My latest build, another trx450r conversion

[Louis Mielke]

Well this build thread is going to be a little bit different than a typical build thread. I've been working on a trx450r quad conversion for one of my good buddies, Jeff and I've finally finished this build in it's entirety and it's owner has happily taken ownership of it.

Instead of trying to recall every little detail and explain the build step by step I'm going to use this thread as a chronological photo dump. Some of the build did not get photographed but enough of it did that I don't think there will be any major gaps. Also, this thread is primarily focusing on the frame build. I have built several front ends in the past so I'm not really going to focus on that. I may end up making some comments about what I'm posting but mainly I just want to show what I did piece by piece, I don't intend for this to be an in-depth build thread.

As a forward I want to mention that I'm not a professional fabricator, nor am I a professional atv builder. I build these things in my spare time for fun. I've only been tig welding about 2 years now and I have plenty of room for improvement. In fact there is plenty of room for improvement in my all parts of my builds and I'm very happy that i can learn and improve with every build I finish.

This is the second 450 conversion I've completed, my first being a collaboration with Jake Keister. We learned a lot building my first 450. He builds some excelent machines but I ultimately wanted to build one completely on my own and I feel this thread represents my success in meeting my goal.

Here's a pic of my first 450.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/pbr450r/IMG_0168_zpsd1b0490c-1.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/pbr450r/IMG_0168_zpsd1b0490c-1.jpg.html)

Here's a pic of the one I've built for my buddy Jeff.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/1511145_10206122184000070_3593942052765227851_n_zp svj0qa0js.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/1511145_10206122184000070_3593942052765227851_n_zp svj0qa0js.jpg.html)

Stay tuned.

[Louis Mielke]

Well I would hope this is already apparent from the first post but this build started out as a 2007 trx450er. Electric start 450 with the kicker added. We stripped Jeff's quad, sold a bunch of parts and I started dissecting the frame, in fact I had another frame so I dissected two and have another back ground build started so technically I'm building two frames at one time. I turned a couple of inserts on the mini lathe to act as joining slugs so the joints will be butt welded and have the plugs welded in as well. I also tried to salvage the stock gussets that are welded on the bottom side of the quads frame rails. I cut them at the welds and folded them back so I could use them again later to tie the new rails together by yet another means.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/10440936_10204080400596761_1578111322512425408_n_z psleg88fhi.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/10440936_10204080400596761_1578111322512425408_n_z psleg88fhi.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/11011251_10204080401276778_741128119472662426_n_zp skgijtjbj.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/11011251_10204080401276778_741128119472662426_n_zp skgijtjbj.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/11041751_10204080983251327_4313257400565543944_n_z psiufphnc0.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/11041751_10204080983251327_4313257400565543944_n_z psiufphnc0.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/11102902_10204080982651312_2860451321813699706_n_z psj7f5et9q.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/11102902_10204080982651312_2860451321813699706_n_z psj7f5et9q.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/10361271_10204093073953587_4071310389090135921_n_z psprpckytp.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/10361271_10204093073953587_4071310389090135921_n_z psprpckytp.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/11130263_10204080981731289_5786971056024987175_n_z psqntuofpg.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/11130263_10204080981731289_5786971056024987175_n_z psqntuofpg.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/11130242_10204080984331354_4573983580291507804_n_z pswtokfxfi.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/11130242_10204080984331354_4573983580291507804_n_z pswtokfxfi.jpg.html)

[Louis Mielke]

Mount one of the diseccted frames up in my jig and mounted in a blown up engine I have been using for mock up purposes.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/10454484_10204134849077939_7147965831139550491_n_z ps9vszqvzs.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/10454484_10204134849077939_7147965831139550491_n_z ps9vszqvzs.jpg.html)

I've used this jig several times now and I've gotten pretty good at squaring and centering up things where necessary.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/11836843_10204841414741639_218968851609318176_n_zp szlhih2kx.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/11836843_10204841414741639_218968851609318176_n_zp szlhih2kx.jpg.html)

