3 Wheeler For Ice Fishing???

[Wavey Davey]

Add me as another who has an '83 185S. A few years ago I was in the same situation as you, got it for ice fishing. Works great early season and late season, but mid-season when there's a lot of snow on the lake it can be tough going. Ended up buying a snowmobile later on so now I got it all covered depending on the conditions.

You aren't by chance using the handlebar brake lever thinking it's the clutch are you? That would explain the "jerking" when downshifting. I used to ride a dirt bike and it took some time for me getting used to 3-wheeler having the brake lever where the clutch lever on a motorcycle is. There is no clutch lever on your 3-wheeler, just let up on the throttle and shift. May be a dumb question but had to ask...

P.S. - A tip on your Honda if it's going to sit a few weeks without being run. Drain the gas from the carb. There's a screw on the side of the bottom of the carb, shut the gas valve off below the tank and turn the screw. Might seem like a pain but it's easy and will save you some headaches. With the gas they have now days, the carb gets dirty/gummed up easy and will need to be cleaned more often than you would like.

[LightningBG]

No clutch lever on my old 3-wheeler.

[Far-I]

Thanks McGurk! Just came home for lunch and read this and went around the block a couple times. Works much better. As for the clutch, the previous owner told me the left hand handle was the clutch but I didn't need it. Now I see that it appears to be the rear brake (maybe) but is disconnected and serves no purpose. Dont know what he was thinking....

But now i realize i have no rear brakes, there is a silver lever by my right foot i thought was the rear brake but that doesn't work anymore either.. oh well, u get what u pay for, and it really is a pretty sweet trike!

[McGurk]

Happy to see it made sense! BTW, you're going to want to get that rear brake connected and working if you are going to pull a fishhouse, or if you plan on using it in the summer (you should!). The right foot lever is indeed your rear brake, and the useless handle is tied together to it. Have fun, but be safe! The gas issue is going to be true if you store it for a month or more at a time, due to it gumming up all of the critical passages in your carb. Shut off the fuel line, and then drain the bowl as stated.

Man, there are a lot of '83s around! I paid $300 for it, only had it for a year, and sold it for $300 again.

[Wavey Davey]

The left handlebar lever and the right foot lever both work the rear brake. The right handle bar lever is the front brake. I don't use the brakes much, usually just downshift. I'd suggest fixing the brakes though in case you need to stop QUICK!

[Meat-Run]

I have a 82 big red 200 and these wheelers are bullet proof. Swamped it once, pulled the plugs, drained the water and started on second pull. I think these Hondas can or "have" ran on sand and water in my machine...not recommended but proof of there durability.

Because of there tires I can go through more swamps and water than any 4 wheeler, well that was way back when we didn't know any better of course.

mr

[crappiekid]

I own 1983 185 S a champ early and late ice. Need Chains for traction. Fits in topper which is a plus! Light. Just wont do all the deeper snow. Thanks for tip on drain gas!