New member, new to three wheelers

[aqqus]

Hello all. I'm new to three wheelers but getting started pretty cheap. A friend was clwaning yard and offered me an old Cummuter Industries TE 380. I initially declined then told my wife about it and she thought it would be fun to play with. When I went to get it things turn into a package deal. If I wanted the 380 I had to take the Kawasaki too. So now I have a 79-8? Commuter TE380 and an 82 Kawasaki KLT200 for free. My friend used the Kawi when he was mining a couple years ago but has been sitting. The 380 he drug out of a farmers field and never touched. Some research shows I the first person to have it run in 20 years. Will try to post some pics later

[86125m]

Thats awsome man. Im a honda man myself so don't know much about yhe kawasaki or yamaha 3wheelers but I really want to see. A pic of that commuter TE380.

[Kennebell250]

Yeah Same here. I really want to see a pic of that commuter.

[aqqus]

I will have to get some fresh pics this week end. My smart phone is acting real dumb lately and don't want to give up the pics.

[aqqus]

Her are some quick pics.
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The front of the 380. The fender needs repair but at least its there and intact. It is in surprisingly good shape for its age and considering my buddy literally dug it out of a farmers field.


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This is as I brought it home. All body work is fiberglass.

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8 HP Kohler k181s electric start. 18 cubic inch

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Salsbury/comet clutch. Need to de-dumb ass it.

[Dgaf 3 forever]

Nice score no matter the condition. Looks like you got your work cut out for you.welcome to 3ww . Keep us posted with your progress.

[Big G]

Looks like a fun project. Let us know when you get it going...

[aqqus]

Parts for those old kohlers are harder to get than i remrmber. Im missing a spring for the govanor. Discontinued. Float special order. A buddy in california haa a carb since mine is cracked in the base. I plan on making a new wiring harness so i can add LED tail, brake and turn lights. Also want to convert to dual beam head light.

I was working on brake and I think I can convert it to disc fairly easy.

[crazycooter]

Cool odd ball trike! Good luck!

[DohcBikes]

Nice toys!

Sounds like the wife's a keeper:lol:

[jakep53]

very nice welcome to 3ww

[aqqus]

Ya, she is a keeper. She puts up with a lot.

[aqqus]

I recently found another freebie in the paper. don't know if I will chase it down. 85 Honda big red. my step son had one growing up. thinking about snagging it for him.

[350for350]

Get the Big Red too. They're nice trikes. You could always use another one, right?

[aqqus]

Missed the Big Red. The trader comes out Friday mornings. I called the number and the lady said it was gone at 5:15 Friday morning. Stuff like that don't sit long in farm and ranch country, or the foot hills of the Rockies. I want both of mine to be ready for hunting in November.

[aqqus]

I was working on my KLT yesterday between other chores. Tail light doesn't work but it has no ground and bad bulb. Fished broken key out of ignition switch and was going to see if a ford blank will work. I have a problem spending $13.00 for a blank. I noticed that the switch has a "glitch", only works in one tiny spot. Took it apart and the contact pad is corrode to about a third of what it should be. I found a new switch online and its over $100. I can get a tractor switch for less than $20. The machine was free so I can't complain too much. I expected to put some money into it. at least the tires are good.

But the real fun started last night, wife training. My wife, Ruth, has never been on a three wheeler. She is usually cautious about trying things like that. She is not the risk taker. I got her to sit on the KLT and went over all the controls and that's when we found a problem. No rear brakes. Pedal goes all the way to the ground. I tried a quick adjustment on the rod, wing nut very stiff, but no difference at all. To my surprise Ruth got on anyway and killed it 6 times down the alley. So now I need to tear into the rear end and add those parts to the list.
Does anyone have a break down of the rear axle and brakes? Its an 82 KLT 200. First version I believe. It is green in color and has a vacuum type fuel pump and lockable diff if that helps any.

Ruth and I decided that the Commuter would be her machine since it is a much simpler machine to operate. No clutch, no shifter, one brake and simple twist throttle. Just twist and go whit the torque converter it will be smooth and simple.

Thanks, Steve

[aqqus]

Get the Big Red too. They're nice trikes. You could always use another one, right?

Ya, but......

I currently am working on my son's 2005 Z71 with 6" lift and 35" tires. It needs the entire steering system rebuilt, engine work and minor electrical work. He is in Afghanistan again so I have 6 more months to finish that. Also working on a 90 Geo Metro convertible restoration. My daily river 90 Geo Metro and wife's daily driver 2000 GMC Jimmy. I need to finish basement remodel for landlord/sister. I almost forgot, I'm building my dream bike. A 12 year project,190979

[Curtie223]

Nice score!! Hard to beat free