Building A TPC

[jensenracing77]

my cousin dropped this 2008 TRX 450 off today. before i cut it in half i am going to install a Rekluse clutch in it. Bill already has a frame core for this build but i will have to send him this core after i get it apart. i am a little early on posting this, this build will be over the next 3 months. he only paid $3000 for this 4 wheeler and it is near perfect condition. just a guess, maybe 20 hours.

[carmen cafro]

please post the cutting and hacking pics!

[Xpress]

Yes, I have been interested in seeing a step by step how to for this :)

[audioworks04]

Sounds like bill already has the frame core built for this bike so there will be no cutting done to this frame...yet...im sure bill will use it on another build though.

[jensenracing77]

RATS!!!!

the CRF 450 that my cousin got has a rekluse clutch in it. we were going to put it in the TRX engine but found out that it has the Z start Pro. the Pro will not work for the TRX.

i will cut this in half soon and send Bill the frame core. i will post pictures of cutting it. my wife said she will take video. i think just for a better affect, i will try to keep most of the Quad together when i cut it.

[Dirtcrasher]

I saw new 08 450R's for 3600$ at a Honda dealer a couple weeks back.

I think were gonna see some BIG changes in this sport soon :D

[tri-Z ripper]

i as well DC every time i go in there they are willing to give me a better deal! I will be watching this thread as well and look forward to seeing the outcome! Love the TPC trikes keep up the awesomeness!

[jensenracing77]

OK, now i have figured out the deal with the clutch. the Z start Pro will work in the TRX but they recommend getting a set of TRX springs. i got the clutch out of the CRF and have the TRX ready for it's new automatic clutch. i will test this TRX with it's new clutch and start preparing to cut it in half Sunday.

this is the 2 wheeled victim.

[Xpress]

this is the 2 wheeled victim.

Good, less 2 wheelers, more 3 wheelers! :D

[carmen cafro]

Just a thought......... Maybe your wife should be in the video cutting the quad in to pieces and you should hold the camera???

[jensenracing77]

maybe i could get her in a skimpy outfit first.

boy do i hope she don't see this, lol

[carmen cafro]

Nothin' better then a chick in a bikini with a blow tourch!

[jensenracing77]

one step closer to cutting it in half. i got the clutch done and works great. now i got the wire harness, clutch cable, tank and throttle cable out of the way. the antifreeze is drained and the hoses are off the engine. now for the sawzall. i will bring home the sawzall from work this week and cut it for you.

[Xpress]

Sweet. So when you do cut the front end off, all of the fender pieces, A-arms, shocks, linkages, wheels and all of the unnecessary components that won't be used again can be sold off, right?

[the great gazoo]

What'cha hiding in the back shed Xpress? LOL

[jensenracing77]

Sweet. So when you do cut the front end off, all of the fender pieces, A-arms, shocks, linkages, wheels and all of the unnecessary components that won't be used again can be sold off, right?

that is the plan. i think i have a buyer for the leftover 2 wheel parts but i don't have anyone for the 4 wheel leftovers yet.

[jensenracing77]

time to cut it in half. i had time today to get it apart. i wanted to keep it as much together as i could to cut it for better pictures. i don't know how good it will be but my wife took video just for the fun of it.

[jensenracing77]

disassembly

[jensenracing77]

this don't need to be done but i like using the fuel nipple from the TRX. it is easy to change, just one screw. the TRX is a 90 and the CRF is around 110 degrees. with the TPC, it uses the CRF carburetor.

[jensenracing77]

these are the parts needed from the CRF450.

head
carburetor
front forks
front brake system
radiators
shrouds
tank
deflectors that go in front of the radiators
i like to use the clutch lever and perch
stem from triple clamp
radiator hoses

note: if you use the thumb throttle it is best to use the TRX front brake master cylinder

[jensenracing77]

this is why i tell my 4 wheeler friends to take the swingarm bolt out of there NEW 4 wheelers and grease them up. this bike has 20 hours or less and was never in mud. the bolt was stuck. the bike sit most of its life from 2008 and the little moisture that was in there mad it rust that fast.

[Dirtcrasher]

^ I think the assemblers are "taught" to very lightly grease everything.

Like you, I tell me buds to take their new bike/quad all apart and grease it up good!

[jensenracing77]

if you have to see the video here it is. i wasn't going to make it public but what the heck. we will see what kind of comments i get.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFIox72_e78

[jeffatc250r]

Nice, glad your posting up good pics of what needs to be done so others can benefit. Im shure itll be an awesome machine once finished

[jensenracing77]

the spring came in today for the carburetor. this is a Tokyomods low tension throttle return spring. the CRF carburetor has a stiffer spring than the TRX has. a friend of mine, (test engineer at Honda) told me about these springs. they have less tension than the TRX spring and said it feels very consistent and easy and also has more than enough tension to not have to worry about the throttle not returning. i have never used one but will try it out on this build. i am hoping for a thumb feel like my Lectron carburetor has (not sure that is going to be possible)

http://www.tokyomods.com/kawasaki/99-06%20KX250F.html#B

[Billy Golightly]

That is a very interesting mod Eric...I've heard complaints about the "stiff" thumb throttle on almost all the 450s but this is the first time I've heard of a real fix for it.

