Homemade soft tails

[SteveRoll]

Has anyone done a hard tail / no rear suspension conversion to having a rear shock? I’m getting close to done my cheap budget 200m but I’m thinking maybe next build, I’ll do a softail conversion. I got a spare frame that I could use for mocking things up and I can weld. Any ideas on what to use ?
Looked at old threads I only see pk kits , and some people buy a kit but they are rare.

[ATC King]

If you want an easier way to go about it, check out a 1986 TRX200 swingarm. I'm not certain, but you may be able to use the stock ATC axle carrier and just have to fab pivot and shock mounts for the swinger.

If it'll work, it'll fast track your build. Fabbing a swinger from scratch will take a lot of time if you've never done one, or a lot of money if you pay someone else to do it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-TRX200-ATV-TRX-200-1986-86-Swing-Arm-Swingarm-117803/333140407134?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item4d90b7335e:g:TcYAAOxy~hdR1w5~&enc=AQAEAAACcIQvEcHUrT7nmUC3yY5qbPyaBN1nJEDYW8Myyp sJPgXKjzb4uel3XQiGEzY4CITgmmBroebRwTEfptU8ps3fsx5Q Zym%2B3J6lVhPP10UkcBT9qwuJc5oQayGIfei4zK0QylR%2BI8 71B8E8ug654xdwa6k%2BP%2BkTIF3Ij2fuK4o0eL9wLYG9VZ4% 2FLIXsaMiymFpKCjWICLICOWwZXHX1qQELWF3Db949N%2FOuqG %2Fx4Eg6NylVISM4axHguC8Fg7pPBn6ZlAZg7zhVhlJJaQG1lA Jkv3D7XyRgS2N0vR6aRPoVAKaqzDAhnrur1IHfNs4SavIivDmP E9xAsQt%2B7%2Ba95gsQqQtS5GSRzkL9swGGI4%2FFyR0%2BxP X%2B3dMstiK1qFcOw69Pa20Hv31OUBZJ%2BioW%2FFXJ3WP%2B VIn5AyWx43%2FPPzY6jqPqnaiDRlyHFHCSnJ4HmaiULvbrw4VQ 4Spwrl%2BWbzP%2Fj6TBKF7g2jEgnwUjtWLUu%2FGjtv89DU6i FdeRaJ3ov%2FFkWhFiNpJMbBd4%2BrCq9eW5QIPQnCjKXDJRo8 n6CQuyBJdyrIVBZ7XeqSgbFTS35q99wWcILKJUhWCsAVAWpaGu clbE466SWVPKnvKBx%2FpAhO3IbswPTLzK4hWXqPTwHE3MfFe7 F7d6245A8JOkrhvpfna%2Btl0mQ7ouEK9yhVONjZMUdwq2AHKl 23GmBVFLIPLDFyToEqewpBx49xZQKXDzEoFviuIMMOg0UNFjNi 0S7nG%2BXDdjSEAooKEXs6OVCj81gCPBKWX%2BPcyoIRXSXZyc IeL7oms%2Fs75OZZL9zvOad3qGZAnWJF0XDXfV0WkLJtDGSQ%3 D%3D&checksum=333140407134005796e5ee5e46db87696d5be5b50 b29

[Homeless Dave]

Following this build. I really want to build a fully suspended 200e or es. They are my favorite machine in the mud and for doing yard work. The low range is really nice to have. Most importantly they seem to go many places that my 250es can't. I have ridden many hours on an 82 200e, but it has 2 bent rims and a bent axle..talk about a rough ride! I have a 200e roller that i have considered building up as a suspended machine, but that would not be right now, but maybe someday.

+1 on the trx swinger. i just replaced a 200s bearing carrier, and just buy eyeballing it, the carrier mounts look the same. Getting the pivot end to mach up to the frame might take some effort though.

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/48722-200es-suspension-install/page2
This thread is a good read, and might be helpful for you. It details a 200es build with full suspension.

[big specht]

I bought a couple sx quads for the motors and thought the same thing about the rear ends. They look like they would be a good starting point for a home made suspension kit.

[SteveRoll]

Nice man, I got a 200e as well. They are my favourite. Simple and effective. A lot of people don’t like chain drive bikes but I like them. Easy and simple.

[350for350]

There has been several suspended 185 built. I'm getting to start on one myself. To be different, I'm going to use a 1980 instead of a "S" model like all of the others that I've seen.

[SteveRoll]

The thread linked just gave me a great idea. I got one frame that has a rust hole in the lower section, I was wondering what to do with it. I’ll be chopping that off and putting a swing arm. My bike is chain drive so it’s gonna be easy to get it going.

Next thing I’m debating on here today is to order knobby tires or a mud tire for the 200m. I just done a disc brake conversion to it