Topic: What to do with a free project?

[GroovieGhoulie]

Well my interest in vintage bikes has earned me the distinction of becoming the local repository for weird and misfit old bikes. People are bringing me sh*t for free for my "future projects". Since it's free, I never say no. Hell, I got space and I don't have anything invested.

Anyway, a recent booger fell into my lap. It's an old Honda "Moon Buggy" Three-Wheeler. I know these things are dangerous as hell and were legislated out of existence. Supposedly they CAN be ridden safely, even safely while going fast, but the learning curve is SO steep and the margin for User Error or acts of God is non-existent, so most folks kill or cripple themselves on them before they master them.

Now it's a later model with disc front and rear brakes, the Pro-Link rear end and is a 250 two-stroke single. The frame has recently been powdercoated and the engine runs damn good. It's got the "stabilizing kit", which was basically extra-wide low-profile rear tires. Supposedly makes it a LOT more stable.

Downside is it needs a tank and seat, but eBay has those for cheap, and some odds and ends, like clutch and parking brake levers, fork yoke nut, rebuild the master cylinder, etc. This is all I noticed in my initial 2-minute check out, likely needs more, but I could probably have it going for a couple hundred bucks TOPS, and be tooling around on it.  I think it was a project someone started, ran out of motivation, then gave it to my neighbor, who took it with the intention to give it to me, which he then did.

The question is: put a few bucks in it for a toy to putt-putt around the airfield, or break it for parts and sell them on eBay, making perhaps a few hundred bucks? I don't know much about three-wheelers other than the common "wisdom" that they are pure evil and will kill anyone who swings a leg over them, so I'm not REAL eager to bring it back, but I'm tempted because it won't take much to bring it back. How much truth to their reputation REALLY? Should I just break it for parts and make some bucks for the Hodaka (which needs a few things), or whatever?

[bill440cars]

   GG, IMHO,  I think most of the hazards of the 3 wheelers was rider carelessness and/or lack of true knowledge of how to handle them. They can be a bear to turn and you can get yourself in trouble pretty quick, if you're not paying attention to what you are doing. I think they can be a lot of fun. Myself, I'd fix it up. That's just me. Think about it. Some folks think motorcycles of any and every kind, should be outlawed. What can I say? But, I'd go for it and if you got tired of it, then sell it either whole or part it out. My 2-cents.

                                                    Later on, Bill  

[crazypj]

Dunno about that, its a 250R by the sound of things, around 45 BHP if its in good nick.
Used to be pretty popular to convert to 4 wheeler until the new 4 strokes finally killed them off. I may have some engine pars for one lying aroiund
PJ

[6pkrunner]

Wow!! I thought the old three wheelers were neat. Sure they were unstable, but only when driven well beyond their limitations. With age comes temperance so I'm sure you'll be fine.

[DammitDan]

Just make sure to put a wheelie bar on that thing 

[GroovieGhoulie]

Just make sure to put a wheelie bar on that thing 

And probably outriggers. 

[JP]

crazypj is right, it deffinately sounds like a 250r.  I took an '85 model and used the engine to make my favorite racing quad.  If it's liquid cooled, I'd pay you to ship it to me if you don't know what to do with it.  I'd love to have another one.
JP

[Dusthawk]

GG, with that wider lower rear end, it is tons safer than they were stock. I had an original unsafe model back in Michigan but never dumped on it. I took my time and learned to ride it well, then, when the "R" model came out, man, what a diff it made, tons of fun. Espacially on the beach, jumping small dunes was a blast!

Peace and Long Rides,

Jeff

[gerhed]

Used to watch 'em race those things at the Richmond Fairgrounds in the 80's.
Counter steering like mad around to the left on a dirt track !
A little bad publicity and they were gone.--conspiracy, I'd say.
Just like the Corvair.
I mean, who wouldn't want a Corvair Turbo Spyder !!

