Big Red History

[79stingman]

Hello, I am looking at buying a big red.:TrikesOwn I thought that 84 honda stopped chain drive on the Big Reds and switched to shaft drive and added reverse on all models. I came across a seller of 2 1984 Big Red's that had high/low but no reverse. Did honda make Big Reds with Reverse and no Reverse in the same year? What is the difference between 200E and 200ES?? Does S stand for Special:confused:


Thanks
Ryan

[thefox]

The 200E was made in 1982 and 1983, it is chain drive with high/low
The 200ES replaced it and was made in 1984 only; this trike has shaft drive and reverse.

Sounds like the seller is mistaken on the year.

[TravEX]

84 was solid rear too.

thefox is right, they had the wrong year

[ScottZJ]

In 84 there was a 200ES that was shaft driven with high and low gearing, reverse and electric start. Then next year 85-87 they came out with the bigger and better 250ES that was 250cc with NO high and low but had a serious low gearing to tractor around nicely.

Here is an 84 200ES
http://www.fototime.com/{E67E50AA-9904-496C-8B33-82356004F73F}/picture.JPG

Here is a 250es big red (87)
http://www.fototime.com/{29BABD01-11D2-4068-B532-5505CD7899F9}/picture.JPG

[longbedGTs]

Scott, I will never get tired of seeing that 87. Truely the best example Ive seen! :beer

[79stingman]

ScottZJ, Those are both very nice big reds. I figured that he must of had the wrong year but I wasnt sure.

[79stingman]

I am looking at buying a Honda 250 Big Red. The seller dosent know the year. I am looking for an PDF owners manual for any Big Red. I already have a PDF service and parts manual. I am still looking for any info I can get about Big Reds.

Thanks,
Ryan

[Havoxx]

In 84 there was a 200ES that was shaft driven with high and low gearing, reverse and electric start. Then next year 85-87 they came out with the bigger and better 250ES that was 250cc with NO high and low but had a serious low gearing to tractor around nicely.

Here is an 84 200ES
http://www.fototime.com/{E67E50AA-9904-496C-8B33-82356004F73F}/picture.JPG

Here is a 250es big red (87)
http://www.fototime.com/{29BABD01-11D2-4068-B532-5505CD7899F9}/picture.JPG

Heh, yea the 84 is better for that if ya ask me, high and low :D, the 250 does have some nasty power though, I do agree on that :P.

[Threes company]

you can't go wrong with any year big red stingman, they are all workhorses....... as far as reverse goes the 85 86 models can't be beat... much easier to engage compared to the 84, imo. :beer scott... those footguards on your 87, are those hondaline? veeeeeery nice machine ;)

[ScottZJ]

Thanks guys on the 87 but I think i will sell her as I need more riders and dont need garage queens. But the brush guard was actually made by an aftermarket company in the late 80's. I believe they made them for most hondas and the yammer hauler.

[79stingman]

I'm also looking for any info I can get about the 250SX. I found one at an auction this Saturday and I might go and buy it if the Big Red is already sold. Thanks for all the replies.

[ScottZJ]

The SX, is pretty much the big red without racks, better suspension and higher gearing. There are a few other things different like tire size, key panel and headlight.

[79stingman]

I GOT ONE!!! I got a Big Red! Its a 250, the seller dosent know the year, but it is 250 and has reverse. I will pick it up tomorow. It needs a new battery, new tires, and new fenders, so if anyone knows where to get cheap tires or a battery let me know!!

[ScottZJ]

Well if you arent interested in having the Big red mint or perfect, then you can do what I did. Instead of paying 50-60 for the battery that fits, you can get longer battery cables and a larger tractor battery (around 20$). You find a battery that fits in the trunk area (deep part). The drill a couple holes to run the longer battery cables thru and connect the larger tractor battery. Then I also drill 2 small holes in the bottom and run some zip ties up and around the battery to hold it in place. It works great, cheap to replace, and is 4 times more powerfull than the stock size battery.

[79stingman]

Very good idea, but does that take up all the space in the storage area/trunk?

[ScottZJ]

Yes that is the only unfortunate issue is it takes up most all of the DEEP part of the trunk. You still have 3-4 inches above it to put water bottles, tools and gloves. But I figured if I wanted to bring alot of things, the rack has plenty of room to add a bag or something.

[79stingman]

Yes, I spose I could put stuff on the rack if I had to. I am still looking for any info I can get. I will post pics when I get the Big Red.

[oldtime3wheeler]

If you dont mind me asking, how much did it cost you? If everything goes right I will be picking up a 85 Big Red this sunday.

[Dirtcrasher]

Dam! That BR doesn't look too bad at all!!

[TravEX]

Yeah, looks really good.

[79stingman]

If you dont mind me asking, how much did it cost you? If everything goes right I will be picking up a 85 Big Red this sunday.


Why would you like to know?

