Hi everybody. I am still pursuing possible options for a future 3 wheeler. I noticed on cheaply for sale in the local paper- an '82 ATC 200. The add mentions that it smokes. Now as a non-smoker, I object very strongly to this. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

Seriously, I am wondering what the most common causes for burning oil could be for an ATC 200. I know for example that my dad's XL600 does do a little puff of blue when you start it up (especially after you kick it a few times), which is probalby due to a warn valve seal from the bike having the crap kicked out of it by its 4 previous owners. Of course there are many reasons for an engine to burn oil. I am concerned about scored cylinder walls and wrecked piston rings mostly- I'm not willing to spend the time to tear apart the motor on anything that I get.

So anyway I know that this is a forum, that nobody has any way of knowing what is actually wrong until you actually get your hands in the bike (or 3 wheeler), but if I go to look at this thing can anyone tell me what to watch out for?

 

As far as the smoking......
1 carb too rich
2 rings/piston/cylinder being worn
3 valve guides/and or seals

In my OPINION......if you buy a 82 200 and it smokes.........the price should be under $500 even if it looks pretty good. It has all drum brakes, and no shocks at all. out of the things I listed that could be the problem.....If you do the work yourself the MAX it would cost is $150 or so to repair in the worst case.

 

I had an old 200X that the ring/piston and valve seals were shot on, it smoked like crazy, but it never died. Check/add oil every time you ride and don't give much for it. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

The asking price is $200 in the ad with "good plastic and new tires". I will scrutinize this very closely if I ever get down to look at it. My fear with a bike that's burning oil is that it's probably had the crap kicked out of it for most of its life. I'm not sure I'm even going to have time to take a look at this thing the way the weekend is starting to shape up.

So I'm concerned because here in AZ you get 40 miles out in the desert and you'd better have a way to get back or else you can be in for some big trouble. Of course I suppose any bike/trike that was built before I was born is going to be suspect... [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Since you put it that way then no way, stay away from it. Go find something in better condition or else spend the time to fix one up.