Just started a 200 auto x build and have questions....

[Taiser]

Hey guys!

I finally got around to starting my 200x conversion to auto. I looked up the older threads for answers but can't seem to find any for my questions. My 200x is a basket case with a shot motor and will need a lot of work but this will be a ground up restoration. I'll probably rebuild the original motor eventually or get a lifan if the price is too insane for a rebuild. For now I'm putting in a 200 motor I got on ebay for about 180$. So right now I'm assembling some stuff to check for fit while I wait for new parts to come in. I just popped the engine in today!! :)

I'm currently ordering new sprockets and chains. Everything I've read recommends something like around an 11/45 ratio on the sprockets. My donor 200 engine did not come with the front sprocket but ordering a 11 toother is not much of an issue.

Would keeping the original gear ratio be that bad? I will just be doing some light trail riding with it on my property, no major hills or anything around here...and ordering a 12/40 would simplify things quite a bit.

Finding any sprocket around 45 though, that specifically names the "x" is tough to find. Do the rear sprockets on the regular 200's fit on the x axle? Those are pretty easy to find. I can get a kit with the chain and sprockets for the regular 200 but don't know if they will fit on the x setup. What about the length of chain? If I can get a 44 sprocket and a 11 front sprocket will the standard 520 88 link chain fit or should I buy longer and cut to fit? The 200 chain/sprocket kits come with a 90 link chain so I can always shorten it providing the rear sprocket is interchangeable...

I'm sure I'll have more questions as the build slowly progresses! Once I got everything fitted together I'll be doing a complete tear down and stripping everything to bare metal for a complete rebuild! :)

Thanks in advance for any answers!

[jb2wheels]

Great project.

I'd use stock 200X gearing and chain length just to simplify things like ordering parts, chain length, chain adjusting, etc. Should be good all-around gears.

I used 350X rear brake parts for my white 200X with Loncin engine. The 350X pedal pivots on the 200X peg mount - works out real nice but not sure it will clear the 200S clutch cover.

Have fun!

[Bren_downe]

I recently did the auto x conversion and I used the 12 tooth front sprocket with ??? Can't remember the rear(believe its stock). Like you I don't do any major riding just cruising my property. This gearing works perfect, my land is heavily wooded and swampy, 1st gear has plenty of power to muscle over stumps and downed trees. Pretty sure the stock chain length is 81 pins. You can't use the hardtail 200 sprockets on the x axle although you can run them on the 1st gen 250r. Check out the old article;
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/oldsite/files/MagScans/autox.pdf
Also I've heard several times that the 350x brake pedal works perfect, I wouldn't know I don't have back brakes.

[JustEnough]

I have done a few autoX conversions and the 350x brake pedal fits over the 200x peg mount fine, but the pedal has to be heated and bent to fit around the clutch cover.

[Taiser]

So I ordered the standard sprockets and an o-ring chain. The bike actually fires with the "new" engine but won't stay running. I've had the x for about 3 years waiting to be rebuilt and the guy before that had it sitting for at least 6 so the fact that it fires at all on that current carb is a miracle in itself!!! The previous owner (idiot) WELDED a large steel plate on the swingarm to attach a tow ball??? His chain maintenance was ZERO, sprocket is missing teeth both front and back, then he wonders why he threw the chain and cracked open the stator cover while towing logs... :wondering So I'll be looking for a swingarm as well eventually...

It also has the wrong handlebars, a crappy twist throttle, missing various bolts, some parts of the frame have been drilled through when he stripped the nuts... :( . The wiring is a disaster with cut parts and cheap connectors installed and the whole thing is spray bombed including the plastics and front forks!!!! It's also missing the complete brake assembly on the rear axle, but the disc is there and in good shape. The tank has a horrible bomb job as well but it's solid and no rust inside or out, and he gave me a spare tank as well. Sooooo, here's what's comming so far...

- Thumb throttle with carb, (but I'm worried about that carb as well so I ordered a reproduction carb. Probably a chinese knock off, but it's got good reviews and for less than a rebuild kit so I'll give it a shot. Worst case, I rebuild one of the two carbs I got now...)
- New carb
- New wiring harness (well e-bay new)
- New handlebars
- Polished stainless bolt kit for the entire trike (got that for my 250r and was impressed)
- 350 x rear brake pedal
- New high end sprockets and o-ring chain (hope the gearing on the stock version doesn't suck! :) )

Once all that stuff is in and I get the thing running properly then I'll be tearing it down (once I have some fun with it first) and doing the scratch rebuild. I'm currently building an airplane right now and I need a break on something a bit simpler to do! LOL :)

Normally I wouldn't rebuild something this far gone, but these are rare animals around here, in fact I had to scratch build my 250r with every part coming from e-bay...nobody has these things around here so it was just a fluke I got the x in the first place. BTW I got it for 400$ but that's not running. It did have 3 new really nice tires though so it wasn't that bad of a deal. I probably won't get the parts for a couple of weeks since I have to go to the states to my USA mailing address to pick them up, but I'm looking forward to this.