[leviblue]

great build so far Eric. Love the video and nice to see you have all your fingers.lol So should I send the 450 out to you or Bill?? Can't wait to see the rest SUPERMAN

[jensenracing77]

That is a very interesting mod Eric...I've heard complaints about the "stiff" thumb throttle on almost all the 450s but this is the first time I've heard of a real fix for it.

i will report how well it works after i get it done.

[jensenracing77]

great build so far Eric. Love the video and nice to see you have all your fingers.lol So should I send the 450 out to you or Bill?? Can't wait to see the rest SUPERMAN

Bill is the master of the TPC. all frames and kits are from Bill at TPC. for assembly he can do it, you can do it or i would be more than happy to charge you to put it together :D

[jensenracing77]

i say 3 wheeler engine because it will not fit a CRF motorcycle or TRX 4 wheeler without the bikes being modified. it does fit the TPC 3 wheeler just perfect. as for the case saver, i recommend this Moose case saver for all TPC and TRX 450 engines. i have seen 3 of these engines get the center cases broke from the shifter getting hit. this case saver reinforces the shift shaft and will keep the cases from getting broken in the event of a crash. the shift shaft and case sticks out a little farther than any other engine that Honda ever built so it makes it easier to break.

[jensenracing77]

here is what you get for $2600, this is the basic kit. the frame (you provide the core) the Boyesen water pump, triples, (not the stem, i put that in before i took pictures) front hub, Axle and brake hub. we also got a skid plate for this build. it is from PRM and is made just for the TPC 450.

[nstyle73]

My cousins race motocross and have Roy at Rissler's do their work. At Christmas they were telling me about a guy doing freestyle on a 450R threewheeler over there. Now I think I know who it might have been :-) Very interested in this build, I might have to come see the finished product.

[jensenracing77]

LOL, that would be me. i will have the frame back from the powdercoater this week and start building it Saturday. Who are your cousins? Cornwells maybe? most likely i know them if they race MX and Roy does there work. is Casey there home track? i done the freestyle show there 2 years on the 4 wheeler and will be in the show this year on the 3 wheeler. likely to be the first ever 3 wheeler freestyle show.

[nstyle73]

You guessed it. They race at Lincoln Trail most of the time. I will have to make the trip over there for that, when is it?

[swampthang]

Sweet! your gonna do freestyle on a trike at Lincoln trail this year? Have they set any dates on when there having it. Im totally going to watch if your bringing the TPC.

[jensenracing77]

OOPS! i opened a can of worms. i will be there on the TPC. most of the time it is around labor day weekend. most likely i will only be jumping about 5 time for the show and some more before the show in practice. i am not a great freestyler so don't expect much. you will see a hell clicker, no footed can can, maybe a superman.... just the basics. this is also dependent on Lincoln trail, as long as they have the show there again this year. if the economy is not great they may not have them come out. it's not cheep to have a freestyle crew come out to do a show. i will eventually start a thread on this.

[swampthang]

Has anyone ever asked anyone at Lincoln trail if they would be interested in racing 3wheelers? I would love to get something like they do in Ohio going closer to home. Just waiting for the day to race on a trike:D

[jensenracing77]

they are AMA sanctioned. i can't even ride on the property other than to put on the show.

[swampthang]

Crap I forgot about the whole AMA ban. Oh well a guy can dream about it.

[nstyle73]

LT allows three-wheeler riding recreationally, but no racing. There is a thread about getting a series started in IL, IN, KY, TN though. Doubt it materializes, but.....

[jensenracing77]

when i talked to Tim at LT he said he didn't think he could allow me to ride there but he had to check with his insurance.

[jensenracing77]

got the frame back today. it is red powder coat with clear powder over the top of it. the swingarm is silver with a clear over it. now to sand off the powder coat from places it don't belong and tap some of the holes. i do not like powder coat between the foot pegs and the frame or the motor mounts and the frame. i may have to live with the powder coat between the motor mount brackets and the frame. it will be very hard to do that and not mess up. when you don't take off the powdercoat from the engine brackets you need to recheck the torque on the engine mounts now and then.

[jensenracing77]

i decided to take the powder coat off the motor mounts. i just couldn't put it together without doing it. i mounted the motor mount and taped off the area that you could see then took them off and sanded down the contact spots.

[jensenracing77]

i started assembling parts today. i was scared i would scratch something putting the engine in but it went well. i am obsessed with not having electrical issues so most of my time today was with that. some of the wiring is not needed for the TPC so i took that stuff out and wired around a couple of the safety features that the TRX had.

[Eric250R]

Hiding something are we ?......lol.... Nice work so far, I"m sure it's going to be a beast.

[jensenracing77]

Hiding something are we ?......lol.....

;):D...shens:D

[hoosierlogger]

Whats up Eric!!! Greg Brunett here. Just joined the forum after browsing it for a month or so.

[jensenracing77]

what's up! have you got a 3 wheeler? do you need a 3 wheeler? i think my cousin is going to sell a couple of his 350Xs.

