Converting a Dirtbike to Fat Cat/Bigwheel?

[Atc GuY]

Has anyone seen or done this ever? Seems as though a person could replace a swing-arm and forks on a dirtbike and you'd be in business. I already know that you have to move the chain out to match the sprocket. Axle for rear could be made out of a Honda 185 front axle (trike) with a sprocket welded to it. And a little brainstorming with my lathe, mill and tube bender it may be able to be done.
:Bounce Any ideas?

[Ryan.]

yes, many people have done this, search it

[GreenBoy]

Check out this Link Big Wheeler (http://www.superhunky.com/wildbikes_rs_oct00.html)
The builder of the XT 600 BW had his own website with more detailed pics, but I couldn't find the link right now.

[Atc GuY]

So I'm looking to do this on a xr200 (mid 80"s) I don't have the bike (I have a 2001 xr200r) would 250r forks/fender fit on this machine? ( or with spacers ) I want to do it to a dirt bike because it already has all the plastic, and the styling I like. It sort-of looks like this:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://w1.bikepics.com/pics/2004%255C07%255C26%255Cbikepics-186063-200.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.bikepics.com/honda/xr200/86/pics.asp&h=150&w=200&sz=8&hl=en&start=4&um=1&tbnid=qNCiTyRuX8xwPM:&tbnh=78&tbnw=104&prev=/images%3Fq%3D1986%2Bxr200%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den

[Atc GuY]

Anyone? Any more pics?

[tjsb1]

OK here are some photo's of my current project. Sorry they are a bit blurry but I had to use my phone's camera.

1997 CR500R Sand Bike.
Front tire 27x9x12 AMS Whip Snake
Rear Tire 27x12x12 AMS Aerospeed

Swingarm and Tripple Clamps are done. Currently building jackshaft and rear hub.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll48/tjsb1/FAsTCAT1.jpghttp://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll48/tjsb1/FAsTCAT3.jpghttp://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll48/tjsb1/0609082007c.jpg
Think of it as a Fat Cat on steriods!:cool:

[Youngrasher]

tjsb1 Your pics aren't working for me, Is it just my computer

[tjsb1]

Not sure, they work on my computer. Anyone else having issues with the photo's?

I am going to be on the road for work for about a week. I will try to post new pic's when I return.

[hancadam]

Work for me. Looks nice so far!

[tjsb1]

OK, Road trip is done. I am back on my project FA"s"T CAT FCR500R.

Sprockets for jackshaft are due to arrive any day. Once I get the jackshaft and adjuster completed then this should fast track and be on the sand in a few weeks.

I decided to build this project as I always wanted to see what a High Performance Fat Cat or BW would be like. I have never enjoyed riding a dirt bike in the sand, but back in the 80's I played with a BW at the dunes and it was a blast. Couldn't run with my Tri-z or even my 200X so I stayed on the three wheelers. But the bug was created and through the years I have often thought of "what if".

Recently I moved to Oregon and have access to sand dunes so my interest was peeked. I still have a couple three wheelers but my riding preference changed back to two tires several years ago. I decided it was time to build my dream bike so thus I began this quest. I had a CR500R that was used for my snow bike. http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll48/tjsb1/CRO6LR.jpg It didn't have the wheel sets anymore so it was perfect for the project. The CR boast over60+HP and 230lbs wet so it made the choice easy.

I will update as I can and should have better photos by next week.

[RedRider_AK]

TSJB1, you have 2 SICK bikes, lemme tell you that.

Where did you get the track for your snow CR? That looks awesome, have you compared it with a Snowhawk in terms of speed and maneuverability? I know that a CVT is probably better for snow than a manual, but that's still a damn cool machine!

[WaimakRydah]

It can be done there were kits that could convert trike to fat cats here is a pic of a 250R with one of these kits I dont know who owns the bike http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/6001/dsc01897ct6.jpg

[step child]

OK here are some photo's of my current project. Sorry they are a bit blurry but I had to use my phone's camera.

