fixing up an old junk box 3wheeler . why does it cost so much lol

[PAPA250r]

looking for some opinions . been in the process of "restoreing" an old 84 200s . and the price is adding up .

BUT isnt it so much fun searching for rare parts and making crappy ones look new again ?

its not going to be a "factory correct" restoration . but holy crap its going to be a mint fully functional ride.

from a hobby stand point . do you guys get the same satisfaction from rebuilding a junker at probly 3-5 times the cost of just buying a mint one already done ?

i think its great to save a trike but at the same point most of the parts i have been getting are form parts outs . so i have saved one at the cost of 2-3 others...lol

i have tryed to use NOS parts where ever possible but theres just not enough around .

[Thorpe]

The best part about resto-ing one yourself, (for me at least) is knowing every nut and bolt. I like to know the condition of all the parts, making sure previous owners stupidity is no longer an issue, having them set up the way I like them... Its an addiction, not a wise investment... (not that that stops me...) Hope this helps you justify it!

[PAPA250r]

Lol i know im not the only one . It is and addiction

I get so much satasfaction ridin a old 200s around and seeing peoples reactions . Most people fear the 3 wheeler lol

[hang&rattle]

I commend you guys, I have no patience, but less money so I have to build my rides & I just want to ride them, not tinker. I get no satisfaction other than I can get it back in the dirt quickly to throw a leg over it, lol. But when you are absolutely in love with your ride you don't mind spending wrenching time to improve a little I spose'.

[PAPA250r]

Well u gotta have 2 lol one to wrench on one to rip

[aldochina]

lets see some pics of the 200s progress, i have 2 84's to redo some day, maybe you can give me some inspiration to shuffle the order of my projects!!

[PAPA250r]

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php?118157-1984-atc200s-restoration&p=936904&highlight=#post936904


Theres a link to some pictures

I just picked up a set of oem mudflaps and hardware

And got a bunch of other parts . Other then that its time to tear down anf powder coat everything

[aaron7]

Wow... you sound JUST like me! I'm always on Craigslist looking for a $50 60's/70's motorcycle, an old trike... you name it to rebuild! Then sell it for 1/3 what I have into it and buy another one!! haha

[86trizinger]

I wish I had the money to restore some of mine. So far I have able to get 2 of my trikes engines rebuild running perfect. They look good but not perfect.. I just ride them so looks has to be last on my priority. My 83 ATC200 has come a long way and will go through stuff my friends $8,000 ATV won't so I am just happy with that for now.

[Macs]

Ha ha, you are at the beginning my friend. Wait until you hire a translator to call old bike shops in Italy looking for parts. The cost of the parts is nothing compared to the labor rate. Like everyone has stated, it is an addiction.

[skypilot]

Wow, got to chime in, I'm hooked on the trikes! It's neat to show up for a trail ride, and have people surround your trike! The big $ quads go unnoticed, people can't believe that you own one, and that it still runs! Went on a trail ride with about 30-40 quads, and had a blast-I was the only trike, kicked dust at em all day! I tinker with my almost every day as a way to wind down after work! Also teachin Junior how to wrench at the same time! COOL!

[mirthgrinder]

Yes, it is an addiction. I just started our with a 110, then got a 200s and restored it, and I am now looking at a 250es big red for $450! Next up will be a 250R...

Having fun and satisfaction in what you rebuilt goes a long way in justification...

MG

[hang&rattle]

Oh, and it ends up costing so much because of the feelings you get into your trike. I just spent more on rims & tires for the rear of it than I would normally pay for a whole trike, because it's worth that, it deserves it. And you want more and more performance.....there is something sick about this whole thing.

[goodgreenbandit]

I love this whole trike thing. I'm so glad I got one!! Like all you guys are saying, they are an addiction. Just spent 3 days fixin' my buddies 84200ES and loved every min. of it. Too bad the old lady hasn't caught the bug. I'm working on another 84BR for her to ride. She'll come around. :-) In a way I feel we're bringing back old history. I mean my trike was make the year she was born, and it's only 5 yrs younger than me. I love telling my friends at work that brag about their new 4 wheelers that "Yeah, but my ride is older than you and will still smoke your's!!"

