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Thread: My XR650L conversion

  1. #46
    fabiodriven's Avatar
    fabiodriven is offline Aspiring romance novel cover model, and the Official 3WW slayer of thieves and swindlers. Catch me if you can
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    So I was out on the XR today. I was going to a car show they have on Fridays about 5 miles up the road from my house. (Too early in the season, nobody was there) There's a particular stretch of road, it's gotta be at least a quarter mile, it's really rough. It's always getting torn up with frost heaves and potholes that have been patched over and over. The entire road is pretty much made of patches and the holes move from day to day as the older ones get patched and new ones constantly form. I was curious how the trike would handle this kind of stuff. As we all know, the particular off road style of trike that we ride is a less than optimum platform for street use, there's no denying that. As long as you have a straight axle and only three wheels in that particular configuration it will handle bumps in a seemingly unpredictable demeanor. There are inevitably going to be times where only one wheel hits a bump, more often than not actually, and that can make it shake a little. Once you get used to the bike, you see it's not that bad.

    So I got to the rough patch and was doing about 45-50, just sitting down and cruising. The bumps were bad and there's no point in trying to dodge them because they make up the entire road surface. It was handling them OK but I really had to hang on to the bars. After a short period I naturally just resorted to my riding position that I take when we're riding aggressively in the rough trails in New Hampshire. That's arse hovering an inch or two above the seat, body as far back as my arms will allow, lifting the front end and planting the rear. I grabbed a handful of throttle as soon as I stood up and hung on. My buddy was following me in a truck and he guessed I was doing at least 50-55 at that point. As I increased the speed the suspension started soaking the bumps up much better. It was awesome actually. I was getting the same feeling as I get when we're flying through the mountains, and I had just ridden right out of my garage. I had a huge smile on my face as I was thinking that this is actually legal, sans the slight amount of speeding.

    On my way home I got pulled over. As the officer approached, he seemed stern. I don't think he had much faith in this thing being legit. Not long after he walked up to it he lightened up though. I don't think he had seen the plate before that point. I handed him my registration and he could barely see it after moving it towards and away from his face a dozen or so times. He asked me for my license and I opened my wallet to find I didn't have my license on me. I had to make a copy of it yesterday and I left it in my scanner. He was nice though, and he liked the bike. Quite honestly, everyone does. Young and old, any race, whether they know anything mechanical or not. Dames love it. So the guy let me go. As we were shooting the shite and I was putting my reg away he pointed across the street. There was a group of 5 or so young kids filming us. We waved at the camera and then left. I hope to see the video someday, haha.
    85 Tri-Zinger 60
    85 ATC250SX
    86 ATC250SX
    87 ATC250SX
    02 XR650L conversion
    84 ATC 480R

  2. #47
    Zach's Avatar
    Zach is offline At The Back Of The Pack Arm chair racerAt the back of the pack
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    this is an awesome build and good for you on gettin a trike legal for the road just plain cool. I like that speedo I wonder if it could be modified to fit a 350x?
    1986 350x
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    Proud Owner of 1 Set of Trailpros

  3. #48
    fabiodriven's Avatar
    fabiodriven is offline Aspiring romance novel cover model, and the Official 3WW slayer of thieves and swindlers. Catch me if you can
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    I took the XR out yesterday, the day before Easter, for a long ride. I was out for quite a few hours, although a lot of that time was spent BS-ing. I got a lot of miles in though and learned a lot in that time. I love this machine more every time I go out on it.

    I have to throw a wrench at it soon, got a couple of minor things to do to it.

    I had woken up Saturday morning on the wrong side of bed, which hasn't happened much lately. I have a lot to do and it can get overwhelming for me. As I gathered my thoughts to attack the piles of work, I realized how nice it was out. My next step was to get dressed and then blow everything off and leave on the three wheeler. This machine's sole purpose on this planet is to dispense fun, and it excels at it. You've no choice but to pay attention to what the machine is doing, you can't think about other crap that much. Simultaneously, what the machine is doing is a thing of beauty, a thing of beauty which cannot be ignored. I defy anyone to show me a better healer of the mind and soul than that of the street legal ATC XR650L.

    As I arrived in my home town, about three towns over from me, I was greeted with a police escort not a half a mile into town. The detective had the same reaction as the last one, and hadn't even explored the option that this machine was in fact street legal regardless of having a license plate dangling off the back. He assumed I was just riding a regular ATC up the road. I was flippant with this one, I will admit. It's just a game to me now because it's the same thing every time. This guy was too easy though, he was all worked up at first. I think they start wondering why I'm so calm at some point.

    I enjoyed this past ride more than any because I was really getting the hang of this thing. For anyone who may try to make a machine like this some day, if you have even a little trike experience you are familiar with how a straight axle handles. Yes, this is a trike on the street with a straight axle. It can be a handful. I've been on 3 for decades and am obviously well versed in the way of the wheels 3. I think it rides awesome and wouldn't change a thing.

