I'm Back! My 85 350X Build for TF2015

[3WheelsForever]

After 8 years I've finally decided to return. A few of the guys found me on social media and I decided I had to make it to TF2015. The site has grown big time. The store front looks awesome, its great to see how many people are getting involved in the fabrication of aftermarket parts.
Like the title says my project for TrikeFest is an 85 Honda 350x. Nothing like last minute :lol: I picked this beast up in March 2014. It'll be getting quite an overhaul with several custom parts that I'll be making myself. I'll get some more pictures up tomorrow. Its good to be back :cool:

[oscarmayer]

how it needs tires!!!! :)

[Billy Golightly]

After 8 years I've finally decided to return. A few of the guys found me on social media and I decided I had to make it to TF2015. The site has grown big time. The store front looks awesome, its great to see how many people are getting involved in the fabrication of aftermarket parts.
Like the title says my project for TrikeFest is an 85 Honda 350x. Nothing like last minute :lol: I picked this beast up in March 2014. It'll be getting quite an overhaul with several custom parts that I'll be making myself. I'll get some more pictures up tomorrow. Its good to be back :cool:

Virgil! Man, good to hear you will be back, I bumped into was it last year, or year before you were down for a little bit?? I caught you at Howdy and Swineharts camp while I was headed up to the cafeteria for the awards ceremony I think it was for just a moment. 350X looks great, can't wait to see what your skills do with it! You had the original big bore water cooled 4 stroke build that inspired a lot of people, thats for sure.

[3WheelsForever]

how it needs tires!!!! :)

Tires were the first thing I ordered! The previous owner bought this 350 on Ebay and had it shipped from California to Ohio. When I picked it up he threw in a pair of Douglas wheels and paddle tires. They are polished aluminum, rears are 10" and front is 11". I thought they would be perfect for this build. I went with a 23.5x8x11 Cheng Shin C832 for the front and Artrax MXT 20x11x10's for the rear.

[3WheelsForever]

Virgil! Man, good to hear you will be back, I bumped into was it last year, or year before you were down for a little bit?? I caught you at Howdy and Swineharts camp while I was headed up to the cafeteria for the awards ceremony I think it was for just a moment. 350X looks great, can't wait to see what your skills do with it! You had the original big bore water cooled 4 stroke build that inspired a lot of people, thats for sure.

Yup, it would have been 2013. We only made it Saturday afternoon and left early Sunday morning. It was a spur of the moment deal, didn't bring any wheelers. The group I was with just brought Rangers and we cruised around the trails with them. I didn't get much of a chance to talk to anyone. I plan on heading there Wednesday morning this year. I still have the 426 I built. It just needs more work than I want to take on being this close to TF. Believe it or not I think my last real ride was TF07! Ha this should be interesting!

[3WheelsForever]

The goods for this build started to arrive early last week. I'm still waiting on a few things but I've got enough to keep me busy for the time being.
Going with a DG Krome Power RCM Exhaust. For some added pep I thought a 400ex carburetor would do.
I'll be switching to all white plastics, super scoops and a new Clarke tank (previous owner threw that in too :D )
Other things include brake Pads, fork boots, and some 1" wheel spacers for some added stability, chrome lug nuts, and a 14 tooth front sprocket.
The chrome on the brake and headlight guards wasn't looking to great so I gave them some fresh paint this weekend.

[3WheelsForever]

I made it a point to get some wrenching done tonight. Did a little mock up to see how the nerf bars would fit. I'll be making some new pegs with a wider and longer footing area. The nerf bars will actually get moved in about an 1.75" towards the engine on each side (it's still wide in the pics). A new bracket for the front mount will also need to be made. A few pictures of the mock up with one of how I left it tonight.

[MIK6]

Looks good!!
Welcome back.. see you at TF!

[Billy Golightly]

Man those nerfs look like they are pretty close to fitting actually, that is cool.

[3WheelsForever]

Looks good!!
Welcome back.. see you at TF!

Thanks Mike! Looking forward to it!


Man those nerfs look like they are pretty close to fitting actually, that is cool.

