Weighing the trike?

[TwoHundredEx]

Well I remember when I joined I did some searching and I thought I remember some guys knowing the exact weight of their trike.
How would you go about weighing it?

I'm interested in knowing what my X weighs, I know I've shaved 15lbs just with the motor swap, but I've also removed things like stock airbox, parking brake, lighter bars, removed headlight etc. I'd like to see how much I've done in total. I'm going to start shaving excess mounts on the frame pretty soon too, trying to make this as light as possible.

I was thinking bathroom scales under each tire? We only have 2 scales though :lol:
Think it would work if I put the 2 under the rear tires, then under the front and added the 2 numbers? For some reason I doubt it would work, but I need someone to tell me why it won't. I'd try it, but I can only find one scale right now, I KNOW we have another here somewhere, but I won't even waste my time looking for it if I need 3 to do it.

[SWIGIN]

the best way is to put it on a feed scale.

one of the old smaller ones

[TwoHundredEx]

Okay, at the risk of sounding like an idiot... what exactly is a feed scale?

[SWIGIN]

its like a bigger version of the scale your doctor weighs you with

you cant use more then one scale since the numbers wont add up right

[Erics350x]

put it on your truck and head to the local dump

[Hair Bear Bunch]

Over here we have truck weighers which only do one axle at a time, then add them together. I don't see why this shouldn't work doing even one wheel at a time.
I think the critical part is to make sure when you have the scale under the wheel, put planks or blocks under the other wheels to keep the machine level, front-to-back and side-to-side before taking a reading. Then repeat for the other wheels.
Accuracy would depend on the original calibration of the scales. (Survival depends on wether the wife knows what your doing with the scales!)
If an accurate measurement nessessary, ie. for shipping, I could only suggest a grain station with a weighbridge or maybe a local company with a crane or a forklift as these often have built-in weighers.

[TwoHundredEx]

its like a bigger version of the scale your doctor weighs you with

you cant use more then one scale since the numbers wont add up right

Thats what I figured it was but just wanted to make sure. Don't really have access to one though, and I don't know anyone that would.



put it on your truck and head to the local dump

I thought about it, but I doubt they'd even let me on the scale just for that, and if they did, I'd probably have to pay for it.

[Erics350x]

Thats what I figured it was but just wanted to make sure. Don't really have access to one though, and I don't know anyone that would.




I thought about it, but I doubt they'd even let me on the scale just for that, and if they did, I'd probably have to pay for it.

Nah, most are just a bunch of good o' boys. As long as they aren't at a swamped.

[TwoHundredEx]

Over here we have truck weighers which only do one axle at a time, then add them together. I don't see why this shouldn't work doing even one wheel at a time.
I think the critical part is to make sure when you have the scale under the wheel, put planks or blocks under the other wheels to keep the machine level, front-to-back and side-to-side before taking a reading. Then repeat for the other wheels.
Accuracy would depend on the original calibration of the scales. (Survival depends on wether the wife knows what your doing with the scales!)
If an accurate measurement nessessary, ie. for shipping, I could only suggest a grain station with a weighbridge or maybe a local company with a crane or a forklift as these often have built-in weighers.

Thats what I was thinking, as long as it's level, but I won't know for sure unless I try. Guess I'll start looking for that other scale tomorrow, hopefully it'll give me a general estimate atleast.
I figure I've got about 20lbs off of stock maybe a little more, and with new tires, I'm hoping for about another 5lbs off.



Nah, most are just a bunch of good o' boys. As long as they aren't at a swamped.

Thats true,maybe I'll find a rainy day when theres nobody in the line and see what I can do.

[erikb45]

get a buddy . . .put the bike into a wheelie stance.. put a sturdy bathroom scale under one tire near the outer edge. tilt it as if your trying to see if you can get it to balance. even if you have to apply some horizontal pressure to keep it from falling it will not effect the weight. look at the scale and there you go..

sounds crazy but it works. did it with a quad once helps if you can lock the rear brake some how

[350xowner]

Well I remember when I joined I did some searching and I thought I remember some guys knowing the exact weight of their trike.
How would you go about weighing it?

