Who here flips trikes?

[MrConcdid]

ATC King, I thought about just that, but wow the dedication, that must have been tedious, It looks great.

As you all can tell I have slowed down a bit, The re-frame of the 185s, took a little longer than expected, I had midterms this weekend and parts are still coming in slow. I did find an front axle for the "Montana" 250es and have some plastics lined up to get, in a week or so. The battery came in today, it needs an carb, ignition switch, tires, fluids, air filter, clean and paint touched up. that's all I know of right now, I hope to ride it before I put any more money in it, I want to rule out any possible rear axle, drive shaft and trans issues, If all that checks out than a good tear down clean and paint is in order. Its should bring a good amount of money, everyone down here wants "The Big Red".

I like to add content that's useful to others when I can, I am not an expert or a mechanic. I needed a seat pan, all I had was this Swiss cheese part of a pan, I found a rear fender but no seat pan. Jesse James eat your heart out. My first seat pan.

I started with a cardboard template, laid that out on some 14g. sheet metal for my pattern, made a metal break, using my table and some angle iron then removed the 2 cups from the swiss cheese pan and welded them on, checked for fit, I had some old bolts that fit snug in the rubber alignment grommets on the frame,. bingo bango I made a seat pan.

MrC.

[ATC King]

Don't forget to drill some large holes in that new seat pan. When the foam compresses, air needs a place to go.

For that empty hole in the pull rope cover, a automotive drum brake inspection plug will fit pretty good with a little trimming.


If your pull starter still has the plastic piece for the decomp and you want to get that functioning, the other parts are available here. http://shop.3wheelerworld.com/index....product_id=455

All of my pull starters are missing that main part, so I can't add the auto decomp if I wanted to. I really want to.

[MrConcdid]

Hey ATC King,
I have rebuilt 2 de-comps before, this engine fires right up without it. I watched the video by D-Ray about 20 times, until I figured it out, this one was missing the bail piece, so I will get that plug. I received my decals today hope to get them on soon. I opted to get a new wider front tire to match the rear. For me a there's nothing better than a matched set of new tires. On the stand it runs out good, smokes a little on hard throttle and at start up. I have not really rode it hard yet. I want to get it good and hot before I change the oil again.
I asked in the other thread about the L.E.D. lights, I took a chance and mine worked using the green and white wire from the factory head light, I guess I got lucky, it did pulse at idle but evened out above idle. I like the round light better than the rectangle. This is the second of a pair of lights I got off amazon, by just using one on each bike, its a nice upgrade for a little money. As for the hole in the pan , I did not know that about the air escaping, thank you.
Don't laugh at my seat covering, I am not happy with the pillow look, the foam I used was from a couch cushion it is too soft, I need something more dense. I may even opt for a sewn seat cover, I would still need a piece of foam. Over all its coming along nicely.

"Montana" on the other hand, took me for a spin tonight, nothing fancy first and second and reverse all work, the cables are shot. the exhaust valve was loose I adjusted it and most of the ticking went away, I want to try and adjust the cam tension-er, I read there's a trick to shim it. This one is odd, I really like working on the pre-85 big reds, there so much simpler. Running some numbers on this one I may punt it now that it is running, in business sometimes its best to cut you losses, I don't want a long term project anyways.
MrC.

[ATC King]

If you're going to run that LED off of AC, I suggest at least getting a cheap AC voltage regulator.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Voltage-Reg...UAAOSwa2Ze0Yhc

What people who are blowing out LEDs on the AC don't realize is there is no voltage regulation on the ATC and it gets down low at idle to something like 50-60v on top. Those LEDs assemblies will tolerate a range of voltage, but do have an upper limit. You're running a larger one and it may be handling the higher voltage, but also may be near the limit.

Running like you are is only giving you half the power the system can provide, because it's like running half wave. The LEDs only function on DC, so they only use the positive power, when the polarity flips, that portion is wasted, using it how you are. Probably enough to run that LED, just letting you know.

