Project Clamdigger - 1974 ATC 90

[cosmohawk]

Yessir! I'm quite excited!!! Got a 1974 ATC 90 (K2?)! :p

Considering my part of the country...I was really amazed when i came across the for sale ad on Kijiji. Good ol' Kijiji...what would us east-coasters do without it nowadays?
To find an original "balloon tire" ATC in New Brunswick...I could easily say is a rare find...especially without wheel conversion...and extra tires!? What!? You've got to be kidding.
Anyways, I shot and scored with this one. He wanted $200, but I said $150, and braved a wicked snowstorm at night to drive 250 kms round-trip to go get it.

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=113987&d=1295023163

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=113986&d=1295023160

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=113989&d=1295023169

Needless to say it's going to need some serious TLC...but it will get that and more over the next few months. I've given it the name "Clamdigger" because of its history...according to the previous owner who got it off his uncle years ago, and it was orginally from St. John, NB. I was also told that it spent most of its working life being used on the tidal flats for clam digging in the Fundy coast area.
Other than that, two of the spare rear tires came from the US a long time ago, and one tire with a portion of the axle still attached came from a junkyard...his uncle found another machine going for scrap and cutoff the useable tire...yes...he cut through the axle to get the tire off...solid steel.

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=113985&d=1295023157

The back tires on the bike are shot...right one more so than the left...the front still holds some air but with a slow leak.
Everything seems to be there with the exception of the seat...it's gone...need to locate one or just a seat pan and build one with foam and a replacement seat cover.

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=113988&d=1295023165

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=113984&d=1295023154

This may sound really funny to some of you...but there’s one thing about a project like this…and dealing with old vintage / abandoned bikes / trikes…that really puts a smile on my face. I decided to check out the original airbox that came with the bike…removed the end-nut, and pulled the box apart…what was left of the foam fell on the floor…but look right there!

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=113990&d=1295023172

Do you see the original shiny metal of the air-box bolt!? I find it so amazing when I think that I am the first person in the history of this ATC, to have taken the airbox apart…exposing an untouched nut / bolt for the very first time since it was manufactured.

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=113983&d=1295023151

Dunno…I think it’s just really, really cool.

I can’t wait to get working on it.

If anyone out there has any leads on a seat, or additional parts I may need / want…please let me know.

One last thing…I WANT TO SAVE THE ORIGINAL TIRES! Just wonder what is the best way to save the ones I have…and was looking into a polyurethane foam filling process which maintains flexible, and simulates actual operating tire pressure…ARNCO Superflex / Ecoflex. What do you think? Good or bad idea? Any other better solution (s)?

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=113995&d=1295025045

All the best!

[atc350xer]

Nice score! I have a seat, but the cover is trashed. BTW, they didn't have a seat pan, per se. They have steel plates with studs on them in pockets in the seat cover that bolt through the fiberglass fender.

[harryredtrike]

killer score there.bring her back to lifeand document.im going to find another 90 soon.i miss my old one i started with back in the 70's.

[Brockey]

Nice find!!! I see one for sale here months ago. The fenders were cracked up, modified hubs to accept other model rims and regular tires. Bike was a state. I was gonna buy it but it was just harsh. The only thing it had going for it is the tank looked mint from pics.

Anyways nice score, and it looks quite savable. Extra awesome you got tires with it. I was scared looking and reading until you mentioned and showed the spares. And $150 was a deal for sure. Post lots of pics while your at it.

[barrett8]

hey man i also got a good deal on one of these only mine has some aftermarket goodies! and i also live on the east coat (nova scotia) what new on this project and if you need any part or are selling any let me know! its great to see someone from the same area do this as well