I'm interested in knowing what my X weighs, I know I've shaved 15lbs just with the motor swap, but I've also removed things like stock airbox, parking brake, lighter bars, removed headlight etc. I'd like to see how much I've done in total. I'm going to start shaving excess mounts on the frame pretty soon too, trying to make this as light as possible.

I was thinking bathroom scales under each tire? We only have 2 scales though :lol:
Think it would work if I put the 2 under the rear tires, then under the front and added the 2 numbers? For some reason I doubt it would work, but I need someone to tell me why it won't. I'd try it, but I can only find one scale right now, I KNOW we have another here somewhere, but I won't even waste my time looking for it if I need 3 to do it.

you have a few options, any local transfer station has a drive on scale for the dump trucks, when the scale house isnt busy they prolly will let you, just bring em a box of joe coffee. they will get a good chuckle too drive on with the bike, take the weight,

or if you can any local farm like down here have portable scales they might be willing to let you but the transfer station is prolly your best bet

[cr480r]

I use my buddys wheel scales for his race car... But I imagine if you used 2 bathroom scales under each rear wheel with the front wheel in the air it would be close enough to give a good idea of what it weighs...

[350xowner]

Well I remember when I joined I did some searching and I thought I remember some guys knowing the exact weight of their trike.
How would you go about weighing it?

I'm interested in knowing what my X weighs, I know I've shaved 15lbs just with the motor swap, but I've also removed things like stock airbox, parking brake, lighter bars, removed headlight etc. I'd like to see how much I've done in total. I'm going to start shaving excess mounts on the frame pretty soon too, trying to make this as light as possible.

I was thinking bathroom scales under each tire? We only have 2 scales though :lol:
Think it would work if I put the 2 under the rear tires, then under the front and added the 2 numbers? For some reason I doubt it would work, but I need someone to tell me why it won't. I'd try it, but I can only find one scale right now, I KNOW we have another here somewhere, but I won't even waste my time looking for it if I need 3 to do it.

you have a few options, any local transfer station has a drive on scale for the dump trucks, when the scale house isnt busy they prolly will let you, just bring em a box of joe coffee. they will get a good chuckle too drive on with the bike, take the weight,

or if you can any local farm like down here have portable scales they might be willing to let you but the transfer station is prolly your best bet

[bigpimpin]

take it to a truck weigh station

[Dirtcrasher]

I don't believe ANY of those truck scales will be within the accuracy he wants.

BUT, if you go to a scrapyard and bring it in where the weigh the copper, aluminum and all those goodies - I'll bet that scale is close to dead nuts.

OK, it's lighter than stock.... Now quit worrying about that and get the rear brakes working, the jetting correct and an air filter on there!!

[TwoHundredEx]

I don't believe ANY of those truck scales will be within the accuracy he wants.

BUT, if you go to a scrapyard and bring it in where the weigh the copper, aluminum and all those goodies - I'll bet that scale is close to dead nuts.

OK, it's lighter than stock.... Now quit worrying about that and get the rear brakes working, the jetting correct and an air filter on there!!

:lol: I know I know, I shouldn't be worrying about things like this. I think I found a filter, but with Christmas cleaning me out and no job at the moment, the funds are a little short right now which is holding me back. Not to mention I need an ENTIRE rear brake setup, ressy, lever, MC, caliper, disc, line, everything, but it's gotta be done. Right now my main focus is the filter, then tires (right rear won't even hold air for more than a few hours now) and then rear brakes. The jetting actually isn't that bad either, plug is only a tad darker than it should be, and isn't fouling anymore.

[Dirtcrasher]

:lol: I know I know, I shouldn't be worrying about things like this. I think I found a filter, but with Christmas cleaning me out and no job at the moment, the funds are a little short right now which is holding me back. Not to mention I need an ENTIRE rear brake setup, ressy, lever, MC, caliper, disc, line, everything, but it's gotta be done. Right now my main focus is the filter, then tires (right rear won't even hold air for more than a few hours now) and then rear brakes. The jetting actually isn't that bad either, plug is only a tad darker than it should be, and isn't fouling anymore.

