Project Childhood Destruction - Non Valk but Honda Related

[Reb]

Finally got to working on my childhood destruction project - 1987 Honda TRX (fourtrax) 70

It was only in production for 2 years 1986-1987, This beast survived  my childhood as well as my two younger cousins before being cast away in the corner of a machine shed where it sat for over a good decade.

The engine still had compression and turned over, but figured it was best to just start from scratch before trying to get it to run. I wish like hell this thing had an odometer or hour meter. God only know how many laps this thing has made around the farm. These little 70cc engines were bullet proof.







I pulled it from it's resting place a few years ago and took it back to Iowa with me when I was still living up north. Piece by piece I disassembled it and started researching some of the OEM parts it was missing. Luckily there are a lot of enthusiast still producing reproduction OEM parts, mainly for the ATC 70 three wheeled version of the same. I've slowly gathered some of the missing hard to find components through E-bay to perform a top down restoration.

There are all kinds of kits to rebuild the motors. I purchased a new cylinder, head, piston and gaskets for just around $80 should be arriving this week to finish the engine. I had to bounce around the idea of leaving it stock 70cc or going to a bigger cylinder and crank to 108cc. I decided best to just make it like it once was.  I've sent the frame, skid plates, rims, and other miscellaneous parts off to a local sandblaster to clean up and prep for painting.

Installed a new clutch


A co-worker turned me on to Evapo-rust to assist in cleaning up some of the oxidized parts (mainly hardware) but the stuff did miracles on rear wheel hubs. Soaked them over night for about 12 hours and they came out looking brand new.




I will continue to update as the build back progresses. Still have a lot of parts to order, I'm dreading purchasing new plastic as it is upwards of $400-500, but the chicks i'm going to pick up with this thing will be well worth it in the end  

In the meantime, I've already got a second project lined up in the works once this one is completed. Co-worker of mine gave me a 1985 Yamaha Trizinger 3 Wheeler he had sitting outside his shop for several years, 60cc 2 stroke shaft drive. I'll have a live action Mario Kart championship taking place once I'm done.
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[Hook#3287]

Cool report, looking forward to the updates

[hubcapsc]

That's cool seeing the "first bike" rebuild... glad you still have it. And Evaporust 
"Super Safe Rust Remover"... I was fooling around with Oxalic acid, a "Super Un-Safe Rust Remover" 
and posted about it and I think it was Grumpy who mentioned Evaporust. It is nice to
see Evaporust in action. I think Punisher used Evaporust to get rust out of a gas tank safely.

-Mike

[JFaje1]

Hey Reb, nice project, looks like you have the talent and patience for it. Will be interesting to see the final results. Also need to see a pic of the two chicks 
John

[Robert]

Great project but I would use POR 15 as a derusting agent and a paint. Have used it and the paint is harder than anything I have seen including an epoxy paint and it does stop the rust and cannot be scratched.

[Tx Bohemian]

Great project!!
Looks like your doing a fabulous job on it!

I know where you're coming from on the "childhood" thing.

When I was a kid, 50ish yrs ago, I wanted a mini-bike so bad I could taste it!
Whenever the "Western Auto" flyer came out there was a page with 3 of them for sale. I drooled over them for days.

I would've been thrilled to have the "bottom of the line" one.
No suspension, top speed was like 18-20mph, $150.
But dad said no. And that was final!

Eh, you never know, maybe I would've "broken my fool neck" if I gotten one.

But, I keep looking over Craigslist and Ebay maybe one day I'll come across one that'll suit me.
I know there's plenty there for sale, for wads of money and those that aren't need repairing/building which right now I got way too many projects going to start something else.

But, one day...

[hubcapsc]

When I was a kid, 50ish yrs ago, I wanted a mini-bike so bad I could taste it!

Same here. My mother was the no! or more like "you can get one when you can pay for it".
It took me two years to save up with a paper route, by then I got a brand new Yamaha LT-2
100 for $419.

But, I keep looking over Craigslist and Ebay maybe one day I'll come across one that'll suit me.

Surprisingly enough, they still sell the regular mini-bikes, no suspension, briggs&stratton engine,
seemed just the same as the good-old-days when I looked at one at Wal-Mart a few months ago...