[TravEX]

Probably to give him a baseline for the one he may be buying?

[oldtime3wheeler]

Exactly like TravEX said. I see them going around my area in good condition for over $1000. Just curious what you paid.

[big schott]

If the deal goes south I could be talked out of this one.

[79stingman]

If the deal goes south I could be talked out of this one.

Yours is a lot nicer then the one i'm buying, it has busted up fenders and the tires go flat in a day.

[big schott]

I PMed You

[oldtime3wheeler]

Thats a nice BR big schott.

[350x'inNY]

Thanks guys on the 87 but I think i will sell her as I need more riders and dont need garage queens. But the brush guard was actually made by an aftermarket company in the late 80's. I believe they made them for most hondas and the yammer hauler.

They were made by CMP (Cambridge Metals and Plastic). They might have made them for the Yamaha too, but I thought the ones I had were made by Yamaha themselves. I know for a fact the hand guards, and heel guards I have were Yamaha, and the one set of foot guards like mine the guy said the dealer sold them and put them on for him. I've never seen a Yamaha Assessory catalog, but if anyone has one please pm me.

Bruce

[79stingman]

Got her home today, its pretty rough. The rear tires are in real good condition, they just leak, went to Fleet Farm and bought some inner tubes, should fix that really good. I bet that thing has been rolled at least ten times. The shifter lever is welded, the rear rack is shot, the front rack is bent, the front fender is broken, the right brake lever mount is busted(operates the front brake), the handlebars were bent and poorly straitend, the rear fender is shot(held together by liscense plates and pop rivets lol), the tool box has two holes in it, the choke plunger is broke, and the stock head light is replaced by a round headlight that is on the outer right side, and I think thats it. It also needs a battery. I will post pictures of it tomorow or Monday. I am looking for all the parts that I just listed, so if anyone has or know where to get any of them, please let me know. Thanks.

[TravEX]

Why not just kick start it and ride it for a while like that before you dump money in it? You may find that it may not be worth it? No dissing you ride, just 'been there, done that'. Pics?

[79stingman]

Just got in from driving it. It didnt idle, kind of hard to get it in gear. At first I would squirt gas in the carb, it would run and die(I jumped the battery). The choke plunger is broken, so I can not pull the plunger up, just push it down with a spring to make it seal. Since it didnt run, I cleaned the carb. Then I sprayed gas in the carb, then put my right hand by the carb inlet, push the starter button with my left hand, then very quickly moved my left hand to the throttle, then used my right hand as a manual choke. I got it warmed up enough so I didnt have to put my hand over the carb and it would run if I constantly reved it. I sat on it, reved it up, let the RPM's come down, very quickly put it in first gear and give it some gas and I could get it to go. I only got up to third gear, even got it into reverse and it worked perfectly besides the fact that it didnt idle. I will post pics tomorow. Any help on the idle issue?

Thanks,
Ryan

[TravEX]

Clean the carb thoroughly. Have you ever tore into a atv carb? It might be easier is you buy a carb kit for it, that way you can replace all the jets and seals and gaskets in it after you clean it good and put it back together.

Are you jump starting it from a vehicle? That's not a good idea. Can you not kick it over?

[TravEX]

And, as you know, you'll need to get your choke working if you live in colder climates. The early 85 Big Red's are very cold natured. Late 85's, and the 86 and 87's had "cold start" kits on them, which consisted of a fatter starter jet and a re-routing of the vent hoses to make cold starting easier.

[79stingman]

Clean the carb thoroughly. Have you ever tore into a atv carb? It might be easier is you buy a carb kit for it, that way you can replace all the jets and seals and gaskets in it after you clean it good and put it back together.

Are you jump starting it from a vehicle? That's not a good idea. Can you not kick it over?

I forgot to put that I cleaned the carb before I used my hand as a manual choke.(I edited the other post and put it in) I have cleaned many snowmobile carbs before, but this is my first ATV carb. Same basic setup. I am not jump starting it from a vehicle, I am jumping it from a spare battery. I can kick it over(I did multiple times when it was warm and it died) but the main reason I used the electric starter was to see if it worked and it does.


And, as you know, you'll need to get your choke working if you live in colder climates. The early 85 Big Red's are very cold natured. Late 85's, and the 86 and 87's had "cold start" kits on them, which consisted of a fatter starter jet and a re-routing of the vent hoses to make cold starting easier.

I am looking for a choke plunger. It will be a lot easier when I get one.

Thanks,
Ryan

[TravEX]

Ok, sounds like you're on the right track. Once you get it running good, you'll be in love with Big Red's, they are great machines. I'm kinda like ScottZJ, I want a DOZEN of em! LOL

Like Scott has suggested, you could run a lawn mower battery on it for a while with longer battery cables, to save ya money while your building it back. The stocker battery is at least $60 depeding on where you get it.