Look for a BANSHEE set up, they made it for so many years that they are out there plentiful and cheap, but I'd still look for something clean and low hours.... I got a 2000 SHEE setup for free but I'd pay up to 100$ for the same thing - no sweat!

The back caliper mount will take one simple bracket and your fully involved in the master/pedal linkage mount so who cares what make/model it comes off?

EDIT - I honestly don't think it will take much to make your pivot and stuff etc, just keep postin!! AND, although your broke... Don't be ridin that thing without an air filter. That motor had time on it before you, who knows how tight and strong it really is. Just don't ruin it by losing a chain or running without an A/F - SOOOOOOO many guys lose there build those ways.....

[McDerry]

I don't believe ANY of those truck scales will be within the accuracy he wants.

BUT, if you go to a scrapyard and bring it in where the weigh the copper, aluminum and all those goodies - I'll bet that scale is close to dead nuts.

OK, it's lighter than stock.... Now quit worrying about that and get the rear brakes working, the jetting correct and an air filter on there!!


CAT scale. Will give him the weight of the bike accurately to the pound.


The three scales should work, if you add all three scales weights together. Weight is a representation of gravity working on mass. The mass of the bike doesnt change, No different then having three guys pickup the bike it still weighs what it weighs.


Super simple alternative. Take one bathroom scale that goes to 350 so lbs. Put a cement block on it and re-adjust the zero so as to create a tare weight for the block. Put the bike on the block so the tires are off the ground. Read the scale.

[TwoHundredEx]

Look for a BANSHEE set up, they made it for so many years that they are out there plentiful and cheap, but I'd still look for something clean and low hours.... I got a 2000 SHEE setup for free but I'd pay up to 100$ for the same thing - no sweat!

The back caliper mount will take one simple bracket and your fully involved in the master/pedal linkage mount so who cares what make/model it comes off?

EDIT - I honestly don't think it will take much to make your pivot and stuff etc, just keep postin!! AND, although your broke... Don't be ridin that thing without an air filter. That motor had time on it before you, who knows how tight and strong it really is. Just don't ruin it by losing a chain or running without an A/F - SOOOOOOO many guys lose there build those ways.....


Well the bike was actually bought off a friend of my dads, and had rode it maybe 3 times after he rebuilt it, the rest of the hours were put on it by us borrowing it, and then eventually buying it. Motor has I'd say, 8-10 hours MAX, but honestly, I don't think I'm going to wait much longer for a rebuild. Parts aren't going to be made forever, so I'd rather do it now when it's available, than wait till it blows up and have nothing to replace it with. Depending on the price, and how many bores I have left, I might even grab a couple top end kits of different bore sizes, just so I have room to play with.

One thing I've found out for the rear brakes is that a 200S lever will work with just a little grinding of the peg mount, and a little bit of linkage, so that part is covered. Is the Banshee caliper and MC better than stock setup?



CAT scale. Will give him the weight of the bike accurately to the pound.


The three scales should work, if you add all three scales weights together. Weight is a representation of gravity working on mass. The mass of the bike doesnt change, No different then having three guys pickup the bike it still weighs what it weighs.


Super simple alternative. Take one bathroom scale that goes to 350 so lbs. Put a cement block on it and re-adjust the zero so as to create a tare weight for the block. Put the bike on the block so the tires are off the ground. Read the scale.


I might try the cement block idea also, seems like it would work.

[brapp]

i have uded a floor jack and a bathroom scale under the motor cradle

[Dirtcrasher]

Well the bike was actually bought off a friend of my dads, and had rode it maybe 3 times after he rebuilt it, the rest of the hours were put on it by us borrowing it, and then eventually buying it. Motor has I'd say, 8-10 hours MAX, but honestly, I don't think I'm going to wait much longer for a rebuild. Parts aren't going to be made forever, so I'd rather do it now when it's available, than wait till it blows up and have nothing to replace it with. Depending on the price, and how many bores I have left, I might even grab a couple top end kits of different bore sizes, just so I have room to play with.

