New member restoring a 3 for dad. Lots of questions.

[What2007]

Hello all. New to the site and new to ATC's. I've been restoring on Honda motorcycles for a few years now, but this is my first 3 wheeler. I picked up a 1983 Honda 185 this past weekend. It is the same exact bike my dad had when he was in his late teens and he absolutely loved it. So being the good son that I am, I picked one up on the cheap and am getting it all fixed up for him for maybe Christmas.

I do have a few questions though, mainly about the pull start. Mine is missing the entire assembly. I've done some researching and I read that the 200 pull start assembly will bolt up to the 185, but will any other models? It's highway robbery what they are charging for on eBay for the assembly. $100+!?!?! Hell I only paid $50 for the bike to begin with.

I'll try to get some pictures or something later, but it looks like a $50 bike lol

[yaegerb]

Yes, those recoils are expensive. Maybe some good Samaritan on our forum will see that you need one and offer one up for sale.

[What2007]

So will any other models pull start/recoil assembly work on the 185? I see the 200 will, but there are different types like the E model, S model, Sx model, etc etc

[atctim]

ATC 185S and 200S are the same. Other ones will have differences - 200E, 200ES, 200M are all a bit different. You are correct, it is highway robbery for that part, and you might find other parts are really expensive to source as well. What comes to mind is the metal seat pan for that bike - they are super hard to find in good shape, and when you find them, be prepared to pay! Restoring these old bikes is super fun and rewarding, but the pitfall will be the hard parts that are OEM only and people have found that they can set a high number on them and if someone needs it bad enough, they'll pay.

[coolpool]

Good on you to fix this up. Let me see if I have a recoil that works. If I have one I'll post a pic here and you can decide from there. It won't be terribly pretty I'm afraid.

[What2007]

Good on you to fix this up. Let me see if I have a recoil that works. If I have one I'll post a pic here and you can decide from there. It won't be terribly pretty I'm afraid.

Ugly doesn't matter so long as it's functional. I have a soda blaster and paint if need be.

[NEWDUCK]

Sounds like someone needs to water jet adapter plates for modern recoils for 200s

[Aulbaugh]

Those "$50 dollar" trikes more often than not take some time/money if it is in pretty rough shape. Like other members have said, some parts (as your aware of) can cost some steep prices. How far of a resto are you looking to go?

[What2007]

Those "$50 dollar" trikes more often than not take some time/money if it is in pretty rough shape. Like other members have said, some parts (as your aware of) can cost some steep prices. How far of a resto are you looking to go?

Right now its just getting it up and running. He will probably eventually strip it all down and repaint the whole thing. He's not as mechanically inclined as myself, so I'm pretty much taking care of the functionality and he'll do the cosmetic part.

[What2007]

Quick picture

[onformula1]

Not bad for 50 bucks

It looks like you have a comfy shop unless that's your living room. ..LOL

Sent from my SM-G386T1 using Tapatalk

[What2007]

Sounds like someone needs to water jet adapter plates for modern recoils for 200s

Link please?

[What2007]

Not bad for 50 bucks

It looks like you have a comfy shop unless that's your living room. ..LOL

Sent from my SM-G386T1 using Tapatalk

Not my shop. That was a picture from the previous owner. I can't work on it at my shop because it's a surprise for my dad, plus my shop is currently occupied with this:

[coolpool]

Here you go. The motor it came off was stamped 180cc, not sure of the year. I think 81-82? One of the little screws that holds a plate on was loose in the case so it's a bit rounded. It will need to be re-threaded. The de-compression cable pulls in when I pull the cord out and the gasket is functional too. I'll throw in the four mounting bolts. PM me if interested.

[What2007]

Plasti Dip FTW

Before and after