Used my tubing bender to bend a couple 180* hoops out of which I cut various curves out for various parts of the frame.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/11169409_10205096024106714_487351364244728535_n_zp sdsiuomsd.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/11169409_10205096024106714_487351364244728535_n_zp sdsiuomsd.jpg.html)

If your curious other than a few small pieces I've purchased chromoly for most of the material on this build

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/11181885_10205213897173467_1675105717105423318_n_z psemo1rnme.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/11181885_10205213897173467_1675105717105423318_n_z psemo1rnme.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/10400778_10205616498318244_5249641784947176932_n_z psve3zy1dl.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/10400778_10205616498318244_5249641784947176932_n_z psve3zy1dl.jpg.html)

I'm currently working on having a batch of head tubes machined for future builds but this particular build utilizes a 01 CR500 head tube I salvaged from a donor frame. Here you can see the begining of fit up of the down tube from the headtube mounted in the jig.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/1937143_10205616500398296_6366513910163756424_n_zp snwiai3sn.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/1937143_10205616500398296_6366513910163756424_n_zp snwiai3sn.jpg.html)

Here's where the front lower frame rails curve and attached to the dissected quad frame.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/10411875_10205616490838057_4537273794939721368_n_z psfbl7roam.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/10411875_10205616490838057_4537273794939721368_n_z psfbl7roam.jpg.html)

This is what I'm calling the mid rails for lack of better way to put it. They attach to the downtube with another section of square tubing.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12311257_10205480812806191_3050179881734059414_n_z pskw1fesxa.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12311257_10205480812806191_3050179881734059414_n_z pskw1fesxa.jpg.html)

The general shape of the frame is starting to shape up here.

[Louis Mielke]

Don't pay too close of attention as this changed several times but I was working on fit up here.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/1917245_10205675888522962_1053014914063927391_n_zp sahtlw0xz.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/1917245_10205675888522962_1053014914063927391_n_zp sahtlw0xz.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/10288726_10205616490678053_500534044591487315_n_zp sv0ct7gjz.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/10288726_10205616490678053_500534044591487315_n_zp sv0ct7gjz.jpg.html)

Fast forward a little I was happy enough with what i had to firm up my tacks with some solid welds.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12651034_10205889833751459_4570170881293426678_n_z psw43lmlrv.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12651034_10205889833751459_4570170881293426678_n_z psw43lmlrv.jpg.html)

Time to work on the upper frame rails, or spars if you want to call them something fancier. Did a lot of bending and shaping and scraping of these pieces. Started over several times until I was happy.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12647501_10205806304823288_5662913430118946686_n_z psxykrzxws.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12647501_10205806304823288_5662913430118946686_n_z psxykrzxws.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12540925_10205726643991817_5289199553298734080_n_z pspp0toeyw.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12540925_10205726643991817_5289199553298734080_n_z pspp0toeyw.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12565465_10205726644351826_1546850799862393591_n_z psgzxklexq.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12565465_10205726644351826_1546850799862393591_n_z psgzxklexq.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12549108_10205726173220048_4202509454332115792_n_z pszjkcuhuc.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12549108_10205726173220048_4202509454332115792_n_z pszjkcuhuc.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12552762_10205726173700060_4075812691335677298_n_z pslp3nuwr3.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12552762_10205726173700060_4075812691335677298_n_z pslp3nuwr3.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12573953_10205726174940091_1270507601092076609_n_z psha0usuyq.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12573953_10205726174940091_1270507601092076609_n_z psha0usuyq.jpg.html)

Realy trying hard to make fitup work well with these stock pieces of the quad frame.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12552584_10205727125923865_7777445007905458171_n_z psdhej6kww.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12552584_10205727125923865_7777445007905458171_n_z psdhej6kww.jpg.html)

[YTZ drew]

Looking great, Louis! Keep the pics coming!

[El Camexican]

Very nice!

