What is the best starting point for an ATC500R?

[MO350X]

I was out in the "Sea of Honda Red" in my garage yesterday and started thinking about building an ATC500R again.

What is the best route to building an ATC500R??
A. Convert a CR500R bike over to three wheels?
B. Install the 500 engine in an '85-86 ATC250R frame?

I can't get the pictures of the converted 500R's out of my head BUT they look like a MOUNTAIN of money and time.
I am a 100% do-it-yourselfer and don't have a machine shop in my garage.

I'm not a tightwad BUT....I'm not made out of money either.

What do I want out of the finished machine?
A. Occasional trail riding/light sand drag racing (to keep the pesky YFZ's and 450R's at bay ;) ).
B. NOT a long-wheelbase dune monster (NO dunes nearby).
C. Conversation piece for visitors and for the "You're gonna kill yourself!!" I'll inevitably hear at the local riding spots. :D

Thanks for any and all input.

[vartiak15]

I think it would be easier to do the 250r into a 500r. then all you have to do is get the motor in and line up sprockets. witht the bike to a trike u got to get all new fenders and stuff figure out a front end. and the rear end. just seems like more of a pain to do the bike to trike. unless the front and rear end mount up?

[250RNUT]

I am at a non stop thinking of building the same thing. If this happens I will convert a 250r not a bike. reason being is I an also a 100% do-it yourselfer with no machine shop around.Just sounds easier to convert a trike and looks alot better to.vibration is the only thing to worry about but who cares when you can scare the livin trailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro out of yourself and others.

[Tri-ZNate]

There was a guy on here, screen name and probably real name was Louis Mielke. He posted a thread on his 500R project here is the link http://3wheelerworldforums.com/showthread.php?t=31141&highlight=500r. he also has a website where he tells you exactly how to do it. the website is http://tiger.towson.edu/~lmielk1/atc500r.html. here are the parts he used:

Machine: Honda ATC500R
Frame: 1987 Honda CR500R
Engine: 1986 Honda CR500R, bottom & topend rebuilt, 1992 CR500R radiators,
Front: 1986 Honda ATC250R tripple clamps bored to fit CR500R forks, ATC250R front wheel, fender, & headlight
Rear: custom 2001 400ex/1987 CR500R swing arm, using CR500R linkage & WORKS shock, 400ex fenders & seat

[250RNUT]

Yes, we probably all saw that but I think building a much less extravagant machine is what me and MO350X are after. Louis will probably have a great machine but will have a HUGE amount of cash spent. I myself would want a stock looking 250r 3 wheeler when I was done.There is no doubt I could convert to a 500 motor for well under 1000.00 including the motor.but I would want some inverted forks if I could.

[Kintore]

I think if you are going just sort of a ride around not too much money unit 500r then take the motor and make it fit into a 250r. Then you dont have to fabricate things and screw around with fenders and seat and stuff. But if you want to go like the Louis Mielke guy then start saving.

Ive heard its hard to put a 500 motor in a 250r though.

[Tri-Z Pilot]

Ive done some research, and it's not a walk in the park if you want it to work right. The 500 bike conversion is more for drags because the conversion will sit taller, and the 250r conversion is more for all around riding. To do it yourself you'll need a welder, cutoff tool (plasma cutter would probably be great), and patience. Kasey has not gusseted or strengthened his frame, and he says it is holding up fine. I think he said the conversion took about 60 hours, about the only major things are notching parts of the frame to clear parts of the 500 engine, making new motor mounts,getting a 250r bend cr500 pipe custom made, lining up the sprockets, and getting the rearward kicker worked out (have to remove rear plastics to start it). Of course I am stating all of this through research, so my info might not be 100% correct or accurate, hope this helps though.

[KASEY]

I think he said the conversion took about 60 hours, about the only major things are notching parts of the frame to clear parts of the 500 engine, making new motor mounts,getting a 250r bend cr500 pipe custom made,
600hrs would be closer,, to do it right,,,and don't count on being able to do it for less than $1000 either,,,,, now that i have done it it will be easier ,,,but it took 100 hrs just to implant the motor right,,,, i can pull the topend off without pulling the motor ,, ans change the plug without pulling the tank,,, you will need a welder ,torch, grinders, and a great deal of fabing skills there and lotsa things that don't have mounts that will need to be mounted properly,,, i have been improving things for years to get it where it is now,,,, AND i have another pile of goodies to go on it before the june ride in florence!!!!

[Louis Mielke]

I'll have about $3500 in my 500r when its all said and done, maybe $4000 if I go too crazy making it pretty. But seriously I could have done it alot cheaper if I would have made some smarter purchases, I really screwed up alot buying stuff that I didn't need/fit, etc etc. And, I'm building a general purpose machine, not a drag racer. What fun is going in a straight line all the time anyway? I could see once or twice but not for hrs and hrs. My seat height won't be much higher than a 400ex when I'm done.

I will say though don't even think of attempting the either a CR500 conversion or an ATC250R conversion if you don't have your own machine shop/ welding and cutting tools. There is nothing worse than a cobbled together POS.

[MO350X]

It sounds to me like the "install a 500R powerplant into a 250R" is the way to go.
I had that idea in my head as the most doable, from a time and money standpoint.
Believe me....I'm not in any hurry and I'm not a tightwad, I just can't be throwing two years and $10K at a toy.
You all know where I'm coming from. :)

Louis, YOU are the man.
Yours is the "Holy Grail" for sure. :beer

Keep the input coming.

All of your ideas, thoughts and previous experiences are VERY appreciated!

[Louis Mielke]

I wouldn't quite say I'm the man. I would give props to Kasey first. His machine is definatly impressive. I hope to cross paths/roost with him at a trikefest someday, maybe have a clash of the titans or something. lol

But seriously props to Kasey, its one wicked machine and I only hope that mine turns out half as well.

As far as experience I really don't have alot to say. PLANNING is key. You will waste alot of money on ANY project without the proper planning. I've definatly learned the hard way on quite a few things. I think I can honestly say if i hadn't made so many poor choices as far as buys and parts and things I could say I would have had only $3000 in this thing. But hey, hinesight is 20/20. Feel free to ask any questions you want. I'm more than happy to have someome chat with.

[MO350X]

My bad.

I hear you, Louis.

I was so wrapped up in responding to your post, I completely forgot.

Sorry about that, Kasey!

Trikes forever! :beer

[Dammit!]

If I had the cash I would just buy this monster (http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=6776). That's one of the slickest bike conversions I've seen.