One thing I've found out for the rear brakes is that a 200S lever will work with just a little grinding of the peg mount, and a little bit of linkage, so that part is covered. Is the Banshee caliper and MC better than stock setup?


With those old air cooled motors it's the main and connecting rod lowering bearing that launch unexpectedly. The Banshee is probably equal to the stock setup, I don't see any huge advantage other than it being newer and plentiful. The stock ones are mostly beat and junk and some cannot even be rebuilt after you pay 75$ for a used 22 y.o. set.

[NINJA]

i have uded a floor jack and a bathroom scale under the motor cradle

Yup, I'm with Brapp on this one. Except, a little stabler idea. setup a motocross stand, cinder blocks, or milk crate, then put the scale on top of that, then the three wheelers engine cradle over the scale and balance it. Has always worked for me.

[TwoHundredEx]

With those old air cooled motors it's the main and connecting rod lowering bearing that launch unexpectedly. The Banshee is probably equal to the stock setup, I don't see any huge advantage other than it being newer and plentiful. The stock ones are mostly beat and junk and some cannot even be rebuilt after you pay 75$ for a used 22 y.o. set.

That bracket looks pretty simple, so when I can, I'll definitely start looking for a Banshee setup, I assume all years are the same?


Yup, I'm with Brapp on this one. Except, a little stabler idea. setup a motocross stand, cinder blocks, or milk crate, then put the scale on top of that, then the three wheelers engine cradle over the scale and balance it. Has always worked for me.

I think I might go try this right now actually, hopefully it'll work.

[drhatc200]

thats what i was just thinking about scrap yrd scale.lol

[Dirtcrasher]

I should know... There scale is SUPER accurate. I scrap more copper and aluminum than a radiator company!! LOL. The crane offers to take a 2000lb roof top AC unit away and I say, "nope, toss it in my box truck!!" Then I get to seperate all the goodies.....

Hey, it pays for ALL my trike parts and then some!!

[NINJA]

I should know... There scale is SUPER accurate. I scrap more copper and aluminum than a radiator company!! LOL. The crane offers to take a 2000lb roof top AC unit away and I say, "nope, toss it in my box truck!!" Then I get to seperate all the goodies.....

Hey, it pays for ALL my trike parts and then some!!

It should say "thrifty *Edited**Edited**Edited**Edited**Edited**Edited**E dited*" next to your avatar:lol:

[TwoHundredEx]

This was without the rear fenders so it's a few pounds heavier, but a set of 20's should get rid of a few more.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b66/Legacy44/Picture084.jpg

[Red Rider]

Super simple alternative. Take one bathroom scale that goes to 350 so lbs.Yeah, but to get a bathroom scale with that kind of capacity, you'd have to go to Jenny Craig or Weightwatchers! :lol:

[McDerry]

Yeah, but to get a bathroom scale with that kind of capacity, you'd have to go to Jenny Craig or Weightwatchers! :lol:


Try the dollar store. The average person owningf a scale is an american, and the average american is a fatass.

[TravEX]

The average person owning a scale is an american, and the average american is a fatass.

LMAO! True.

[NINJA]

This was without the rear fenders so it's a few pounds heavier, but a set of 20's should get rid of a few more.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b66/Legacy44/Picture084.jpg

I'm guessing that's wet weight right? not to bad

[TwoHundredEx]

Yep it's wet weight, about half a tank in it.
Hopefully with a set of 20's and aluminum bars, I'll be around 255lbs.

[runaway]

hello
heres a quick idea for you,if you cut a board the same width as your rear wheels. weigh the board so you can deduct the weight of it from the over all weight,set the front tire on one scale and lay the board on the second scale then place the rear tires on the board with the scale in the center then add the two numbers . hope it helps you next time you want to weight it.

[SWIGIN]

no rear fenders???


they are heavier then a few pounds.... with a seat that is

[Rustytinhorn]

I didn't read all the replies, so sorry is someone already metioned this but.....

It is simple....With one bathroom scale, put it under one tire at a time and add the weight from the three different tires up to get you total weight. The weight isn't going to all the sudden change on the bike becuase one tire is raised up 2 freakin inches.