-Mike

[Gavin_Sons]

  I have been thinking about getting my old  Yamaha 1970 mx80 from my parents and bringing it back to life. My boys would love it. May be a good winter project.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Cool report Reb  

Good luck on the build.

[The emperor has no clothes]

When I was a kid, 50ish yrs ago, I wanted a mini-bike so bad I could taste it!

Same here. My mother was the no! or more like "you can get one when you can pay for it".
It took me two years to save up with a paper route, by then I got a brand new Yamaha LT-2
100 for $419.

But, I keep looking over Craigslist and Ebay maybe one day I'll come across one that'll suit me.

Surprisingly enough, they still sell the regular mini-bikes, no suspension, briggs&stratton engine,
seemed just the same as the good-old-days when I looked at one at Wal-Mart a few months ago...

-Mike

My first bike was purchased with paper route money also. Suzuki TC90, $375. (But my Dad came up with half after he saw me save $190 after a year.) 

[Serk]

Sorry to be "That Guy" but I lost a cousin, 28 years old, just got his PhD, to a 4 runner accident... PLEASE wear a helmet, even if it's just around the farm... and be careful...

Okay, that's all for my Debbie Downer self for now, enjoy... just please... take it seriously.

[Beardo]

I have been thinking about getting my old  Yamaha 1970 mx80 from my parents and bringing it back to life. My boys would love it. May be a good winter project.

A couple years ago my mom asked me if I wanted my old 2 stroke 1979 Yamaha DT175. It’s the bike I learned to ride on when I was a kid. It sat in a barn for the last 30 years.  I didn’t know she still had it.  Was siezed up solid. I spent the winter finding a donor bike/motor, rebuilt the motor, brakes, new seat cover, new tires, relined the tank, fixed a couple side panels, etc, etc.

Was the coolest thing to teach my then 15 and 18 year old kids to ride on the bike I learned on.

[..]

Don't forget there was a good reason why they stopped selling those death trap 3 wheelers.

[..]

If I could find a Velocette LE 200 here in the USA.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I have been thinking about getting my old  Yamaha 1970 mx80 from my parents and bringing it back to life. My boys would love it. May be a good winter project.

A couple years ago my mom asked me if I wanted my old 2 stroke 1979 Yamaha DT175. It’s the bike I learned to ride on when I was a kid. It sat in a barn for the last 30 years.  I didn’t know she still had it.  Was siezed up solid. I spent the winter finding a donor bike/motor, rebuilt the motor, brakes, new seat cover, new tires, relined the tank, fixed a couple side panels, etc, etc.

Was the coolest thing to teach my then 15 and 18 year old kids to ride on the bike I learned on.

do you still have it ? Got a pic ?

[Beardo]

I have been thinking about getting my old  Yamaha 1970 mx80 from my parents and bringing it back to life. My boys would love it. May be a good winter project.

A couple years ago my mom asked me if I wanted my old 2 stroke 1979 Yamaha DT175. It’s the bike I learned to ride on when I was a kid. It sat in a barn for the last 30 years.  I didn’t know she still had it.  Was siezed up solid. I spent the winter finding a donor bike/motor, rebuilt the motor, brakes, new seat cover, new tires, relined the tank, fixed a couple side panels, etc, etc.

Was the coolest thing to teach my then 15 and 18 year old kids to ride on the bike I learned on.

do you still have it ? Got a pic ?

Yep. Will never sell it.











That’s my daughter in the last pic.

[Itinifni]

When my wife and I first started dating 35-40 years ago she expressed an interest in learning to ride. I found a clean 78 Kawasaki KE100 we could afford. Got it registered and she rode it for two years then moved on to an EX500 (would have loved to find her an Ascot VT500 but the EX was priced right).

The old KE went into storage in my parents barn. Moved to the back of a shed at the first house we bought then into the barn where we live now.

I've been thinking lately it's time to start getting rid of all the stuff we accumulate over a lifetime, thinking about downsizing my life. When a friend up north mentioned his 11 year old daughter asked him for a motorcycle (he and his wife both ride) I told him I have just the bike though it's been sitting more than 30 years.

