Who here flips trikes?

[MrConcdid]

Thank you, Since its a 185s engine and fenders, I picked up the 185s version of that same decal. thank you.

MrC.

[patriot1]

Next to bringing my two boys home from the hospital, this might be my proudest day ever! Picked up 250 ES, 250SX, 250r, 250r, 110, trx70 and a Suzuki JR50. What a day!!

[ps2fixer]

Dang that's a big pick up there now. What year is the trx70 and is it in really poor shape, or repairable shape? I'd have to check my notes but I think I need the harness for one of them and maybe the ignition switch so I can reproduce them. Over half of the machines you grabbed are quite desirable, so the ones you fix up should flip fast and for a pretty good price if they are in any kind of condition.

[patriot1]

The trx70 is fixable but will be the last in line, so I can send you whatever you need. Probably going to fix the sx, its in good shape. I'll use the two r's to make one and sell the leftover parts, I have two 250 big reds that both run but need help so I will rob from it and sell the rest. 110 runs but I don't need it so it'll sell. The JR50 dirt bike will be fun to figure out eventually. Pretty good day!

[MrConcdid]

That's awesome Patriot1- that is a great haul, if you play your cards right, you stand to make a lot of money, if that's your plan otherwise that's an instant collection!
If you plan to flip for profit, keep a log book/speadsheet. its the only real accurate way to record real cost of goods and services. Like I have shared before, I have a excell sheet and log every part/service for every bike, this keeps me focused on the goal, I don't over build, spend what I have to, buy wisely. you can get upside down with just one or to bad choices in parts.
Case in point the "Ridge Runner" I paid $30 for it, got it running and driving for another $25, but to make it nice and sale-able, I will dump another $600 into it, which is very easy to do; tank, tires, seat, fenders is the bulk of the cost, but you have to do it, if you expect to get a good return on your investment. Air filters, carbs, handle bar grips, cables, paint, oil, clutches, batteries will ruin a flip. I end up putting half of what I sell them for into them before I am finished.
Great haul Patriot1 enjoy the ride........

Tonight's progress
I am digging this little front tire $5 at a yard sale, its a 20x7x8, I am going to blow it out onto a factory 8in wheel and see how it looks, I have some 20x10-9's coming for the rear, should make it very low to the ground, I have said this before, but I want to keep this one for awhile, I am building it my way, not just rebuilding it OE to sale.

Q. Can I run a L.E.D. light off a bike without a battery? I have not tried it yet.

MrC.

[MrConcdid]

Just noticed you have a 350x on that trailer, you sir scored!
MrC.

[ps2fixer]

A 350x wasn't mentioned, so I'd assume it's just the 350x headlight on another machine, pretty common swap.

For the LED question, the raw LED doesn't care, it just allows power to flow in one direction (DC), however, it depends on the LED. If it's like a light bar, it might be designed for DC input only, if it's a basic "bulb" then it likely just uses a resister for the power supply and it doesn't care AC or DC. Generally LED headlights and light bars have a more complex power supply in them, bulb replacements that go into existing housings seem to be the simple style that isn't a big deal.

[MrConcdid]

Thanks PS2fixer,


If you look at the second pic I uploaded last night you will see the light in question, it is a pod style L.E.D. light with several bulbs, I used it before on a bike with a battery (200es) . I will try and hook it up tonight, and give a report. It was a 2 pack of lights for $39 on amazon, by only using 1 on a bike, I average down my cost. so $20 for a very upgraded headlight that looks cool too. I am sure that a bulb replacement is less, but most of my housings are busted up, so this is a far less expensive than buying brackets, housing, bulb. Plus its a through back to the OG round headlight, and with a modern flair.
MrC.

[patriot1]

350x light on 250R. Maybe one day I'll get a 350 but right now my hands are full, but if the right deal comes along....

[MrConcdid]

Where did you find such a diverse score of bikes? an old repair shop? a private seller?

Thanks
MrC.

[patriot1]

Private guy in Memphis, said he used to race the 250r's. Good guy, just ready to clean his yard.

[MrConcdid]

Ha, this just came in tonight, I had to run get it. Amazingly the forks look straight but the front axle is broken, other than a oil leak high up near the head, looks very salvageable.
We will see. If I can get it running, I will build it up. I just hate parting out a bike when I know I can save them.
MrC.

Introducing "Montana" it has a Montana state park sticker on it.
1985 250es Big Red.
The seat is a wrapped job but the base is solid
the tank is rusted inside real bad but no holes, I am going to have to soak this one a lot. I am going to try metal rescue and see how it goes. I am not sure what to coat the inside with after the metal rescue? any thoughts?

[MrConcdid]

After 24 something bikes, I finally got serious. No more teetering on jack-stands say hello to my little friend. Harbor Freight hydraulic lift table.

"Ridge Runner" is coming along nicely, the bargain front tire has a pin-hole in the sidewall, I still can believe it the bead seated on such a wide rim, I will be swapping it out for a wider tire asap.

"Montana" LIVES it started on starter fluid just for grins, but I didn't run it like that, the carb is gunked up I'm sure, the front axle was broken, I found one local and swapped it out tonight, also grabbed a factory rim, it had an odd one that didn't match on the rear, If I can locate a left side rear fender I will be golden. I need to verify it runs, shifts etc. before I spend any real money on it. give me another day or so. lol

MrC.

[ps2fixer]

Left 250es fenders if I remember right is the common one to get busted up. I guess most people are turning right when they screw up and flip machines.

The tire on the wide rim might not be ideal, but the tread of the tire is super flat, looks like a dirt track tire. Probably have to run the psi higher than normal to keep it seated on the bead but I bet it would perform fairly well =). I'm sure you know about tire patches (installed inside of the tire), and tire plugs (make the hole bigger and glue in a stick of ribber and cut off the excess). Tire sealant could work too, but it's not really a long term fix.

You defo have a good hand at making machines look 100x better after a day of work on them and generally speaking a 3 wheeler's value is directly related to the appearance. Looks like you have a fair bit of land, maybe a shipping container would be a good idea for you to store your parts machines in the back and the pending to fix machines up front. 8x40 floor space , 8.6ft walls. I paid $2250 for mine delivered from like 400 miles away. Should be able to fit a lot of machines in one side and leave a walk way on the other side to get them out. If you need more storage, build a shelf system so you can double stack them. Write it off as a business expense and count it part of your business operations (business space divided by living floor space + shipping container floor space 360sq ft gives you a solid % to deduct your bills as business expenses, electrical, internet, etc). If the garage is basically dedicated business space you could claim that too. It's when it's mixed personal and business use when it gets hard to classify. Have to love the tax game, if you play it well you can pay very little in taxes... I'm just learning the tax game so I'm way behind the curve lol.

[ATC King]

Talking about running a narrower front tire, I had a 110 that I narrowed the two piece front wheel, besides adding front suspension and a front brake.

I cut the wheel halves down, slipped them over each other, and welded them back together. Not a single leak. A 110 Wide Glide, if you know Harley stuff.