Trikes in mud and water (lots o pics)

[pfunk]

Here in Texas, we do a lot of mud bogging. The guys and gals i ride with, all have the big 4 wheel drives, with the mud lites or mud bugs, snorkels the whole nine yards. I use to take my old 85 trx 200, and always had a hard time keeping up with them. That bike weights way too much, and is loose as a goose. So i wanted something better.

Growing up on 3 wheelers, i remembered almost never getting stuck on my Big Red, and if i did i was always able to get out without any help. Thats important out here, the mud can get thick and sticky, and if you get stuck alone, your screwed.

So i started looking..

Well, i got shat from these guys on a daily basis for wanting to buy a 3 wheeler. I was told i wouldn’t be able to keep up, and i wouldn’t make it through the deep water or mud because its almost impossible to snorkel. That I need to get a mans bike, 4 wheel drive, jock strap edition, blah blah.

Anyway, undeterred, i found a 250ES on Craigslist in almost mint condition for 700 bucks. Drove about 2 hrs and picked it up.

I vented the crank, brakes, rear end, and both carb vents up above the handle bars. The snorkel is stock, and is below the handle bars, and i really haven’t seen any need to try and snorkel it any higher, being that the front end stays up in really deep water, and if it gets too deep, I can hop off, and float it.
Rebuilt the carb, and it starts first kick, without any hesitation (has electric start, but i need to pick up a battery).
This thing is beautiful. Lights work, trunk plastic, tool kit all in mint condition. Hell of a deal, and I was very excited to get this thing in some mud.

So first few rides we took her on, were on some of the roughest terrain in this area. Deep water, hill climbs, thick mud, and she had no problems at all. As a matter of fact, I’m usually the only one that doesn’t require a tow. Im so glad i picked this trick up, i feel home again..


Needless to say they all have a full plate of crow to eat.



Any advice on trikes in mud and water will be appreciated. Im still trying to figure out what tires would be best (size, tread, etc). Right now i have wooley boogers on the back, and a hole shot on the front. Those work well, but im thinking a little more tread on the back would be better. Definitely some self cleaners too.

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/79/l_6d150df2bdb442cd9835872cfbbef3f5.jpg


http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/70/l_d7742c5f51d04b21ab9ddac27965e229.jpg


http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/73/l_cdd1b99ce6e5460889d7501a95ad1a03.jpg

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/102/l_2a313c9667e8480b8e4a11d416b29aed.jpg

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/77/l_2d55e13f73254ee7ae0db536caba2f70.jpg

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/95/l_aea092a902b64881892ddff9bcb87586.jpg

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/92/l_ac9340546ca444ca8d31eb7651a71d40.jpg

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/72/l_cd487796e9424faf9e69f4e0716a970b.jpg

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/105/l_855a35c22a32446492f6dc789e2e8d58.jpg

[rdlsz24]

Sweet that thing looks like a beast in the water. I've never taken anything in water that deep.

Rob

[vrswiss]

Thats great. Is that a upside down machine in the water in the 5th picture down? Looks like some tires sticking out of the water.:lol:

[pfunk]

yea she loves it.
Most of those pics came from the testing phase. Making sure all the lines were buttoned up before taking it out on a real ride. I wish i had more pics of the rides, but its too risky holding a camera in water and mud that deep.
Most pics turn out as drinking beer at rest areas..

[whipit]

you had better service the rear end on that thing ....now

[pfunk]

Thats great. Is that a upside down machine in the water in the 5th picture down? Looks like some tires sticking out of the water.:lol:


lol, you have a keen eye. Yea, there were a few 4 wheelers that flipped over that weekend.

6 oil changes, flush, and carb cleaning, rear end flush, and they are runnen strong again. I still wouldnt do anything like that to mine. It was fun to watch tho.

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/66/l_e3070d76211e4db4bdff233be8f3adb2.jpg

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/92/l_7074238142d145d5a6c5a23fe2e0adea.jpg

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/101/l_a6011adbf40c4ff6abdf44bf94bd3a78.jpg

http://www.americanprotects.com/test/shanes.jpg

[pfunk]

you had better service the rear end on that thing ....now



The rear end is vented (with all new line) above the handle bars. Everything is, carb, brakes, crank, etc.
I spent 2 weeks buttoning this thing up, and i check it all the time, oil, rear end and all.. It's never taken in a drop of water. Am I missing something?

[keister]

Welcome:beer Looks like a blast!

I have done my share of mudding with the big quads on my Big Red - though I haven't gone as deep as you. It is fun to show up their $5000 machines with an old ATC. My biggest concern is that the quads all have airboxes up high (where my gas tank is). Just make sure you check your airbox and filter after you ride.

I'd suggest some ITP rears. I have one on the front and need to get them on the back as well. My brother has these all around his BR.

http://www.venustel.com/~tkeister/peepers/trike_only_frontal.JPG

One last note on the forum rules - you need to be wearing a helmet in posted pictures.

[MonroeMike]

Cool pics, looks like the dog got in the action too...

[Name Brand]

Very cool.

I highly recommend Kenda Bear Claws.

I have my SX set up for water crossing; check the link in my signature below...

[daniel_250r]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpgAw6KqjtU&feature=channel_page i know i show this vid a lot in the water/mud threads but it might help you with ideas

[mahackney42]

I highly recommend Kenda Bear Claws.




I second the Kenda Bear Claws. More versatile than they look. These things never seem to cake up, even in the deep stuff.

Mark

[somekidwithanm4]

Yep. Get the Bear claws.
I've actually driven a 4 wheeler deeper than that with a stock airfilter and exaust. Fully submerged a 2001 Honda Recon 250ES and it still ran perfectly. Haven't had the privilage to do the same with a trike yet though.