[79stingman]

I got pics, how do you post them so you dont have to click on them to make the pictures big, and you can write in between them?

[TravEX]

upload them to a photo sharing site like photobucket.com or something like that, then you just copy and paste the img tag.

[79stingman]

I will do that, Should have the pictures up later today.

[79stingman]

Alright, Here are the pics.

Heres the rear fender
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk151/79stingman/Big%20Red/BigRed036.jpg

Dash
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk151/79stingman/Big%20Red/BigRed035.jpg

Gas tank
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk151/79stingman/Big%20Red/BigRed033.jpg

Shifter- Looks like the previous owner broke it off and welded a Yamaha one on?
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk151/79stingman/Big%20Red/BigRed031.jpg

Broken brake lever
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk151/79stingman/Big%20Red/BigRed028.jpg

Front Fender
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk151/79stingman/Big%20Red/BigRed019.jpg

Inside rear fender
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk151/79stingman/Big%20Red/BigRed018.jpg

Rear Fender
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk151/79stingman/Big%20Red/BigRed017.jpg

Sweet headlight
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk151/79stingman/Big%20Red/BigRed016.jpg

Front
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk151/79stingman/Big%20Red/BigRed015.jpg

Front Left
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk151/79stingman/Big%20Red/BigRed014.jpg

Left
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk151/79stingman/Big%20Red/BigRed013.jpg

Rear
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk151/79stingman/Big%20Red/BigRed009.jpg

Right side
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk151/79stingman/Big%20Red/BigRed006.jpg

[TravEX]

The motor is the best looking part on the trike. To be honest, I would cut ever corner possible, and get it running and just use it for a beater. You could get ALOT of $ tied up in it easily. Tires and tank not bad. Do all the cables and controls work? Seals and bearings tight? Looks like a good one to tinker with. RIDE RED!

[SpeedyTide]

+1....keep it as a day to day rider. Lot of work & hassle to get it looking perty.

Still a Big Red though! : )

Good luck!

[79stingman]

The motor is the best looking part on the trike. To be honest, I would cut ever corner possible, and get it running and just use it for a beater. You could get ALOT of $ tied up in it easily. Tires and tank not bad. Do all the cables and controls work? Seals and bearings tight? Looks like a good one to tinker with. RIDE RED!

As far as I know, all the cables and controls work, the front brake either has to be adjusted or it is shot. The rear brake works. I think all the seals and bearings are tight, I havent checked. The side covers are not on in the pictures, I have those, took them off for working on it.

[79stingman]

Got a brake lever mount yesterday, A front fender and a headlight should be coming soon.

[79stingman]

Well, I FINALLY got it to idle, the slow jet was plugged, it didnt used to be. I installed the inner tubes in the two rear tires, installed the used front fender, and installed the new brake lever mount.

[79stingman]

The brake cable is all sticky/rusty and I broke it trying to get it loose. The cable was all rusty and when I put one of the ends in the vice to pull on it I pulled the end right off.

[ScottZJ]

Well one great thing about big reds, are the parts are out there new and used. So just get all the cables, bearings and electrical things working great, then you can deal with the plastics.

[79stingman]

Got the headlight and rear rack yesterday, Both need to be repainted, but both
are in very nice shape.

[TravEX]

That's good, keep us posted. I had to sand and paint mine that are on mine now. After sanding, I used Acetone to clean it up good, and then a good coat of rustoleum flat black. I shoulda used 2 coats, it has scratched easily in a couple of places.

[TravEX]

Here's a pic.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m51/TravisLillard/HPIM1205.jpg

[aldochina]

i used tractor + implement enamel with a brush, it takes longer, but it goes on thick, is super tough, and levels out really nice. just watch the drips. i did prime with spray can. i bought it at tractor supply

[79stingman]

Travex, that rear rack looks really good, Where did you get the Maier Fenders? They look real nice too.

[TravEX]

ScottZJ had put those on before I got it from him. They are very strong, I love em.

[ScottZJ]

Yeah you can get those anywhere that sells maier fenders. Just make sure they are the NEW style and NOT the old style. The older style, does not have the longer mudflap part on it, so you have to drill this thin area for a mud flap. The newer ones have it built in so you dont have to worry with finding mudflaps if yours didnt come with them.

[Hair Bear Bunch]

Looking at the pics, I assume the Maier fenders don't use the black side strips? They look good, didn't know they were available with the rear extentions either. Don't they catch in the wheels when you tip them up?
Oh, and no suppliers in the UK! Oh well...

[TravEX]

Yeah, they hit the tires when you tip the fenders up, but the prop rod is still able to be used.

[oldtime3wheeler]

I have the older Maier fenders on mine. They work fine and dont catch.

[79stingman]

I installed the inner tubes in all three tires so they dont leak anymore. I also installed the new front brake cable from dratv.com, they are the best! Still looking for some maier fenders.