Honda 3 wheeler 250 project

[deere5105]

There were 3) 200cc series machines in that era: the Big Red, 200M & 200S. Looks like it has the larger tires (25/12/9) so that rules out the 200s. If it doesn't have a hi/lo gear range its probably a 200M.

Accurate listing and the early Big Reds were 200s without reverse. The later ones were 250 with shaft and reverse.

 

[DieselnHooters]

Accurate listing and the early Big Reds were 200s without reverse. The later ones were 250 with shaft and reverse.

BigReds 200 did have a reverse along with hi-lo gears, it was down near the foot rest. BigReds 250 had no low gear, 1st speed was low all others were high and the reverse was on the left handle.

 

[deere5105]

BigReds 200 did have a reverse along with hi-lo gears, it was down near the foot rest. BigReds 250 had no low gear, 1st speed was low all others were high and the reverse was on the left handle.

Think some did and some didn't in the 200 size. We had an older one that didn't have reverse and believe was chain drive. Agree that some did have the reverse that was in with a HI Low range selector by your left foot when seated on machine. One we had was a tough machine with nothing but regular maintenance required and not sure it got that regular!

 

[DieselnHooters]

Think some did and some didn't in the 200 size. We had an older one that didn't have reverse and believe was chain drive. Agree that some did have the reverse that was in with a HI Low range selector by your left foot when seated on machine. One we had was a tough machine with nothing but regular maintenance required and not sure it got that regular!

All Honda 200M and 200S were chain drive and didnt have reverse, only the BigRed 200 had both a shaft drive and reverse plus hi-low gears, it was a great leap forward for the time lol...but then they came up with the Fourtrax 350 4x4 and all those 3-wheelers felt like something from the jurassic all of a sudden.

 

[corey9212]

I have digital copies of the owners manual and shop manual of the 1982-83 200e big red. If you pm me I can email you a copy if you like.

 

[Ken Pike]

I had an '83 Big Red, 200cc, chain drive with Hi/Lo range, no reverse. Then had a '84 Big Red, 200cc, shaft drive, Hi/Lo range with reverse. Next was an '85 Big Red, 250cc, shaft drive, & reverse lock-out was a button you pushed on left brake lever, then pulled lever & shifted foot shifter down from Neutral to engage.

 

[deere5105]

I had an '83 Big Red, 200cc, chain drive with Hi/Lo range, no reverse. Then had a '84 Big Red, 200cc, shaft drive, Hi/Lo range with reverse. Next was an '85 Big Red, 250cc, shaft drive, & reverse lock-out was a button you pushed on left brake lever, then pulled lever & shifted foot shifter down from Neutral to engage.

Is exactly how I remembered. Remember a neighbor getting the 250 when first came out and riding the newer 250 versus the 200 with chain and no reverse was awesome. If I remember right, my old 200 didn't have rear suspension and the 250 did. Remember it handling different because when accelerating it would rise up in the rear due to the suspension.

 

[radioman]

This thread brings back memories of growing up on the 250 big red 3 wheeler. My father is STILL using it as its the perfect machine in the woods to get firewood around tight quarters.

 

[Redbug]

We are showing our age...Back in those days I was living at Shreveport and a lot of us would meet up and ride along the Red River. There were dozens of people with 3 wheelers riding along.

I think the Big Red with shaft drive and reverse was the big step forward for all atv's. No more chains to maintain oil and adjust. With the shaft came reverse and no maintence. I guess Honda were the ones with the first shaft drive?

 

[msmith1wa]

looks a lot like this one 3WHeeLeR WoRLD - ATC200E Big Red & ATC200ES Big Red

I still have my 250R that I bought used in '89.

 

[corey9212]

Don't forget those floating tires, it was sweet driving along the shore of the lake then veering onto the lake (didn't go very far but enough that it was fully floating.) then back on land without missing a beat. Everyone says they are dangerous because people got hurt or rolled them but the way I see it they are only as dangerous as the operator. They were made to replace dirt bikes because not everyone was able to drive a dirt bike so they put 3 wheels on and said it was safer. But back then the norm was to go out camping in the bushes, have a few beer and go for a ride. So because everyone kept getting hurt they put 4 wheels on and now have quads but that didn't stop people from doing stupid things and getting hurt and they still have the dirt bike that the trike was supposed to replace. The big red was such a beautiful machine capable of doing so much, it's a shame they quit production.

 

[tylertown]

it looks about the same as the one i remember as a teenager. is it chain or shaft drive? does it have high/low only, or does it have reverse? are you sure it is a 250cc engine? i remember ours as an 82 or 83 model big red - electric start, enclosed chain drive, high/low (no reverse). i was also thinking it was only 200cc back then. the later models - 84? had shaft drive & reverse.

It is chain drive I think it has a little slack in it though I can hear a slight click when coasting in gear. I believe its the 200cc the guy I bought it from didn't know anything about it. he told me it wouldn't run. yes this model is supposed to have es on it but it has been removed and rigged. yes high and low gears but unfortunately no reverse!

 

[tylertown]

I have an 86 200x. It was a fun little machine. Didn't steer so well, so I combined it with an older fourtrax that had a broken motor.

View attachment 357528



View attachment 357529

Chuck

Nice chuck! I haven't seen anything like that, looks like you had your hands full!

 

[tylertown]

I have digital copies of the owners manual and shop manual of the 1982-83 200e big red. If you pm me I can email you a copy if you like.

id sure appreciate it Corey!

Thanks -Tyler

 

[dirt ditch]

Here is good info page on several trikes of that era...

w w w . T I O N E S T A T R I K E S . c o m - Tim & Shelly Keister's Home on the Internet

 

[YesDeere]

This thread brings back some great memories. Back then we all rode Hondas, no one trusted anything else. "If you ain't on a wing you ain't got a prayer "

Started on a 90 three wheeler when they still painted them blue. Graduated to a 110 with high and low range and thought I was in heaven. Didn't take long til I wish I had more power and reverse like friends with the 200 series.

Then the fourtrax came out and I ended up with a 1986 200SX. Man what a leap forward that bike was. I didn't know how to act with electric start and reverse! That bike was chain drive and the reverse was activated with red button on the left lever and pushing down on the shifter. Man I wish I had kept it.

 

[Cpjlube]

Nice chuck! I haven't seen anything like that, looks like you had your hands full!

It was actually pretty easy. When you put them side by side, you see how similar they are. It took about five hours to complete. I'll try and get a few build pics. Anyone need a front fork and tire from the old front end? Just can't throw it away. Lol
I think adding reverse was the biggest leap forward in this era of atc and atv. Having to plan ahead or get off and push it back , sucks.

 

[YesDeere]

This thread cost me money. Found it on Craigslist the other day. Same year and model I had

 

[deere5105]

This thread cost me money. Found it on Craigslist the other day. Same year and model I had

Picked up an ATC 125 years ago. Electric start and Hi-Low range. Was fun for awhile, but memory of was better than ownership of that model. Sold and moved to 4WD Yamaha Kodiak 400 then to Suzuki King Quad 700. Each step was day vs night difference. Find the King Quad satisfies need for hunting, working around the house and still fast enough to cut up on. Had several sport and race model quads and even did a little racing. Would love to find a good deal on a 1985-86 ATC 350X or 200X.

 

[YesDeere]

Yeah. To be honest I got it as a step up for my nephew. Nostalgia was a bonus.pop has a gator at his place for hunting and that's what we use.