[GroovieGhoulie]

crazypj is right, it deffinately sounds like a 250r.  I took an '85 model and used the engine to make my favorite racing quad.  If it's liquid cooled, I'd pay you to ship it to me if you don't know what to do with it.  I'd love to have another one.
JP

Air-cooled.  Jug looks kinda big for a 250 single, but I can't find any markings on it anywhere.

[tsflstb]

Those things are fun.  Best part is if you fall off the side, you run yourself over with a back wheel.  I practiced a few Shriner quality stunts on one in high school.  Do they still get to use them in parades?  Still have fond childhood memories of those fat drunk guys on tiny 3 wheelers tossing out candy...good times.

[DiscoEd]

I mean, who wouldn't want a Corvair Turbo Spyder !!

Uhhhhhh - Ralph Nader?

Regards,
DiscoEd

[GroovieGhoulie]

Some pics:


Here's what I was given.  Needs tank, seat, headlight and other odds and ends.  Note the wide, low-profile tires in the rear.


Needs headlight, top yoke nut, and rebuild the master cylinder.  Forks and gaitors look ok.


Engine from the right.  Looks like a big jug for a 250, but I dunno.  Dusty, but in good shape and it runs well.  I was told the frame has been freshly powdercoated, but it could be paint.  Either way, it's new.


Engine from the left.  Expansion chamber is in good shape as is the whole exhaust.


Shot of rear end showing Unit Pro-Link rear suspension.  Chain is on the right.  All he ATCs I saw on eBay had the chain on the left.

So what do y'all think?

(Right click on the picture and click "View Image" to see the pics in their proper 1024x768 size.  More detail.  They're slightly downsized to 800x600.)

[DarkRider]

looks like a later 250R if i recall right didnt they make a 350X as well?

[DammitDan]

That doesn't look dangerous at all!   

[JP]

Without a doubt, 100% positive- It is an early model Honda ATC 250R.  The rear tires are made for a lawn mower, but this was a common upgrade for the trikes that raced flattrack- or the redneck without a lot of cash$$$.  These where made from 1981 to 1984.  The 85 and 86 years received the Liquid cooled engine which was good for about 6 or 7 more horsepower.  The air cooled versions laid down about 25 pony's in stock trim.

There isn't a whole lot you can do with it, as far as projects go I mean.  You can't really make a drag rocket out of it because all of the real hop up parts are for the liquid cooled version.  The motor won't fit in a quad chassis without modifing the frame.  I'd just find a cheap seat and tank and blast around on it as is.  Should be a gangload of fun, but if you have no real experience- take it easy.  It will really tear your ass up if you get traction and don't know how to handle it.

JP

[hoodellyhoo]

Not to hijack the thread or anything, but I hate hearing all that crap about how dangerous these three wheelers are. Yes, you have to be more attentive when riding it, but is that such a bad thing? I once heard that back in the day, more people died in a year from falling out of bunk beds than from three wheelers. And they haven't banned bunk beds yet.

Just some food for thought

You may now continue with your regularly scheduled programming.

[ieism]

I drove one of these things as a kid, and promtly ran myself over. When you jump these things they kinda wobble, so your feet are more likely so slip off the pegs.  I had a tyretrack running up the back off my leg, but wasn't hurt bad.
So my advice is when you ride it offroad is to wear motocross boots and a decent helmet at least.
They are fun though 

[DiscoEd]

...And they haven't banned bunk beds yet.

Just some food for thought

It's only a matter of time and some poorly intentioned lawyers!

(So much for survival of the fittest.)

Regards,
DiscoEd

[Jinxracing]

I remember riding around on those things as a kid too, and I also ran my leg over once...only had to learn that lesson once though.  Kept my feet on the damn pegs after that.

I'd say keep the thing and ride around on it, they're lots of fun! One tip though...make sure the thing's not pointed at a building or any other large, solid object the first time you ride it, they take a bit of practice and body english to get them to turn. First time I got on one I took off, turned the bars, and continued going forward right into the wall of my buddie's parents' house.