pros and cons of project trike

[4Q2]

As some of you know i dont have a 3 wheeler, instead of spending big $ on a complete set up of something ?? I was thinking about getting a roller like this and throwing in some random 2 stroke 250 motor i get running for cheap. whatever fits ?
so i guess what im asking is, what are some of the best makes ? year ? frames to start working with,

This is one offer i have :

1985 200X i have everything for it but the motor and rear caliper its really nice plastics, seat,and tires ,frame was just painted must sell also have a 200x motor but it needs a top end rebuild and a side cover but thats extra, its all togeather really nice ready for a motor and i have alot of extra parts also if u need any
thanks $300

[DeePa]

buy the roller, throw a lifan in it, fix the front brakes and you wont need rears because itll be slow as hell...

go 2 stroke or go home

[4Q2]

Sorry thats a lil unclear, im not interedsted in the motor, just the roller. Is this a user freindly frame to mess with ??

That how the guys add read, so $300 for everything but the motor, ive seen some pics of these all tricked out, not too bad :naughty:

[McDerry]

Sorry thats a lil unclear, im not interedsted in the motor, just the roller. Is this a user freindly frame to mess with ??

That how the guys add read, so $300 for everything but the motor, ive seen some pics of these all tricked out, not too bad :naughty:


Buy the roller. Then buy a lifan crate motor ($500).

[DarkestGKnight]

hes says he dont want a lifan first post says he wants a 2 stroke, some member on here put a suzuki pe175 engine in his 200x and its awesome may want to look into that.

[The Goat]

just buy a 2 stroke if you want a 2 stroke. Fitting it into that frame with rads will be more trouble thanits worth.

You can get liquids for a grand these days.

[SeaBass8]

Just my 2 cents here...

If budget is your concern... I would buy a complete running rider. Whatever flavor you like.

Projects seem to turn out to be more that expected.

SeaBass8

[Dirtcrasher]

I'll agree with Johnny Seabass! Unless you want to play mig welding Captain Cobble.... You'd be better off to find a crappy liquid R.

But as far as what you were asking Matt, the 1st generation X frame is a bit cramped for space. Not an easy bike to stuff another motor into - unless it's done poorly.

I can see where your coming from and maybe you have access to a cheap 250 powerplant but a liquid R roller would be more spacious! You certainly wouldn't be happy with a Lifan after the Zilla!

I hope you don't find a liquid R roller :lol: - THATS what I've been looking for to start another project......

Good luck though and the welders and everything else are here if you need help :D

[ATC-Eric]

Save your money dude.

[brrcuda]

I think DC has an 86 200x project you might be interested in.....;) Easy build, too...

200x is too small IMO. 84-85 Tecates go for cheap in running condition. The way you jump, you need something quick with decent suspension.

[atc vending guy]

ive got a tecate frame matt,with triples and forks and swinger.the pipe as well.

[4Q2]

Thanks for all your input, im gonna pass on this roller and wait for something more spacious as recommended, Im just not sure about shocks and such, what set ups are better than others... Ill just have to do some more homework. I had no idea what a lifan was ??

That tecate roller sounds like what i might be looking for, ill get back to you on that vender.

From what Ive been seeing, it looks like the tecate and 250r are the bikes to be dealing with, Thanks guys

[BOB MARLIN]

I"ve done it both ways. Every time it has been cheeper to buy a complete
running one. Even if it looks rough.

The only time-in my opinion- to get one that is NOT mostly complete, is if you want
to make a custom trike, and have the cash to do it right!.

[Custom200]

I've realized that a "cheap" build most times turns into an expensiv one. Also finding the parts you need or some setups dont always work out. A Project requires not only the money but alot ot time and work. Just my opion though

[Vealmonkey]

It seems to me that it is cheaper in the long run that if you want a 2 stroke 250, than to just buy the correct frame for the engine you want. If the big 3 don't appeal to you, than go the hard way and buy one of the other brands and spend really crazy money. There were companys that converted street bikes and dirtbikes so those options are open to you to. The only drawback of that is, unless you are really handy, a custom can get very expensive if you don't do your own machine work or welding. And if you're not a good welder, but try your hand at welding, you might be building something that could hurt you. There is no compromise for safety!!! There are enough parts around to build up a trike from parts, but a complete beater is usually better than trying to buy a trike piecemeal. All those small parts will nickel-dime you to death and can get very expensive to buy a bunch of little parts and to have them shipped to you. A rebuild is hard enough and a custom is a real labor of love. Check the threads on here. Plenty of people have had to trash parts that they had alot of time and money into just because they weren't right or weren't safe. If you don't have major fabbing skills or you don't know someone who fabs real well, stick with a rebuild of an existing trike. There are plenty of aftermarket bits that will let you make your rebuilt trike yours. There are big bore kits that will let you have more ccs if the stock engine size isn't enough. There are people that will happily build you a longer swingarm if that is what you want. Whatever you decide, be safe and have fun. And post pics.

[cajun66]

In my experience, save your duckies, and go ahead and spring for a running rig. Every "project" I ever got left unfinished. All of them looked simple but became overwhelming money pits in the long run. Lost money on every one. But that's just my experience.

[4Q2]

Ok, heres what i want to do...
Get a trike that has all the working parts except for the motor. I will use the parts specified for that roller, brakes , forks, swinger, hubs, everything but the motor, no mixing and matching

I didnt think it would be that hard to put in new mounts for any motor, maybe a couple new braces for the pipes, Im not intending to build a crapper, BUT its not gonna be some insanely expensive trick trike, Just a driver i could race around,, learn on,, maybe flip a couple times, then repeat. seems like the rollers are easier to find,, thats what led me to getting a different motor.

So let me ask you guys this..
Whats harder to get for you bikes,, motor parts or mechanical parts ?
If someone gave you a cr500 motor and told you to put it in a trike, what make and year would you choose ?

[McDerry]

Ok, heres what i want to do...
Get a trike that has all the working parts except for the motor. I will use the parts specified for that roller, brakes , forks, swinger, hubs, everything but the motor, no mixing and matching

I didnt think it would be that hard to put in new mounts for any motor, maybe a couple new braces for the pipes, Im not intending to build a crapper, BUT its not gonna be some insanely expensive trick trike, Just a driver i could race around,, learn on,, maybe flip a couple times, then repeat. seems like the rollers are easier to find,, thats what led me to getting a different motor.

So let me ask you guys this..
Whats harder to get for you bikes,, motor parts or mechanical parts ?
If someone gave you a cr500 motor and told you to put it in a trike, what make and year would you choose ?

Its size constraints man. The frames are relatively compact round the initial motor.