Salvaged 81' 185s - Were do I start?

[81ATC185s]

I salvaged a 1981 Honda ATC 185s from the junk pile. It's in tough shape, but i'm interested in getting it running. Besides bad tires, seat, and cables - the motor is my main concern. Pull starting is out of the question. Nothing moves. It's not the recoil - that works fine, now. My questions are - Where do I start looking? Any tips or warnings? Thank you in advance for any guidance you can give.

Hope to have it running by Winter.:shocked:

Mark

[Fuzzy]

You could start soaking the cylinder. Try filling it up with parts cleaner or diesel fuel. Just pour it down the spark plug hole and let it sit for a few days. And see if you cant break the piston loose. And get the crank to start turning.

Hey where about in Minnesote are you from???

[81ATC185s]

Thanks Fuzzy for a starting point. I live in the Stillwater area - Looks like great trails have been carved all over! I haven't seen any 3wheelers buzzing those trails........yet. :demon:

[Fuzzy]

Cool there used to not be any trails in that area. I used to work on main street in Stillwater. Of course that was 20 years ago now. Very nice area. I bet you guys have some great hillclimbing trails around by the river. I live on Mille lacs lake now(the walleye capital of the world) HE HE :D

[200x_Basket]

buy a manual for it. you can get a piston and cylinder on ebay for cheap, that should have you on the road

[Fuzzy]

I would first get everything moving and make sure your tranny isnt all froze up. Was it sitting outside were water could have gotten into it?.

[81ATC185s]

Yes it was sitting outside. It goes in-and-out of Nuetral without any problem and first gear does engage. After letting the parts cleaner sit for a few days - would rocking it in gear help break things loose? What would be the best method?

[200x_Basket]

if the piston is rusty you are in for a job. the best thing that i have found is PB bLASTER. it is like super wd-40. pull the plug and spray it in there. spray a bunch of it in there. let it soak for a few days making sure it never drys out. then try putting it in gear and rocking it back and forth to break it loose. that would be the easiest. the fastest way would be to putt the engine and remove the head. then take a 2x4 and place it on top of the piston. then gently tap on the 2x4 with a hammer to break the piston free. i have had to use a torch and sledge hammer on a car to get a old piston out :shocked:

[ATC_250SX]

My dad and i were working on an older Suzuki GSX 750 street bike a while ago. it had the same problem it sat outside for a long time and froze up. PB Blaster is good but what is even better for what your trying to do is Marvins Mystery Oil. i got it at napa. it comes in a red bottle and that stuff is the balls! try it out get it to run put some in your gas and in your crankcase. it dose wonders! good luck!

[Fuzzy]

I think i would pull the recoil off. And put a breaker bar and socket right on the crank. And try going back and forth slowly with it. If you try to rock it in gear. It is to big on a shock and if the rings are rusted to the cylinder wall. You could break one off and have it fall down into the crank. And then you will have to pull the whole motor apart to retreive it.