If anyone is interested in seeing pictures I can post some up.

[Bren_downe]

Pics! Pics! Pics! Everybody loves pics!

[hoosierlogger]

Pics! Pics! Pics! Everybody loves pics!

Especially of something that sounds that ugly.

[Taiser]

Here's the ugly duckling...


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y137/taiser/ATC/200x%20Build/DSC00535.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/taiser/media/ATC/200x%20Build/DSC00535.jpg.html)

This is taken when I first got it...



http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y137/taiser/ATC/200x%20Build/DSC01470_zps9814d0d3.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/taiser/media/ATC/200x%20Build/DSC01470_zps9814d0d3.jpg.html)

Engine taken out...



http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y137/taiser/ATC/200x%20Build/DSC01471_zpsc5fc4127.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/taiser/media/ATC/200x%20Build/DSC01471_zpsc5fc4127.jpg.html)

AWESOME blown stator case from an obvious chain hit... at least the stators seem plentiful and easy to find on e-bay for pretty cheap...




http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y137/taiser/ATC/200x%20Build/DSC01472_zps5bfee8c4.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/taiser/media/ATC/200x%20Build/DSC01472_zps5bfee8c4.jpg.html)

Engine is in from a 83 200 I believe, don't quite remember, bought it on e-bay a few years ago but is extremely clean with great compression. Slid right in.




http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y137/taiser/ATC/200x%20Build/DSC01468_zps892a94e9.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/taiser/media/ATC/200x%20Build/DSC01468_zps892a94e9.jpg.html)

Close up of engine. I had to wire in the stator (white wire) temporarily due to a crappy wiring job by the former owner. Just did it to check if it would start...it does. New harness coming in from e-bay.




http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y137/taiser/ATC/200x%20Build/DSC01467_zps5a2f89fd.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/taiser/media/ATC/200x%20Build/DSC01467_zps5a2f89fd.jpg.html)

Horrendous butchering job on the swing arm... :(




http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y137/taiser/ATC/200x%20Build/DSC01473_zpsd72384b1.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/taiser/media/ATC/200x%20Build/DSC01473_zpsd72384b1.jpg.html)

Good news! Has a cobra pipe in GREAT shape. But he offset the weight of the cobra by putting in a 12" plate on the swingarm to hold the hitch!!! :wondering



http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y137/taiser/ATC/200x%20Build/DSC01469_zps6218379f.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/taiser/media/ATC/200x%20Build/DSC01469_zps6218379f.jpg.html)

Horrible job on the tank but otherwise it's great, not a spec of rust in or out on it...




http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y137/taiser/ATC/200x%20Build/DSC01465_zpsd721f64f.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/taiser/media/ATC/200x%20Build/DSC01465_zpsd721f64f.jpg.html)

Everything was spray bombed at one time or another...be a bit of work to clean up, but should turn out OK with a bit of effort... Notice the WRONG handlebars on it!! They won't stay tight no matter how hard you tighten them up. Dunno how he drove it safely like that... New bars coming in.



http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y137/taiser/ATC/200x%20Build/DSC01466_zps74fc9ce1.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/taiser/media/ATC/200x%20Build/DSC01466_zps74fc9ce1.jpg.html)

Forks were spray bombed black for some reason at one point...


That's about it. Most of the parts I ordered have been shipped except the chain and sprockets. I got an email from the dealer that says he was out of them before he had a chance to take them off e-bay. Apparently back ordered. He offered to refund my cash but I asked him how long they are back ordered for. I'm in no rush. I'll post shots of the initial "get er going" build then the total rebuild as I get it started! Any tips/advice would be much appreciated from those who have done the conversion!

Mark

[atc350xer]

I built one a couple of years ago... fun machine!

[hoosierlogger]

That doesn't look that bad. If all the stickers were taken off it would look pretty good. I think your 84 200 X is actually an 83. Especially since the swingarm is the tube design. Lookin good
I kind of miss the auto x I had. It was a lot handier to ride on slow trail rides.

[Taiser]

That doesn't look that bad. If all the stickers were taken off it would look pretty good. I think your 84 200 X is actually an 83. Especially since the swingarm is the tube design. Lookin good
I kind of miss the auto x I had. It was a lot handier to ride on slow trail rides.

