Author Topic: '86 Mugen ATC 250R (Read 7519 times)

k10seibel · « **on:** August 18, 2014, 12:34:52 AM »

My boy and I went to a track to ride this past weekend. Thought the area might make a good backdrop for a few pictures. My photography isn't to good, but here's the few that turned out decent. This build is about finished, but hasn't seen much light for a while. This track doesn't allow trikes, so no seat time. Still just a trailer queen.....

Hawaiiysr · « **Reply #1 on:** August 18, 2014, 12:44:01 AM »

Awesome 86 Andy. Its too bad that track dont allow trikes. They sure are missing out.

Bio86 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 18, 2014, 08:50:17 AM »

Whats the history on those Mugen cylinders?

etccb · « **Reply #3 on:** August 18, 2014, 10:17:29 AM »

Cool old school stuff Andy. Love the st tank kits.

havinnoj · « **Reply #4 on:** August 18, 2014, 10:17:52 AM »

You have one bad ATC man!!!

JesseA420 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 18, 2014, 03:46:33 PM »

wow..... that is a beauty. give us some details on that build.

beobe99 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 18, 2014, 04:40:09 PM »

Although other newer top ends have proven to give better power, I still think those Mugen ones are GOD for some reason! If I'm correct we spoke about them before, but could you reiterate on the history and as I'm sure others want to know - their availability?

Thanks man, and yes, you got yourself a beautiful Trike!

fourtrax · « **Reply #7 on:** August 19, 2014, 03:50:06 PM »

Nice! I really like the rear brake pedal and your trike in general..good job!

k10seibel · « **Reply #8 on:** August 24, 2014, 08:17:14 PM »

Thanks for the enthusiasm guys. I drove to Kansas to get the trike that had this Mugen jug. Took my car for a 16 hour round trip. Love a good road trip! Take my info here with a grain of salt, cause I'm no history expert. I've Google researched, learned from collectors, & some that lived it back in the day (with help from sites like this). Without computers I'd be lost. Mugen was/is Honda's racing parts division (so to speak) started by old man Honda's son if memory serves me. Mugen is still prevalent in Honda's automotive field today. I'm sure Mugen still does some other Honda motorsports stuff too. The Mugen '85-'86 ATC/TRX cylinders are reportedly to be less than 100 cast, per stamping #'s. My ATC/TRX jug is stamped #68, and my CR jug is #52. I don't know the various total Mugen CR jug production number estimates, but the '85 is the only year CR jug that will bolt up and work on our liquid 250Rs (Mugen did make air cooled ATC parts). The '85-'86 Mugen front forks have clicker adjustments on the bottom of each leg (unlike stock forks). The rear Mugen shock is probably specially valved. Other than the obvious gold/bronze paint and cool flashy decal, I don't know what makes it so special. It sure was special hard to find and special expensive! :tears_of_joy: I've heard the NOS ATC Mugen suspensions were selling super cheap back in the early 90's, with lack of interest similar to the Hondaline short track kits. To my knowledge these are the only Mugen parts ever made for liquid Rs. Honda did have a bunch of team only secret WORKS parts for their team racers, of wich I'll gladly speak of & post when I get some. Way easier to obtain when you all overlook them on ebay. Ha ha, :fighting0085: The rear brake petal was supposedly made/used by a privateer named Nevil ...?? It's a pretty trick piece (greaseable) with custom made arm & clevis.

k10seibel · « **Reply #9 on:** August 24, 2014, 09:41:50 PM »

Here's a look at both my Mugen cylinders & powder coating. The '85 CR cylinder head utilized O-rings, but the ATC/TRX used a fiber gasket that's been discontinued for years. I had Cometic custom make reproduction fiber head gaskets from what was left of my original, after disassembling my ATC's engine (min order quantity of 20). :black_eyed: Both were originally chrome bore lined, but since moly rings are hard to come by, I had both jugs stripped and Nicasil coated. Now they are useable with todays rings for many years.
Incidentally, if you are wondering..... I used a piece of masking tape wrapped around a elementary school rubber eraser with the adhesive side out to dab at the Mugen logos. It took many tries and a lot of 3M painters tape to sticky dab all the powder from the logos, leaving perfectly bare logos on each cylinder. All other effected areas were masked using powder coating, high temp making tape.

'85-'86 ATC/TRX 250R Mugen cylinder

'85 CR 250 Mugen cylinder

RIDE-RED 350r · « **Reply #10 on:** August 24, 2014, 10:19:54 PM »

Very cool indeed!

I don't know much about the old Mugen stuff other than it's rare as hens teeth and big bucks if you find it...

Curious: Mugen liquid R cylinder, big bore or just a better/different setup?

k10seibel · « **Reply #11 on:** August 24, 2014, 11:28:18 PM »

Quote from: RIDE-RED 350r;41708

Very cool indeed!

I don't know much about the old Mugen stuff other than it's rare as hens teeth and big bucks if you find it...

Curious: Mugen liquid R cylinder, big bore or just a better/different setup?

Thanks!
Improved, 250cc - 66mm X 72mm aluminum sleeved bore. The porting is better/different. The cooling jackets are also larger throughout, but especially above the exhaust port area.

RIDE-RED 350r · « **Reply #12 on:** August 25, 2014, 06:07:39 PM »

And the perfect place for it.... in an ATC!