The Differences Between The 1982 - 1987 Honda Big Reds
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- Опубліковано 25 кві 2021
- In this video I walk you through my collection of Honda Big Reds. I go through each yeah and model sold in the US Market, 1982 - 1987. We hit the high points and differences between the 1982/1983 ATC 200E, the 1984 ATC 200ES, and then the 1985 - 1987 ATC 250ES.
Each one of these machines has a story around where it came from and how it ended up in its current spot in my hoard. As I grew up riding a 1984 Big Red, these models have a special place in my Honda heart.
At the end I touch briefly on an elusive 1988 Big Red that I'm having imported from England and the plans to restore it. Hopefully you enjoy the video as much as I enjoy these Big Reds!
www.powersportssurplusllc.com - For Big Red Lift Kits, Disc Brake Kits and other accessories
search/top?q=DDr%20Slapp - For Custom ATC Decals
www.jrtrikesports.shop/ - For 250ES Bolt Kits and Clutch Adjustment Covers
www.maierusa.com for Fenders and accessories
I just bought my very first 3 wheeler last week. I’m now a proud owner of a 1983 Honda Big Red ATC 200E. I am in love with this machine.
Congratulations man!! Very excited for you!! They are great machines!
On my way to buy a 1983 Honda 200es
How's it been, what's been the good parts and the bad parts?
I love them all! You are such a Honda Hoarder! 😅
Honda junkie.... lol. I'm not sure this is healthy!
Good memories riding these way back.
I still see one every now and then on the trails.
My first machine ever was an 84 Big Red, loved that thing, next was an 86 250R...which taught me a few life lessons real quick then went back to a 4 stroke with one of those yellow 84 Yamaha YTM 200s as the 90s came around we started getting into 4 wheelers We first bought a Honda Foreman and a yamaha blaster and so on and so fourth. The point is the Big Red basically stayed running up past graduation in 98 and into college...They are one of the best machines in my opinion ever built Thanks for putting these vids up man it brought back some memories
Your speech about these around the 16 minute mark is spot on.. keep the beautiful ones beautiful
Thanks man. We were just at Trike Fest this week and were having fun with the "that's what they were made for" line.... Stick it in a mud hole... bounce it off every rock in the place.... that's what they were made for!
@@ThisOldTrike trike fest at haspin acres ? You probably drove right past me in PA
When I was a kid my brother had a honda 200 3 wheeler. I don't remember much more than that but it was a blast and he was always thinking I'd roll that thing but never did.
That's awesome. I think as long as you start out slow and learn the proper riding technique, 3 wheelers are just as safe as anything else.
thanks for taking the time and describing all the differences. Found the video very informative and quite relaxing.
You're welcome Brian! Thanks for taking the time to listen to me ramble for 35 minutes!!!
Great line up of all the Big Red's ! I've had three 1985 Big Red's , even though I sold all of them off in the past, I now find my self looking again to find another one, there a special ATC that's for sure!
Just smoked an all original 1982 Big Red E for 500 bucks tonight. Gotta love crappy pics taken at night cause I saw through the pics. Not a crack in the plastics. Everything is there besides the pull start. Order 2 nos brake cables and decals tonight after I picked it up 2 hours ago. Original tires and sat in a shed for 30 years. Unfortunately the seat is bad also cause it was kept off the bike. Now onto the last of my hunt for oem stuff.
Hello, I just happened up on this video. Very cool collection!! I also have 1985 Honda Big Red 250ES. We ran it around on our farm for a long time. Then it sat for 6 to 7 years! I took it to a mechanic where he cleaned the gas tank and did a few minor other things to it. It runs great! Cant beat Hondas!!
That's awesome Jason! I bet you have a ton of fond memories on that machine and many more yet to be made!
Some beautiful specimens there. I’m slowly fixing up my 85’ as I use it around the homestead here in Canada.
Thank you very much sir! Nothing beats a 250ES to use around the homestead!
Great Job, Preston! Loving every video! Keep em coming!
I do these for you!