I thought that too with the style of swingarm. I'll have to check the VIN, but he also had an old 200x frame sitting in his backyard with no swingarm. I think he took the arm from that one and put it on this one. I'll probably still get the 84 or up arm, there must be a reason Honda went to the new style after only one year...? I might even look at getting a longer + arm if I can find one...

[Woodsrider]

The forks may have been black from the factory...the '83 and '84 had black front forks...and red springs on the rear shock too...like yours. I have to say, that 200X looks WAYYY better than I was imagining...lol.

[jb2wheels]

Great start. I had 2 84s.

1st gen 250R rear brake rotor on yours? Maybe 250R axle?

[oldskool83]

your axle stuss is 82 250R. the sprocket set up is not factory 200x nor is the offset brake rotor. you can bolt a 200x rotor up to however then you can add rear brakes. the things people do to these things....

[Taiser]

82 250R? You sure? :( I just ordered a new swingarm, don't really want to get a another axle so as long as this one works, but they can be had for about 100 bucks... Is the 250r axle width different than the stock x? I don't think my 86 250R would make a good comparison to measure it by. Wonder why it was changed, unless the original axle got bent somehow... :( I couldn't really get a good look at the axle since there was about a mile of chicken wire wrapped around it when I got it. It wasn't treated well that's for sure...

I just picked up a new sandblasting cabinet today...should be able to start blasting things like the tank next week!!! :D

Oh, ran the VIN as well it IS from an 83... not that they are much different I guess, except for the swingarm.

[Bren_downe]

The 200x axle hub was kinda a funky design with lots of play in it causing chain throws. The R axle is wider and definatly a good upgrade. The good news is you can run 185 and 200 rear sprockets easier and cheaper that R sprockets. If there's a separate hub on the tire side of your sprocket it's an x, if the hub is on the swinger side and connected to the axle it's a R axle.

[Taiser]

Hmmm, so the new sprocket/chain kit I ordered for a 200x won't fit? Son of a (*&^!!!

Guess I have to wait for all this stuff to come in and see what will work. What a pain...

[Bren_downe]

It's definatly a 82 250r axle, slightly wider. The good news is you can run 200 sprockets the bad news is the rear sprocket you ordered for the 200x won't work.
Here's an x sprocket and hub
170201
Here's an 82r sprocket
170203

[Taiser]

I'll still hold on to the new sprocket I guess, their not that expensive..the O-Ring chain is, but not the sprockets... My new swingarm is coming in as well AND has a skid plate attached, THAT was harder to find...they seem to blow the skid attachment plates off for some reason and BONUS I only paid 50$ for it. My plan is to strip it down and repaint it, replace all the bearings in it while running the one I have in it for now before the complete tear down. I'm looking at making it all black (plastic, tank, shrouds and frame) while keeping only the seat and fork boots blue. The swingarm I bought though is for an 83 (I like to TRY and keep it kinda stock LOL), but if it's going to be throwing chains that's going to suck!!! Although, not much of my riding is going to be hard core, I'm getting too old for that so hopefully it holds up. Worst case I keep an eye out for a 84-85 swingarm AND axle. I think there is one on e-bay now for like 150$ so they can't be that rare yet. Maybe it will be easier to find a 200 sprocket with a 44 or so tooth, since they don't seem to be made for the X. This will probably screw up my chain length too... :( Anybody know what years the 200/185 sprockets fit? I'm guessing 82-85 or so?

Glad you guys pointed this out to me. Never had much experience with the x's... all my machines (and friend's machines) were 200's, big red's and 110's LOL. Anything else (surprises) I should be watching for on this rebuild/conversion?

[Taiser]

Well I said screw it and found a complete rear end (swingarm, axle, hubs, brake rotor and sprocket) on e-bay and made an offer. It was accepted. I'll still have to change out the bearings at both ends and put on a new sprocket but at least the one I'm getting will fit. I don't feel like messing around with this. I also got the entire rear brake set up from the same seller on a different auction as well. Now I'll have 2 swingarms and a 250r axle, good to have a spare I guess, but I can also use it to fart around and make an extended arm, or maybe I'll build a second "X" at the rate I'm accumulating parts LOL but with my luck so far the swingarm bolt is probably seized!!!

This is getting expensive!!! :( But I've wanted an "X" since I was like 13 and it will be a great one when I'm done!

[Stephon_xr500]

Good luck with your build! I just got mine running, Mine has gone through three pull starts, but I matched a 200x too end to a 185s bottom end. You should be good with the stock 200s motor. I saw that your decompression cable is still attached so that's good. The 200x sure is a fun bike! I've never seen one with a tow hitch though that's usually saved for the work horses like the big red.

170214