    The most common comment I keep getting from people, everyone says they would put bigger tires in the rear. I think I may have already said something about this, I forget. I like the small rear tires for many reasons. I like how they look, plain and simple. In my opinion and personal experience, traction on the rear wheels is not always a good thing with a three wheeler. There are many circumstances where you want the rear to be able to break traction, either just one wheel or even both. Not having a differential means something has got to slip, it's going to happen. The more traction the rear wheels have, the harder they are going to fight each other, the harder it is on the bike (bearings), the harder it is on you, the pilot, as it is your very physical task to keep this machine pointed in the general direction it is you wish to head. More traction in the rear, bad. I can promise it will not be long before this machine is drifted around more than several corners. The tires are to their maximum psi as to avoid traction and also minimize rolling resistance.

    As I said already, rough roadways need to be attacked. They can't be enjoyed any other way. Anything else you do will be an exercise in endurance. You have to look ahead, hover over the seat, lean back, and smash the gas. The shock takes it from there, although you know the road isn't smooth. Your choice is to do it that way, which is functional and fun, or go slow and get pounded. Simple choice, grow a set and drop the .

    What I learned yesterday is how to corner, which I was surprised it took me so long to figure out. The method is simple and very similar to handling rough roads- attack. In order to go around a corner without looking like a fishing bobber, you must come in hot, which may seem a bit too hot at first and does require commitment, but it is by far the most effective way to turn. Not only that, but it looks sick. Basically what you have to do is corner it like you're flat track racing or ice racing. You have to toss it into the turn and hang forward and inboard, wayyy inboard, of the turn you are making. You have to hang low and far off the bike, but then it turns like it's on rails. With the proper technique you look like a sicko (which you are) and carve out a perfect turn on a machine that takes talent to navigate. At lower speeds you pick up the inboard tire as well. I used to try this while sitting upright and it just didn't work out right. When you hang off the machine you can control the turn. Yesterday combined both cornering and very rough road conditions at the same time, which I was eager to try. Combining the English for both turning and handling the bumps simultaneously is an awesome challenge. Sometimes you have to choose whether to handle the bumps or turn and then plot for the turn a bit earlier or later, depending on the actual locations of the obstacles in the road. Some bumps you just can't hit while turning, and you have to look at and diagnose the effect every approaching bump is going to have on the trajectory of the machine. If you have to hit them straight then you do that and deal with turning when you can.

    As I said before, people go absolutely ape shite over this thing. I had the fire department wait for three cars to go in front of me at a four way stop so they could see it. They held up traffic. They were on the opposite side of the intersection so I pulled up and stopped. They were staring at it so I ripped a wheelie across the intersection. Then later I saw a group of kids with a second gen R sitting on the lawn. It looked like a really nice machine. There were about 7 kids hanging out by the side of the road so I pulled up and stopped. I looked at them and said "Hey nice three wheeler!" They all stared at me with their mouths hanging open and not one of them moved or said anything. I started laughing at them after about 5 seconds of them just staring blankly, then I tossed it in gear and rode away. Later on I was on my way home when I came upon the Easter bunny on the side of the road in front of a store waving at traffic. As I came up the road I smiled and waved at the Easter bunny and it's arm dropped and went limp. His head fixated directly on me and I watched it swivel to follow my trajectory. I'm not making any of this up, I wish I had a GoPro. I could have gotten the meatball cop (not to offend any cops but this guy was flustered and who am I to pass up on having some fun when the opportunity presents itself?), the firemen, the trike kids, and the Easter Bunny.

    Anyhoo, I ended up turning what started out as a really bad day completely around. This machine is worth its weight in gold as far as I'm concerned. I have a lot of toys, too many as a matter of fact. I have a lot to distract me from negativity. None of it matters when push comes to shove, but this is different. If you do not concentrate on it, you cannot ride it. You are forced to think about it, and only it, or it will remind you who the boss is. Hence, not thinking about anything else.
    Last edited by fabiodriven; 04-21-2014 at 01:00 AM.
    85 Tri-Zinger 60
    85 ATC250SX
    86 ATC250SX
    87 ATC250SX
    02 XR650L conversion
    84 ATC 480R

  4. #49
    TrickShot's Avatar
    TrickShot is offline At The Back Of The Pack Arm chair racerAt the back of the pack
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    I got to say "fabio", I like the way you write things up on this thread. It's been a very entertaining read. I wish ya all the distraction needed on the XR650L to get you thru the times when life issues weighs you down. Have fun.

  5. #50
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    You just made me want a street legal one that much more. I've been seeing many more of the Xr bikes popping up online lately. They must be really popular.

  6. #51
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    I'm not down in your neck of the woods that often, but I really hope I run into you and your trike one of these days. Maybe I'll point my 599 in that direction a little more this riding season.
    1985 Tri-Z 250
    1985 ATC250R

  7. #52
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    sweet ride!!!!!!!!!!! i did the same with a xl200r and made it look like a 200x, i have been pulled over by every passing officer, i get let go but its still a hassle!! i thinking of ways to make it look less 200x now to avoid the pullovers, suggestions?

