Aluminum 450r 3 wheeler.

[Jason Hall]

Well I've been kickin this idea around for a while now. I finally won a frame real cheap. It will take alot of time, but I want to make it work. Even though this will be a LONG project, It should turn out sweet I hope. My plan Is to keep the ride height as low as possable. I'm thinking I will have to raise the engine cradle some, that could cause clearance problems with the gas tank. I will modifi a crf swinger, but will be using a trx450 rear shock. That should make it possable to use a 350x airbox under the seat.I hope to have a tank soon so I can get started. If I have tank clearance problems then I will use a different tank.

I have a question for you aluminum polishing guys though. The stock crf plastic rubs grooves In the top frame tubes. Do you guys think If I tig weld the groove up & sand them flat that you will be able to see the spot still? I have welded swingarms before & sometimes you can see that the aluminum filler rod Is not the same shade when sanded. If you guys think the spots would show, I will have to use the stock shrouds to keep It covered up.

[oldsking86]

hmm this would be very interesting when done... who else better to do so then you You've had wicked projects already here's another!

What do you intend on using for the front end? That rake make look a bit high so.

[Jason Hall]

What do you intend on using for the front end? That rake make look a bit high so.[/QUOTE]

I've been doing alot of thinking about where to start. So I think once I raise the engine cradle & re-mount the engine, I will put the swingarm on. Then set the frame height (ground clearance) where I want It. Then I can figure out how long the forks will need to be. It will for sure have Inverted forks, with aluminum tripples. I might have to lean the frame forward some, then build some rake Into the tripples. I really don't know how It will work until I get a gas tank & get started on It.

[brapp]

its an awesome idea and cant wait to see the progress.

[Nick_R_23]

hmm this would be very interesting when done... who else better to do so then you You've had wicked projects already here's another!

I agree!!! I cant wait to see the finished product!!!!

-Nick

[sandpuppi101]

Jason are you dismanteling the 450 with the 350 chasis ? You doing a bolt on sub-frame? And what tank you planning on using,if all goes well? Make sure you keep all informed !

[Jason Hall]

Roger, I won a stock crf tank a couple days ago, along with a crf swinger. I plan on using the stock tank. If I don't have room to move the engine up to gain ground clearance, then a custom aluminum tank will be my only choice. I do plan on robbing the heart from the 350x frame, as long as all goes well. Yes I also plan on a bolt on aluminum sub frame. I really don't want to rush on this project, because It Is a difficult one.

[Derrick Adams]

I think I would start by getting some actual measurements from a complete dirtbike. Frame to ground, then front/rear axle to ground. Then you can determine how much you need to section from the frame. Assuming you want your unloaded frame clearance around 11-12" like a standard 250R.

[Jason Hall]

Derrick, I already measured the crf's they have close to 12" of ground clearance. I have the frame all marked where the bottom needs to be. I measured the fork length & figured out how long I want the swinger to be with the frame 12" off the ground. The next step It to determine If I can use the stock tank. Either way, I will cut the bottom of the frame & move It up quite a bit. The forks on my 350x chassis are real close to the right length with the rake & wheelbase set where I like It.

[Jason Hall]

The swingarms are completly different from the bike to the quad. The bike has no carrier & the wheel fits between the the 2 aluminum tubes. My plan to modifi the bike swingarm Is to use the front section. It will fit the frame & also the engine will fit between the front section of the swinger. I hope to then rebuild the sides & use the rear section (carrier) from a 89 trx 250r swingarm.

[Dirtcrasher]

Are you doing that to obtain a longer swinger? The 450 Tri-Z you built was a stock 450R swinger correct? and it's a hair shorter?

[Jason Hall]

I will make the swingarm the same length as a stock 06 & up trx 450 19.5". I don't want the swinger long because I will use this machine as a eveyday rider / MX racer. As I said before, I'm using the motorcycle swinger because It fits the frame & engine correctly. I will just have to mod the sides & weld a rear carrier section on.

The Tri-Z was a stock 19.5" trx450r swinger. It Is really close to the same length as a stock Z swingarm.

[Youngrasher]

any progress?

[Bryan Raffa]

how's this comeing jason?

[Jason Hall]

Well I'm still gathering parts. It's looking like I will use the front section of the bike swinger and a stock 450 bike shock. I really wanted to use a trx 450 rear shock, because I have a good one I modified the head on the engine I plan on using. This will make It very difficult to use the bike shock set up, because the carb boot will run straight Into the shock. I might have to change back to a stock crf head to make the air box fit. I sure have'nt given up, I'm just a little frustrated because I can't make thing's fit the rear suspension like I planned. One change leads to many others.

Here Is the aluminum for the tripples & a real nice set of forks I will be using. I also have the swinger & tank. It's hunting season, so my machine shop buddy does'nt have much time to spare.