My new '85 Big Red

[Stonewall]

Well I finally got around to posting up some pics of my new, well preserved, 1985 Honda ATC250ES Big Red. I've wanted one of these for a long time have been so excited and busy riding it that I havn't messed with forums or anything for a week...
So here it is!

[malibulvr]

Good looking Big Red!! I love the look of these trikes, just beastly.

[chuckiedog04]

that is a nice machine!

[1984 honda 200s]

that thing is flippin MINT sweet ride ! I saw 2 forsale locally, one was an 85 also and an 86 for the 85 thay wanted 1200$$ half the bike was there!!
for the 86 $600same deal, bent handle bars, no rear fenders, and welded on motorcycle exhaust LOL

[Stonewall]

I got this one for $1400, and I even got the origional owner's manual! It does still need the fender trim pieces, and a new set of mudflaps. At one time someone decided it needed a rack extension, so they cut the upright bar off the rack to put one on it. (on the upside, they welded the cut off piece to the extension so all I have to do is cut it off and weld it back on!) It sat in a barn for the last 15 years, so the brake cables aren't in the best of shape. Does anyone know where I can get some new ones?

More pics:





I couldn't rotate the pic of the owner's manual.

[gomer202]

thats a nice looking machine

[Tuff]

ebay has good brake cables for 13.50 each plus 3.50 shipping. awesome bike you got!

[350Xccelerator]

Very clean. Awesome score

[mollie8000]

nice big red,i bought a new 85 br and a 125m in 1985 for 1500 dollars, eric250r now has the br,125m long gone,cus myself everyday for selling the br. will have another someday

[tri again]

I've had luck just hanging the cables vertically and dripping some mystery oil or
similar till it drips out the other end.
Then pull the back and forth a few times.
That trike is so clean I can't imagine the cables are totaled.
Some of those inner cables are plastic coated so they only really get stuck right near the ends.

Make sure your drum levers operate smoothly.
I've had 2 apart in the last week.
Looks like the slightest coating of crud, thinner than paint,
where the operating cam shaft goes thru the housing gets
unbelievably stuck.
Shine 'em up and it works like new.

I've got an 87 just like yours and it NEVER leaves my sight.
Poor thing gets chained like a bad dog wherever it is.
Even in the truck, backed up to a tree.

[Stonewall]

I'll try that with the cables...Mystery Oil is some good stuff.

I know what you mean about keepin it safe too lol...I usually don't have to worry about people stealing stuff as far out of town as I am, but since I brought this home its been locked up in my shop every night! (and I leave my keys in my truck lol, go figure...)

I like the idea the previous owner had with the floorboards, so I decided to make a set of simple but comfortable ones that bolt right where the original footpegs go. I've also been using it watering beans this year so I put a gun rack on the front to hold my shovel.





I was also wondering about some better tires for the rear. I want something with a little better traction, but mostly more give like the OEM front tire... I hate Strykers, they aren't good for anything, they're super stiff and have no mud traction. I was thinking maybe Goodyear Rawhide III's because I want to keep the origional rims and size, and they seem to have a good balance of traction and soft ride. I mostly ride on gravel, grass, and the mud here is silt loam or something...it's like river mud, with a little bit of gumbo and sand here and there... Suggestions?

[HondaClaw]

I wish mine was that nice!.. But I only paid $120 so.. haha I like my project, but yours is what I want mine to look like when I'm done

[Stonewall]

Yeah, this one was your price times 12 lol. If you take your time and do a good job,(and spent plenty of money on good parts...) you'll come out with a really nice 3 wheeler! I'm also currently restoring another '85 BR for someone else, you can check out my thread here:http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr...81#post1036481.

[HondaClaw]

I plan on it =] it'll be my favorite x] if I can do it. http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr...s-in-my-future There are some pictures of my Big Red in that thread.

[Stonewall]

I've been following your thread, looks like you got a hell of a deal on that BR!