1986 200x build up (update 11-13-07)

[BigReds Forever]

I decided i should start a thread to track the progress on my 200x build. Im starting from the ground up with a bare frame. I have many of the main parts but still need lots of stuff. As of now i have....

-86 frame: strait, no cracks or welds
-plan is to powdercoat
-86 swingarm
-plan is to powdercoat
-86 motor: condition relatively unknown, hasnt arrived yet, supposed to be in "good" condition.
-plan is to thouroly clean, check for worn parts, paint/polish. Posibal mods include high compresion piston, cam, larger valves, and new valve springs.

-upper and lower triples
-front hub with disc
-bars: new from moose, will probebly replace latter, but will use them to get er going
-stock 86 rims with worn tires: again, will probebly get all new ITP or Douglas rims, tires, but these will work for now
-plan is to use 20" holeshots on the back, need suggestions for the front.
-shifter
-airbox with lid and good used K&N
-stock rear shock: unsure of condition, may rebuild
-pegs
-engine skidplate
-huge homemade grab bar: may or may not use

Questionables
-misc break parts from other atc's (250r, early 200x): might try to use some of this?
-83 250r axle, which im told will work? (which carrier do i use?)
-83 250r hubs
-early 200x forks

if you can inform me about the above items, what else will, ect, let me know
also looking for opinions about the following issues/items

-ideas for color sceam
-maier plastic for this model, look ok? i know good original is really hard to find
-exhaust: anyone like the polished dg? Ive never had dg but hate cobra
-carb: stock work ok? or go with a dg pwk
-gearing: i like lots of bottom end, but would like this thing to do at least 60-65ish
-posible oil cooler mod? anyone done this? I have a neat little 3x5ish oil cooler from some bike or something, thought it would be neat.
-options for other shocks and forks?
-opinions on wheel spacers vs extened axle, I know the axle is preferable, but this wont be getting beat on/jumped really hard or anything.

Thanks for checking this out guys, all your help is appriciated, ill post some pics as i go. The acctual build wont start for a while as im at colege till may. Right now im just gathering parts so that i can put this together relatively quick this summer.

UPDATE (3-2-07): Thought Id list some of the parts Ive gathered since i first posted this.

-Some 200x type forks (there a little longer)
-Voltage Regulator
-Front axle
-rear seat latch
-tank (needs some repairs and coating)
-83 250 R front brake caliper, master, lever...
-yamahondaman is making me a ss swing arm bolt

[200x350xtriz250]

sounds like you got a good start. color scheme...I like red/white/blue, white/blue, black/blue. I think you'll find your colors limited as far as plastic goes though. I didn't search real hard, but only found white or red fenders and white, red or black tank scoops.
good luck and keep us posted.

[BigReds Forever]

heres the frame, swinger and the box closest to it is a bunch of the random parts, other pic is the motor

[BigReds Forever]

anyone have any input on the oil cooler? I getting kinda excited to do this but have no idea how to hook it up to the motor.

[200x350xtriz250]

do you really feel you need it? I'm not sure about fit, so i can't help there. IMO - it sounds like a lot of work for what benefit...little - IMO.

[BigReds Forever]

Ya, I guess i never really thought about the absolute need for it, just sounded really cool, different. Has anyone had one of these 86-87's get too hot?

[200x350xtriz250]

not me, but I only have @ 50 hours seat time on them.

[Threes company]

Good luck with your build.......... as far as mounting an oil cooler.... i have a bone stock '86 200x i picked up off the original owner and have never had any overheating problems. No matter what type of riding, mud, hill climbing, etc..... no problems. One thing I would keep in mind about an aftermarket oil cooler is that its just one more thing to break or leave you stranded in the boonies. As a matter of fact, if you ever snag one of your oil cooler hoses, break one or they come loose......... you could lose that expensive motor super fast. About the only time I'd consider one would be for dune riding....... but we don't have many of those in these parts........ just lottsa trees and mud.

[BigReds Forever]

can I use early 200x forks on a 86? whats the difference? It would be nice because (1) i have them, and (2) i can get progressives for them.

[Dirtcrasher]

All year forks are near identical. Only difference is the steering stops on the 86/87 triples and are a hair longer.

All year 200X calipers are near identical. But the brackets on the rear caliper change.

Forget the oil cooler, Honda made a trike that lasted 20 years without one and didn't see the need.

Good luck on your build, you will find parts very difficult to find for the 86 200X.

[BigReds Forever]

Just updated my original post to show some of the parts ive gotten, and here's a pic of the tank

[BigReds Forever]

Well, I got home for spring break today, and finally got to see some of the parts i bought for myself. It made me excited to get this thing going, so i decided to mock up the parts that i have. Before anyone says anything, i know the forks are bent. Also, this was just to mock up some parts and make sure everything fit, there are only a few bolts holding this together. Too bad i already had to take it apart already so that i could finish welding up the trailer its sitting on.

[84honda200s]

looking good.

as for the oil cooler... im putting one on my 200s but for me its worth it and its not much hassle at all. well ok it isnt the easiest thing ive ever done.

[BigReds Forever]

Figured an update was necessary. Got my seat! needs a new cover but the rest is good. Now i can at least sit on it and pretend to drive. Also got me a supertrapp which im in the process of trying to get apart (which is alot harder than you'd think). Got motor mounts and a throttle also. Debating weather to polish it or paint it black and just polish the letters. Any opinions? I also found a 83 250 complete front brake setup in my piles of "junk" so that will be used for front breaks. Looked at some asv levers but they might be a bit out of price range right now. Only parts i need now are

stem bearings
carrier bearings
custom sprocket
headlight
kickstart
throttle and decomp. cable
rear break parts
clutch lever/perch
fork rebuilding supplies
fenders
light switch/kill switch pod
and some bolts (i think)

Cant wait to get er done and go rip on her.

[BigReds Forever]

Wow.. Slow progress. Being at college 300 miles from this thing kinda hampers any real work though. Since my last update, Ive gotten my rear break pedal, kicker, clutch lever, case saver, and some other misc i cant think of. Still cant get that stupid supertrap appart! My tank is in primer and im kinda deciding which way im going with the color. Plastic options are limited to Red or White, so attached is a pic of what I think i am going to do.

Tell me what you think! (besides my poor photo shop skills)