1997 CR500R Sand Bike.
Front tire 27x9x12 AMS Whip Snake
Rear Tire 27x12x12 AMS Aerospeed

Swingarm and Tripple Clamps are done. Currently building jackshaft and rear hub.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll48/tjsb1/FAsTCAT1.jpghttp://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll48/tjsb1/FAsTCAT3.jpghttp://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll48/tjsb1/0609082007c.jpg
Think of it as a Fat Cat on steriods!:cool:


How is the build going ???:pics: :pics: :pics: I have the same bug, thinkin' about doing something to my KLR. It would be a TW 200 killer :naughty: . Keep us up to date with how it is going, looking really good :w00t: ..

[Ryan.]

seems like a cr500 set up like that would be a little akward to rise.. but thats just me

[edog]

I wanna see a vid of that snow bike!!!!!!!!

[tjsb1]

Build has been put on hold due to some issues unrelated to the bike. I had to order sprockets for the jackshaft and it took nearly two months to get them. By the time I did get them I was buried in another project (it sucks having a job).

Anyway, I hope to be back it sooon and hope to get the engine reassembled in the next couple of weeks.

As for video of the snow bike, go to www.snoxcycle.com and they have a link. I am not involved with the project anymore as I sold my patent to Snoxcycle. The pictures of the KTM and Yamaha TTR 90 as well as the SSR 125 are bikes I built. I don't have any video to the CR running on the snow but it was alot of fun.

[3Razors]

Wow how did I miss this thread? I have always wanted to do something similiar with a CR500, just never had the time or resources to do so. Awesome project tjsb1! Keeps the updates coming. I have a cr500 and this is making me want to get busy.

[tjsb1]

I say go for it. The sole purpose for my CR500 project is sand. You could easily find all terrian tires for the project as well, but for this bike and where I live I wanted the ultimate dune bike.

There are lots of options depending on your needs and wants. I choose to use 27x9x12 and 27x12x12 tires for my project to keep tire diameters the same as the CR500 tires. For wheels and hubs I bought some used Tri-z fronts and will modify one of the hubs for rear drive.

A couple suggestion I might make for someone wanting to do this build but doesn't have alot of fabrication equipment is use Honda hubs and wheels (11") from a 200x, 350x, or 250r, as they are very easy to find on ebay and Douglas still makes replacements. It limits tire choices as the largest I found was 25" OD, but they are out there. Also you could get a swingarm and hub from Missile (there are a few threads that have his contact info) and adapt versus cut/chop/add/fab/weld like I did. That would save lots of time and effort, just limit tire sizes.

Triple clamps, Axles, Jackshaft, Hubs, Wheels, Tires, and Subframe mods, just to name a few are what you must figure out. An air cooled bike might be easier as well so you don't need to worry about clearance for the wider triple clamps.

Good luck if you decide to jump in and I will gladly help with info if I can. I think the best place to start is decide what you want the finished project to be, and then build according to your needs.

[wrightracing]

I know this is a old thread, but did you ever finish the build? Any pictures? I have been toying with the idea of a Fatcat Honda CRF450X .
I Like the idea of an electric start sand bike.

David...

[wrightracing]

I know this is a old thread, but did you ever finish the build? Any pictures? I have been toying with the idea of a Fatcat Honda CRF450X .
I Like the idea of an electric start sand bike.

David...

Did you ever finish your project and get it running. I would like to see pictures.
WELL for my project I went the scrambler route. I am going withe the 2000 Honda XR650L
as my base bike for the big wheel conversion. The other change I am doing is to give it a vintage
Scrambler 70's look. I have picked up a ATC250R front hub and disk brakes, a rear BW200 hub and swingarm
That I am going to modify to bolt up to the XR frame. I am going to put CRF450R FORKS on a custom triple clamp
For it. Here is a concept picture I am working towards. This is not mine
261129

[Doink]

Here's what a Suzuki DR350 conversion looks like:
263287