I have a spare 70 frame sitting around and have really toyed with the idea of throwing in a Lifan 125cc motor. Curious who all has done this and what kind of extra work it took?
I have a spare 70 frame sitting around and have really toyed with the idea of throwing in a Lifan 125cc motor. Curious who all has done this and what kind of extra work it took?
I put a 70cc Lifan into a '74 ATC 70. It bolted right in, and now I have CDI and a 4 speed transmission, and you can barely tell it ain't stock. I had to modify the original 70 left side cover, drill and tap the flywheel for the recoil basket, and add some spacers from DrATV to make the recoil fit.
As far as puttin in a 125cc, I've seen pictures, but it looks to me like it gets pretty long and there's the possibility of the head rubbin the front tire.
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1974 Honda ATC 70
1985 Honda ATC 250 ES Big Red
1986 Honda ATC 250 ES Big Red
2008 Honda Rancher 420
1983 Hustler 945-HK 6x6 - Fire Breathing 627cc V-Twin Monster
2010 Chevy Silverado 1500 4x4 LT
1983 GMC K10 Sierra Classic Suburban 6.2 Liter Diesel
My Feedback:http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr...-for-Stonewall
There is no Z in Diesel!!!
Lifan 125 will fit without stretching the frame. My 140 required the frame to be stretched a couple inches. Then longer cables are involved.
my feedback thread http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr...-hoosierlogger
TRIKEFEST 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
Current rides
Taurus 650 (green)
85 250es big red
83 ALT50 (5 year old daughters)
82 ALT50
82 ALT50
84 atc 70 stroked big bore 90 STILL in progress.
71 QA50
93 TRX 300 FW
You might be strong as an ox, but without a cart you are just a big dumb animal.
I have a 150 in a stock frame. front fender is trimmed and the gas tank was dented in a little underneath to make room for the carb.
The Chinese clone engines bolt in.
Complications:
- how are you going to start it? adapt pull start, kick, or e-start?
- fuel: stock fuel tanks have 2 outlets & no petcock. Chinese carbs have 1 inlet and no petcock.
- wiring: from simple (no lights, no e-start) to complicated. Need to mount CDI somewhere at the very least.
I put a 125cc e-start, 3sp+ reverse in my TRX 70. Not the same as the ATC but close.
Engine bolted in. Chain lines up perfectly. Exhaust lines up perfectly.
I used an aftermarket plastic tank and hooked up the single fuel line to the "reserve" outlet on the tank with a simple, lawn mower fuel valve from Lowe's. No reserve but I never rode it too far from camp.
My engine had the starter on top of the motor, so I had to run the carb/intake towards the front. Not really an issue on the TRX. No room for this on the ATC.
I copied Flying W's idea and made a tray on the skid plate and tucked the battery and wiring into the frame. Battery, CDI, regulator, solenoid all tucked up out of site.
Reverse was a riot!
Sold it last summer
I have a 125 e-start to put in my ATC70 project - maybe this summer. It has the starter on the bottom, manual clutch, 4 speed. Should be fun.
I have a Chinese motor of some sort in one of my 70s. Don't know the brand of quad, I got the whole thing from my buddy. But the motor is a top mount starter and everything fits right in the trike frame without turning the carb forward or modding the tank. When I start building it I will take pics.
Sounds like this is basically all the issues I was thinking of. Has anyone adapted the kick start for use? or do most use e-start or rope start? Since I'm not looking at anything over complicated, basically just something to put around on on my acre, should I stick with the 70?
1974 Honda ATC 70
1985 Honda ATC 250 ES Big Red
1986 Honda ATC 250 ES Big Red
2008 Honda Rancher 420
1983 Hustler 945-HK 6x6 - Fire Breathing 627cc V-Twin Monster
2010 Chevy Silverado 1500 4x4 LT
1983 GMC K10 Sierra Classic Suburban 6.2 Liter Diesel
My Feedback:http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr...-for-Stonewall
There is no Z in Diesel!!!
I run kickstarts on the 125 and up engines especially the hi-po ones. The pull start conversions work, but they are pricey and the hi compression race engines are tough on the ropes. I fab spacers for the rear wheels and cut the fenders back so the kickers clear. Really alters the stock appearance, but at the point of installing a hi po engine in one it is more about function for me than OEM looks.
The Auto clutch Lifan has less compression and will handle the pull start conversion better, but still it ads a few hundred to the swap.
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1974 Honda ATC 70
1985 Honda ATC 250 ES Big Red
1986 Honda ATC 250 ES Big Red
2008 Honda Rancher 420
1983 Hustler 945-HK 6x6 - Fire Breathing 627cc V-Twin Monster
2010 Chevy Silverado 1500 4x4 LT
1983 GMC K10 Sierra Classic Suburban 6.2 Liter Diesel
My Feedback:http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr...-for-Stonewall
There is no Z in Diesel!!!
Most of the guys selling 'kits' to do the pull start conversion are anywhere from 100-200 bucks. That is assuming that you have a good pull start to work with, if not ad another 60-85 bucks. I don't cost me nothing and I widen the trikes out 3 inches.
I have done a few of these swaps. From lifans to Pirhanas in TRX and ATC 70's.
I guess it is all in what a guy wants.
I have a guy that mods the 70 side cover and provides spacers and makes the correct rings for the flywheel. He gets 125$ for that set-up.
http://www.hondaatc70.com/Pages/Reco...tsandKits.aspx
I reckon if you buy everything already done that would make a difference. I did everything myself, the only things I bought were the spacers ($10 each at the time) and a new recoil spring, rope, and pull ($25 or so off of ebay). I used the method described here: http://www.dratv.com/adyoatpustto.html
Of course, I was going for the 3 wheeler looking as original as possible with the new engine.
1974 Honda ATC 70
1985 Honda ATC 250 ES Big Red
1986 Honda ATC 250 ES Big Red
2008 Honda Rancher 420
1983 Hustler 945-HK 6x6 - Fire Breathing 627cc V-Twin Monster
2010 Chevy Silverado 1500 4x4 LT
1983 GMC K10 Sierra Classic Suburban 6.2 Liter Diesel
My Feedback:http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthr...-for-Stonewall
There is no Z in Diesel!!!
Yeah I figure most did it that way in the link. However, I feel a little better having the case welded with aluminum vs a beer can and glue to keep mud and water out of the stator. My guy re welds the aluminum in that area cut out, to clear the pick up coils so you get a good seal. Also when you get into some of the 125's of various brands, that mod does not always work.
Well right now the trike is just a frame, and I was thinking about keeping it with very minimalist fenders so I might be able to stick with the kick start then. I'm not really looking for a stock setup as there isn't much there. Just something to cruise around with at the house and dunes when I need to go to the bathroom.