Is that a store bought jig? If so where did you get it?

How does that work up there if you make a steering neck with no ser. #, do you stamp something in, or register it somehow as homemade to show you didn't grind the numbers off? If I had something down here like that and got stopped while trailering it they accuse me of removing the numbers and take it away (or at least charge me money not to).

:beer

[Louis Mielke]

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/1173689_10205707699998229_1201386318241003605_n_zp sfanv5rhb.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/1173689_10205707699998229_1201386318241003605_n_zp sfanv5rhb.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/949_10205727127203897_550299442440018382_n_zps9woo xfzm.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/949_10205727127203897_550299442440018382_n_zps9woo xfzm.jpg.html)

This was an idea for a brief time but ultimately it changed dramatically

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/1918003_10205707697838175_1995790336656679100_n_zp s7luofqxz.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/1918003_10205707697838175_1995790336656679100_n_zp s7luofqxz.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/11214712_10205707704638345_9069404177778477401_n_z ps6jgbkdld.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/11214712_10205707704638345_9069404177778477401_n_z ps6jgbkdld.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/1426311_10205707696078131_5597328753311514751_n_zp sro45ff0w.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/1426311_10205707696078131_5597328753311514751_n_zp sro45ff0w.jpg.html)


I slowly moved towards trying to make this bend into a longer piece instead of multiple pieces.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/1003592_10205727126763886_6645624138245704102_n_zp s9fuaecir.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/1003592_10205727126763886_6645624138245704102_n_zp s9fuaecir.jpg.html)

[Louis Mielke]

Things started to realy speed in the right direction from here. I bent these upper rails in single pieces and then cut the tail off to serve as a gusset.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12654547_10205838550429408_7232289132679115403_n_z psyn6gefc1.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12654547_10205838550429408_7232289132679115403_n_z psyn6gefc1.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12631378_10205838550069399_6207928294357429302_n_z psyeiojbon.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12631378_10205838550069399_6207928294357429302_n_z psyeiojbon.jpg.html)

I also tried really hard to section out the kicker area. This was actually pretty tough.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12670152_10205896123908709_918275738828163709_n_zp soqex3mqk.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12670152_10205896123908709_918275738828163709_n_zp soqex3mqk.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12669602_10205896125268743_8385257438707744090_n_z psbtbrqoa8.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12669602_10205896125268743_8385257438707744090_n_z psbtbrqoa8.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12661974_10205896119788606_5316121983202030358_n_z ps5gmddmnl.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12661974_10205896119788606_5316121983202030358_n_z ps5gmddmnl.jpg.html)

This is where my plans for tying the upper rails into the headtube started to realy shape up.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12592750_10205838549869394_4304596210196831859_n_z psyxusjjjk.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12592750_10205838549869394_4304596210196831859_n_z psyxusjjjk.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12647099_10205838550309405_4696549310150531912_n_z psypwelgln.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12647099_10205838550309405_4696549310150531912_n_z psypwelgln.jpg.html)

[Louis Mielke]

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12733556_10205896121468648_9202183344444366193_n_z ps1mavshmz.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12733556_10205896121468648_9202183344444366193_n_z ps1mavshmz.jpg.html)

By this time it was about where I needed to put the bike on 3 wheels and make sure everything was fitting up nice before I really went to town welding everything solid.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12791007_10206035159024500_9034839793413419322_n_z psv56twx7k.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12791007_10206035159024500_9034839793413419322_n_z psv56twx7k.jpg.html)

Lots of measuring and comparison and notes were made at this point.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12717773_10205907130383864_3885553131505326103_n_z ps50zfwwmt.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12717773_10205907130383864_3885553131505326103_n_z ps50zfwwmt.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12717255_10205907129023830_4692833350205794774_n_z psrqemuvce.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12717255_10205907129023830_4692833350205794774_n_z psrqemuvce.jpg.html)

[Louis Mielke]

Some changes were made in the head tube angle from the previous pics as I just wasnt quite satisfied with it but I got things how I liked them and proceeded!