I pulled the bike out of the barn and gave it a quick bath then put it in the garage next to my Valk and my son's Harley. Told my buddy he better pick it up quick because I'm walking by it every day.

That was a few months ago and I haven't heard from him, couldn't resist...

Bike is up an running, starts first kick but still has a ways to go. Still need to line the tank though it's not bad considering, replace the petcock, rebuild the forks, clean up the brakes and get the rear directionals back on. It looks like the hardest thing may be getting a title. Back when I had it registered a title was not required, sometime around 88-90 they became required to register a vehicle in MA. Not looking forward to dealing with the RMV.

Hopefully I'll have it on the road before summer is over, can't wait to ride it again.

And I emailed my friend the bike is not longer available but not to worry, I have a go-kart in the barn with a fiberglass Corvette body. I won't pull that out and wash it until he's on his way to pick it up.

Good luck with your build.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I have been thinking about getting my old  Yamaha 1970 mx80 from my parents and bringing it back to life. My boys would love it. May be a good winter project.

A couple years ago my mom asked me if I wanted my old 2 stroke 1979 Yamaha DT175. It’s the bike I learned to ride on when I was a kid. It sat in a barn for the last 30 years.  I didn’t know she still had it.  Was siezed up solid. I spent the winter finding a donor bike/motor, rebuilt the motor, brakes, new seat cover, new tires, relined the tank, fixed a couple side panels, etc, etc.

Was the coolest thing to teach my then 15 and 18 year old kids to ride on the bike I learned on.

do you still have it ? Got a pic ?

Yep. Will never sell it.











That’s my daughter in the last pic.

Wow ! Nice bike  I’ve always had a soft spot for Yamaha’s. YZ125, R5b, XS750 were 3 of my favorite bikes.

[Beardo]

Thanks meathead.

Sorry for the hijack.

Great thread Reb. 

[Reb]

Don't forget there was a good reason why they stopped selling those death trap 3 wheelers.

Yes, the 3 wheelers were not the safest ATV's. I believe the lawsuits that implied to Honda back in the mid 80's for so many injuries and deaths on 3 wheelers is still the reason why they cannot produce there own trike-d on road motorcycle, the same might be for Yamaha and Suzuki as well.



Its going to be great Britman... Tremendous!

[Gavin_Sons]

Don't forget there was a good reason why they stopped selling those death trap 3 wheelers.

Its going to be great Britman... Tremendous!

   I always rode my cousins big red 3 wheeler. A lot of good times were had on that thing. They also had a honda 250r 3 wheeler that was stupid fast.

[hubcapsc]

I’ve always had a soft spot for Yamaha’s.

My last one fouled plugs every ride unless I was at the track. I finally
read up on carb jets and replaced (the main?) jet with one that was
much smaller, like from a 125... a faster rider probably would have
seized my bike up at the track after that, but at least I didn't have
to change plugs way out in the woods once or twice every ride...



-Mike

[3fan4life]

I’ve always had a soft spot for Yamaha’s.

My last one fouled plugs every ride unless I was at the track. I finally
read up on carb jets and replaced (the main?) jet with one that was
much smaller, like from a 125... a faster rider probably would have
seized my bike up at the track after that, but at least I didn't have
to change plugs way out in the woods once or twice every ride...



-Mike

Who's the hippy dude in the pic?   

[Jess from VA]

My only ride on a three wheeler was in my cousins yard.

He told me not to put my foot down or I would run it over.  I forgot, and ran my foot over.  Then I ran over all the bushes down the side of his house (they were hard to turn if you were used to leaning).

Then he made me stop riding it.

I've been suspicious of three wheelers ever since.

 

[The emperor has no clothes]

I’ve always had a soft spot for Yamaha’s.

My last one fouled plugs every ride unless I was at the track. I finally
read up on carb jets and replaced (the main?) jet with one that was
much smaller, like from a 125... a faster rider probably would have
seized my bike up at the track after that, but at least I didn't have
to change plugs way out in the woods once or twice every ride...



-Mike

Fouled many a plug myself. After switching over to “Torco” oil it was much better. (They probably don’t even make it anymore)

[Serk]

After switching over to “Torco” oil it was much better. (They probably don’t even make it anymore)

http://www.torcousa.com/

[Reb]

Don't forget there was a good reason why they stopped selling those death trap 3 wheelers.

