Just bought two honda big reds...NEWBIE HELP!!

[supernova1021]

OK.. First off all, great site you guys have here and glad I found it!

I just got home with two Big Red's. The guy I bought them from said the first one is a 1982 185ES and the other is a 1983 200ES. They run but need work and that is why I am here. The stickers with models are long gone and I am trying to see exactly what I have.

Looking for a repair manual on both earlier and I cannot find a 82 or 83 model ES. I assume that the ES is "electic start?" Both of them I bought do have electric start.

I have found the 82 and 83 E manuals here on the site but cannot find a 82 or 83 ES manual.

Thanks for any help! Also, get used to seeing me around...I'm about to get busy working on these things!

[3wheeledjunkie]

The 185 is a an S model only. And the Big Red was only a 200 or 250. So look for a 185S and you'll probly find some info. I didn't think 185's had electric start but i may be wrong. Probly both 200's.

[ScottZJ]

Well I have noticed since moving to the south that they tend to call alot of the honda trikes big reds. But to be politically correct, the 84 200es and the 85-87 250es are the big reds.
The E stands for Electric start and there are a few of the 200 models that have it.

[supernova1021]

Thanks for the input. Just remembered some things about them (I'm at work right now and cannot look)..

Both have chain drives and the "hi lo" gear settings on the gear shift side of the motor.

Any idea if there is any place on them I can look for what the specific model is? I really don't think they are both 200's. One is definitely much bigger than the other engine wise.. It is strange, dunno.

I will try and get some pics up tomorrow. Just ready to get a manual for them and start working on them.

[Yamaha_Rules69]

Decode the frame vin here: http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/showthread.php?t=93942&highlight=vin+number

Or go by the motor number. TB05E-5000022~ is 1982, TB05E-5100007~ is 1983, TB05E-6000001~ is 1984 I think you want to go by the begining or last of each of the numbers listed.

The 185s did not have hi-lo or electric start from the factory, nor did the 200s model. You deffinatly have two big reds (200es) models, but im not sure which model had shaft drive , maybe 84. Only the 85-87 big reds had rear suspension, and shaft drive, and were a 250cc ES. If you look on the back of the cylinder jug, below the carb you will see the engine cc. The 185 was actually a 180cc, and the 200's were 193cc. Good luck, and hope I gave you some pointers.

[AutoXer]

the early 185/200's share alot of parts so not a lot of physical difference in the motors

[Gearheadtom]

It is possible, but unlikely, that someone put a 185 top end on a 200e bottom end then just called it a 185es.

[PaTriker]

I had an 84 200 and it was a shaft drive and it was called a 200es Big Red.

[MudBug]

84 was the first big red. then 85-87 they made the big red 250. I know alot of people who call any three wheeler a big red. honda or not :lol:

[MonroeMike]

Two trikes right off the bat, you don't mess around.

Welcome to your new home.

[CRAZY70MAN]

Mudbug you are wrong....82 was the first Big red 200e....... 84 is the 200es shaft drive electric start,reverse.... the 1984 Big red was however the only other 1 year run of a trike other than the 1983 185s...........whewwwww///////

[mike1979]

:pics: :pics: :pics: :pics: :pics: :pics: :pics: :pics: :pics: :pics: :pics: :pics:

[MudBug]

Mudbug you are wrong....82 was the first Big red 200e....... 84 is the 200es shaft drive electric start,reverse.... the 1984 Big red was however the only other 1 year run of a trike other than the 1983 185s...........whewwwww///////

I stand corrected. I just didnt think the chain driven 200e was called a big red

[atctim]

Crazyman -

You got it all right except the 1 year run ATC185 was in 1980. ATC185Ss were made from 1981 - 1983.

The new for 1982 ATC200E "Big Red", was a huge change to Honda's ATC line-up. Its 192cc engine and five-speed dual-range gearbox cranked out more power, especially low in the rev band, to make chores such as towing, spraying, seeding and fertilizing easier. An electric starter in addition to the standard recoil system made starting the day as easy as pushing a button. Dual racks and a 9.2-liter storage box made carrying tools, hay bales, fencing and other agricultural essentials easier. A new sealed rear drum brake survived the muddy fields and water crossings, and telescopic fork front suspension made a day in the saddle that much more comfortable. This machine was the first true utility ATC and set the stage for many future innovations. The Big Red had a reverse gear added in 1984, as well as its drive chain was replaced with shaft drive for extra durability and less maintenance that year. In 1985, Honda made the Big Red even better with full suspension and a larger 250cc motor. 1987 was the last year here in the USA for production, but Honda continued to sell these in Canada, Europe, and Australia through 1988 where it was known as the "Super Red". The "Big Red" was the first utility machine offered by Honda - and its 8-year production span changed the way farmers and outdoorsmen alike thought about the ATV industry.

Here is my great running 1982 ATC200E Big Red.

http://www.venustel.com/~tkeister/workzone/82-200E-top.jpg

[litebulblsc]

Well said atctim.

I just picked up a 1982 200e Big Red a weekend or two ago and it will receive a restoration as an important part of trike history

[supernova1021]

Decode the frame vin here: http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/showthread.php?t=93942&highlight=vin+number

Or go by the motor number. TB05E-5000022~ is 1982, TB05E-5100007~ is 1983, TB05E-6000001~ is 1984 I think you want to go by the begining or last of each of the numbers listed.

The 185s did not have hi-lo or electric start from the factory, nor did the 200s model. You deffinatly have two big reds (200es) models, but im not sure which model had shaft drive , maybe 84. Only the 85-87 big reds had rear suspension, and shaft drive, and were a 250cc ES. If you look on the back of the cylinder jug, below the carb you will see the engine cc. The 185 was actually a 180cc, and the 200's were 193cc. Good luck, and hope I gave you some pointers.


Thanks for the VIN decoder link!

According to this, I have a 1982 200E and a 1983 200E. Just strange, cause one of them definitely looks to have a smaller engine and the overall ATC looks to be smaller.

Maybe there was a big difference in overall size between the 82 and 83 200E models. Will look on the back of the cylinder jug in a minute.

[supernova1021]

Yep... Just found the cc's on the rear of the lower cylinder. Both are 193cc's. I guess the frame and plastic makes the 82 model engine appear smaller than the 83.

Thanks.

[aldochina]

the 82 and 83 are identicle machines aside from graffix on tank and fenders. You must have one that is cobbled up from other machines. Pics would help greatly. I can tell ya those 200e engines are beasts. My 200e will out pull my 250 big red with ease.

[supernova1021]

Got pictures up in another thread.

[aldochina]

much easier to follow if you keep all in one thread. ya got me bouncin all over:lol:

[CRAZY70MAN]

Beatner thanks for correction, I meant to say what you said......so many trike's, info and such!!!! I sometimes forget my own name......stand corrected as well!