[fugget1]

Three wheelers are awesome. Nothing else looks like em or rides like em. I finally dug my old KLT 110 out of the barn about a year ago and took it all apart, almost have it back together, and now I have an 85 350X, an 86 125m to redo, 2 70's to put back together (a line on an xmas edition 70 too) and Im still looking behind every barn and garage I see hoping there is a trike behind there. Like I tell my wife, "after you leave me, Ill be spending your share of the grocery money for more of em". She hates em. "Your gonna kill yourself on that thing." Oddly enough whether its my Brute Force, or my trikes, I seem to spend most of the time up on 2 wheels anyway, so really, does it make a difference?

[shortbus]

Enjoying every min of rebuilding my 70!

[3wheelrider]

The best part about resto-ing one yourself, (for me at least) is knowing every nut and bolt. I like to know the condition of all the parts, making sure previous owners stupidity is no longer an issue, having them set up the way I like them... Its an addiction, not a wise investment... (not that that stops me...) Hope this helps you justify it!

I know its an old /thread post but.... I'm with THORPE 100% on everything he said. I like to know my ATCs condition inside out and eliminate any preventable problems and fix anything that is not up to par. And eliminate any surprise problems.- Peace of mind when you go out ridin especially alone. Try not to think about the $ spent in the end.

[ATCrider42]

IMO every dollar that does into the trike you could get back out of it. I think a lot of people have sold their trikes for less than they have them because they needed money and didn't care of the actual value of them. I mean, they're practically priceless since they're no longer produced. Trying to put a dollar figure on a trike is really tough unless you know the condition of it.
Everyone has a different perception of value for these trikes and really just comes down to how much money is in it, and how much the right buyer is willing to pay. THERE IS NO BOOKMARK VALUE. So if you put $2000 into your trike by repainting, rebuilding, and fixin her up. Then you should expect $2000 back, because it's going to cost someone else that same amount of money to do the same rebuild, if not more money.
So in conclusion, people need to stop selling their trikes for cheap. If people keep finding these "steal deals" then the perceived value is always going to be lower. The End.

[3wheelrider]

It sucks but........realistically- you cant get back the amount you put into something + normal value of something. Its tough to get just a little more than average value no matter what you have done.-There are some exceptions but never gonna get all your money back on anything usually.- Sad but true.:(

[ATCrider42]

There are some exceptions but never gonna get all your money back on anything usually

what I am arguing is that there is no "normal value." These machines are not in production anymore so I don't beleive that you can realistically say there is standard value. I truely beleive it's all about what has been put into it. And the real issue here is that eveyone has a slightly different idea about how to monetize the value of these trikes.
Also, to say that your not gonna get your money back on anything is a gross over statement. Not everything in this world depreciates like motor vehicles. And the things that aren't being made anymore, are the things that tend to hold their value.

[ALT185man]

I am building a 3 wheeler virtually out of thin air,and it's the most rare of them all: the 1985 Suzuki ALT185. Had one back in the 80's and had a blast with it. Nostalgia got a hold of me and that's why I'm doing this project.

[sittinguy]

There is great satifaction riding something YOU put together from scratch. I think I am approching the $2000 mark on the middle one that I just finished.

Don't even ask about the one with chrome on it.

[Dirtcrasher]

My 350X with 450R rear end and 250R front end total cost is just about 4200$.

BUT: Thats all new take off 08 450R parts, crate 350X motor w/ megacycle cam and springs, all brakes and suspension rebuilt, a new oversized IMS tank, new plastic, 90% tires, new ASV lever, new .250 thick TRX450 skidplate. I had quite a few doubles which made life easier.

Included in that cost will be future powder coating on all parts and the frame and 2 SS brake lines. Basically something I can ride for a very long time without any repairs needed. And it looks cool too :D

It's very hard to find every single item you need, esp. with all the parts basically discontinued. Some models you can use newer quad parts which is where this hobby is heading as the pay scale goes down, supply goes down and the prices go up...........

[SeaBass8]

The only trikes that really hold value are original low hour machines. I have way more into my 200X then I could ever get out of it. Even if I didn't ride it once. Its just the way it is.