Its going to be great Britman... Tremendous!

   I always rode my cousins big red 3 wheeler. A lot of good times were had on that thing. They also had a honda 250r 3 wheeler that was stupid fast.

The 250R's and 350X's were awesome. I still see some for sale in upwards $4000,

[hubcapsc]

I was racing regularly back when the 60 minutes three-wheeler episode was current.

I was used to seeing packs of three wheelers going through the turns and over the
jumps probably faster than me on my two-wheeler, I thought the episode was silly.

And then they were banned...

-Mike

[Serk]

russian photo sharing

I think they prefer unicycles...



(Putin on the Ritz.... Get it? Get it????)

[Reb]

russian photo sharing

I think they prefer unicycles...



(Putin on the Ritz.... Get it? Get it????)

  Fixed it, Not sure where that text came from. Stupid postimage.org seems to slide in some advertisement hotlinks of its own narrative's on photos now.

[Reb]

I was racing regularly back when the 60 minutes three-wheeler episode was current.

I was used to seeing packs of three wheelers going through the turns and over the
jumps probably faster than me on my two-wheeler, I thought the episode was silly.

And then they were banned...

-Mike

I just watched that 60 minutes episode a few weeks ago on youtube. Since all that jazz was around my birth year, I had interest in researching the reasons for the banning. They made it pretty clear in that series why 3 wheelers are tools of the devil

[The emperor has no clothes]

Don't forget there was a good reason why they stopped selling those death trap 3 wheelers.

Its going to be great Britman... Tremendous!

   I always rode my cousins big red 3 wheeler. A lot of good times were had on that thing. They also had a honda 250r 3 wheeler that was stupid fast.

The 250R's and 350X's were awesome. I still see some for sale in upwards $4000,

The 250 R’e were badass. Although you had to learn a whole different riding technique. The original ATC 90’s , not so much. No suspension made those things unpredictable. Luckily they never got much speed up.

[Tx Bohemian]

russian photo sharing

I think they prefer unicycles...



(Putin on the Ritz.... Get it? Get it????)

I don't know about anybody else, but being a man this picture makes me cringe!!!!

[Reb]

A few update photos of the progress.














screenshot tool

[old2soon]

          When I was still in Garrison Texas with wife 1 shortly after I got my Yamaha Virago I went over to the shop where I got the Yammy-2 long blocks from my casa-for some parts I ordered and there on the floor was one of those 3 wheel Honda with that near indestructible 90 CC one lunger. I do NOT remember how much zackly I paid fer it but it weren't much. Fact I paid for my parts and gave him $100.00 on account to make it mine. Rode it back home and my Daughter-the oldest and bravest-came runnin out with her helmet and jacket and boots and gloves and consequently got the first ride after me. Went in got more cash grabbed the boys walked them back to the shop for helmets and gloves and goggles. Boys safety gear met or exceeded the cost of the 3 wheeler-but-no gear no ride. Time I got back home Daughter had run the thing outa gas.    Went to the farm store and bought a bright red 5 gal jerry can and went and filled that!  The back lot became the track. Was near bouts sundown when I was able to git back on it-geared up of course! Did NOT take long at all to burn thru the grass and the track was East Texas red clay!  Had a LOT of fun but that sumbitch WAS squirrely.  Lookin good there Reb!  RIDE SAFE.

[3fan4life]

That's looking good.

[Reb]

Got the motor completed over the weekend. New head, cylinder, valves, cam, cam sprocket, piston and rings. Had to take it apart again  after realizing I had swapped the compression ring. Oh well, not much to these little powerplants.

I was very surprised how well the insides looked for 30 years old.

[Beardo]

Cool thread. Love it. Keep posting 

[old2soon]

             Was the wear That bad or rebuild needed because of corrosion? I agree with the others here-VERY interesting thread!  Keep er going and keep us up to date Please!  RIDE SAFE.

[Reb]

             Was the wear That bad or rebuild needed because of corrosion? I agree with the others here-VERY interesting thread!  Keep er going and keep us up to date Please!  RIDE SAFE.

Rebuild really wasn't needed, but to get all new for 85$ I figured it was a good investment.