New bike, what's first?

[BigRedOne]

Hey all, I'm new on here, been lurking a few weeks leading up to the purchase of a 1983 200E ($600). It runs, shifts and everything, needs a solenoid and the rope starter replaced (starts by arcing the solenoid). I ordered the solenoid for $28 used off eBay and the guy says he has the recoil setup, just hasn't installed it.

This is my first bike since we had an '85 200x brand new. I will be riding it as-is this summer but I will be restoring it a little as I go but I will strip it down and really get into it next winter after I figure out exactly how it runs and all the quirks, etc. this summer.

My question is, besides riding the crap out of it tonight, what does anyone suggest doing first? I plan on changing the oil and cleaning the air filter right off but what should I check for other than that? Also, I was wondering how to get the paint off the fenders? The guy has it painted gray primer with black spray paint over that as a "camo" job. Not sure what he's hiding from, but...someone suggested brake fluid and someone else said that paint stripper wouldn't hurt the original plastic, which I believe to be crack free.

Any help at all is appreciated. I'm grateful this site is available with so much information. I thought (and my wife agrees) that I was nuts getting all fired up about a 23 year old toy that is "so dangerous it was outlawed". Good to see so many here.

Thanks!
Jim

[Mr. Clean]

Brake fluid would be a mess, but then so is paint stripper. I see no reason why you could not use paint stripper, it should not mess with the plastics. I would try a small area first to make sure. Oil and air filter is a good start. How about the gas, gas tank, and petcock. Maybe not a bad idea to clean those items out as well. Spark plug?

Welcome to the forum!!1

[the great gazoo]

Welcome to the forums, & be prepared- They are as addictive as trikes! I too have a trike with great plastics that were painted over, but I figured I'd never get all the paint off without ruining them, so I'm going to watch this thread & see if it's even worth it to me to strip 'em down.
As far as what you should look at on your trike, how about check your chain & sprockets(earlier BR's had chain drive, right?) for wear, & lube 'em up. Good luck with your BR!

[BigReds Forever]

I would say that any chemical that is going to remove the paint, is gonna screw with the plastic. You might try carefully sanding them with fine sandpaper or super fine steelwool and them polishing them up. Get another opinion on this first as i havent done it, but i know others on here have refinished plastic and they should be abel to help you out more.

[Rustytinhorn]

I would check:
Oil and filter
air filter
cracked fuel line
brakes-front and back
chain and sprockets -properly tightened and lubed
BEARINGS BEARINGS and SEALS-front and back axle
blown bearings and seals will wear tolerances quicker than anything.
seals and gaskets on engine-dont want grit getting in or all your oil leaking out.
also a good idea to check the wheel hubs, wheel nuts, and for cotter pins. Lots of times they become loose over time. Wouldn't hurt to take the hubs off and slather some synthetic grease on them.
check tires for damage
all nuts, bolts, fasteners, etc...
Dont wanna break down 3 hours into a lonesome trail.
Just some basics.

[edog]

"so dangerous it was outlawed".

[BigRedOne]

Hey thanks for the warm welcome. The plug was bad, needed a new one. I noticed the air filter is MIA and the headlight gets dimmer as I rev up the engine...random, I thought it should be the other way around. It makes all kinds of rattles, clunks and vibrations.It's a project but I am hooked, I will learn, and I gurantee I will have a garage full of spares and parts in the next few years.

It gets right up and goes though...good times, just like the old days! Vibrates like hell though, I'll be checking the chain and sprockets, etc. give it a good
run-through.

[85-250sx]

cool cool glad to see you with a big red they are fun

[Rustytinhorn]

I have an '83 200e Big Red too. The chain drive gives you a little more power than the shaft driven. That thing will get you places it shouldn't be able to, but a nice workhorse at the same time.
Have fun, Ride safe.

[BigRedOne]

Update: I'm having a BLAST with this thing. Both riding it AND building it. Got a solenoid for it ($28 delivered from eBay), ordered a complete air box/filter/cage with all the hdwr ($38 delivered from eBay) and I'm getting a ratchet spring for the recoil dog ear from Howdy. And the light prblem I had? I know how to fix those now. My brother jumped on it last night and took off down the street and when he came back from about a mile round trip, it worked! Nice and bright, etc. Cheap and easy baby!
Thanks for your welcomes and input!
Jim

[timex69]

Supa Stripper worked great for me for taking paint off plastic...I only let it sit for 10 minutes though, then I took a preasure washer and used it to remove all the bubbled paint. It worked great. I would try the stripper before sanding it unless you enjoy hours of sanding.

Also I went to Canadian Tire to get the paint stripper and I asked the guy if it worked best for plastic and he said yes it does, and he claimed Menthol Hydrate works too but I never tried it, im not even sure what it is.