'85 Big Red carb.. what a PITA !!!!

[RideRedFan]

I bought a real nice BR that's been sitting for a couple of years, guy said it had no spark. I checked all my connections, etc. It's got decent spark, but still won't fire... I know the carb needs cleaned. I'm trying to take the throttle cable out... the nut loosens about 2 turns then it gets stiff and the whole cable tries to turn? I could try to force that nut, but I know sure as heck I'll break it. On the other side, I can get the choke cable out either... turns about 2 turns then the whole cable starts to turn... I've worked on a few carbs in my day, but this thing is terrible! I've even got a full blown manual and still can't figure it out. I'm about to just drop this thing off at a respected motorcycle shop and have it done.... I just hate to spend another $200 on this thing, I've done everything myself so far. Any help would be appreciated here guys! Stumped in Ohio. Jeff

[honda_atc200es]

best bet is to spray some wd-40 on the throttle cable screw, then get a rag, wrap it around and use vise grips to unscrew it, you wont break it as long as the vise grip isnt on the nut by itself, just go nice and slow. as for the choke im not sure exactly what the layout looks like on an 85, but wd-40 it as well

[big schott]

1. Can you make the thumb throttle move?

If no, I would get Carb cleaner and spray the inside of the carb the best you can. (you need to remove the intake boot for this)
get it moving then you should beable to get the cable out.
same with the choke.

If yes, can you take off the side of this carb. (It has been a couple years since I saw this carb) try to remove the cable.

If you can't get it out you will need to just cut the cable (I hate this step but it's cheaper for a $15. cable then $50 per/hr Labor)

[hublake]

On the choke cable, make sure you slide the little rubber boot thing back away from the nut. I had a hard time with that also. When I got the rubber boot off it the nut came out pretty easy.

[atctim]

John described the way to take the carb out to a "T"

You must have the carb physically out of the trike before you can get the throttle cable out of it.

(unless of coarse you pull the cable off the thumb throttle and un-route the cable and just spin it - but it makes no sense to do it that way.)

[RideRedFan]

Well boys... she's runnin! Thanks for the advice... soaked the choke cable with WD-40 so the rubber wouldn't grab onto the housing around the cable... it worked like a charm. The throttle cable was a little harder.. I thought the nut was to come all the way up, then I realized I could spin the carb around until it came apart. Might have messed up the thread a wee bit, but it went back together just fine. Took carb apart one jet, screw, etc at a time and sprayed in and out with brake cleaner. Got everything back in, took a deep breath, choked her and she fired right up. Took her for a spin... a little boggie on the quick take-offs, but it's 2 year old gas and it might clear up by itself. Suprised how much different it rides than the 85 SX I picked up last year... definately geared for more work (slower at top end that the SX) I've owned a few big reds (83 sold, 85 stolen, 84 sold, now current '85) this thing is pretty nice for what I've got in it. $350 + $60 tire + $60 misc. and 3-4 hours of my own time. Still have to take it for a nice long hard run then change all the fluids. I'm pumped! Thanks again guys. Jeff in Ohio