After riding the 185s around for about 20 min I started to hear a loud ticking noise from the drive area. I took the covers off of the chain and, I guess it's a little guide/tensioner on the bottom that "hooks" over one side of the chain. That's what's making the noise. I don't recall hearing it before...what could cause this to all of a sudden become noisy?

The chain is old, but well lubed. It seemed to be within the specs for tension.

 

My bet is it either came loose or a bearing is going
these are no longer young machines
But bet the chain loose
Ray

 

My bike done the same thing.. i have a 200M.. there very similiar bikes,, regards to the chain and sprockets... if the chain is stretched and the sprocket is work down.. this causes it to "tick".. also if the rear end isnt in line or straight, this will cause it also..
your best bet is to get a new sprocket and/or chain..

 

i agree with jeff. when i had my 185s honda 3wheeler. but this was a few yrs after i had it. i had to replace the chain least once or twice and the sprockets least twice in the 8 or so yrs i had it. i had to least once or more times a yr check for loseness, and adjust it. there was a chain adustment on mine if i rember correctly. cant rember for shure tho. think i rember a draging like noise from my chain. it got so bad it started to wear out the bottom of the chain guard/case. i also rember a poping on my rear end. it was the bearings on the rear. its been so long. i kinda miss it. but then i got sick of fixing the chain and following out plugs so much i save my money and got a new wheeler.

good luck tho....