  8. #53
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    Quote Originally Posted by hawaiirider View Post
    sweet ride!!!!!!!!!!! i did the same with a xl200r and made it look like a 200x, i have been pulled over by every passing officer, i get let go but its still a hassle!! i thinking of ways to make it look less 200x now to avoid the pullovers, suggestions?
    Having owned and ridden a street legal 200x for over a year, I'm not sure why you would want to.

    Getting stopped is part of the fun. Just like Fabio said, its always a hoot when they finally notice the plate and you whip out your registration and insurance.

  9. #54
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    Quote Originally Posted by DohcBikes View Post
    Having owned and ridden a street legal 200x for over a year, I'm not sure why you would want to.

    Getting stopped is part of the fun. Just like Fabio said, its always a hoot when they finally notice the plate and you whip out your registration and insurance.
    actually it isnt fun, especially when your carrying milk, ice cream or have people expecting you to be somewhere and where are you? dealing with the police having to explain the bike = hassle!! i better carry krispy kremes on me from no on lol, do you have a pic of yours you can post too?

  10. #55
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    Personally if I was going to pick up a few things that need to be refrigerated I wouldn't do it on a legal trike for that exact reason.

    I too would love to see that street legal 200X as well. Does it have ample power to cruise at highway speeds? I mean I know they can get there with a top end kit but Id worry about how long to keep it at such Rpms.

  11. #56
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    I have no idea how I missed this thread....

    But it sounds like some REALLY good medicine for you John! Enjoy!
    Trikes:
    '85 ATC 350R
    '85 ATC 250R
    '86 ATC 350X
    '85 ATC 350X
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    '84 ATC 125M
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    '85 ATC 70/110

    If you have bought from me or sold to me, please leave me feedback here>>> http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr...+RIDE-RED+250r

  12. #57
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    Glendale Arizona and now that i think about it actually I've been riding a total of over a year on two trikes. For the first 4 months I rode the 200s street legal. Rarely got stopped on this one. If you look closely you can see the air horn on the dash piece, the mirror on the end of the left handle bar, and the 96 yamaha seca brake light through the rack. Oh ya and the Harley Dyna reflectors on the fork legs.

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    The first pic of the 200x is before I got the brake light and mirror on it, and I rode it just like that for 8 months until I started rebuilding it as a street specific machine. I got stopped on this one several times. I have never received any tickets. On the trikes.
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    Ill be doing a thread and dont wanna show too much but this one is from the new build. It now is nearly ready for the road again and has a bigger engine with reverse.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    We just expect to get stopped i guess. Even here where its extremely easy to plate a trike, you still dont see em out on the road very often.

    Slash i just saw your post. The gearing can be changed to make it happy at about 50, and also thats why i went to a 229cc pushrod engine, id like to hit 60-65 comfortably. Also the new setup will be much lower, lighter, and less wind resistant, no fenders. My current gearing on the new engine is 14/38 but i have not ridden it like that yet so ill have to fine tune it later.

    Sorry for the hijack on the awesome thread fabiodriven. Hawaiirider if any more questions of me probably should pm me we dont wanna clutter up the man's great stories.
    Last edited by DohcBikes; 04-22-2014 at 12:06 PM.

  13. #58
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    Looking good and lookin forward to the build thread. As always great work.

  14. #59
    fabiodriven's Avatar
    fabiodriven is offline Aspiring romance novel cover model, and the Official 3WW slayer of thieves and swindlers. Catch me if you can
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    I forgot a part of my story from the other day. Those who I'm friends with on Facebook will have seen these pictures. As I said, I rode over to my home town where I haven't lived for about 10 years or so. I don't call anyone, I just head over usually. I always run into someone. Last Saturday I just happened to run into my buddy with his 02 XR650L, the same year as mine. I just rode right by him on his bike and then I turned around and went back. He was impressed with the trike as everyone is.





    I wouldn't bother trying to hide any aspect of the trike, it's never going to look like it belongs on the road. It will just get uglier. It's always going to draw attention so celebrate it. It's going to turn heads anyways so why not just snap their necks?

    I took the trike to get milk, dinner (fish), and ice cream tonight. I wasn't worried. The traffic stops are usually quite brief.
    85 Tri-Zinger 60
    85 ATC250SX
    86 ATC250SX
    87 ATC250SX
    02 XR650L conversion
    84 ATC 480R

  15. #60
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    I think its all where you live at i guess, those arizona trikes look bone stock, id probably go to jail on one of those here in oregon.
    I probably wont change the look i guess, even though i own a trike conversion im not a fan and dont recommend them. my 200xle does just about 70 tapped out on the pavement, will cruise 55 ok but its extended and lowered.
    mines up for trade, id rather have a harley have fun and make it to where im going without my friends saying "saw you pulled over again on your trike"

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