Here's what 100 bucks just got me...'83 ATC 200E

[Big G]

The ad said "Looking for Big Red parts - specifically a seat". Long story short I replied saying I didn't have a seat to sell him, but I'd take the trike off his hands if he wanted to sell it. He said, "Sure, what the heck...make me an offer." I told him $100 and he took it. He said he got the trike for free from someone that was getting rid of a bunch of 'junk.' It didn't run, and he pointed out that the wiring near the pull start and the pull start handle itself had been chewed by an animal. I could see the trike was %100 complete, rubber was great, and that it likely wouldn't take much to get the wiring figured out and to start it up. I also checked inside the fuel tank and though she's rusted on the outside, it's pristine on the inside - I was completely blown away by that! And to top it off, I have a spare seat that I'll be able to use on it!

The other night I figured out the wiring, and got spark. I put some fresh fuel in the tank, and she fired after a few pulls (gotta love these Honda's). Now that I know it will run, I'm going to give her a good overhaul, a bit of paint, then try and sell it for a bit of a profit as I already have two '83 200E's. I hate to sell any trike, but I'm up to 5 now in my stable, and I can tell the wife's starting to question my sanity!!!

[jb2wheels]

nicely done.

[dougspcs]

Nice score BigG!!

But here's your real test regarding the conversation we had.

So you get it all cleaned up, fix the seat and wiring..then after the work is done you step back look at it, maybe even take it for a few rides. Then say to yourself, I'm gonna sell it..and mean it!!

This is the hard part, but once you get thru this one, then the next couple it gets easier and your wife stops thinking your crazy. She'll realize it's a hobby..maybe she'll even share in it with you.

Over time your profit can get you a nice group of machine that you want to call keepers. Just make sure you leave a bit of money handy for that deal that comes along when you weren't expecting it..I've missed a couple because I was low on toy funds.

Well done!! Show us how it looks when you're are done with it..

[dustrunner]

great find...those deals are harder to get every day ....

[kb0nly]

I haven't had any finds like that in years... Recently the trike market is like the stock market around here, its all buy and sell.. And now the sellers are asking high prices like they bought gold bars and let them age.

I used to pick up trikes like they were forlorn junk pile fodder, $100 here, $50 there, now its $500 here and $1500 there... Ooofda... I think i bought my last one just in time, i can't afford the ones showing up now. I saw a decent 350X show up, about 50 miles from me, $1800 for it firm wont budge on price despite the plastics being busted up and one flat tire. And chances are he will sell it for that too it just takes a few weeks.

[dougspcs]

I haven't had any finds like that in years... Recently the trike market is like the stock market around here, its all buy and sell.. And now the sellers are asking high prices like they bought gold bars and let them age.

I used to pick up trikes like they were forlorn junk pile fodder, $100 here, $50 there, now its $500 here and $1500 there... Ooofda... I think i bought my last one just in time, i can't afford the ones showing up now. I saw a decent 350X show up, about 50 miles from me, $1800 for it firm wont budge on price despite the plastics being busted up and one flat tire. And chances are he will sell it for that too it just takes a few weeks.

I've seen that trend also..

I have made sure that all the machines I want to own long term are in my stable..if the trend continues as it has gone for the last couple years, try finding a 350x and get away with the shirt off your back.

Just the other day I told my brother to stop dragging his heals and grab a 250ES which he so desparately wants..the next couple years and the 'barn finds' are gonna dry up!!

Trikes have made a serious comeback..that is a fact!

[the great gazoo]

Oh hell yes! very nice grab! Good luck, man.

[Big G]

Thanks for the support guys (and great advice dougspcs)...glad to see they're others who see the potential in these pieces of junk! Ha ha

[JasonB]

awesome deal! Wish i could find a 100$ big red in my area lol stl has nothing on CL

[kb0nly]

Trike are making a big time comeback. I see wanted ads on CL, in the local paper and classifieds, the world has gone trike crazy. I used to know of two other owners in my town of 1200+ people, and now its like over half a dozen.

[dougspcs]

Agreed, popularity is definitely on the rise..so are prices!

[Big G]

Well, last weekend I finally got around to fixing this thing up. I got the wiring soldered and wrapped in electrical tape. Then I took the carb apart because she was coughing and sputtering pretty bad. Couldn't believe what I saw (well I guess I could believe it considering how long it had been sitting). I've heard of carbs being 'gummed up' before - but never seen it first hand. Anways amazing what a good scrub down with gas and cleaning out the jets with blasts of carb cleaner will do! She was looking pretty spiffy when I was done with it. So I hooked the carb back up and she runs like a dream. I was going to give the racks, rims, etc. a quick coat of paint, but the weather here right now is too crappy for painting, and I don't have a proper shop set up yet. So I'm just going to give her a good scrub down, put my spare seat on and try and sell it. Then I'll add the profit to the slush fund!