83 200e widened and now a project to be able to use other rims on front

[Audio_Phill]

Hub swapped the rear from stock to tusk extended hubs for the 400ex and today I swapped from the 25x12.5x9 claws to 25 x13.5x10 swamper tsl/atv's and dropped about 5lbs per side and gained a 1/2" of clearance. Footprint went from 8.6" on the claws to 10.2 on the swampers so I have very high expectations. Im thinking they will ride smoother too, 2.5psi in the claws was still stiff to the point of being a rough ride on hard pack, 3psi in the swampers is much softer.

I have the order in at adapter kings and they are working me up an adapter to take front to 4/110 to match the rims I have laying around and its going to be 1" thick to center the 3+5 offset to match stock 4.5+4.5. I have rims from 8-11" so I'm hoping to try many tires to see which gives the best bite.

Heres some before/after pics so far

Stock hubs, 9x9 3+6 ams steel with claws
http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo310/AudioPhill/trike%20pics/2013-01-05_22-38-50_57.jpg

After hub swap with 9x8 250r rims
http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo310/AudioPhill/trike%20pics/2013-02-06_14-20-38_117.jpg

Today after swampers, on 10x8 3+5 dwt .190 al
http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo310/AudioPhill/trike%20pics/2013-02-14_16-59-18_216.jpg

Will update with front setup as soon as mu adapter gets here!

[belly]

Looks good! a few inches wider is night and day difference for stability. i've heard of people bending axles with adapters but that's from a lot of jumping. my axle was bent before i put the spacers on so i'll see if it gets any worse. those swampers look nice too.

[Audio_Phill]

the swampers have been amazing so far, I am able to cross trees 8" in diameter slowly without slipping, even got to play in the snow with them and they put the claws to shame in every aspect, the lighter weight has increased the power to the ground way more than I expected, I can drift the trike around trees and obstacles now instead of slowing down and going around them. I dont jump, or drop off anything so I dont fear any bending. But as it is now, its the most fun I think you could have on a 12HP machine lol. Ordered a dg pipe and gonna do an airbox mod and jet it to match for some extra grunt, I expect it to be nearly as much fun as my 350x, just in different ways lol. It climbs like a goat and pulls like a trainand now handles like a slow ferrari lol.


Adapter came in, Adapterkings cut the holes for the stock studs way too large so stock nuts fall right through, have to send it back so they can get it right, I'm sending my stock hub so they can design the perfect spacer for rims with 2" differences in offset. (2+4) or (3+5) I hate I have to send it back, I have rims and tires ready to be tryed out :(

[trike savior]

looks good. unfortunately so much for the mudflaps. with that much sticking out on each side expect to get covered in the mud bogs. thats half the fun though. enjoy

[kebby28]

I have been really impressed with my Bear Claws. I didn't think there could be anything more aggressive... Now you got me thinking...

[Audio_Phill]

looks good. unfortunately so much for the mudflaps. with that much sticking out on each side expect to get covered in the mud bogs. thats half the fun though. enjoy

The swampers trow the mud out and away from me luckily, he claws covered me lol

[Audio_Phill]

The claws did well, but are just overly heavy and the center lug made large tree crossings less than optimum, these ss tsl/atv's have completely changed the behavior and power of the trike. And so far have went just as well, but the lugs on the ss's are 26/32nd's vs 3/4 on the claws. They self clean much better too. These seem to be the tire for this machine since widened!

[Audio_Phill]

Update: The original spacer Adapter kings made me was a no go, they have another in the works that takes front from 4/150 to 4/156 and I ordered a dwt red label 12x8 5+3 for it and I'm going to try the carlisle at-489 on it in 25x10-12 and see how that works, As much weight as will be coming off the front from this conversion might allow wheelies a little easier, but hoping it wont push instead of steer because of it.