I needed to get these gusset plates in before I could realy figure out the radiator mounts.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/1935818_10206022694672899_4356178024051807126_n_zp sthv0rwb5.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/1935818_10206022694672899_4356178024051807126_n_zp sthv0rwb5.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12661906_10205896121708654_5660872685584322956_n_z psae0hiwkh.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12661906_10205896121708654_5660872685584322956_n_z psae0hiwkh.jpg.html)



http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12524267_10206043810320777_4451462973999668667_n_z psusf6dmon.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12524267_10206043810320777_4451462973999668667_n_z psusf6dmon.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12729132_10205902308383317_1560002559927878942_n_z psrv1ijtrt.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12729132_10205902308383317_1560002559927878942_n_z psrv1ijtrt.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12717557_10205902309103335_36185754394689214_n_zps rzfjgcmc.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12717557_10205902309103335_36185754394689214_n_zps rzfjgcmc.jpg.html)

Mounting these up correctly took several tries and much frustration. Some of the pictures you'll notice things are off and arn't lined up correctly. These rad mounts were tacked and cut loose several times.

[Louis Mielke]

Things start getting fuzzy as to what was when so here's just a bunch of pics.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12803019_10206022692272839_1741131319653067982_n_z psmofrdjld.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12803019_10206022692272839_1741131319653067982_n_z psmofrdjld.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12803253_10206022690912805_3335548580140304502_n_z psnafo1y8e.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12803253_10206022690912805_3335548580140304502_n_z psnafo1y8e.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12800129_10206024351874328_5076395689121278509_n%2 01_zpsywricbae.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12800129_10206024351874328_5076395689121278509_n%2 01_zpsywricbae.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12799110_10206043809840765_5607522197400189427_n_z psteufno0y.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12799110_10206043809840765_5607522197400189427_n_z psteufno0y.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12802966_10206030826836198_5889143014903263781_n_z psnqloy0fe.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12802966_10206030826836198_5889143014903263781_n_z psnqloy0fe.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12802765_10206043809920767_6590848866501947407_n_z pshqtihvbm.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12802765_10206043809920767_6590848866501947407_n_z pshqtihvbm.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12799107_10206030827356211_5423225331819382993_n_z psraciyukc.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12799107_10206030827356211_5423225331819382993_n_z psraciyukc.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12798820_10206030825596167_2710947794107295834_n_z pskkn22qkj.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12798820_10206030825596167_2710947794107295834_n_z pskkn22qkj.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/1931320_10206024258311989_1841800441256609572_n_zp svq7zib2q.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/1931320_10206024258311989_1841800441256609572_n_zp svq7zib2q.jpg.html)

[Louis Mielke]

So the details started coming togther. First was the front tank mount. It may look a little goofy but I wanted the tank positioned specificaly where I have it so I ended up making a custom front tank mount instead of trying to use the CRF tank mount.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/1798545_10206034301683067_7343464746400031440_n_zp scl0jplqz.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/1798545_10206034301683067_7343464746400031440_n_zp scl0jplqz.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/10399128_10206031559334510_6379523577068387954_n_z psccmyeaaq.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/10399128_10206031559334510_6379523577068387954_n_z psccmyeaaq.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12794424_10206032285152655_4419088919335431501_n_z psip5gbgiu.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12794424_10206032285152655_4419088919335431501_n_z psip5gbgiu.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12806057_10206033105693168_7406314717526544939_n_z psjjqdoub6.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12806057_10206033105693168_7406314717526544939_n_z psjjqdoub6.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12801341_10206033101853072_3524315912991332324_n_z pszcmaumey.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12801341_10206033101853072_3524315912991332324_n_z pszcmaumey.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12798898_10206034301843071_5934817708107423750_n_z psapcopgdz.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12798898_10206034301843071_5934817708107423750_n_z psapcopgdz.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12794583_10206034302003075_3885894060138306913_n_z psqwehc2tn.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12794583_10206034302003075_3885894060138306913_n_z psqwehc2tn.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12814118_10206043810440780_4162542275672170185_n_z psbe7rzuom.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12814118_10206043810440780_4162542275672170185_n_z psbe7rzuom.jpg.html)

