1981 185S Restoration Pictures - Updated 03/22/07

[thedeatons]

Hey Everyone,

I have posted some of my resto pics in my "To ride or not to ride" questionaire thread, and that worked out okay. I decided to begin an official restoration thread dedicated to nothing but my project pictures. I will repost the pipe pics and the tire pics in here also though. The most recent pics are of the frame. I had it ppowdercoated, along with all the other black pieces, and have also ordered just about every available nut, bolt and washer new from bikebandit.com. The frame pics are of a lot of the new bolts screwed in, simply because I am impatient. The axle carrier is on now, and I would have the axle on, but I have to find a chain case to get powdered now, as mine was trash. From what everyone said I cannot install the inner chain case (cover) without removing the axle, and I don't want to do anything twice, so I'm waiting again. I literally have five bags worth of stuff to install, I just can't do it all just yet... Mike is almost done with my tank and forks, and once I get the forks I can probably make it a roller, which will be nice. So.... I'll try and post pics when I can, although the going will be slow, so please be patient. James

[thedeatons]

More pictures...

[thedeatons]

And more pics...

[thedeatons]

P.S. My wife lets me build it in the living room, and offered to clean off our bedroom dresser to store the frame there..... nice....

[Orangecnty250r]

I'll be patient, Good things come to those who wait. Your attention to detail is very evident and I cant wait to see it. Although its to late (I can delete my post) should we not post so when we click on it we can just see your pics in sequential order without posts inbetween. Whats your thoughts on that. I'd like to do something similar with my R and Z but posts (such as mine right now are great but separate the pictures to much

[thedeatons]

Nah... don't worry about it... I hope to get this to the restoration buildup webpage eventually, so no worries.... anyway comments keep my motivation going...

[short4stuff]

You have a kick ass wife, I hope mine is half as nice (when i get one lol)
And it's coming along great.... Keep it up.... I don't know if it's gonna be a driver or not.. kinda MINT...



I have my dirty engine in my bedroom .. lol I don't think she likes the idea. but she hasn't made me take it out either lol

[sandpuppi101]

James now comes the fun part of doing a complete restoration and a little ease also from the old lady,When you start putting a unit together and start to see how good it looks and imagine the finished product is where I get most excited at.And my wife actually gives me compliments instead of hounding me on the expences! I just finished a '82 185S a few weeks ago and rode it for a few minutes but instead just like to look at it.I am really particular on my restros too,but just remember to have fun and take your time,and send me some pic's of the finished trike when you get her done and I will hang it in the shop!!!

[Dave223]

Deaton,
when you said you were looking for a "chain case" you meant the outer portion of the chain gaurd? If so, I may have one at home , I will have to check on the condition. Im at work now, but I will check and post pics if your interested, Dave

[firefirefire90]

well think if no one restored the 185 trikes or the yammy 225s then they would just dissapear from neglect and no one would really be able to see what one would look like when it was out of the box New unles * went to the honda museum in Japan. Just one way to look at restorations of anything

[thedeatons]

Hi again guys... regarding the chain case, I am referring to the large black metal pieces that make up the inner and outer chain/sprocket covers. I don't need all the hardware, because I'll get new stuff anyway, the metal pieces are the most important. It's also important that they are perfectly straight. I'm going to have them blasted and powdered, so I don't care about the paint on them, but I don't want to get into reworking old bent up metal.

I started this project as "needing a few bolts and a cable" and it was going to be my wife's bike. Once you put one new bolt on it, the other bolts look bad, so I started buying hardware, but then the paint started to look dingy next to the new bolts and so on.... So eventually I was ordering tons of pieces and finally tore everything down to send to powder... My projects tend to go way overboard, no matter what they are... Hopefully that answers your questions. I am of the opinion that every model deserves a restoration, because NONE of them are made anymore...

[sandpuppi101]

Amen to that ! Why is it that a 250R or T3 is any more important to restore than a 185S! These machine's are vastly becoming Dinasours anymore and The people that grew up and /or started riding these ATC's when they were kid's will pay too get that piece of their childhood back. Now I ain't knocking anyone at all -but I restore quality machines and it shows ,and from a business aspect my craftsmanship ,finess and work to detail ,are all I have other than my word ! That being said kudo's to you Jame's and I look forward to your Restoration on your '81 185S!!!

[thedeatons]

Hi all... Mike at Vintage just sent me these pics and I thought I would share... It's going to be really hard to ride this when I am done... I might not be able to... James

[IrvSLedman]

Ohhh man, thats beautifull good luck to you man... lol I did my halfarsed rebuild of my 200(83) i got from a buddy added some new toys onto it, and have a homade set cover, but even if it were new, you bet i would still ride it the same. Haha, it at all possible i will not come home clean. I love mud.... thought i would share that with you all lol.


Ryan

[edog]

Looks real good.Good job Mike.