Anyone ever build a trike from the ground up ?

[Huffa]

Just starting with a frame and slowly (month by month) gathering all the parts needed ?

I imagine it would cost a lot more, especially if it's a suspended model but it would be fun to do I think.

[ATCT]

Yep, sure have. About 2 years back I bought a 200X off of eBay. Well, needless to say, upon arrival, it was fairly apparent that the guy didn't disclose a ton of stuff in the listing and it was basically a POS. So, I decided to tear it down. Except in the process, I ended up pretty much buying almost everything new or in better condition than was on the original trike, including a frame, an engine, etc. I had enough parts for two Xs. And it cost me a fortune. Just think of parting out a trike, except in reverse.

[Huffa]

Yep, sure have. About 2 years back I bought a 200X off of eBay. Well, needless to say, upon arrival, it was fairly apparent that the guy didn't disclose a ton of stuff in the listing and it was basically a POS. So, I decided to tear it down. Except in the process, I ended up pretty much buying almost everything new or in better condition than was on the original trike, including a frame, an engine, etc. I had enough parts for two Xs. And it cost me a fortune. Just think of parting out a trike, except in reverse.

:lol: That's true, exactly. Just the idea of " I built the whole thing myself " really intrigues me, even if it took a year or two .

[ATCT]

:lol: That's true, exactly. Just the idea of " I built the whole thing myself " really intrigues me, even if it took a year or two .

Oh, well, it's VERY satisfying once you a) obtain everything, b) get everything really clean and re-powdered or coated, and c) get it all together. If you were looking at rebuilding a rare trike, it'd be a cool "hobby" to keep you interested and occupied. It just isn't even remotely cost effective. Just make sure you have something to ride while you're doing it. I didn't and it was killing me. In fact, I'm going out again on my R soon even though the rear brake isn't working and I need new tires. I don't wanna wait until I have the money and time to fix it. lol.

[Liquid-Darkness]

Closest I ever came to doing that was buying a junk bike off craigslist and throwing all the parts on my 350X frame. Worked and runs smooth. I don't know if that counts.

[200x350xtriz250]

I am in the process. I looked for a while for a 350x in my area and could not find a good deal...so I started buying parts on ebay. so far I have @ $1600 in it...that includes a 2000 300ex I bought so I could use the motor from it for it. progress :pics: you say...oh yeah. including the donor 300ex - not looking to good:lol: :lol:
56913
56914
56912

[oldskool83]

huffa....i am doing that right now as we speak. yes it costs a ton but the finish product is like new.

i did it with that cr80 i build my wife...i started with a bare frame.

[Mrs.Mosh]

Mosh has built 4 bikes from the ground up and is currently doing number 5.
His 85,z cost 175 to get,Had 1800 into it once done.
his 85.5 tri-z Cost 300 to get,had 1200 into when done

My banshee cost 650 to get,had 2400 into it when done
His bigbore tri-z Cost 50 bucks to get,has 2200 into it now.
And he is doing a 85 250r right now..Started off with some trade???Will have around 1500 into it when done.
Here is a sample pic of what he starts with most of the time.
He says he is done with full up rebuilds,after this 250R is done.
Almost all of them had the engines torn down,completely rebuilt,and every bearing and seal replaced along with brake pads and such.
Besides minor cosmetics,when they get done they are just about brand new mechanically.

[BigReds Forever]

Yep, doing that with my 200x right now. Got almost everything, but theres so much you don't think about. Bolts, bearings, paint, things like that. Heres a pic of where I started, and when i was mocking up a few things before paint. Should be done by spring. I really like the idea of all new bearings, fresh paint, no mysteries, and whatever color scheme I desire.

[hancadam]

I also kinda did. My 200x frame broke so I almost replaced everything. Once taking it apart, I put a 200cc Lifan with all new electrics, new headlight, new switches, new Cobra exhaust, all new plastics, new tires, brakes, handlebars, refinished the tank, recovered the seat, grips, fabbed a battery box, new shock, and shock boots. Almost everything. It was a great bike.


http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/8127/222ey.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/2813/200x5ar.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img346.imageshack.us/img346/8123/awesome4ax.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[jenndnn3]

Yes, Completely scratch,,,

All the way through Tranny Change everything...
Kicker, I made money doing it...:Bounce

[YTZ Money Pit]

i'm currently building my tri-z from the ground up. i only have the frame and air box cover, but just started the project. i hope to finish it by october, 2008

[Bryan Raffa]

lets see .. the 490z started with just the motor..
Her bike started with just the frame
my 86 mx was completely gone through, also the 86 clone was gone right through too:D

[1upfront]

Just starting with a frame and slowly (month by month) gathering all the parts needed ?