Awesome collection. I’m still holding on to an 86 my parents got sometime in the late 80s. 2nd owner. Everyone that ever rode it, rolled it. It’s still in pretty good shape I’d say, always garage kept too. Didn’t know til about a year ago, that the headlight can be unlatched and be used basically as a flashlight, there’s a decently long wire/cord tucked up in there.
I bought a 1985 big red from the original owner out of his barn in 2019 right before trike fest I even got the certificate of origin. When I got there the battery was dead and he went to jump it. I asked him if the kick start worked he said "They didn't put kick starts on these machines". I pulled the cover to show him where it was and he said he never knew it was there I kicked it over and it started on the second or third kick on old gas. It's weird to think that I was the first person to kick that trike over in 34 years. That is probably the only thing that saved that cover from being lost.
Ha! That's awesome! Very cool story man!!
Awesome Video!! I have a 250 big red I am looking to forward to restoring soon. Glad I found your channel
I'm glad you found it too! I'll be restoring an 88 Big Red soon!
Love this video man. I picked up an 82 that was pretty rough when I got it but runs drives and stops so I've just been riding it. Mostly just icefishing. I'm about to start the restore soon. My next goal is to buy a bigred 250. It's nice seeing this video. It's motivation for me
Right on brother!! Love it!
My dad drove these all the time as a kid! We started collecting them again and we already have 4 a 250 big red a 200 x a 185s and a 110 all in good shape and run!
That's awesome! Doesn't take long!!!
Beautiful machines my friend! My first ATV was a 125m back in the mid 90’s. I have an itch for one of these lately
Thank you sir! Yes, it starts as an itch, but once you start scratching it... it turns into a slippery slope!!
Awesome collection
0:47 you sir have a Perdy good lookin' yard!! I wish my yard looked like that lol. I've only got one
What an awesome video. So informing. Great job
Just bought a early one today! I actually thought they all had low and high range. Man I learned a LOT of n this video. Your collection always amazes me.
Thank you very much man! Helps me to keep making them knowing that people are getting info out of them!
@@ThisOldTrike your vids are great man. Do you know if the mechanical advance for the cdi is the same on the most all of the atc’s? Mine is rusted and the springs broke. Looking for a replacement. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!! (mine is a 1983).
I'd pay just to look at your collection! Stunning condition on all of them.
Thank you!!
84 was my first year too my dad brought one home and my obsession was on. I have a 82 no electric start.and the 84 you have. I want more but I let the 2 I have go so must restore them next year. The 84 was restored already by a guy in maine,he did a excellent job. So my job wknt be too hard on that one. Both my girls are out of college now. Both have great jobs in the medical industry now,so now it's time for me to spend my money on me. After I restore my 2 3 wheelers. Im going to increase my collection as well. So I'm really enjoying your channel. You information is extremely valuable to me. I like the blue one so I'm hoping to pick your brain sometime. I'm definitely going to use some of your peeps thanx....B.Weed p.s. everyone I know who has one beats on them. I just cruise and enjoy. I got all of my accidents out of the way early. Then I learned how to ride where I will never wipe out or hurt myself again. But I still kill it.lol.
Wow super nice collection🤤 I have a ATC addiction as well. long live the honda atc
Thank you very much!! Amen!
Ahhh... The ol Big Reds... I currently have 2... Hard to beat them... 👍👍
Absolutely awesome video!!
I was hoping you were gonna do a series on the big red!! Thank you sir, they look great!!!
Lol, thanks! Got a little long winded on this one...
@@ThisOldTrike that's ok, It was a good informative video, I own three and really like them. I drive one during the summer on my ranch, I smile every time I get on it.
you got some beautiful three wheelers ain't never seen any in such good condition
I really appreciate that. It can be a lot of work to find nice ones, but it's rewarding!
Love this kind of stuff, Thanks !
Thank you! Glad you liked it. I've done 350X, 250R and ATC 200 comparisons too!
Super nice collection. I’ve got a ‘85 Big Red 250es and 2- ‘85 250sx’s. Subbed
Dude this is awesome!!
