New member from Central Illinois. Am I a kid agin?? =)

[Jwilloug]

Hi all!

When I was 15 (I'm now 52), I had a 82 ATC 185s. I recently "rescued" one that a guy pulled out of the junk. I also picked up a 85 BR250es from a farmer who had not started it in 5 years. Having spent my entire professional career to date immersed in computers, reacquainting myself with any semblance of mechanical skills, has been a steep learning curve! LOL!

Anyway, I do have them both running (thanks to YouTube and downloading service manuals), but have a bit to go before they are "up to snuff". After watching hours and hours of YouTube videos, I found a mention of your site and forums. I hope to be able to pick the brains of those much smarter than myself as I continue on this journey! :)

[fabiodriven]

Nice fleet! Welcome!

[shortline10]

Very nice set you have their .

[fabiodriven]

Very nice set you have their .

Thank you! Did you see this guy's trikes?

[Jwilloug]

Thank you! I have had more cuts on my hands and stubborn grease under my fingernails over the last month then I have had in the last 35 years! ;)

[Jwilloug]

I would like to add I found enough info in a few existing discussion threads here that helped me get my 82 185s front axle off, brake shoes out and beat out the axle and bearings. The original service manual, as well as YouTube (from what I could find), was rather vague on some of that; at least for the front wheel. New stuff goes on when they come in next week. Yay!

[350for350]

Thank you! I have had more cuts on my hands and stubborn grease under my fingernails over the last month then I have had in the last 35 years! ;)
And it's all been worth it too, hasn't it? Welcome.

[keister]

Service manuals are very helpful and I refer to them often, but sometimes they don't give you the whole story.
Here's an excerpt from a conversation a friend and I had while working on an ATC:

Bill: I can't figure out how to get this axle out of here.
Ray: Ok, I will look it up in the service manual.
Bill: What does it say?
Ray: It says "remove it."

[captainweezy]

I am in central iL myself. Welcome.

[ps2fixer]

Service manuals are very helpful and I refer to them often, but sometimes they don't give you the whole story.
Here's an excerpt from a conversation a friend and I had while working on an ATC:

Bill: I can't figure out how to get this axle out of here.
Ray: Ok, I will look it up in the service manual.
Bill: What does it say?
Ray: It says "remove it."

I think the service manuals are wrote with the idea the machines aren't going to be being worked on in 30+ years, and probably was catered to more mechanical inclined users. The average Joe is expected to take it to a Honda dealership for work.

I'm not sure how else you'd describe unbolting the front axle bolt, loosen the 4 nuts and unbolt it, it slides out if it's not all rusted up. I'm pretty sure they give an expoded image to show the order of parts and such so you can reassemble it using that as a guide.

For a person that's never worked on brakes or anything, the biggest hurdle is getting over how it works at a basic level, then the rest is kind of intuitive. I might be spoiled though, I grew up all my life wrenching on something or toying around with electronics or computers.

Anyway, sounds like the OP is on the right track already for repairs and such. What all is wrong/going on with the machines? The ATC185S is a nice simple trike to work on, electrical etc is more or less bare minimum. The atc250es is kind of the opposite. Mechanically, there's not too much going on, just the 250es has the suspension and it's shaft drive. Make sure to check your diff fluid, running it out will take out the ring and pinion gears.

Good luck with the machines, looks like you already have a good start on them though.

[Redpill]

Awesome wheelers! Congrats on the great finds! I’m new here also, but welcome!