83 185s motor mods

[Honda_ATC]

Im looking to build the hell out of my 185s, its kind of a bucket list thing for me. I already have a stock 200s top end on it and id really like to get a lot more power from it. Ive been reading around on threats and craigslist looking at what other people have done along with what I have done in the past years. Personally I found that a good carb and head set up really brings them alive.

My questions are..

Has anyone bought Barnett clutches? Did you like them? how was the power delivery ? ect.

Has anyone bought a web cam? if so which one did you go with and how do you like it? did it make a big difference in power deilvery?

What type of exhaust system do you have? Is there any other good system besides DG?

What type of valves/springs/guides did you go with ? Is kibble white a good brand?

How well will the stock crank handle these mods ? Ive had a 185 with a 12:1 piston in it, the stock crank held up well for a few months then I sold it, and never found out how long it lasted

Im sorry if Im asking for a lot here but I really wanna make this a good build, so if you have any similar builds could you please provide a link to your thread, so I can read it over? Thanks everyone !

[shortline10]

I have some go fast parts give me a pm .

[ZacH_GrifF]

I put Barnett clutches in my 83 I like em so far. They give a nice engagement. As to compared to the cheap ones I don't know. I went from the original worn out straight to the Barnett set I also replaced the springs too.

[Honda_ATC]

If you don't mind me asking how much did you pay for the set up?

[rg97]

Web cam 89a is a nice upgrade. Not too hard on the engine that you need other mods along with it.
Keep your eye out for a supertrapp exhaust. As per the 200x, they are the best IMHO. The DG is obnoxious at best.

[Honda_ATC]

Thanks for the response, I've been talking to shortline10 about some parts and I've been thinking about the megacycle cam with 435 lift, seems to be the biggest wildest thing I can get in there, this motor will be used for ice racing so I'd like to have that edge. However, I do have another 83 185 I'd like to put the 89a in, when you did yours could you really feel the difference ? Thanks again

[rg97]

I saw noticeable gains in the mid and top end.
Now I have a stroker in there, and that gives me the bottom and extra mid I need for the ultimate ride.
Just be careful because with big lift cams that also means expensive add-ons. Webcamshafts site lists the following needed for a .435 cam:
Racing cam designed to take advantage of larger valves and the latest port flow technology. Requires Exhaust System, High Compression Piston, and Performance Valve Spring Kit. Check ALL clearances!

So you might think that the cam is cheap but look what else you'll need. Exhausts are hard to come by (good ones at least) and arent cheap ($150+)
High comp pistons are I think in that 100-150 range. Performance valve spring kits are $75, and larger valves require head machining and you can forget about the extreme porting that will need to be done.

[Honda_ATC]

Well to be honest my friend that built one and it did 67 with stock gearing and we have always been very competitive and I plan to blow him out of the water (with stock gearing) that was the whole point of the builds, make them pull the most power and top speed with stock gearing. I was planning to spend around $5-600 but if I can get a motor set up like yours with great low and top end with out massive porting I'd be just happy with that. Where did you get your stroker kit and did you get a thicker base gasket to increase the stroke length?

[rg97]

Strokers on these bikes are called squash-rod strokers. No plate needed. Not sure how familiar you are with them.
Heres how I explain it.
The crank pin is moved out 3mm so that you get 3 up and 3 down more. BUT, if you had 3 up extra, the piston would crash into the head/valves. So, they (powroll) heat up the con rod and squish it down 3mm. So, now the stroker goes up 3mm but the rod accounts for the 3mm and the piston goes into the same place at TDC. Now though, the piston is going 6mm further down than stock (3mm from crank, 3mm from rod). So, to fix that, they flycut the piston. The bottom of the piston is shaved so that it will clear the crank.
I have a 212cc stock bore stroked motor that started as a 192cc 200x motor. I'm not sure as to whether the same mods will work on the 185s. If the stroke on the 185s is the same but they just made it a smaller bore than you should be good to go in that direction. However, if Honda made the stroke shorter on the 185s, then the powroll stroker is not an option as far as I am concerned.
I got my stroker from Powroll Performance in Oregon. Look them up and call them if you're interested. Their customer service is an abomination, but if you call repeatedly ( I try once every hour) then you should be able to reach them and talk about a 185s motor stroker. A 200x stroker complete swap (you send them your crank, they modify it and send it back with new bearings and other things) will run about $500 just by itself.
You may also want to give Mickey of Four Stroke Tech a call (fourstroketech.net) and see what he says as far as mods for a 185s. Great guy.

[Honda_ATC]

Well I should mention that I have a 200 top end on a 185 lower end, and the stroke between the two must be the same, (the only reason i have a 185 lower end is because its all down for the shifting pattern I personally dont like shifting up lol.) How did you go from a 192cc to a 212?!?! The only piston I found anywhere near that big is a 204cc and thats really punched out! very nice 212x by the way!

EDIT I looked in my shop manual for 185 then the 200x both have the 57.8mm stroke

[rg97]

Stock bore and 6mm stroker = 212cc. You can push it to 218 using a 66mm bore but I did not.
It would be the cylinder that matters, not the top end. I'm sure that someone has specs on a 185s but I know that a 200x stock stroke is 57.8mm. Bore is 65.0mm
Thanks for the compliment, its all apart right now since I have another project going for it right now.

[rg97]

So I saw your edit and it looks like a stroker may work. By no means am I an expert on the 185s so you'll want to contact Powroll, Four Stroke Tech, or shortline10 like you have been doing and see what he/they say.

[Honda_ATC]

Sounds great thanks for all the contacts and the time !!

[Honda_ATC]

For anyone who cares this is the trike that the mods are being done on

[RDH/86200X]

Nice bike. I may be building a 185s in the near future as I just completed my aftermarket front suspension. I also just had a 185s given to me I just need to go get it. Good luck on your build.