Thank you so much man! Glad you liked it! I plan on doing an updated version this year because there are some models of Big Red that I didn't know about or have when I made this video!
You have got one hell of a collection my friend. I can't pick one favorite but I'd say if I picked 3 it would be Big Bubba, Big Blue and one of the red 85s. If I could collect these and squarebodies Chevy's I would. I also love the older early 90s 4 Trax 300s.
Thank you so much man. Very much appreciated!
Nice collection 👍🏻
Did not know that about the 82 headlight! I’ve seen em around and figured it may have been an aftermarket mold, they always look like crap with the paint chipped off lol.. now I know!
Belle collection :)
Keep it going brother I watch every single episode here in Detroit rock city. love it! I've owned dozens of ATV's but just not all at 1 time lol
Thank you very much sir!! I'll keep it going!!
Amazing collection! Love your videos!
I never went with the 250sx over here in sweden and instead im in a desperate impatience hunt for a 85-87 big red because I learned they will fit me better and I honestly think they look the best but it feel near impossible to find one over here
U know ur bikes so good, its almost scary. That’s awesome!
I really appreciate that! There's plenty I don't know for sure, but I'm always trying to learn!
Beautiful collection I like the 84 with high low reverse
Thank you so much Luke! The 84 is definitely an awesome machine... but once I got my first 250ES... I realized that there is a BIG difference and it's a superior design.
@@ThisOldTrike yeah they look bigger I have a 84 would love an 85 just very hard to find down here in Australia.
The red and blue one with the custom wheels very good looking
Thank you for sharing
Wonderful video
Thank you so much for watching!! Trying to cover all the models like this!
I just picked up my first 90 in atleast 10 years, it's a 77', doesn't run but its awesome for the time being
Yup, and they are fun projects too! Enjoy it!!
Also got a clean 85 250 es big red both are close to perfect condition
Just picked up an 86 bug red today. I had what I thought was an 84. Has the wide grey on the tank but its not shift driven... so now I'm not sure. Those are some nice ones! I have to do some plastic welding and I have to find both side panels but other than that all is well. I also have to figure out how to change the bulb in the neutral light. Thats why I'm watching big red videos lol
That 86-7 heat shield jumped right out at me after having an 85 for 7 years
Yes sir! Good, quick way to tell them apart if the tank has been replace with a plastic one or something.
Nice collection...I have an 86 250sx just the sport version of the Big Red.
That's my favorite year SX! Fantastic machines!
@@ThisOldTrike Yes they are this one is going up for sale I've been doing some minor cosmetic and mechanical work to it just to freshen up refurb I never have time to finish it up seems like...I got every OEM Honda part I could find from the Dealer and as You are well aware parts are very hard to find these days...Ebay has been a big help also.
Ah yes! I’m having flashbacks of a trip a group of us thru the trails of Tenantville so many years ago. My daughter and I went thru some pretty sloppy mud holes with our Big Red. Low range and let it ‘waddle’ on thru. Then we got to watch the other 3-wheelers spinning and splashing, pushing and towing…. I don’t recall either of us even getting our shoes muddy other than splash from the tires!
We never were invited on a group trip again! “You guys ain’t no fun!” lol I used to put chains on it so we could run back and forth to the horse barn in the early winter.
I miss our “No Fun Big Red”
Well now you've got my attention! Do we know each other???
@@ThisOldTrike For a long time! You and your family honored me to dri ve the Challenger in the parade a few years back!
@@deucerider430 What's up Art!! When I saw the NOEND2IT comment... I thought, was the Ford in the background of one of the pictures?? This guy must have really good eyesight... But then you mentioned Tenantville and I knew it had to be somebody who knew us. It's been a while since I've bumped into you though! If you and Jimmy want to stop in sometime, please do! I've got on display a 30+ year old trophy in the barn from one of the Father's Day Norseman car shows with your 57 Nomad on it! Might need an autograph!