Those cheap voltage regs work fine. I've used them. Just hook the wire to the power source and ground the case. Really, even on a stock trike, they're good to have in case one bulb blows out, like the headlight, it doesn't take the taillight out with it. It's like the old school bicycle wheel generators. They had not voltage regulation and worked fine during normal speeds, but hauling the mail downhill would cause the bulb to blow out. TrailTech sells an adjustable AC regulator, which allows the user to adjust the voltage for maximum bulb life (lower light output) or maximum light output (shortens bulb life). I have one on my motorcycle.


On the seat foam, just get some blocks of closed cell foam. I'd probably go with light to medium stiffness. The hard stuff is...hard. I use 3M upholstery glue (in a spray can) and it holds like a rock, the foam will rip before the seam comes apart. They sell a 185 fiberglass seat pan on the store here.

[MrConcdid]

Hey ATC King, Thanks for all the advice, I will look into a regulator asap. Where would I find closed cell foam? Joann's

I found 2 of the worst looking Big Reds, I have ever seen, and a blue thing.
One is a 85 the worse of the 2 is a 86, it has the helmet lock, nerf bar skid plate (which I have plans for), What up with the honey comb hideout rear brake shield on the 86?? and the big question? yes, I have both seats. These are parts bikes, the 86 is locked up I will strip it the 85 i am not sure, it kicks over and sound pretty good too. It may be time to build a monster Big red? may be, may be not.

MrC.

Oh the blue thing, looks factory but from underneath you can see some yellow plastics, odd was the Yamaha plastics painted blue or did the color not go all the way through? I think its a YTM200e I'm not sure, It was part of the package deal. So I had to take it, it should bring a few dollars in parts. it has reverse, the shifter is stuck and the pull cord is frozen. Must have been Yamaha attempt at a Big Red with the front and rear racks and reverse.

[ATC King]

Bow wow, those look ruff.

Tetanus shots need a booster?

[MrConcdid]

Wow what a weekend.
Hotter than Hades, could only work in the shop a few hours at a time.
The "Ridge Runner" gets her new tires mounted tomorrow, and she is done. The new lift was a great asset to the shop. I hope to ride her a bit tomorrow.

"Montana" 250es, is making me work for it, I adjusted the valves, the exhaust was loose, the cam chain was rattling a bit to, I made an extension onto the cam chain tensioner. That quieter her right up. I opted for a new carb (Chinese) only after cleaning the old one to no avail. She runs and idles pretty good, couldn't get her to fast 3rd gear, running her off a bottle and ZERO brakes. The tank looks salvageable, I am going to get some metal rescue tomorrow, and try to save it, I hope I can, I don't like the look of the aftermarket tanks. So the short list, cables, brake shoes, light bulb, key switch, left side rear fender, left side front shock/fork.
I broke one of the bolts holding the cam chain tensioner, I had just about 1/8 inch numb to work with, I opted to weld a bolt to the nub and hope for the best, I got lucky, getting it hot helped, it backed right out.

Q. these two freeze plugs, located just above the spark plug boot in my picture? in the head look like flat head screws are weeping oil? I can't turn them either direction, any thoughts on how to stop the oil leak?

Q. I have a 200s front end, the lower shock section looks to be very close or the same to the 250es, could I swap out the lower fork/shock section from a 200s onto a 250es?

Thanks
MrC.

[ATC King]

Hotter than Hades, could only work in the shop a few hours at a time.

Same here. My light gray shirts turn dark gray, and my black shirts, white.

No, 200S forks won't be the same. The 250ES has a larger front brake and the anchor is in a different place. The 250ES also has leading axle forks, the 200S are trailing. While you can technically turn 200S forks into leading axle by just swapping them and turning them around, it'll screw up the brake cable routing and there's a raised oblong pad that's normally on the inside of each slider that'll now be on the outside, which doesn't affect operation but makes it easy to tell they've been flipped.

