200x swap to 185

[Stephon_xr500]

Well I decided to try my hand at building a 185x. Craigslist provided a reasonably priced basket case '85 200x
95% of the parts some on the bike some in a box all for $150, The next day I found a '81 185s parts bike for $30. I've been wanting to build a novice rider trike with full suspension and the semi auto transmission, my wife and sister love riding my '83 185s but don't like the bumpy ride out in the desert I really fell in love with the ride of my '85 200x so I'm hoping it's a good match. I understand that it is a sin to make the 200x slower but I am keeping a fresh 200x top end, I'm sure it will find it's way onto the bottom end of the 185 at some point down the road.

So far the only progress I have made is repairing the pull start on the 185s I know the motor spins freely, the guy I bought it from said the top and bottom end were rebuild before the trike was parked.

I am looking for ideas with wiring the 200x had no wiring harness. The 185s has all wiring there but I have not checked to see if its working properly, I plan on getting the 185 running before dissembling.





Thanks for looking any ideas would be great!

[shortline10]

Just use the 185s harness on the 200x .

[Stephon_xr500]

The only problem is the kill switch is built in to the 185 thumb throttle, but I would like to use the throttle from the 200x

[Howdy]

200x wiring harnesses can be found pretty easy. I probably have a couple extra's myself.
Another option is to use the 200x throttle and modify a 200x kill switch to plug into the 185 wiring harness. Should be pretty easy to do.
Howdy

[Stephon_xr500]

I'm sure I could find the 200x harness if I look, Craigslist is pretty good around here for trikes, and we have a great motorcycle used parts yard about 30min away. I'm just trying to use what I have in parts right now. I was looking at the kill switch and it looks like it can be removed from the 185 throttle fairly easy, I'm sure I could come up with a new mount with out to much trouble and use the 200x throttle. the 200x throttle seems be move a little faster.

Last night I got the 185 motor to spark! I just need to fiddle with the pull start, I think I need to wind the spring tighter, it doesn't recoil as freely as it should.

[shortline10]

The kill switch wire in nothing more than the hot wire comming off the coil and going to ground to turn the motor off , very simple electronics .

[Stephon_xr500]

Update

I was having problems with the pull start, it was all taken apart when I bought it the catch on the inside of the spring was bent in so it would only catch the pull cord on the first wind. All better now

[Stephon_xr500]

I spent this afternoon cleaning the carb out, went down to the local bike shop and got a rebuild kit, and put it all back together. Then I pulled the motor out of the 185s and got it into the x frame

The motor is still a bit off, I'll work on squeezing it in to place tomorrow.

I caught one of my youngsters helping me out

[shortline10]

You will need the 200x motor mounts to install that motor in the 200x frame . It will bolt in like it was made for the bike with the right mounts .

[Stephon_xr500]

I have the 200x mounts on, I compared the two sets of mounts before I put the motor in to see if there was a difference. Right now I have the longest bolt on the back side of the motor in, the motor mounts are bolted to the engine and almost are in place on the frame. It's just a little off at this point, It was getting late so I decided to take a break last night. I'll get it in there this afternoon. I was looking at the space where the carb goes, it looks like it might be a tight fit, should I use the spacer tube from the original 185 motor or the 200 motor? I have the one from the 185 bolted up now, the one from the 200x is at my buddies shop. We were working on a top end rebuild for my 200x when I got this project 200x, I think we are going to use the project x motor in my 200x instead. Is there any difference between the two? angle of the bend, difference in length? Could I bolt the carb right up to the head with out the tube?

Shortline10 I appreciate your help, I'm pretty good with these things but this is the biggest project I've attempted so far.

[shortline10]

You will need the 200x intake manifold to get the correct angle , the 185 intake wont work . The trick with the motor mounts is to leave them all loose and just get the bolts threw the holes and then nut them up .

[Stephon_xr500]

I have the motor in place with the chain on, the wiring harness from the 185 is hooked up and I have spark. I need to make a trip to Ace hardware to get a few replacement bolts, the swing arm nut was striped out the threads on the bolt are still good.

[Stephon_xr500]

I was finally able to meet up with this guy off Craigslist $175 later I have the rest of the pars I need. I picked up a front end to replace blown out in repairable fork seals and my non existent front brake, plus I needed a new tire got one today with 90% tread. I got a complete air box with new uni filter in it, cobra exhaust, the correct air intake wiring harness, headlight with the Crome frame, six pack rack with a whip, and a brush guard for the front brake resivour.

I can't wait to put it all together, to many projects not enough time.

[Stephon_xr500]

All I wanted for Christmas was to work on my Three Wheeler! Finally after the hustle and bustle I was able to get out to the garage and start wrenching! The exhaust pipe is on,
i got the air intake installed, the carb is on, the new front end is installed, six pack rack is ready for action, the chain is adjusted, I got the 185 chain guard to fit with a little tweaking





next step is hooking up a gas tank and seeing if it will turn over!

[Stephon_xr500]

I put gas in the carb and it started leaking straight out the over flow at the bottom of the float bowl, I'm gonna need to pull it apart and go over it again. I put the tank and rear fender on to get some inspiration.



Any Ideas on this tank? This is how it came, it's sealed but very ugly. I'm thinking I can hold out for a few months till I can find a new one.