Doing well! Just might take you up on the visit! I friended you on FB too. I figured the plate reference would get your attention! 😂
I’ve had atcs for atleast 15 years and have never noticed one with the clutch adj cover. Didn’t know they existed
Yes sir! Funny how those little buggers just kinda disappear sometimes!
Awesome vid .. just picked up an 85 350x basket case I'm going to get back to rider condition
Awesome!! 350X's are the best!!
@@ThisOldTrike my uncle bought an 86 new and I always remember him riding it as a kid . Then he bought me my first an 85 200x when I was about 13-14 had 5 200x gen 2 big red and now this 85 350x just searching for some parts its missing the exhaust entire front brake assembly and a bunch of other odds and ends
I got work and I don't care got my ATC 😉i have a 1983 Honda ATC big red 200e never let me down good machine!!!
Awesome!
I grew up with three wheelers and eventually gravitated to four wheelers. I have a Honda rincon that I’ve tried to get my mother to use on our property but she’d rather use her 86 big red. The blue one looks very cool and those oem ohtshu 250es tires look great. Too bad no one makes that tread pattern
Yes sir, I agree. If someone repopped them they would sell a ton of them!!
I have an 83 original except tires, spent most of it’s life in storage. Still have the manual and tool kit.
To clean out the gas tanks I used water with baking soda and a battery charger to completely clean a rusty motorcycle tank. You suspend a sacrificial metal part, I used a large nut, and hook one side of the battery charger to it while keeping it isolated from the tank. Hook the other side of the charger to the tank and turn it on about ten amps for a day or so. I had to change out the baking soda water mix due to it being so nasty once but it worked great!
Would love to own all these
Got the 200s pull started only 85
That is so awesome you have the whole collection. I love it. I myself just got a 1983 big red 200 E. The only thing I need is a seat because the one that came with it is not for it. So if you know where I can get one I would greatly appreciate it.
I responded to your comment on my ATC 185/200 Video.
I want to get my 3 wheeler one of them stump guards. I just got mine off of a buddy for free. The engine is froze up, seat and gas tank are missing. Along with some other parts. But it's a start. I'm looking into rebuilding the engine and using it as my deer camp vehicle. And a vehicle to play with in my spare time
Hi Preston, love the videos, Here’s a query for you, I have 3 of the 84 200es, 2 of them have “All Terrain Cycle” on the front forks, and a round high/low/reverse knob, 1 has “Honda” on the forks and kind of a clover shaped shift knob. Is this just a mid year change? Perhaps you you should have one of each in your collection?😊
My brother bought a 1985 atc 200s and it had sat since 1997 with gas in it. Looked like red wine but it had a clean gas tank
I think if it was pre-ethanol, the gas tank actually has a chance.
How the heck did you get so many I remember one kid had one back in the 80,s we had a 1983 Honda 110 I was 7 and I loved that thing learned how to ride on that trike . The Suzuki 125 quads the Kawasaki 160-110 trikes the 86 250R the the Honda 125 quad with electric start. The 70 Honda . And more I was lucky to grow up were and when I did. The 1980,s on eastern Long Island north shore baby .
I believe the 86 87 toolbox lid had a compartment for the manual too... haven't seen 86-7 in a while
You are correct. And the 88 does too!
@@ThisOldTrike I've only seen pics of 88s
Nice
Very impressive how your collection has grown, 8:45 the chrome latch rust could be taken off with a sos pad, have you tried sos pads on rusty chrome? Even rusty bicycle bolts
Thank you sir. I do need to give that latch some attention. I've used steel wool with WD40 on many a rusty chrome part. Just not on that latch (yet!). I plan to re-do this video in the near future and include my 88 and my 85 200ES!
i got a 83 200 big red and a 1986 250sx, i love them, not near as nice as any of yours but i got em running and going.
That's awesome man!! I love those 86 250SX's!!
It's a shame they stopped selling / making 3 wheelers. Imagine how sweet they would be now if they had been making them all these years. 🇺🇲
I hear ya there! It's an interesting thought... would the three wheeled configuration have been pushed out naturally by 4 wheelers... or would it have existed along side for a while longer? We can tell that side by sides are replacing 4 wheelers pretty clearly... and the fact that you can't even get a sport Honda 4 wheeler right now speaks volumes.
