PDA

View Full Version : ANy opinions or ideas on building a mini UTV?


86trizinger
10-14-2009, 09:46 PM
I have a problem with my youngest being too small to handle most atv's.. I have an ATC 70 for him but he still can't keep it stable with weighing less then 30 lbs.. He's 5 so he is very small.

So I have been thinking about this for a while. Here is my idea for him.

I am planning on building him a mini 2 person UTV.. something small but able to be jumped as well as a small bed on the back. I am talking pretty small. About 2ft longer then a full size atv.

This is what I am thinking:

-Using front suspension from a 300ex as well as the front section of the frame.
Frame will be made from 1" square tubing .. 1/8" thick for the main points, thin wall for the rest of the floor board supports.

-2 child jr dragster seats

-rear swing arm from a ATV.. should hold the weight since it really will not be jumped too high. But may just be a custom engine cradle with the suspension attached. Don't have the money for independant rear suspension like I want.

-Plan on using 18x9.5x8 rear tires on 10" wheels.

-engine I am thinking a Lifan engine 125cc. Not sure if it can pull around the weight of it or not.

-small ATV winch mounted on the front- to pull his brother when it runs his atv off the trail.

-full set of offroad lights

Have some questions:

SHould I just go with a larger engine to start?
Not sure what size tubing to use for the roll bar

Any opinions would be great. This weekend looks rainy so I think me and my boys will start it this weekend. By hacking apart the 300ex donor frame. Should be fun to see a 5 and 8 yr old use a sawzall.
harryredtrike
10-15-2009, 03:04 AM
they sell little atv's save yourself alot of time.time is money ya know
oldskool83
10-15-2009, 08:21 AM
get wheel spacers and widen the atc70....your gonna blow way more cash on a project he may not like in the end.

ebay sells +5 wheel spacers 2.5" per side for like $35 shipped to your door. i'd try that 1st.

trust me custom build projects always tripple your costs and time.
86trizinger
10-15-2009, 09:52 AM
He is having problems with the controls of it.. He cannon reach a much throttle, nor a hand brake.

I have a set of wheel spacers already ,, maybe a twist throttle and some sort of foot brake. I have the SL70 I can probably rip some parts of it to see if I can make it work. Its gonna rain this weekend so may be a good time to do it.
Dammit!
10-15-2009, 10:21 AM
Polaris makes a mini RZR now.
oldskool83
10-15-2009, 10:52 AM
wait til spring by that time he should be largw nuff to rearch everything.
RudeDog666
10-15-2009, 11:30 AM
if you already have the wheel spacers all you need is a set of extended handle bars? Kinda like ape hangers except laid down, that can be made fairly cheap.
Vealmonkey
10-15-2009, 12:33 PM
Put him on a power wheels electric quad till he gets bigger and fix up one of the trikes for him until then.
85Tecate
10-15-2009, 04:38 PM
-Plan on using 18x9.5x8 rear tires on 10" wheels.


You can sure try! But i dont think you're getting an 8'' wheel on a 10'' rim!
Yamada
10-15-2009, 05:23 PM
Put him on a power wheels electric quad till he gets bigger and fix up one of the trikes for him until then.

x2........
old-yellow
10-15-2009, 05:56 PM
Put him on a power wheels electric quad till he gets bigger and fix up one of the trikes for him until then.

I'am with veal, plus you will save money that you can use to build him a nice Trizinger or ATC70 when he gets bigger.
dcreel
10-15-2009, 06:39 PM
If I had $6500 my kids would have one of these.
http://www.trophykart.com/Gal_1.jpg
http://www.trophykart.com/Car_24.jpg

www.trophykart.com
86trizinger
10-15-2009, 10:43 PM
Sorry I meant a 10" wide wheel
86trizinger
10-16-2009, 01:06 PM
I think I decided just to fix the ATC70 up and figure out some smaller components here and there so he can fit it better. He really wants to ride soon.
oldskool83
10-16-2009, 01:24 PM
thats a way better and cost effective idea
Name Brand
10-20-2009, 11:51 AM
This one is pretty cool, very impressive amount of thought and detail into it!

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=633445

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z148/draggbody/honda%20buggy/P1010171-1.jpg
300rman
10-20-2009, 08:09 PM
He is having problems with the controls of it.. He cannon reach a much throttle, nor a hand brake.

.

i was riding little motorcycles at age 5, and i wasnt a big child by any means.

your idea is cool, but the 125 lifan isnt a great powerplant. i'd use something like a go kart motor, with a centrifugal clutch. if hes that young, he wont like the rigjob you will need to shift it. Personally, i'd use the 300ex motor. elect. start, reverse........maybe not for a 5 year old, but you get the idea.....especially since your sawing up a 300 ex to start with

im thinking just give him more time on the 70. if he cant reach a hand brake on a 70, than he sure as heck doesnt need to be jumping a mini-UTV. THAT will get him hurt.
300rman
10-20-2009, 08:13 PM
This one is pretty cool, very impressive amount of thought and detail into it!

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=633445

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z148/draggbody/honda%20buggy/P1010171-1.jpg

too bad theres no room to grow with it!
86trizinger
10-21-2009, 05:21 PM
That thing looks like fun
jason85atc250r
10-21-2009, 08:16 PM
that thing has suzuki samuri axles. you should have a hard time breaking it. it would go awesome off road with 2 lockers in it.
MonroeMike
10-21-2009, 08:23 PM
That's pretty cool looking.
dajeepman
11-22-2009, 04:08 AM
that thing has suzuki samuri axles. you should have a hard time breaking it. it would go awesome off road with 2 lockers in it.

It is locked front and rear..
Zach
11-22-2009, 07:33 AM
i do like the sound of what you had planned I would really love to see it complete and running. If you go with the suggestions I understand from the cost perspective, but if you build it I commend you. Something made from hand is always way more col then something just modified...
ProCarbine2k1
11-24-2009, 01:34 AM
If I had $6500 my kids would have one of these.
http://www.trophykart.com/Gal_1.jpg
http://www.trophykart.com/Car_24.jpg

www.trophykart.com

That is just too cool!
4cfed
11-24-2009, 02:04 AM
wow.. my little boy is a monster compaird to your5 year old.. mines gonna be 3 in jan and he is over 3 feet tall and 42 pounds!!

personally i think if he cant savely opperate a atc 70 he shouldnt ride yet, saftey is a big thing when it comes to kids and if he cant stop it properly thats not safe!!

a foot break could be easy enough and twist throttle would be a option.


and that trophy truck mini thing looks wicked!!