I imagine it would cost a lot more, especially if it's a suspended model but it would be fun to do I think.

I'm building my 83 350r dragtrike this way, also my 300r dragtrike was built this way only I bought all the pieces at once and put it together but the 300r kit came later.

[Derrick Adams]

3legg and I built both our MX bikes from bare frames. Your right, it costs WAY more.

[scooterroo]

heres my two...

the 85 i started with just a bare frame i bought for 25 bucks. searched high and low or every piece on the bike. has been in the works since sept 05, is 85 percent done, the cylinder is being shipped tomorrow, and the rest is coming for xmas!!! ome lake riding time, it will be ready.

the 86 i bought as a roller, no plastics, nothing......once the 85 is complete, the 86 will get full attention!!!

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h315/scooterroo/fattire021.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h315/scooterroo/carshow024.jpg

[deathman53]

I basically built one at it cost alot!!! I am building 2 more, starting with bare frames 200x and cfr450r in a copy of a 86 atc250r frame and using all 250r components with some curent quad stuff and a list of mx specific goodies. I built a trx250r starting with a frame and swinger, by the time it was done, I spend almost 18 grand on it, of course almost everything on it was bought new or rebuilt.

[bp739]

Ive replaced so much on my 350x that I might as well have built it piece by piece...:p

For me ,it's so hard to find 3 wheelers (at least the ones I want )around here I almost have to resort to piecing one together

I'm doing the same as a few of you guys, kind of a side project...I'm building another 200x from the ground up....it's gonna be as close to an 87 as I can can get it...just pickin up a part here and there,trading some parts and looking for good deals.... I think half the fun is the scavenging for parts..."...

So far I've got a..FREE FRAME :w00t:.....left over motor mounts, gas tank mounts, chain slider and roller...87 tool box mounts...clutch lever

Theres definitely no time frame on this one...AND.. if anyone wants to donate any extra 86 200x parts they just want rid of I'd gladly accept them..:lol: :lol: :lol:

OH yea I've also got an 87 250x rolling chassis..stripped down that Im building for my son...It's the next project to get done before the 200x..

[chris200x]

It's much more satisfying doing it yourself than just buying a runner. And since I cannot affored something new or in great shape I buy basketcases and work on it a little bit at a time. the end result is a brand new ride. and I dont have to go through a bank for a loan. I buy parts as I can afford them.

I think out of all the rides I've owned since I was small. 2 were runners.. the rest I fixed up as money and time allowed... to my own taste and liking. I wouldnt have it any other way!

Well OK... I wouldn't mind owning a brand new sport quad... something I didn't have to wrench on constantly. LOL

[thefox]

That’s the plan for my Tri Moto. All I need is a cam chain and I will be able to build a nice engine out of spare parts that I already have, frame and rear suspension kit have been purchased, rear fenders are in the attic. Still need rear end, front end, and misc. stuff. I figure that since I have 40% of the parts I need to start with and most of the other parts I will fab up from other machines (I have most of the disk brake setup, bigger forks, different front tire setup already). Of course with all the plans and it being so low on the priority list (and continually being bumped down) I know it won't be done for a long, long time.

[84honda200s]

ive built my auto-x from the ground up. all i had from the start was a 200s motor and a rear 200x shock. im still building it slowly but surely.

[Huffa]

Now it seems like a dumb question I asked, didn't really think too many did this.

200x350xtriz250 ...... are you a girl or is that for your daughter or something, it's coming along nicely and they are definitly girls colors, just wondering ?

Moshman........that really turned out nice !

Derrick ......... ditto

Raffa ....... love that blue !!, is that completed now ?

hancadam ..... nice work, you say was, so you sold it ?

Scooterroo ....... Your 85 I like the most out of them all so far, that large # plate gives it a toyish look, like the trike isn't even real and I love the color scheme, I would have never thought to pick white with green but that looks great!

There is a cheap one (84 or 5?) down my way for sale, you want to add another member to the family ?


http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/showthread.php?t=63975&highlight=mower+shop

Not all that far from you either

4 hours, 14 minutes ......... 255.24 miles

.......and to all the others, good luck in your projects, feel free to post links to the restore if you have them.

[Bryan Raffa]

the 490 and the blue are powdercoat.. her bike and mine are awaiting motors.. I had that bike at majestic

[Huffa]

the 490 and the blue are powdercoat.. her bike and mine are awaiting motors.. I had that bike at majestic

When it was blue like that you had it there ? Let me see it man! That's stunning, I love it, different!!!

