83 atc-200 questions - new guy!

[Smackboy]

First of all - hi all, nice place ya got here!

Here's the lowdown on my first ever machine.

It's a 1983 atc-200 Honda. I rode these things all the time in the 80's, but never actually owned one. Well, almost 20 years later and $200.00 and now I own one dogone it! But since I'm no small engine expert, I have just a few questions, maybe someone can help me out (didn't get an owners manual with it).

1983 model, so maybe 90+ octane gas?

Do you really need to use the clutch on these machines?

I ran it for a little while, and it seemed like it got really hot, and the performance dropped a bit - normal?

I overfilled it with oil just a tad, since it seemed to be getting hot, and I didn't want to rob the engine of oil (who knows, maybe someone replaced the dipstick with the wrong one!) - but it kinda smoked from the exhaust afterward and made it a bit harder to start, so I definitely overoiled. Fresh oil change? (Hope I didn't wreck it!) 4 stroke, so regular 5w-30?

I know it's kind of a utility 3 wheeler, no rear suspension - but I plan on ing around on it with my hair on fire, so any other suggestions as far as motor life or what I can do to help it last a while?

Anything I should check on or in the engine? (It sat for at least 2 years in some guy's garage)

Thanks for any responses.

-The guy still stuck in the 80's

[Smackboy]

Most importantly from ^above would be the loss of power, at the smokingly hot engine temperature (overheating?).

Thanks

-80's dude

[bakeban]

the 80s ruled!! perhaps the power drop is a carb problem. take it apart and clean everything and reset it back to where it is suppost to be.

[plkmonster2]

u should only need to use 87 octane... they also have an auto clutch. 5-30 is a little thin, use 10-40, 10-30, or 15-40, and change the filter like a car check your spark plug, it should be a brownish color. if it is tan, it could be lean and overheating like you mentioned. also, change the gas, and run a few tanks through it. change the plug if it hasn't yet.... make sure the fuel filter(s) are clean, and taht the carb is clean. then check the usuals like the chain, overall damage, and some other little things. i think it is a shaft, so change the raer end oil too...

[plkmonster2]

oh yeah, and.... :-D :-D :-D WELCOME!!!!! :-D :-D :-D

[Smackboy]

Ok, here we go.

It's a chain drive, all the gears look good and the chain is in good shape also, but I oiled it just to be safe. The spark plug is most definitely tan by the electrode - but I did notice the fuel line was kinked after the filter. This must have happened after the machine heated up a lot, because it was kinda pressed against one of the frame rails! So I put a new fuel line on, anxious to see if that will solve the prob. Any ideas how long this engine will smoke since I overfilled the oil? (I changed the oil & filled back to proper level, but still smokin after a good half hour of driving). Thanks for the warm welcome!

-80's dude

[bakeban]

if it sat for a while you could have a stuck ring. that will smoke. it may need to be re-ringed. i am having the same problem with an 84 200es big red. it runs great but is burning oil. it has sat for a few years. im just going to let it run untill it wont run anymore. it looks like it will be a pain in order to pull the motor.