[pfunk]

Bear claw eh, I actually have a set of Bear Claws. But they fit on a 12 inch rim, and my rims are all 9's.
Should I go with a bigger rim, or find some Bear Claws that will fit on a 9 inch rim (if possible)? I also like the MudBugs, but cant find em for 9 inch rim. Im considering breaking down and buying some 12 inch rims.

Also, I'm thinking 25X12 for back?

[pfunk]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpgAw6KqjtU&feature=channel_page i know i show this vid a lot in the water/mud threads but it might help you with ideas

Loved that video, thx for sharing!


Very cool.

I highly recommend Kenda Bear Claws.

I have my SX set up for water crossing; check the link in my signature below...

Very nice work, both gave me some ideas on how to snorkel this puppy, if i decide to. I only weight like 190, so i find its kind of difficult to get the back tires on the ground in deeper water. Thats why im consdiering a heavier tire and rim for the back.

[AutoXer]

i think a 12" rim would be cool as could be .... alot of 12" mud tires available

[pfunk]

i think a 12" rim would be cool as could be .... alot of 12" mud tires available

Yea, im noticing that more and more. Ive found them on the net, but with shipping costs its too much. When i try and order them in town, Honda etc, they dont carry anything i need that will fit on a 9 inch rim. My goal is to get more weight back there, and im worried ill lose weight on the tire if i go to a 12 inch rim.

BUT, If i have too much weight back there, and too much tread, wont that bring me backwards more when going up the steep hills?

[userj8670]

Awesome pics! I have an SX and i have sank that on more than one occasion. Someone earlier mentioned to service the rearend...let me elaborate. The '85 BR and sx's were notorious for water getting into the rearend around the drive shaft boot and in the differential. Look for a post called Jim's SX rebuild or something like that and it will show you what water did to my rear end and axle. Luckly it was all salvagable but just be sure your constantly checking the rear diff oil for water and changing it if your in deep frequently. Other than that keep it rolling!:beer

[pfunk]

Awesome pics! I have an SX and i have sank that on more than one occasion. Someone earlier mentioned to service the rearend...let me elaborate. The '85 BR and sx's were notorious for water getting into the rearend around the drive shaft boot and in the differential. Look for a post called Jim's SX rebuild or something like that and it will show you what water did to my rear end and axle. Luckly it was all salvagable but just be sure your constantly checking the rear diff oil for water and changing it if your in deep frequently. Other than that keep it rolling!:beer

I see, yea ill keep an eye out for that. Thank you.

My goal is to ride the shat out of this thing, but keep her in mint condition. Is that possible? ;)


This board/site is really cool btw, kudos to the creator(s) and supporters.

[userj8670]

I see, yea ill keep an eye out for that. Thank you.

My goal is to ride the shat out of this thing, but keep her in mint condition. Is that possible? ;)


This board/site is really cool btw, kudos to the creator(s) and supporters.


Oh its very possible as long as you dont beat the snot outta it. Simple maintanance. Wax the plastics once a month or so to keep them shiny, do oil changes and dont forget to change the oil filter, tune ups, wipe it down and hose it off when dirty etc. I did that with mine and she looked great til i didnt care becuase i was going to rebuild.

[userj8670]

p.s. here is the link.. this is why you check your diff fluid


http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/showthread.php?t=92488&highlight=curious+case+jims+sx

[pfunk]

p.s. here is the link.. this is why you check your diff fluid


http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/showthread.php?t=92488&highlight=curious+case+jims+sx

wow, was your gear oil that same color? Or was that grease?

[ScottZJ]

I put some 12" wheels on my 87 Big red and yes....you can get tons of mud tires for that size rim. I like the larger look and mud cleans out of the wheel much easier.

Mounted on 26x12.5x12 tires

http://www.fototime.com/{F101DDD9-0D75-4047-BFCB-1515A0A5B7AC}/origpict/P7260001.JPG

http://www.fototime.com/{3FE0F279-A56A-457A-9058-1EFFE70CE28F}/origpict/P7260006.JPG

[pfunk]

Beautiful trike Scott, are those Big Horns on the back?

I guess im ganna have to break down and buy 12 inch rims for the back.

[ScottZJ]

Neah those are the Rubicon Maxxis tires. I have had those on 5 different trikes and love them. they have much better traction and clean out than Mud lites and they last 4 times longer. I am really happy with them in the mud type terrain and anyone that knows TN area, we have some knarly mud around here.

[Name Brand]

Very nice work, both gave me some ideas on how to snorkel this puppy, if i decide to. I only weight like 190, so i find its kind of difficult to get the back tires on the ground in deeper water. Thats why im consdiering a heavier tire and rim for the back.


The Bearclaws I run are 25x12x9; they are a slightly heavier tire than average but the machine has no problem turning them. I used stock rear rims from a Fourtrax.
I only weigh 145lbs; if the back is losing traction, pulling the front tire up into a wheelie helps. Often I'll just be patient and 'paddlewheel' through deep, slow water.

All the pics of my snorkel are in that thread. I really love to take a few more for you if I could; but not for several more months. I recommend buying a small assortment of different degrees of pipe corners and just seeing what will fit. Try to get a minimum of turns in the snorkel. I like my snorkel up front where it is. I think if it were out the back or around the rear rack I would have hit it with my leg or lost it doing wheelies. Making it removable is a huge benefit. There's no need to run it if there's no water around.

Even if you don't get in deep enough water for the snorkel, it's nice knowing all your vent lines will not get water in them. I haven't had water get in my engine or rear diff since putting my vents in my airbox and snorkeling it. Any deep or unknown water crossing, I put the snorkel on just to ensure my fluids will not be contaminated.