Same goes for 185S/200S forks versus 200M forks. Trailing versus leading axle. AFAIK, all the 25 inch tired, suspended ATCs had leading axle and the 22 inch tired ones had trailing. That's the utility trikes, sport trikes may vary.

The parts numbers for the legs aren't the same either, but if you've got some 200S forks, you could see if the leg will fit into a 250ES slider. I don't know if they are the same diameter. 200S is 30mm.

[MrConcdid]

I am still waiting on my new front tire, but i couldn't help myself, I had to cruise around the neighborhood a bit and air her out. "Nimble little minx" If you know that line than your a child of the 80's
Runs good, starts on the first pull, does smoke a little, but pulls hard through all the gears. I am going to miss this one, I think it turned out awesome. At 20ft she is a show stopper.
I plan to redo the seat cover, not happy with the pillow effect I got from the couch cushion. I have a front fender too, I need to put it on. Over all very, very pleased.

MrC.

I included the before picture along with the afters, this one took me 4 weeks, but I had midterms and the whole world pandemic thing slowing me down.

[MrConcdid]

I do have a hub problem, I used the 200s front end, and it was set up for a factory 8in wheel and small 4 bolt pattern, I wanted to run 9in all round but the bolt pattern on my 9 is the larger 4. I have a hub from a 200m that has the larger pattern but the brake block is wrong and the width is wrong also.
Any thoughts?

MrC.

[ATC King]

I've been using a 200S fork on my 200ES for years. I just had the 200ES hub cut down and the bearing pockets machined in again.

I also bought a 200M fork recently to replace the 200S one.

A couple things are the 25inch tire will bottom out against the fender, and you won't be able to run the mud flap because it will constantly be sucked into the tire.
That's why I'm going to stop using mine and switch to the 200M forks.

[MrConcdid]

Ah!, I was thinking about cutting down the wider hub, I did not realize the bearing pocket required machining.
I opted to re-order the same size tire in an 8in, and just use the hub that already fits.
I know I said I wanted to keep this one, but when I sell it, I still need to watch my margins. Which may come sooner than later.
I really like having stuff posted for sale, its been a good steady income. I have people asked me daily if I have another for sale, Its hard to turn down
hundred dollar bills.

Thanks, for the advice/information. I wasn't sure which direction to go, looks like I made the right choice just to re-order the 8in tire.
MrC.

[MrConcdid]

After alot of thought, I opted for a new tire and keep the 8in rim, it was just easier, this is a flip, I need to remember that.

Montana, got stripped down today, she runs good, found the front fork was bent slightly, that why it froze up. I have secured a 250sx front end for it, I will do my best to save the rack and fender, I still want it to look like a big red.

So I posted " Ridge Runner" 185s it runs really good, I have had this one 5 weeks, a little longer than most, I am slipping. I am proud of it, its a very nice bike.
MrC.

[ATC King]

The hardtails are plain hard to beat for just a fun trike that you don't have to tie a lot of money up in. There's faster and better riding, but nothing more simple and still fun. I got out an rode mine the night of the 4th. I'd like to have a nice 200X or even one of the 250 two strokes, but with prices the way they are, I've got street legal dual sports that make more sense to own and are way more useable.

[MrConcdid]

Well, I did it, I pulled the trigger, I am committed to the team, I am all in. It took me 7 months 27 bike/flips to do it. But it is done.
I have completed my goal, I have assembled the best of the best 4 strokes (that I can find and afford). They all run and drive, there all paid for with earnings from flipping other three-wheelers. Never let anyone tell you they can't afford something, if you truly want it, you will find away. I started with a $300 big red.

I want to thank all of you who posted in my crazy threads and helped with advice and support, I hope to continue this quest, but wow what a milestone. Never owning a three wheeler as a child, I think I have made up for it some, and I didn't just write a check for them. I think that means the most to me.

I haven't named her yet, but she is awesome. welcome to the fold 1985 350x (w/ 86 plastics) don't fret I have a set of 85 red one that came with it.

MrC.