I may very well start a ground up myself, possibly ?

[Bryan Raffa]

my avatar was at majestic,, didnt you take that picture? she was pretty sweet lookin new..better now,,and getting even better!:naughty: I cant wait to get my new rear fenders on and change the look completely

[Huffa]

my avatar was at majestic,, didnt you take that picture? she was pretty sweet lookin new..better now,,and getting even better!:naughty: I cant wait to get my new rear fenders on and change the look completely

I think I did take it, I just don't remeber the blue like that.

Keep the fender plain ( :eek: danger, danger, sticker overload!! :eek: ) in the back man, looks much better that way and the headlight and blue guard look premo!! :beer

What color is the motor going to be ?

[hancadam]

I sold mine to a truck driver that was moving to costa rica to be a farmer. He drove coast to coast almost weekly. I meet him at truck stop and we loaded it on his 18 wheeler. At the time we just had a baby and needed the cash. It was a great bike. I have been looking for a 200x roller to build one again. Very fun project.

[chris200x]

Hey Mr. Huffa... are you talking about building a trike from nothing. Not even a basketcase? I atleast like to start with a good base or one thats fairly complete. I couldn't imagine how much you'd end up spending buying all the parts sepretly to build one. Your probable talking thousands of $$$'s expecially if you ended up stuck in a few bidding wars on ebay for those hard to find or desirable parts.

My next project (after I'm done blinging out the 350X) is going to be a lil atc 70 for kicking around the property. those little buggers are a blast! I'd imagine doing a ground up on one of these would be alot cheaper than say a sportier version, 250R tri z etc.

[Mosh]

I like your machines scooteroo. The white one looks really cool.

[seadoo650]

The first is the wife's 200x.
http://3wheelerworldforums.com/showthread.php?t=50512&page=4
Here's for my 250r.
http://3wheelerworldforums.com/showthread.php?t=62744

Both complete rebuilds.

[200x350xtriz250]

200x350xtriz250 ...... are you a girl or is that for your daughter or something, it's coming along nicely and they are definitly girls colors, just wondering ?

no I'm not a girl...it's for my wife...actually have a thread going on here about the build...thanx for noticing:lol: :lol:

[Huffa]

no I'm not a girl...it's for my wife...actually have a thread going on here about the build...thanx for noticing:lol: :lol:

Great color for her, I think it looks sharp! :beer

[SeaBass8]

Raffa -

Love the blue swinger and frame. At some point I'd like to do that same color on my 86 200x.

Warning dumb question coming....

Did you powdercoat the axle/hubs/carrier/swinger assembled or in pieces? It looks like it was all done together but maybe its just the picture.

Thanks

SeaBass8

[Huffa]

Hey Mr. Huffa... are you talking about building a trike from nothing. Not even a basketcase? I atleast like to start with a good base or one thats fairly complete. I couldn't imagine how much you'd end up spending buying all the parts sepretly to build one. Your probable talking thousands of $$$'s expecially if you ended up stuck in a few bidding wars on ebay for those hard to find or desirable parts.

My next project (after I'm done blinging out the 350X) is going to be a lil atc 70 for kicking around the property. those little buggers are a blast! I'd imagine doing a ground up on one of these would be alot cheaper than say a sportier version, 250R tri z etc.

Oh, I definitly agree, it's just it would be a no rush project for me to do and just kicking around the idea.

Everyone is far better off just finding a solid machine to begin with for sure, just nice to have the recognition to say it was just a frame to start with.

Thing is along the way you could find one with a blown motor and get it for really cheap, then your in real good shape to start swamping the parts on to the nice frame.

The 70 mentioned reminds me, I have a decent fender to sell !

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/huffa/DSC05013.jpg

[The Goat]

trust me...assembling 70s aren't as cheap as one would think. lol. we've got two right now. it's amazing how five and six dollar pieces add up to five and six hundred

[Aka_am]

My 250r is frame up.. I bought a frame and I'm building on it as time passes. I dont know when I'll be done. But It's going to be a one of a kind thing, becuase I built it and along the way I chose which parts.

It'll pretty much be a normally R but, usd forks and 450r rear, then later on who knows.

I figure, it'll cost me 1400 to build.

[brapp]

i built my pretty 350x with a frame and a good top end and later evolved into a big bore stroker and then back to a stock tech school motor i willgrab a few pics here shortly