see whats going on, and gives extra filtration. Also clean out the screen filter, think its in the carb on a 110, same engine as my Trail 90 and that where it is.

[keister]

The gears are all down.

No use cleaning the plugs - get new ones. Hondas like new plugs.

When I got a 1981 110, it did not want to start. The valves just needed adjustment. You will want to download the manual to adjust the valves. It is a very quick operation.

Also like he said above, go to the store and get a lawn tractor fuel line filter. They only cost a couple dollars and will keep dirt / rust out of your carb. Here's how I did mine.

[backwoods22]

thanks guys. i'm going to fix the recoil, just ordered the spring, and that should help me figure out how the bike likes to be started. its tough to figure out when you have to wrap the string around everytime. The gas tank is zip tied on so i'm going to take that off and clean it with nuts and bolts like i see everyone doing, then bolt it on properly. I downloaded a manual so i will look into the valve adjustment. thanks again.


Anybody fab their own seat, i've got this weird one on there that is about 1/3 the size of the regular seat. i've been looking local for a seat but it seems they get bought up like hotcakes.

[Frankencelery]

I agree with the fuel filter, but with a twist. I use the clear visible ones, so you can see when they're dirty. Any motorcycle or ATV shop will carry them.

I would say the carb needs a good cleaning. Personally, I would buy a carb kit and just do it all once. The idle jet might be clogged or the pilot screw misadjusted. People love to turn those screws and they get all messed up.

As far as throwing chains, the best thing for you to do is buy a chain and both sprockets. The fact that the chain is stretched so far that a link needs to be taken out indicates it is too worn. You might try it in the short term just to get it going and get a feel for the trike. However, if you want to keep it and want to be problem free, buy the whole set. A new chain on old sprockets will wear out both very quickly. I buy a lot of stuff from dratv.com but I usually buy chain and sprocket sets on Ebay from a guy called sledpartsguy. He has those for sale--I checked. And no, I'm not him, nor do I know him!

Welcome to the forums and enjoy your new toy!

[backwoods22]

Are you sure its carb thats causing the difficult start? You all clearly know more than i do but its perfect idle has me pretty convinced that the pilot jet and air pilot are working good. I've been a dumba$$ and was starting it with the choke wide open so that could very well be my issue. i know, retarded, but hey its been a long couple weeks alright. haha anyways. I dont have the bike with me at school so i can't look at it right now. but the chain seems to be my biggest problem. these bikes are equipped with a chain adjustment right? not just the tensioner? I just want to get this thing driving before i start putting money into sprockets and new chains. its only going to be used every once in a while because of location, so it doesn't need to be perfect, although i understand you guys love to take care of your babys. thats like me and my tacoma.

Also i want to go through and clean up some easily accesible areas on it. I have electrical contact cleaner i want to get on there. What can i spray?

What should i lube up?

Also i hear its good to clean out the spark arrestor. Will my aftermarket muffler have that? i have no idea what it is or what a spark arrestor even does besides putting sparks in jail. Removes excess carbon? i dunno.

I'm a pretty techy guy, i just was never allowed to have toys with engines so i have no experience. If someone can explain i will definitely understand. Pictures help too guys, i dont know names of parts

Thanks

[MonroeMike]

There's a owners manual for that here.

http://campaigns.hondampe.com.au/Mot...wn80atc110.pdf

[200XMichigan]

Probably the open choke is what was causing you to have to add fuel. You're carb might be fine. I agree with the clear filters, a lot of auto parts stores and hardware stores have them too if you don't have any motorcycle shops near by.

[backwoods22]

Thanks for that manual Monroe Mike.

Quick question: My rear tires are different, but the front and one rear match. I want to put the odd tire up front and have the rears the same. Can this be done without a tire mounter or do i risk messing up the bead? don't really want to pay to have it done

[keister]

Just switch the tires and keep them on the rims.

[backwoods22]

I dont have the trike with me so i can't look at it. but your sure the rims are the same for front and rear?

[atctim]

rims are the same front and rear - if still OEM equipped. they should be 2 piece wheels with 4X130 bolt pattern - 8"X 8" wheels with zero offset.