Project : 500x sand machine

[JasonB]

very nice tapper~!!!!!! heck ya man rock on

[tapper190]

Things are starting to come together now on the build. I tore into the motor to find that one of the crank bearings are bad. I went to Honda and ordered two more, along with the two cam bearings which should be in this week. I dropped off the cylinder to the machinist last week and should have it back by this coming weekend. I decided to start the assembly of the trike since I have to wait for motor parts. Here's some pictures after todays work in the garage.
After veiwing the pictures, I think it's time to ask Santa Clause for a new camera this year,
Tapper

[dksix]

What did you do about the bike engine kick starter?

[tapper190]

What did you do about the bike engine kick starter?

Well to be honest, I haven't fully figured that one out yet. I was thinking about using a 250sx kick starter, cutting it off, flipping it 180 degrees so it will lock when kicking backwards and then weld it back together. I also thought of putting a gusset in and kick more with my heel than the front portion of my foot. I will have to shorten it a bit to clear the fenders. I have never kicked a 500 before, so I'm not sure how hard they kick. I will have the decompression hooked up and working before I try.
Tapper

[jeswinehart]

Ya know, for a fella that has personally said to me "I am not into racing" just a year or so ago on the sands of Silver Lake,,, you are sure gonna have a KICK BUTT trike when you DO decide to get into racing

Beautiful build Tapper !

[tapper190]

Ya know, for a fella that has personally said to me "I am not into racing" just a year or so ago on the sands of Silver Lake,,, you are sure gonna have a KICK BUTT trike when you DO decide to get into racing

Beautiful build Tapper !

Thanks John, I want to run with those green machines and those fast red two strokes, lol. It's not going to turn out like Jason's or the other 450 conversions that people are doing now, but it passes the time, and something that I can be proud of building. I don't have a mill or lathe, just a grinder and welder and a little bit of imagination, lol
Tapper

[Jason Hall]

Looking Awesome Dave!! That should be a Very fun bike.

[tapper190]

With the holidays here I haven't had the time I would have liked to work on the trike. I have managed to put the motor back together and is now in the frame. I went to put the gas peacock on and the 350x one hits the motor. Luckly I have the gas tank from the 500, so I used that peacock. I had to drill the plastic hole a bit bigger in the bottom of the clark tank that I'm using. I have gas now to the carbs. I noticed the bottom of the bowls was seeping gas. I'm going to check today at the Honda dealer to see if the bowl gaskets are still availible. I bleed all the brakes so I'm good to go with them. I have to run one wire to the back taillight so it will turn on and off with the hand controls. Today at work I will fab. my kick starter and gear shifter. Hopefully this weekend I'll have it running! I only have to get the drive chain and I'll be in ready to go!
I'm having problems with my computer, hopefully I will get it sorted out and can post up some pictures of it soon. I'm not sure what gearing I should use with it. I have a new 13 tooth front, and I have a 38 or 40 tooth for the rear, any suggestions?
Tapper

[k00leo]

wow very impressive build.

i cant wait to see the final project!

keep up the great work

[atc350xer]

Nice work Tapper, looking forward to seeing the completed project!

[atctim]

Dave,

I am not sure how I ever missed seeing this build before - but kudos man!!!! That thing looks HOSS and should be an awesome bike!

[jeff c]

great build,iam thinking of doing the same same with my 86 tri z,with a klr 600 ,the nice thing about that is it has a e start.has anybody seen this set up before ,would love to see it and pick your brain,i live 30 mins west from you,were do you ride around london

[kasey200x]

How hard was it to match the xr engine up to the x frame? Seems like you flew through this. Nice build!

[tapper190]

Thanks to everyones comments. I used the xr frame and fab the end piece the the seat mounts to. I also had to fab brackets to mount up the gas tank, foot pegs and the list goes on, lol.
Jeff C, I do a lot of my riding in the State of Michigan with some awesome American (and Canadian) friends. I also travel to the Ganny's which is the other side of Toronto. Send me a pm and we can hook-up sometime.
Sorry about the quality of the pictures, but this is what it looks like so far. I also threw in a picture of my oem tires I'll put on it when I'm not playing in the sand



Tapper

[kasey200x]

What is the name for the color of the swing arm? Is it just gray?