I knew I would have to find nerf bars for an ATV with a small wheelbase so they wouldn't pass the front of the frame. I immediately thought of the Yamaha Blaster. These were manufactured by Alba Racing for the Blaster. I'm really happy with the way they fit. Once I get the complete set up finished and depending on the interest of other members I am considering offering a packaged set in the 3WW Store. The kit would include bolt-on wide pegs, the nerf bars and mounting hardware. Slap them on and go! The nerfs are really reasonable on the price and they have a good variety of finishes and netting colors. The 350X would be first and then we could see about making them for other models.

[oscarmayer]

Looking sweet sir!!!

[3WheelsForever]

Looking sweet sir!!!

Thanks Oscar!

A few more things arrived today; the seat cover and tether switch. Also picked up some 6061 aluminum for the grab bar and cut up some 12 gauge A36 steel for the foot pegs. If all goes well I'll be back with another update tonight.

[6speedthumper]

Those Artrax rear tires are great! I have a pair on my 350X and they have been excellent.

[3WheelsForever]

Those Artrax rear tires are great! I have a pair on my 350X and they have been excellent.

That's good to hear! They look like a quality tire.

Tonight the forks got pulled and fork oil got changed. That old stuff was rank and looked angry. Bel-Ray 10 WT went in. Fork seals looked great with no sign of leaks. The steering wasn't as free as Id like to see so I pulled the triple trees as well. Cleaned the engine a bit, trying to get the majority of gunk off it. The plan for tomorrow is to pick up some paint and get most of the parts I want painted prepped.

[3WheelsForever]

Rear fenders and chain have arrived. Going to try to finish the foot peg design and get a few parts primed. :TrikesOwn

[Howdy]

Welcome back Virgil. It's funny how we live so close and yet NEVER see each other!! Seen your Dad at Ace a while back.
Hope all is well!! The build looks good.
Howdy

[3WheelsForever]

Welcome back Virgil. It's funny how we live so close and yet NEVER see each other!! Seen your Dad at Ace a while back.
Hope all is well!! The build looks good.
Howdy

Thanks Howdy! Yes it is, I make it over your way at least once a week it seems like too! Congratulations on the latest addition to your family. I'll have to give you a shout if I know I'll be over that way. Wouldn't mind seeing the shop again and any projects you've got going on.

[jeswinehart]

Hey Virgel, your father coming over to TF2015 ?

[3WheelsForever]

Hey Virgel, your father coming over to TF2015 ?

Hi John! I'm not sure if Dad is planning on going or not. I told him about it, I know he's been extremely busy at work. I'll keep bugging him, hopefully he will tag along :lol:

[3WheelsForever]

Here's my current peg design. The pegs will gain 1.375" on the length and be almost a full 1" wider than stock. Still need to get the bolt spread from the nerf bars, then I can finish them up.

[3WheelsForever]

Cut the peg profile today. Should be able to get the rest of the machining, welding, and painting done by next weekend. More pictures on the way..

[onformula1]

What tool did you used to make the foot peg plates?

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[3WheelsForever]

What tool did you used to make the foot peg plates?

These plates were machined on a CNC mill. All the plates were stacked together, bolted to a fixture plate, the center points of the grooves were drilled and then the outside profile was cut. I'll take some pictures when I machine the mounting plates, it should give you a better idea of the process.

[3WheelsForever]

Here are most of the painted parts. Changed my mind on the headlight and master cylinder guards. Rustoleum Hammered silver was used to repaint them along with the hubs and skid plate. Painted the triples and bottom fork tubes with Rustoleum Hammered gray. The handlebars, lock-on grips and outerwears arrived today too.

[onformula1]

Digging the hammered look, great job

[3WheelsForever]

Digging the hammered look, great job

Thanks, I'm really pleased with how they turned out.

Here's a picture of how I machined the peg plates, just with different stock. Start out with a fixture plate in the vise, clamp the stacked pieces to be machined on top, drill a clearance hole just through the parts, drill and tap the fixture plate. Run your bolts in and remove the clamps. Then machine your parts.

