Looking for ideas on adding suspension 185s

[Busboy]

Recently picked up an 82 185s from a friend of mine and I've got it running pretty good at this point. My question is what forks with suspension can I easily swap out for the ones on the bike now, and is it as easy as just swapping forks or will I have to modify anything?
Also, and this one might be dumb, has anyone done anything to add shocks to the rear? Thanks yall. I'm loving this little thing but man is it rough on every bump. Honda 185s

[shortline10]

Here is one I did back in 2012

https://www.3wheelerworld.com/showth...ull-Suspension

[Busboy]

Dang that looks awesome!! I was thinking about swapping the front for another honda trike front that actually has shocks. Can you add rear suspension without modifying that much? This is really my intro to doing anything like this.

[ATC King]

There isn't any new bolt-on suspensions, and if you find a vintage kit, it's going to be expensive.

"Can you add rear suspension without modifying that much?"

No, you're going to have to modify a lot and a welder will be needed. If you aren't up to the task, leave it be.

If you have the means and gumption to pull it off, there are ways to save money and make it easier.

A TRX200SX swingarm may use your original rear axle. I say may, because I don't have a recent memory of it fitting. I'm sure you can search on this site, and if it's ever been done, there will be information for you. Those swingarms are pretty darn cheap on Ebay. That will get you a large part of the way, with little expense.

As far as shocks, don't get hung up on something specific. There is norightshock for this type of build. If it's the right length, go with it, then work out the specifics. You're not going to have the travel of a 250R, so it won't help you to get picky about shocks. As long as it doesn't bounce, the compression and rebound is close enough. All the really matters is the spring and sag. Even on non-adjustable shocks, springs can be changed. I'd worry about that after everything else is done and the machine is rideable. Can't bench tune a custom suspension and expect it to be right in actuality.

For forks, just use some other 185/200 ones. The travel isn't that much, but it's more than a rigid fork, and it's all OEM Honda parts. You could got nuts and use some sport trike forks, like 200X, 350X, 250R, but those are going to be much more expensive than 185S/200S forks, and you won't be able to use your original front wheel (more cost).

You can possibly do it on the cheap if you already have metal working equipment, otherwise, you should budget $1,000-$1,500 for all the parts and work, if you do the prep for someone else to do the welding.

I could do it for much, much less, but I'm able to do all the work myself. There is no Amazon or Temu kit available on a burger slinging income. Not that you're on one, but a lot of people asking these kind of questions are.

[Busboy]

Thank you ATC KING! You made it all clear for me. I can do a little welding but probably won't focus on any rear suspension for a while but thanks for the answers, really helped.

[ATC King]

If you still pursue using a suspension fork, there's plenty of information already on here for that.

Since I don't know if you've had much experience with trikes, or even lately, that's probably a good idea to hold off on modifying for rear suspension, for now. Mostly to get used to what some components are costing now and learning to find the best deals and getting an idea of how long it may take to find certain parts. I think if you end up swapping on a suspension fork, you're going to see how it can be difficult to modify these things on a small budget anymore, and the time to source some parts can be extensive too. Used to be, not too long ago, you could get a usable 185S/200S fork, complete, for less than $100, and sometimes nearly free if a parts machine could be found sitting in someones yard, which $20 would have bought back then. Now, that's almost impossible and many of the parts strippers pull them down to individual components, meaning multiple parts will have to be bought, all at high prices.

If you do continue with adding a suspension fork, please post about that (maybe with updated prices), and if you later decided to carry on with modifying it for rear suspension, the same, and good luck.

[Busboy]

Man, thanks for all information as I haven't ever owned one personally but always rode em alot and had friends who have always had some bigger ones with all the bells and whistles. I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for some good honda forks to swap. Found some 1983 suspended forks for $250 on ebay... No thank you. As for now I'm just having fun popping wheelies and doing donuts in the loose dirt. I'll keep ya posted! Thanks again atc king

[oldskool83]

Chain alignment is the biggest thing on adding shocks. Its always easier to start with fresh metal and make new stuff. I have templates made to laser cut carrier weld on carrier flanges for TRX200sx. You have a new carrier machines, weld on the flanges and then your well on your way. I like the TRX200sx swing-arms since they are dogshit cheap and have a decent shock angle for some older softer sprung shocks. I put reall suspension on a 83 hard-tail big red. You dont need much travel since these machines do not have much power to require it.

You can look up my 200E build. Prob wont see anything like it ever utility wise. Its fun to cut these old junkers up to make better but was a good use of my time when there are EFI raptor 700's made...nope