ATV experts...

[linx310]

I have a chance to get a free ATV and I need some help...

Its a 1986 Honda TRX 200...it has been garaged for 10 years becuase the owner was no long in condition to ride it. From what he says it has all the orginal plaistic and all it needs is a new battery and 2 new tires(becuase they have gone flat)...

Doing some research on this model they are supposed to be the most realiable and owners who have abused the shit out of say the still run.

So what should I do to try and start it?

I was gonna drain the orginal fuel tank and clean it, then clean the carb and try to get it going with fresh gas.

Also does any one have a maintence manual for these bikes, or better yet a webpage with the info, I dont want to have to spend $20 on a repair book if i can get the info free....

[twitchyfinger]

Linx310 I saw your post and myself being a factory certified Honda and Harley mechanic had to reply. As far as the manuals it is hard to find someone posting those (especially an 86 manual) online. Buying one is about the only way. Unless you are in diar need of one you can probally do without. For parts diagrams and ordering do a google search for Honda parts fish or chek out here: http://www.powersportspro.com/partsfish/LOGIN.ASP?submit1=Partsfish
You will have to sign in or join the site to access the parts fish diagrams. You are right in saying that they run forever. As far as getting to run again assuming you know some of the basics: First off besides having a battery it should have a pull start also so make sure the motor rotates no need pursuing any further if it does not. Check for spark. Clean out the gas tank very well. Change the oil! Cleaning the carb should be done in carb clean like chem-dip and not just carb cleaner. With rancid gas probally being in there the jets (main and pilot)and needle are probally trash and corroded and the gaskets and o-rings probally shot so to save alot of headaches and time it is alot easier to get a carb rebuild kit online or from a Honda dealer. Make sure you replace the fuel lines also and and any fuel filters. If I am not mistaken an 86 still has a CV (constant velocity) carb and the slide has a rubber diaphram attached around it. If the rubber is cracked or torn or damaged in anyway the bike will not run either. You have opened up a can of worms here with all of the things to check and is difficult to explain in detail. I could go on forever here with all kinds of other things to look at and check. Your site has helped me out alot and answered a ton of questions for me about AK's so PLEASE feel free to email or message me and I will try to help you out and answer any questions you might have. Thanks, Twitchy

[madtechcool]

:) Linx, I believe what your lookin' at is an '86 TRX 200 SX. Decent machines, short wheelbase, chain driven. Pull the plug and use the pull start to check for fire. If it fires you should be in good shape. Clean the carb, flush the tank, check oil level, make sure it's not to low or overfilled. Change your oil after you've ran and heated it up a little. Always be sure to have a battery hooked up even if it's dead. These motors were pretty tough and very spunky. I'd check the rear axle bearings to as they were a little hard on bearings. As for the carb, the CV carb wasn't used on the atvs until '88 and that was on the 300's. Good luck and hope this helps. ;) The Madtechcool:cool: Check your PM's, sent ya a message.

[twitchyfinger]

I did some checking for you and madtechcool is right it does not have a CV carb ( I can never keep them all straight and what is actually on what year was just a guess last night on my first post) so there is no slide diaphram but anyway a carb rebuilt kit will costs about 35 to 40 bucks 11 or so for a complete gasket kit and 25 to 30 or so for the jet kit. The biggest problem I forsee is the oil because if it has been in there for that long the oil will become acidic and actually eat the parts inside just like old gas will eat parts in the carb. Those are the two main areas to be concerned with first. What I would do before dumping a bunch of money into it is clean out gas tank, carb (skip the rebuild kit for now), crank case oil and then put the carb back on and try to get it to run. If you can get it to run good then I would get into that can of worms like checking axle bearings, tire cond, brake condition, chain and sprockets cond, etc. and determine what kind of $$$ you want to put into it. My 2 cents worth hope you have a keeper there!!!