The swampers now have around 100 miles on them and I've decided best psi for woods is 2.5, they have no issues crossing 8" trees as long as I'm within about 15 degrees of perpendicular, they are noisy on pavement but they ride very smooth and soak up plenty bumps. With them and the tusk extended hubs for 300ex it sets 52.5" wide and I can easily make a u turn when going down pretty steep hills. The Tread design also allows for some fun 2nd gear (high range) drifting in loose to slick situations but the grip is fully predictable and very strong laterally to the point that even in squishy mud I can bring the front end up under throttle. The klaws caked up and spun, I only got stuck once with them, but they didnt clean very well and in loose stuff or snow they would dig and burry me till I had to hop off, pick up the trike and scoot it over a tad. Since the swampers have been on I have managed to take it a few places the klaws wouldnt go and trees that the klaws coud not grip are now not a problem. I have even crossed trees so big they rubbed the frame as I passed over them without issue or difficulty. Moss or snow covered trees are no problem and muddy trees seldom cause a spin. I like these so well I ordered a second set 25x13.5-10 same as on it now (while I could still get 4 ply) even picked up a set in 22x12.5-8 for the 350x...

[Audio_Phill]

Adapter came in thursday, got tire mounted to the new rim friday, 15 minutes later, Big red had a 12" rim!!!!!

Works great, looks great, fitment was amazing, almost like a stock accessory. Current front is a 25x10-12 Carlisle AT489, it hooks up 75% better than the balloon turf buster, now, it reminds me of my 350x with the Kenda Front max. It shed around 6 lbs too and the drop in weight and rolling resistance has made itself present through hill climbs in the next gear up from previous attempts with the turf buster. In the yard or in my driveway (paved) there is no push at full turn as long as you dont lift the front with throttle, wheelies are much easier to loft and control now as well. Overall I'd say it is the single most worthwhile upgrade I have made to the trike, and it opened the doors to a much better tire selection as well. Current front bolt pattern is 4/156 and as long as the rim width is 2 numbers apart it works.

http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo310/AudioPhill/trike%20pics/IMG_20130404_151319_064.jpg
http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo310/AudioPhill/trike%20pics/IMG_20130404_151224_762.jpg
http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo310/AudioPhill/trike%20pics/IMG_20130404_151259_508.jpg
http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo310/AudioPhill/trike%20pics/IMG_20130406_244220_645.jpg
http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo310/AudioPhill/trike%20pics/IMG_20130406_245451_841.jpg
http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo310/AudioPhill/trike%20pics/IMG_20130406_245505_221.jpg
http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo310/AudioPhill/trike%20pics/IMG_20130406_245743_401.jpg
http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo310/AudioPhill/trike%20pics/IMG_20130406_010023_419.jpg

[Audio_Phill]

Guy's... I have many hours on the trike with the new slimmer tire, Every time I get on it I cant believe the difference this has made, Handles better, accelerates better, no more push, Wheelies so much easier, Looks alot more modern too. If you're looking to upgrade front rims on an old big red, this is the ticket. I loved my BR before, but now I can even get the front to climb out of ruts up to around 6-8" deep and handling is quick and precise. In the mud, I can now donut around trees in a smooth and steady pace instead of skid/push/skid. Best $ ive dropped on it yet for sure...

Replaced the seat with a camokings (ebay) seat cover and it fits perfect and looks alot better than stock too, I got red sides and black seat top and back, really dressed up the appearance!

[ericmreimer]

Hey Audio_Phil do you have any pics of this trike? I am going to be doing something real close to this in the near future. From reading your posts, I seem to be in the same place you were at one point with my 84 200es pulling and pushing and not steering straight. Oh and the read on mine is widened too but with hub spacers on each side.

[JasonB]

Dang I don't know how I missed this, that 200 looks amazing wider!

[Audio_Phill]

Just an update, trike is still doing great with the conversions, I call it old faithful. It's my go anywhere, start every time, all terrain machine!

[jakep53]

wow thats one big ass

[Mr_Gixxer]

I really like this!!!

I'm in the process of making my 200es wider as well...
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/167136-Mr_Gixxer-s-200es-build

[sick85crownvic]

That may be the meanest looking big red I've seen...that front tire looks perfect on it too! Size, spacing and tread pattern all have the right "look" to it. Pretty cool to hear you got such noticeable results from the front rim/tire swap....so many people take rolling resistance for granted...

Kinda makes me want to turn my 600 project into a "utility" trike....almost...lol.

-Don

[rdonald1979]

A great read this thread is. Thanks for the info.

[187stang]

Any idea what spacer i need or hubs to run 400ex rims on rear? The hub is too big as it sits atm...thanks

[Audio_Phill]

Use 400ex hubs, thats whats on mine, tusk/g-force extended hubs for the 400ex! atc200x (pre 86) will work too