@@ThisOldTrike its a shame, i mean these were branded dangerous and they are no more dangerous than quads, its all about practice as goes with anything
the government made them stop making 3 wheelers because a few people were careless and let little kids drive them and they got hurt or killed. so now we have to drive 600 pound army tanks called 4 wheelers and hope we never get pinned under one of them. side by sides are replacing 4 wheelers because they can be driven on the road with no plates until there are more accidents involving side by sides then you will have to keep them off the roads
Does anyone know where to get the aftermarket headlight grill for the Honda Big Reds ??
Can I ask what the big reds are like turning on sealed surfaces? Do they corner ok? They dont have a diff do they?
I finally came across an 85 250ES in amazing shape and bought it. Only issue is a crack in the rear left fender. It's all original with no fading in the plastics. Everything works perfectly. I ride it around our farm almost daily but I also clean it after every ride if I do get it dirty. Can't stand seeing it dirty but I also don't want it to just sit in the garage all the time.
That is awesome man!! Sounds like the perfect machine for what you're doing.
Cool info. Got a question. In the late '80s in NYC, I rode a huge big red on the beach. If I remember correctly this thing had the biggest knobby balloon tires I ever seen. Everybody thought it would float no problem, we didn't try. So my question is did they make any later model trikes with balloon tires,?
I think it depends on what you're calling a balloon tire. Tubeless tire? Normally three wheeler people refer to the tires that came on the early US90's at Balloon Tires. But that stopped in 1974. Everything after that was tubeless tires.
@@ThisOldTrike thanks for getting back to me. I love your channel bro. I feel like I've been searching for that trike , since the day that bent nose guy let me ride it on the beach. Lol but if you don't know about it ,,it probably doesn't exist. At the time it seemed like the biggest trike I had ever seen. With the biggest knobby tires I had ever seen.
Been wondering if i could find a donor trike and convert my 83 Big Red to shaft drive and reverse ?Is it possible without a any major altering?
Man.... I honestly don't know.... but what I do know is you can find a decent 84 Big Red with shaft drive and reverse for probably $1500 these days... and for $1500... you can be riding without all the fab work and headaches... I'd probably just go that route. But if it's a project you're looking for, I'm sure there's a way to do it!
I've never seen a blue one before.
It's customized. Blue Maier fenders with painted blue tank and triple tree.
I love the blue one
Thank you! I need to finish it on of these days!
Question,
I noticed you mentioned that the 85’-250es has a challenge starting in the cold weather. I have that challenge as I live in Canada north of Toronto. Will a swap of the starting jet from a 55 to a 65 fix this issue? Or do I need an 86-87 carb? Thanks in advance! I love your videos they are amazing!!
Go up on idle jet
I believe the 87 three wheeler models were only released in Canada..
No, that isn't true.
Crazy
Ha
Where did you find the wheels for Big Bubba?
Rebuilding an 87 big red, I have new maier plastics, but I like the oem rear mud flap look. Any suggestions?
Something that people do on 350X's to get the OEM mud flap look is to use a satin black vinyl decal to mimic to look. Or spray paint... but that's more of a commitment.
there was another option for rear tires for the 85-87. i think made by kenda. just cant remember the name of the tire. super rare and very hard to find
There was a Canadian tire that was Ohtsu that came factoryon the 250ES's... but definitely no Kenda tires offered.
Did you set up a string line to get these all lined up perfectly? All kidding aside that is a very nice collection!!
All by eye lol! Had to adjust it a time or two though!!
Awesome collection! Also I've been told that either the 86-87 has a metal bracket on the front fender mud flap do you know if it's true?
You're right! It's the 86!
Also, the helmet holder and the handlebar lock mechanism...
@@ThisOldTrike I knew about those but wasn't sure about the metal bracket so I guess my 86 has an 85 fender to go with the 85 tank on it lol it's a bit of a mutt but I love her anyway. Is it common for the down tube on the 86 frames to crack near the top weld? She had a rough farm life here in maine before I got her.