[hoosierlogger]

Yeah I bought 3 200's. Id like a 350x but I think id be single again if I bought another one. If he does let me know I might be interested if the price is right. Are these show bikes or woods beaters? Your build is coming along pretty good.

[jensenracing77]

got a little done today but not much. some wiring, axle, back brakes, and exhaust. i have a little detail work to do on the mounting of the exhaust.

[jensenracing77]

i got more done today. it looks almost done but i have many hours left on this build. i will have some of it apart again before it is done. i am to picky with my builds. i have over 3 hours in just running the brake light wire from the foot brake to the battery area. i ran it about 10 differant ways and THINK i am happy with it now. good thing i am not charging labor for this build. he did say he may give me his 350X parts bike for my time.

[hoosierlogger]

Lookin good Eric.

[poohbee1]

Looking good keep us posted on show in casey havent been there since 1986 i would like to take the kids out to see the wheeler and the track again. Did you ever ride at stauton the flats.

[jensenracing77]

Did you ever ride at stauton the flats.

sure did! i will try to find some pictures from there and post. i think i have some good ones from there.

[MarkM]

sorry guys for what may be a dumb question (I am new to the site) what is a TPC

[hoosierlogger]

sorry guys for what may be a dumb question (I am new to the site) what is a TPC

Check out their web site. Just google TPC trikes. They are 450cc three wheelers made from a 450cc sport quad. Eric races them.

[jensenracing77]

Check out their web site. Just google TPC trikes. They are 450cc three wheelers made from a 450cc sport quad. Eric races them.

http://www.tpctrikes.com/
i did race them. i should race Trike Fest this year but will be mostly focused on freestyle and freeriding this year. and hope to be retired from off roading by the end of the year.

[jensenracing77]

Did you ever ride at stauton the flats.

this is the only picture i could find.

[Xpress]

Holy crap you're crazy man... :crazy::TrikesOwn

[poohbee1]

thats awesome i loved going there.

[H95Shooter]

god i want a TPC but i dont think TPC or Tionesta would custom make one out of a yamaha

[jensenracing77]

god i want a TPC but i dont think TPC or Tionesta would custom make one out of a yamaha

start saving your money because my inside info is that you will see one under way by the end of the year from TPC.

[H95Shooter]

:p that means i wont buy any tracks then :lol:

[jensenracing77]

just all most done. i have a couple little clutch lever parts that will not be here for over a week i may have to figure out something differant for that. i think i need to do a little jetting also. also going to use a 350X or 400EX thumb throttle on it but don't have it yet. these back wheels make the front one look bad.

[jrsqlc]

Thats Sweet!!

[dcreel]

Kind of like a mullet... Business in the front, and a party out back :lol:

[fabiodriven]

Christ Jensen, it's beautiful.

(Good one Doug)

[jensenracing77]

i am now calling it done. we will later add a TPC graphic to the air fins but other than that it will just have some typical changes that any rider would do to there bike.

[Mondexbrute]

Looks sick, but I would put different tires on it. One day Im gonna have someone build me one of these!

[inv3ctiv3]

Love it! I want one of these so bad.

[Chazz of Blades]

Easy, sell an M5!

[zrtsteve]

i was wondering if this can be done to a trx 450r, and i have a 2007 crf 250r with the duel pipes was thinking since ive been looking on here would make a sweet trike.

[sugarhead]

Does any 1 know how much a turn key tionesta 250 trike is?

[jensenracing77]

i was wondering if this can be done to a trx 450r, and i have a 2007 crf 250r with the duel pipes was thinking since ive been looking on here would make a sweet trike.

are you talking an 04 or 05 TRX 450R? you need an 06 and newer TRX 450 to work with the TPC.

[zrtsteve]

yes i have 05 trx 450r so they wont work was just wondering why.

[jrsqlc]

IMO anything will work, it just depends on how much fab work you want to do!!

I seen a badass suzuki z400 trike at Summit last weekend

[Kintore]

Just a correction.... Snake rides/built a LTR450 into a 3wheeler.
ATCTim uses a 08 Honda 450r 3wheeler
I personally use a 04 Honda 450r 3wheeler



Sorry Jensen, didnt mean to jack your thread, just had to set the record straight :)

[jensenracing77]

no problem, what happened to you? i thought you were coming to the invasion?

[dogger]

Does tpc transfer the vin for you or do you have to do that yourself if you even did. I'm hoping to start a build before the years out and collecting parts right now but I don't think it'll get done near as quick as yours looking good BTW I saw he had pick of this tribe up on tpcs web site

[jensenracing77]

it comes with numbers stamped into the head tube but it is not a VIN number. we have not done it yet but we are going to cut off the VIN from the 4 wheeler frame, paint it and rivet it to the TPC frame.

[atctim]

We weld ours on - same VIN as the quad (from the quad)- and you can keep it titled that way too!

[dogger]

Ok that answered my question. Thanks ya I was thinking is keep the trx registration be a lot less questions registering in as pa requires it.

[WisconsinJohn]

Daayum that is a nice trike! Nice work.

[carmen cafro]

I've seen a trike just like this trike in Glamis 'bout a month ago.

[jensenracing77]

and the owner of it wants to go back