Who here flips trikes?

[MrConcdid]

Quitman, taught me a lesson last night.

So it didn't run, we figured that, now for the why.- Back story the P.O. was and had a motorcycle repair shop. keep that in mind.
so, I had spark after changing the plug, that's good. The wires to the key switch were cut and the key assembly was missing, I connect the yellow/red with red, grounded the green and didn't use the black. Now the button and electric starter works. That's good.
Swapped the carb for a new one, and at this point, I thought I had it licked in 10 minutes. No dice. It had spark, it had fuel. it had air. it had 100psi compression. exhaust was clear not plugged, I loosened the valves to make
sure they were closing. Still nothing. So I went back through each system Air-check, Ignition- Check, fuel- check.
After an hour of triple checking everything.
I noticed it seemed to be sucking in through the exhaust, and blowing out through the carb. Something wasn't right
It didn't even pop with carb cleaner sprayed in it.
I tore down the rotor and determined the rotor was in time, but no dice.
I tore it down again this time going all the way to the timing chain.
I spun the engine by hand, watching the valves open and shut, I verified TDO just before the exhaust valve open. I knew this was true TDC.
But the cam was not loose it was under pressure, the TDC dimple on the cam sprocket was 180 out. AH HA! The cam was 180 out and the rotor was 180 out from the cam reading correctly!!!!
So I spun the cam and sprocket, re-timed the engine, put it all back together with the rotor in correctly, and now with a push of a button it roared back to life.
I sit there in wonder at the marvel of the 4 stroke engine, the longer it ran the smoother it got.
"Quitman" is alive. This is why I do it.

Brooks and Dunn have a song from back in the 90's "Hard working man" my favorite lyric is
I can do things with my hands that most men can't

MrC.

[patriot1]

Good eye!!

[MrConcdid]

Well It was time to get focused on "Montana" this one seems to dragging out a little to long for me. I received a new set of decals today will put them on tomorrow. and post it for sale on Thursday, I like Thursday that way its near the top on "Pay Day" Friday. I added a before picture and some afters, I will take more when I put the decals on it and post it for sale.

Tonight I buttoned up all the loose ends and gave it a really good wipe down. I have been debating buying a whole new set of fenders for it, that's about $600 on ebay for Maiers. I just dont think there is an upside to that kind of money, yes it would sell for more and faster than with the OEM plastic, but the profits would be marginal and the risk increases the higher the price goes. So with all that said I have choose to see what it will bring as is. Here in the south these range from $1500 to $3000 in really good condition, I think I will fall right in the middle when the dust clears. Lets See.

The General is awaiting a new petcock and seat cover and a real good bath, otherwise it is finished

Quitman is in waiting, I want to complete Montana and the general before dumping any money into Quitman it only need the usual now that I have it running. Air filter, fluids, detail, paint racks, front tire, battery, seat cover, ect.ect.

MrC.

[patriot1]

Started with this



Finished with this. "Dueces"

I am not as good as most of you guys but I am super excited when I do turn one! Also, I absolutely loved riding this thing!!

[jasong_10]

This is a great thread, kudos to all you guys saving these trikes. I learned on a '79 110, literally flipped a Yamaha 225 Shaft that ended up on top of me when I was 11, had a 200x in high school, and then took a break from them, but have always had a soft spot for them. Fast forward to 10 years ago and I find the registration to my father-in-law's '85 ATC 250r in my birthday card (my wife is an only child), best birthday gift ever, lol. It was rough and dirty but complete and on a fresh rebuild (I blew it up the first time he let me ride it, lesson learned). Eventually I tore it down completely intending to just do a good clean up and replace the plastic, that turned into a repaint frame, powdercoat swingarm, complete resto. I can't take credit for it though as my buddy that worked for Honda for years did most of the work and all of the cleaning/tedious work. I helped with most of the final assembly, and after riding it again I was back into it. My oldest daughter loves to ride so my father-in-law got her a 50cc Eton. The R isn't really well suited to ride with her so I found an '87 200x. It runs great and was 99% complete, and if/when all daughters lose interest in riding, I think I could do a similar resto on it and still make $. Honestly though, after reading this thread, I'm tempted to look for a '86 350x to have one of each "sport" ATC and one from each of the later years, 85/86/87.

[MrConcdid]

Welcome to the fold.
Jasong_10. I have an update coming

[patriot1]

Update??? 250R? Grandkids? Yamaha trike? Corona positive? lol

Jasong_10: Pics of your bikes? You married well with father in law like that!!

[jasong_10]

Update??? 250R? Grandkids? Yamaha trike? Corona positive? lol

Jasong_10: Pics of your bikes? You married well with father in law like that!!

Yup, one of many reasons I married well

[patriot1]

You're set! A rich man! Appreciate and enjoy! lol Awesome bikes

[MrConcdid]

What a weekend,

I took a day for a shop upgrade, nothing like Patriot1 but an upgrade non the less. I picked up a new never used 36'' exhaust fan It took awhile to build the frame and get it up there, but it is done, you can stand out side and feel the hot air blow down on you from inside the shop, Its not climate controlled but it does help.

"Montana" 250es Has been posted for a few days now, I have has several hits, but I think it is sold tomorrow, I have a potential buyer coming to look at it.

I had a guy call and offer up all his left over big red parts, your not going to believe this pile. mint nos fenders, goods seat with tool kit, working non rusted front end and a great no holes or patches tank. He had everything except an engine and a frame (which I have) down to a nice matched set of tires and wheels. This will be a slam dunk if I can save the engine I have.

"The General" 185 has parts lost in the mail apparently the seat cover was suppose to be here Saturday and the petcock last Friday, neither have shown. so it waits.

"Quitman" 200es Funny thing it needed the following; battery, air filter, plug, tire, front brakes, fuel line and filter and a muffler. I had everything already in house other than a battery, its been ordered.

[jasong_10]

You're set! A rich man! Appreciate and enjoy! lol Awesome bikes

Thanks, I'm fighting the urge to start looking for a 350x, I have to wait at least until I finish the 200x, haha.

[MrConcdid]

Good News " Montana" is off to a new home.
Now to finish up "Quitman" and " The General" after those two, I will start on the "Mexico Beach Parts" bike

Jasong_10- I use to think 350x's were rare (they kinda are) but after buying one this year, I have seen 4 others listed and 3 sold. so no rush, there out there.

MrC.

[jasong_10]

Nice shop upgrade MrC, and that's a great parts score you landed.

[patriot1]

How have you enjoyed riding your 350x? We need more details and pics of that one.

[jasong_10]

Good News " Montana" is off to a new home.
Now to finish up "Quitman" and " The General" after those two, I will start on the "Mexico Beach Parts" bike

Jasong_10- I use to think 350x's were rare (they kinda are) but after buying one this year, I have seen 4 others listed and 3 sold. so no rush, there out there.

MrC.

Yeah probably could get one from the guy I bought my 200x from but I'm not sure if I'd like the price tag. Trikes up here in good shape go for a 10x of their displacement at the least. I didn't pay that for my 200x but I think he felt it was the roughest of the (3) '87s that he had, and I think he just gave me a deal. All his 350x's were in pretty good shape so I imagine he'd want a decent number for one. Maybe I could ask for a "previous customer" discount, lol.