@@mikeshobbiesandrandomstuff It could be! Lots of swapping could have happened in the last 35 years...
I’m looking for a carb for a 85 big red. It’s seems to bog in mid range. The carb is clean but it’s not an oem carb so I believe that’s my issue. Any thoughts?
I'd reach out to Curtie Eldredge @ www.223cycles.net/ He may have some restored 250ES carbs restored and ready to sell. OR, if you want to send him yours, he provides restoration services.
Where did you get the blue tank from or did you paint it. I would like to build my 86 into a big green.
I had to have it painted to match the fenders. I think anybody that has a custom color big red has to do the same thing.
Were do you find the custom rims on big bubba and the Big Blue ?
You can buy brand new rims, you just need a 4/110 bolt pattern with a 2+5 offset. I think Big Bubba has 12" on the rear and 14" on the front. And Big Blue has 12" all around. I'm pretty sure I got them from www.discountutvtires.com
I almost was able to buy a 87 250es I found it on market place about a hour from me it was $500 with a 81 185s parts bike I messaged him the day after he posted it and it was marked sold in about 2 hours after I messaged him
Honestly... it's surprising it lasted 2 hours!! I know your pain though...
You have a link for Jesse Meyers shop?
www.maierusa.com
I have an original Big Red headlight cover. I bought it by mistake. I have a 200x I think 1985
🤘
do you still have the 83 tank? looking for one with original decals on it
No sir I do not.
Just bought a 1982 ATC 200e, all original with the Honda line racks. Which decals go on the back for that year?
Look up www.bluelinedecals.com and you'll find exactly what you need. And the 200e came with racks, they weren't a Hondaline accessory. They were on 200M's though!
@@ThisOldTrike thank you, I will check them out.
What’s the best one
im 14 i just bought my own big red not sure what year but its a 246cc and the motor is locked up but i have another of the exact same motor that runs perfectly and is from the same year all i have to do is swap them and then i have a running big red and its in fairly good condition and i can go get another older model for only 100$ and i bought the motor for 150 and the big red with the locked up motor for 200
In my family we have 3 3wellers
Awesome. That's what I'm talking about!
Grew up riding an 83 big red but it was wore out..i think we spent more time working on it then we did riding it...when we got it it had nevr had any maintance done to it...
Sounds like you made a lot of memories on that machine. They're pretty awesome for sure.
Hey Preston, what headlight is on Big Bubba?
It's a 4 x 6 LED off of ebay. There are a bunch of other options now vs. what was out there in 2018 when I did that.
@@ThisOldTrike thanks, did it have the threaded holes on the side like the original, if not what did you do to mount it securely?
I have a one owner 250es 1985 model it is perfect no rust and factory tires do I take them off and put aftermarket wheels and tires or just ride it and throw them away
Are the factory tires in good shape?? How much to you plan on riding it? If they're in good shape and you really want to do a lot of riding, I'd suggest getting new rims/tires and preserving the old. If you're just going to ride it around the yard, leaving the originals on is just fine in my opinion.
@@ThisOldTrike no dry rot but about 50 percent left on them and yes I want to ride it not a lot but maybe 20 times a year I was thinking on rims and tires
How does the speedo connect on these rigs?
There is a drive gear that replaces a spacer down on the front axle. A tab on the hub turns the drive gear and a cable goes up to the speedo mounted on a bracket off of one of the triple tree bolts.
@@ThisOldTrike I heard some moped speedometer's are interchangeable? And going off memories is it the same speedometer that was used on the trail 90 and trail 110 Honda's?...from Wyoming USA 🇺🇸 🤠
The 250 es was the best. The 3 wheelers were better off road than the 4 wheelers in my opinion. I dreamed that Honda would come out with a 3 wheel drive 3 wheelers.
I did not know that the 87es had a notch for the starter side plate in the plastic. 👍
Can the Ohtsu tires still be bought new?
Unfortunately no.