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

**thedeatons** · 03-05-2006, 09:17 PM

Yeah... I don't know if $2500 would cover all the engine work being done at Vintage or not... that cost alone is ~1000... plus the carb is there... I don't know.. If someone wants it, throw offers at me...

**thedeatons** · 06-05-2006, 08:43 PM

Here are some engine update pictures from the great Mike Palmgren at Vintage Motorsports.... This three wheeler is officially for sale now, including the engine, paid for and installed. I have all paperwork including the original manual and ownership card from 1981. I am only the second owner. I have thousands in this trike and can back that up on paper...!! Enjoy. James

**edog** · 06-05-2006, 08:59 PM

Mike does great work.Looking good.

**200x Basket** · 06-05-2006, 09:21 PM

looks great but why did you powder coat for an OEM style restoration?

**thedeatons** · 06-05-2006, 09:49 PM

Powdercoat is the MOST durable when it comes to paint material, and I wanted this restoration to look as new even 20 years down the road. Even if this trike was made a rider the powdercoat would keep it looking freshly restored and easily cleanable.... You'll also notice the tires are not OEM, but the service replacement Ohtsu tires. They are still an official issue, just not the first original issue. Those are the only couple things I can think of that are not exact, which is why Mike at VMS said that Honda Japan would not accept it for their collection hall (among other little details I'm sure).

A couple other things - Even details like every spring and bushing in the thumb throttle assembly are brand new, never been used. The exhaust was also coated.... sigh.... Okay... enough....

**200x Basket** · 06-05-2006, 09:59 PM

i was just curious. it looks great and it would hurt to sell it

**Yamaha Tri-Moto** · 06-06-2006, 12:54 AM

I agree, looking awesome. Can't wait to see it complete.

**OldManDM** · 06-07-2006, 12:15 AM

just out of curiousity,you are going for a complete "accurate" restoration,which by the way looks simply outstanding........so why do you have tires on an `81 that didn`t come out until `83-`84?....just wondered....the `81`s and `82`s had the old school square,even rowed knobbies that were literally "balloons".....i remember this distinctly since my first was an `82 and i HATED those tires.......not trying to put you on the spot or anything by this,just wanted to ask.........and sorry to hear about your financial situation,hope it works out for the best

**thedeatons** · 06-07-2006, 01:23 AM

Many searches were performed looking for the exact original tires you mentioned. When I came up with nothing in more than a few countries, I settled for these, because at the time I needed to keep things going, and to be honest with you, at that point I had not yet realized how crazy I was going to get with this thing. It has truly become like an obsession to find the correct parts, and it pains me to know that there are one or two things that I have had to settle for. These are listed as the service replacement tires according to old Honda/Ohtsu files, so that does help things a bit. Occasionally there may pop up an S.P. Wamulass tire on Ebay (the originals), but I have had other pressing issues. I am not saying there are none out there, just that I moved on as these tires were one of the first things purchased. If someone were to find three of the originals, it would not be difficult to replace these, as the powdercoating on the wheels is inside and out, along with new O-Rings, Nuts/Bolts/Washers, anti-seize, oh, and no RTV was used. They hold air perfectly.

By the way, all threaded holes in the project so far have had a metric tap of the correct size chased through them, and the corresponding bolts have anti-seize applied to them.

**OldManDM** · 06-07-2006, 01:31 AM

that`s cool...like i said,i was just curious...you`ve done a beautiful job so far and it saddens me that you`re forced to let it go to someone else....we`ll pray that it won`t come to that for you......best of luck!

**thedeatons** · 03-21-2007, 09:50 PM

Hello again everyone... I am nearing completion of my 185S and thought everyone might like to see it. n case everyone forgot, it is officially for sale, so let the bidding start. The trike will be completed before the sale, but not started. The engine is still the way Mike at VMS shipped it to me, and no gas has been poured into the tank. The entire restoration has cost me thousands, and parts have come from almost every continent. Many of the parts were the last of what is openly available, and is no longer in production. If anyone has any questions they can email me directly. This trike can take a beating for the next 30 years, or just sit in someone's showcase. This is not the finished product being shown, I am in the final stages... Enjoy!

**petesatc** · 03-22-2007, 05:04 AM

Hey James,
looking awesome bud....... but why are you selling it now?? after all the great work you have put into it.......
BTW do you need rear fender decals????

Pete

**nouseforaname90** · 03-22-2007, 06:25 AM

Wow I haven't seen you on here in forever. I was actually wondering what happened to your 185 the other day.
Looking good!

**sandpuppi101** · 03-22-2007, 12:59 PM

Wow Jame's ,that machine is beautiful. So your not even gonna start it up,I don't blame you one bit.That restoration turned out really nice ,and yep Mike does a really nice job on his work.I hope you get a mint for it.. Congrat's!

**thedeatons** · 03-22-2007, 04:44 PM

Thanks for the kind words guys... Yeah, I have been around working on it here and there. I have been super busy with our Cannondale quads, so this has taken a back door for the past year. Pete, I still owe you some money for these parts. If anyone has any suggestions about my getting top dollar for it, please let me know. I am hoping to find a collector that can cherish it. Maybe Mike will chime in. P.S. Thanks for all your loving attention to detail on this Mike...!!

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

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