[Louis Mielke]

rear tank mount

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12798849_10206056437276443_1387904101721982258_n_z psz90r3rqu.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12798849_10206056437276443_1387904101721982258_n_z psz90r3rqu.jpg.html)

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12321327_10206056444836632_1085299511049391173_n_z psoytjzj6m.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12321327_10206056444836632_1085299511049391173_n_z psoytjzj6m.jpg.html)

figuring out hoses. Instead of buying an expensive crf water pump cover that redirects the coolant spigot I purchases a couple preformed heat hoses until I found a shape that would
clear the exhaust.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12669468_10205902307223288_3121266931446324883_n_z psqhexpid2.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12669468_10205902307223288_3121266931446324883_n_z psqhexpid2.jpg.html)

coil mount

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12798901_10206056447196691_1603750005116239749_n_z ps0anfgs6v.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12798901_10206056447196691_1603750005116239749_n_z ps0anfgs6v.jpg.html)

shroud mount/ petcock mount

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12799226_10206076619740992_6718813097874312092_n_z psjuupqul7.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12799226_10206076619740992_6718813097874312092_n_z psjuupqul7.jpg.html)

[Louis Mielke]

Some more test fitting. getting closed to finished

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12832306_10206117240036474_6539662244245649342_n_z psfiub2kfb.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12832306_10206117240036474_6539662244245649342_n_z psfiub2kfb.jpg.html)

reshaping the wiring harness

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12814460_10206062121018533_8264503861707376120_n_z psmrd8tstd.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12814460_10206062121018533_8264503861707376120_n_z psmrd8tstd.jpg.html)

how heavy is it? I don't really know. lol

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12806243_10206123029701212_313384016144938770_n_zp sfdrb9r7r.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/12806243_10206123029701212_313384016144938770_n_zp sfdrb9r7r.jpg.html)

Finished frame!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/10259809_10206089991835286_8929293837370673140_n_z psa9qtmilq.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/10259809_10206089991835286_8929293837370673140_n_z psa9qtmilq.jpg.html)

Look! All done!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m254/louis_mielke/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/1979717_10206101056511896_2916032939089507667_n_zp sc8pyllaw.jpg (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/louis_mielke/media/projects/cantwell%20atc450r/1979717_10206101056511896_2916032939089507667_n_zp sc8pyllaw.jpg.html)

[Louis Mielke]

Found the jig on a chopper site. Small company that makes them so technicaly I guess it's store bought. I'l have to research the website again to find it. I'll PM you when I find it.

As far as VIN numbers I've been using the quad VINs and welding them to the frame after fabrication is finished. I haven't been stopped and haven't had any problems otherwise. I did go out of my way to call the state police and explain what I'm doing and I was told for ORV moving the vin is not an issue. I know sounds nuts but I left it be at that.


Very nice!

Is that a store bought jig? If so where did you get it?

How does that work up there if you make a steering neck with no ser. #, do you stamp something in, or register it somehow as homemade to show you didn't grind the numbers off? If I had something down here like that and got stopped while trailering it they accuse me of removing the numbers and take it away (or at least charge me money not to).

:beer

[El Camexican]

Found the jig on a chopper site. Small company that makes them so technicaly I guess it's store bought. I'l have to research the website again to find it. I'll PM you when I find it.

Thank you, but no need. I just went on eBay and found what looks to be close to the same in a DIY kit, just add tube. I think I will be getting one some day. The way I've raked frames in the past is pathetic compared to yours and at the end of the day I'm measuring with strings and levels for hours hoping I got it close.

I have to pay more than a used bare frame costs to cross it, but at least I have a title and ser. #, so I guess I'll stick with that if and when the need comes.