Newbie: ATC110

[localtalent]

I've never owned any kind of bike or ATV before. Nor do I have any prior mechanical experience. Undaunted by these two facts, I have inherited a 1984 Honda ATC110. In an effort primarily to gain hands-on experience with engines and such, along with the fact that it's been sitting for God knows how long, I've begun taking it apart to find out how it works.

I got a book with it, supposedly the shop manual [this one: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...2641871-7903866 ], but this model doesn't seem to be in there. Moreover, the manual that would have this model seems to be out of print.

So far I've got the fuel tank off (unscrewed the bolts holding it onto the frame and the two screws off of what I believe is the carburetor...took the whole fuel shutoff valve assembly off) and also removed what I believe is the battery...a little square piece on the side that I unplugged from a white cylindrical wiring harness.

Attached to this was a cylinder with two prongs coming out of the side, one of which had a wire connected to it, also another wire coming out and connecting to what I discovered was the spark plug.

Also, there was a box closed with four wing nuts which had what appeared to be a mesh filter inside. Is this the air cleaner? There's a hole in the front of the box and one at the back of another part of the frame in front of the box, should there be a hose connecting these two?

Finally, are there any tips on where I could get a book that would answer questions like these?

Thanks a lot.

[200x_Basket]

first tip is to stop right now. you are over your head. get a honda shop manual and ask a lot of questions on here. do you have a digital camera? if so take pics and show us what you are working on. an engine needs spark, gas, and air to run. determine what of those three elements you have before you tear into it.

[250sx]

the thing connected to the plug was the ignition coil. ATC110s aren't electric start so there is no battery.

best bet is to get a digital cam & start taking pics you can ask us about. clymer or haynes still sells a manual. honda may even still carry the service manual. either way, you need SOMETHING before you go any further.

that being said, as long as the tank & petcock is off go ahead & have them cleaned out thoroughly (or do it yourself). that much will need to be done anyway.

[dads]

the first thing is to see if it runs. you may not have to take it a part. but don't worry, if it has been sitting you will be replaceing a cupple bearing. and you will need advice even with the right book.
some things just don't like to come apart. So put all the wires and dodads that you disconnected back to gether so you can check for spark. bye a new spark plug for it. pull the spark plug out of the engine so it turns over eazyer. put new plug into spark plug wire, gound plugs threads on engine fins and have some one pull it over for you. look for spark from the center electrode to the metal tab.

[200x_Basket]

Originally posted by dads
the first thing is to see if it runs. you may not have to take it a part. but don't worry, if it has been sitting you will be replaceing a cupple bearing. and you will need advice even with the right book.
some things just don't like to come apart. So put all the wires and dodads that you disconnected back to gether so you can check for spark. bye a new spark plug for it. pull the spark plug out of the engine so it turns over eazyer. put new plug into spark plug wire, gound plugs threads on engine fins and have some one pull it over for you. look for spark from the center electrode to the metal tab.

or just pull out the spark plug. put it back in the plug boot, hold onto the plug, pull the pull rope real hard. if it tingles you have spark;)

[dads]

Originally posted by 200x_Basket


or just pull out the spark plug. put it back in the plug boot, hold onto the plug, pull the pull rope real hard. if it tingles you have spark;)


Not to be performed if you wear a pace-maker. But ok if you think your heart needs a jump start. :lmao:

[FullBore]

I protest, Thats a bit unfair!

[dads]

Originally posted by FullBore
I protest, Thats a bit unfair!

Unfair :confused:
Where else can you get the easy test for spark and a health warning? only at 3wheeler org :thumbsup:

[Tweeked]

Hahaha,
:lmao: :lmao: :chuckle: :chuckle: . Watch someone do it...Yeah it tingles, feels funny--especialy when you don't expect it:chuckle: .

[dave h]

lol yea...tingles. now buy and hook a msd 6 box and blaster 2 coil and see how that feels. then bash your hand with a hammer and roll down a staircase because why the hell shouldn't you put yourself through more pointless pain?

yea, dude, you seriously need to get a manual and read it. where did you inhert it from? it's fun tryin to dig in something right away but these can be tricky. manual can answer lots-o-questions though. or at least get a camera to show us a few pics.

nice grammer though ,
dave

[puttputt]

if it still won't start after you have spark, repost

if you want , I can walk you thru cleaning the carb.
I'm no master mechanic, but I JUST did this last weekend
on my 110, and it is very simple - no special tools or
skills needed except a little caution and patience. . .

and it fired right up . . . :D

[jenndnn3]

LOL at the tingle......while your at it why dont you grab an electric fence too if it tingles its on....:lmao:


Seriously I agree with Dads and Puttputt, These things are tanks and very easy to work on. I would put it back together and start with the simple stuff.....

[localtalent]

To be perfectly honest, riding around on this isn't my primary goal (although it will be lots of fun out here in the boonies). This is mostly an educational experience, a chance to get some hands-on work with what I've been reading about.

I wanted to work on actual full-size cars, but I'm currently in college and I have no place to store it while at home. I was able to compromise and get this.

I have a basic understanding of how it all works (except for the carburetor and some parts of the electrical system) but I really wanted to get in there and poke around. Unfortunately, I can't tell what all of the parts are, and I'm sure as hell not going to be able to get it back together without a book.

To make matters worse, I'm going back to school in two weeks, so I'm going to have to pack it all up and store it, and it'll be next January before I can see it again :(

Thanks for the help though.

[250sx]

check out partsfish.com for exploded diagrams of everything on it. that might help you understand how it all goes together.

[FullBore]

Yeah, They are very easy to work on, Just don't hold the spark plug whilst turning over the engine, Get a manual. They are so easy to work on infact that with a little help from my haynes manual I have put a new piston in mine and rebuilt the top end, and I'm only 16!

Good Luck

Nat