[3WheelsForever]

Made some progress tonight. Cut the footpeg mounts and cut a 34 tooth sprocket blank to fit. Don't know if I'll still put the 14 tooth on the front, it'll give me more gearing options though. I had some changes in the mount design, not sure where my head was when I was measuring the stock ones :crazy: ... All good now though. Started putting it back together. Sitting just under 49" wide.

[onformula1]

I need a CNC really, really bad!...:lol:

[3WheelsForever]

Made some good progress this weekend. Reinstalled the forks and triples Friday night. Today I was able to weld up the foot pegs, modify the intake manifold for the 400ex carburetor, swap brake pads, and finish the front end. Not too much more to go, cant wait to hit the trails and track :D

[matt3x]

Looks awesome! Keep it up! Very inspiring :)

[3WheelsForever]

Late night in the shop.. Here's the front mount for the nerf bars. More :pics: tomorrow!

[Billy Golightly]

Made some good progress this weekend. Reinstalled the forks and triples Friday night. Today I was able to weld up the foot pegs, modify the intake manifold for the 400ex carburetor, swap brake pads, and finish the front end. Not too much more to go, cant wait to hit the trails and track :D

These newer guys that think they're fast are not going to expect you...:lol:

Looking great man...see you in a few days!

[3WheelsForever]

These newer guys that think they're fast are not going to expect you...:lol:
Looking great man...see you in a few days!

I've got to put in some major work to restore these "skills"! Haha :lol:
Thanks Billy. I just put in for another vacation day, seemed like the right thing to do.. might be seeing you all Tuesday afternoon!

[3WheelsForever]

Here's the latest.. Nerf bars go on tomorrow..

[3WheelsForever]

Nerfs are installed! If I can get to it tomorrow I still need to make the grab bar. Other things on the to do list includes installing the airbox, chain, and some decals. Might have to play around with the jetting. I'll get a few more pictures posted this weekend. On to the next project.. the ride I'm driving to Trikefest. It's going to be a busy weekend!

[Jmoozy27]

Looking sharp, good luck on the ride. 3 wheelers are easy. Anything that has more wheels just pissess me off.

[3WheelsForever]

Looking sharp, good luck on the ride. 3 wheelers are easy. Anything that has more wheels just pissess me off.

Thanks man! Normally I'd agree but the cool factor of a 2004 Chevrolet Astro AWD is way up there on my list :lol:

[Jmoozy27]

Point taken, they are hard to find down here. But when you see them they are always modded out. Grill guard, roof rack, mud tires. Does the back have captain chairs and a bench seat that reclines to a bed?

[3WheelsForever]

No the back just had 2 bench seats, those are already pulled. I don't currently have a trailer, needed room to haul the wheeler! Should make for good sleeping quarters too. Just found the van 3 weeks ago. Got a few goodies going on mine before I go, nothing too major. I'll start a thread in the open forum later this week.

[Jmoozy27]

Can't wait to see it!!!

[KevinJ97]

Wow man that just comes together like magnets with you. Shes a perty bike.:naughty:
And i seen that your thinking of making nerf bars and possibly for other bikes? I really like the chrome ones you have going on. Incase yu do make bars for first gen x i will definately take a pair.

[3WheelsForever]

Wow man that just comes together like magnets with you. Shes a perty bike.:naughty:
And i seen that your thinking of making nerf bars and possibly for other bikes? I really like the chrome ones you have going on. Incase yu do make bars for first gen x i will definately take a pair.

Thanks Kevin, I want to prove these out before I make more. TF2015 should give me time to do that. The 200x is the next model I was planning on making them for. I'll keep you updated!

[KevinJ97]

Sweet thanks and lets see some vids how she handles around the track too if yu can. I love watching races.:)

[3WheelsForever]

Didn't get many pictures this weekend.. Did manage to get several today. About to hit the road, TF2015 bound!!

[Jmoozy27]

That's a kick asss van and better trike!!! Custom builds are always the best.

[KevinJ97]

Man thats sweet! I like the grab bar nice touch.

That van in my childhood when i was 5 yrs old was known as the guy who gave out candy. But i knew thas wasnt true now that i see its got a sweet trike rolling into it.:lol: