This is not my first atv, although it would be my first one with 3 wheels. I found what I believe is a 200es. The guy selling it says he knows nothing about it other than it doesn't run, has 3 flat tires, and has been sitting quite a while. He says it's an 83 but doesn't know the model here is a pic on the craigslist posting.



From this picture it doesn't look too bad. He sent me a few other pictures. The plastic on the other is is trashed. The front fork looks like it's in bad shape too. The right leg still has the boot, but the left side looks like it coming apart and is all rusty. The front fender is missing too.



This is one of the most troubling parts. This bend in the front down tube. Is this a factory bend that is supposed to be here, or aftermarket from a crash or something?



This is what makes me think it's an es. That is a starter on the front below the cylinder head, which makes it an es, Correct?



If the frame is bent I don't want anything to do with it. My guess is that a bent frame is something that isn't really repairable. He was asking $800 to begin with. I told him pretty much what he had, it isn't worth anywhere near that, and offered him $100. He came back and said he didn't want to take less than $150. I guess my question is, would it be worth it to buy as a project to get running again, or is it too far gone? It is about 2.5 hours away so I can't really make a trip just to look at it unless I'm going to commit to purchase, so I'm just going by the pics and what he is telling me. There are a lot of unknowns, the big one being if the engine is any good. There are also a lot of parts that need to be replaced. i could see potentially putting 2-3 times in it than it's worth just to get it going and depending on how far i wanted to take it. Seems like it might only be good for parts (whatever few parts are still good), and not as a starting point to restore. Just wondering what the experts opinions where. Is $150 ok, should I stick with $100, or just leave this one alone? I figure even at $150 I could probably make my money back, and perhaps a little profit parting out what is good on it. I don't know what the parts demand is like for these things though. Thanks for any input.


Also... Is this a "big red", and if it is, would it have the same frame as an 85 big red? There's a frame on craigslist that the guy says is for an 85 big red 185cc. Was there even a big red that was 185cc? He says he bought it brand new to replace his broken frame, and never used it. It would be pretty dumb luck if it worked out, and he doesn't want a fortune for it. He doesn't have a price listed.

 

I am no trike expert, but that bend looks "aftermarket" to me. The fork leg looks bent to, but may just be an optical illusion? The frame can be fixed and braced, not sure on the fork. For $150.00 it may make a decent parts bike or could be refurbed. If it has enough decent parts on it you can make that back parting it out although I prefer to see these classics keep going.

 

Pass, the forks are junk and the frame is bent. Its not worth the time.
Could be wrong, but I dont think you will find much demand for parts from that particular machine.

 

first, yes that is a 200ES Big Red. , secondly, its been wrecked, bent fork and frame. fork is no big deal, you should be able to find one cheap enough. if the top half of the fork isnt twisted, then you will only need to replace the tubes.

also, No, there was never a 185 Big Red, the smallest engine for the big red was a 200cc.

However, for 1980, and only 1980, there was the ATC 185 (standard, Non S) that was about the same size and weight as the big reds. those are rather rare, and I do not think the frame would work on a big red. there was also the ATC 200 for 1981-83, similar, but with no high/lo, no electric start, and was chain driven. frame is different on those.

inspect the frame you are looking at and run the numbers, it should tell you what it was from.







1980 ATC 185