How many have done a Lifan swap to ATC70.

[Zuplar]

I have a spare 70 frame sitting around and have really toyed with the idea of throwing in a Lifan 125cc motor. Curious who all has done this and what kind of extra work it took?

[Stonewall]

I put a 70cc Lifan into a '74 ATC 70. It bolted right in, and now I have CDI and a 4 speed transmission, and you can barely tell it ain't stock. I had to modify the original 70 left side cover, drill and tap the flywheel for the recoil basket, and add some spacers from DrATV to make the recoil fit.

As far as puttin in a 125cc, I've seen pictures, but it looks to me like it gets pretty long and there's the possibility of the head rubbin the front tire.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Stonewall387/Restored%201974%20Honda%20ATC%2070/IMG_1407.jpg (http://s1239.photobucket.com/user/Stonewall387/media/Restored%201974%20Honda%20ATC%2070/IMG_1407.jpg.html)
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Stonewall387/Restored%201974%20Honda%20ATC%2070/IMG_1405.jpg (http://s1239.photobucket.com/user/Stonewall387/media/Restored%201974%20Honda%20ATC%2070/IMG_1405.jpg.html)
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff507/Stonewall387/Restored%201974%20Honda%20ATC%2070/IMG_1406.jpg (http://s1239.photobucket.com/user/Stonewall387/media/Restored%201974%20Honda%20ATC%2070/IMG_1406.jpg.html)

[hoosierlogger]

Lifan 125 will fit without stretching the frame. My 140 required the frame to be stretched a couple inches. Then longer cables are involved.

[just ben]

I have a 150 in a stock frame. front fender is trimmed and the gas tank was dented in a little underneath to make room for the carb.

[JasonB]

My buddy Kyle just did a 140 into his 70. He didn't extend the frame but I believe he trimmed the frame like peoe normally do to fit the larger motor. I don't know if he will run a front fender but the bike is QUICK! rode it Saturday and thought to myself 'this is my next project' 188299

[jb2wheels]

The Chinese clone engines bolt in.
Complications:
- how are you going to start it? adapt pull start, kick, or e-start?
- fuel: stock fuel tanks have 2 outlets & no petcock. Chinese carbs have 1 inlet and no petcock.
- wiring: from simple (no lights, no e-start) to complicated. Need to mount CDI somewhere at the very least.

I put a 125cc e-start, 3sp+ reverse in my TRX 70. Not the same as the ATC but close.
Engine bolted in. Chain lines up perfectly. Exhaust lines up perfectly.
I used an aftermarket plastic tank and hooked up the single fuel line to the "reserve" outlet on the tank with a simple, lawn mower fuel valve from Lowe's. No reserve but I never rode it too far from camp.
My engine had the starter on top of the motor, so I had to run the carb/intake towards the front. Not really an issue on the TRX. No room for this on the ATC.
I copied Flying W's idea and made a tray on the skid plate and tucked the battery and wiring into the frame. Battery, CDI, regulator, solenoid all tucked up out of site.
Reverse was a riot!
Sold it last summer :(

I have a 125 e-start to put in my ATC70 project - maybe this summer. It has the starter on the bottom, manual clutch, 4 speed. Should be fun.

[briano]

I have a Chinese motor of some sort in one of my 70s. Don't know the brand of quad, I got the whole thing from my buddy. But the motor is a top mount starter and everything fits right in the trike frame without turning the carb forward or modding the tank. When I start building it I will take pics.

[Zuplar]

Sounds like this is basically all the issues I was thinking of. Has anyone adapted the kick start for use? or do most use e-start or rope start? Since I'm not looking at anything over complicated, basically just something to put around on on my acre, should I stick with the 70?

[Stonewall]

Sounds like this is basically all the issues I was thinking of. Has anyone adapted the kick start for use? or do most use e-start or rope start? Since I'm not looking at anything over complicated, basically just something to put around on on my acre, should I stick with the 70?

The problem with using the kicker is that it kicks towards the back, and you hit the right rear tire.

[Mosh]

I run kickstarts on the 125 and up engines especially the hi-po ones. The pull start conversions work, but they are pricey and the hi compression race engines are tough on the ropes. I fab spacers for the rear wheels and cut the fenders back so the kickers clear. Really alters the stock appearance, but at the point of installing a hi po engine in one it is more about function for me than OEM looks.

The Auto clutch Lifan has less compression and will handle the pull start conversion better, but still it ads a few hundred to the swap.


http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m40/cosmicquads/Bike%20pics/IMG_2563.jpg (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/cosmicquads/media/Bike%20pics/IMG_2563.jpg.html)

[Stonewall]

The Auto clutch Lifan has less compression and will handle the pull start conversion better, but still it ads a few hundred to the swap.

A few hundred?? It didn't cost me but about $50.

[Mosh]

A few hundred?? It didn't cost me but about $50.
Most of the guys selling 'kits' to do the pull start conversion are anywhere from 100-200 bucks. That is assuming that you have a good pull start to work with, if not ad another 60-85 bucks. I don't cost me nothing and I widen the trikes out 3 inches.

I have done a few of these swaps. From lifans to Pirhanas in TRX and ATC 70's.
I guess it is all in what a guy wants.

I have a guy that mods the 70 side cover and provides spacers and makes the correct rings for the flywheel. He gets 125$ for that set-up.

http://www.hondaatc70.com/Pages/RecoilsPartsandKits.aspx

[Stonewall]

Most of the guys selling 'kits' to do the pull start conversion are anywhere from 100-200 bucks. That is assuming that you have a good pull start to work with, if not ad another 60-85 bucks. I don't cost me nothing and I widen the trikes out 3 inches.

I have done a few of these swaps. From lifans to Pirhanas in TRX and ATC 70's.
I guess it is all in what a guy wants.

I have a guy that mods the 70 side cover and provides spacers and makes the correct rings for the flywheel. He gets 125$ for that set-up.

http://www.hondaatc70.com/Pages/RecoilsPartsandKits.aspx

I reckon if you buy everything already done that would make a difference. I did everything myself, the only things I bought were the spacers ($10 each at the time) and a new recoil spring, rope, and pull ($25 or so off of ebay). I used the method described here: http://www.dratv.com/adyoatpustto.html

Of course, I was going for the 3 wheeler looking as original as possible with the new engine.

[Mosh]

Yeah I figure most did it that way in the link. However, I feel a little better having the case welded with aluminum vs a beer can and glue to keep mud and water out of the stator. My guy re welds the aluminum in that area cut out, to clear the pick up coils so you get a good seal. Also when you get into some of the 125's of various brands, that mod does not always work.

[Zuplar]

Well right now the trike is just a frame, and I was thinking about keeping it with very minimalist fenders so I might be able to stick with the kick start then. I'm not really looking for a stock setup as there isn't much there. Just something to cruise around with at the house and dunes when I need to go to the bathroom.

[sanchez]

Bump start it

[NeverLift]

I run a SSR125 engine in mine and just bump start it in 2nd gear very easy (unless you holding the twist throttle open then she will wheelie right out from under you). I would never go back to the 70 the 125 is just way to much fun.

188430188431

[Zuplar]

That's an idea. What are you guys using for exhaust? Looks like most on ebay don't come with exhaust.

[badass350x]

188457188456188455188454I did the 110 lifan , electric start,, hauls my 240 pound butt around just fine with the right gearing! LOL..

[badass350x]

pit bike exhaust with a little heat to get your bends works perfect.

[Zuplar]

pit bike exhaust with a little heat to get your bends works perfect.

So I just searched pit bike exhaust on eBay, is this what you are talking about? If so seems reasonable.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Big-Bore-Muffler-Pipe-CRF-XR-50-CRF50-XR50-SDG-SSR-BBR-Xtreme-Pit-Bike-50-70-125-/261390354224?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cdc144730&vxp=mtr

[JasonB]

So I just searched pit bike exhaust on eBay, is this what you are talking about? If so seems reasonable.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Big-Bore-Muffler-Pipe-CRF-XR-50-CRF50-XR50-SDG-SSR-BBR-Xtreme-Pit-Bike-50-70-125-/261390354224?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cdc144730&vxp=mtr

My buddy Kyle went with that system for his 140, like 50 shipped cant beat it. He bent it a little with some heat and it fits great and sounds mean too

[jb2wheels]

So I just searched pit bike exhaust on eBay, is this what you are talking about? If so seems reasonable.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Big-Bore-Muffler-Pipe-CRF-XR-50-CRF50-XR50-SDG-SSR-BBR-Xtreme-Pit-Bike-50-70-125-/261390354224?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cdc144730&vxp=mtr

I used something like that on my TREX. Took a little heat and a little bending. I should have bent it in closer to the frame - I still melted the plastic a little:

188481188482

There's a good discussion on Glamis Dunes about pipes:
http://www.glamisdunes.com/invision/index.php?showtopic=302469&hl=pipe

[Zuplar]

I'm starting to think this project is pretty straight forward and might not be too much work. Thanks for all the input. I got to go check on the frame make sure it's still in the condition I remember it and if so I'm going to start ordering parts.

[badass350x]

So I just searched pit bike exhaust on eBay, is this what you are talking about? If so seems reasonable.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Big-Bore-Muffler-Pipe-CRF-XR-50-CRF50-XR50-SDG-SSR-BBR-Xtreme-Pit-Bike-50-70-125-/261390354224?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cdc144730&vxp=mtr


Yes sir, that's the exact pipe I went with.. sounds Awesome!

[jakestrawn]

I did the 110 lifan with e start swap and had it pretty much wrapped up by the end of a weekend. Had to trim fender, had a custom throttle cable made, build battery box, heat and bend pegs a little, and a few more mods. Most could not tell it had a bigger engine. Hill climbing machine! Well worth the work!

[big specht]

I used a spacer I think 3/8 to lower my foot pegs to clear the clutch cover

[tblumer]

your biggest issue will be picking out the proper intake manifold. Ive done 150 and 140 swaps and usually you will have to dent in the bottom of the tank to clear the carb top. A 5 way spacer helps too.

http://i837.photobucket.com/albums/zz299/Tblumer/IMG_20130423_161511_zps611d0e55.jpg (http://s837.photobucket.com/user/Tblumer/media/IMG_20130423_161511_zps611d0e55.jpg.html)