Building a Three Wheeler, need a little help.

[yoyodude55]

Hey, I'm planning to build a three wheeler in shop class next year, and I'm planning ahead. I've been thinking of this for a while, and I recently saw a friends Baja Bike, and though that it would be good for the front end, I could get it for cheap, as I am on a budget ($40 a week from work) anyways here it is:
I am thinking I can take the handlebars, forks, wheel from this (http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en) But looking at the spec's, the tires are 19 x 7-8, most ATC tires are at least 23'ers. I dont really have much experience with tires, on anything (always got my friends to change my bike tires, shops on dirt bikes) So could I stick a 22x7-8 or 23x7-8? I thought that the 7-8 is how it sits on the rim and it's width, and the first number is it's circumference? Please correct me and give me info, and remember, by the time I'm actually ready to do this, I'll have learnt everything I need, hopefully from my fellow 3WW member's.
-Thanks, TJ

[audioworks04]

you need a little more info for us to help you much. that front end would work if you were trying to make a suspended 70 or something small. Anything larger or faster would need a much better suspension set up and a larger tire. You are right about the size. The 7 would be width with 8 being rim size and the 19 being height.

[yoyodude55]

Well it's for a 196cc, and I was looking into a Honda Fatcat, but I think the whole front part (forks, wheels, bars) would cost too much, does anybody know how much, or if they got one their parting out?

[dksix]

I think you should check ebay for some first gen 200x front ends. Here's a pretty good looking set http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1983-...Q5fAccessories

[yoyodude55]

If I was gonna buy that I'd just stick it on the 200x I'm buying Friday, can't wait. Well, how much would the wheels cost? My original plan, well thoughts, was to combine the front end of a FatCat with a TRX.

[audioworks04]

fatcat parts are rare and now over priced due to their rarity. I would go with a first gen r or x like dksix said.

[yoyodude55]

Well what exactly does first gen mean?

[86trizinger]

1st gen is 1983-85 2nd gen is 1986-87 I think. Not the expert though.

[thestud25]

I think it is cool that you are taking this on. However, to get the help that you want, you need to post some pics of what you want the end product to be. Also, there is going to be some considerable cost involved unless you find some donor bikes that have the parts you need for cheap. Seeing that you are in Canada, that may be hard to do. Best of luck.

[yoyodude55]

I already learnt three wheelers are rare in Canada, and I'm fairly far up north. The only reason why I'm getting my 200X is this:
On Myzer.com I found an add for two bikes, as I don't have much money, I offered him a trade. I had two 1986 Formula MX 580's, a small Baja dirtbike, and a 1976 Suzuki TS400. He's taking the sleds and bike, since the CR250R he was going to trade got sold earlier, he offered me his 200X instead. He has all 85's 250R, 200X, 350X, Big Reds and others.

[EarlyBronocGuy]

1st gen is 1983-85 2nd gen is 1986-87 I think. Not the expert though.

Sounds right - 1st gen. 200x's have the round tube frame much like other Honda atc's, 2nd gen have square tube frames, with clearance for the larger transmission case due to the 6th gear on 86-87 200x's.

[Vealmonkey]

Hey there. Since it's your shop class and your project, why don't you figure all this out yourself. It's not any of our shop class projects.

[Tri-Z 250]

^^ here you hold the smart end of the tape and tell me were to cut. I would also consider this project in reverse...Consider the whole unit built. I recomend the convert suspended 70...200x (1st gen) front...possible pitbike/ china atv rear rapped in a xr/sl 70 frame or a streched 70atc frame. Your budgit for this simple project is your biggest issue. You'll need $1000 easy by the time this becomes a passing grade. There is no sence in it looking like a beater...or something your friend won't ride. Makeup drawings...use mag pics glued together in a small folder binder, with basic concept as a sales tool. Shop out your idea to local business, body shop, parts store, gramas pie store, local scrapyard and every bike store in town. Get some coverage in your school and local news paper with a list of sponcers. Goodluck keep us posted with the build. I think just restoring a 70 front to back w/ a hand rebuilt motor would bring an A

[yoyodude55]

You get an A in this class as long as your doing something and not just dicking around. I'm not looking for something big, just something to do, so I can get the understanding of building trikes, I'm hoping to have a real good one built before I graduate grade twelve. I'm thinking maybe making a pitter would be all good for now. I like three wheelers more then four wheelers. I'd love to build one that would rip and four wheeler of the same class my friends own. But I may be piccking up an 83 200, thinking I could use that as a base.

[Xpress]

1st gen is 1983-85 2nd gen is 1986-87 I think. Not the expert though.

1st gen 200X is 1983-1985, 2nd gen is 86-87. !st gen 250R is 81-82, 2nd is 83-85, and 3rd is 86-87 I believe.