[My oldschool 350RX project] - ATV Riders Forums - Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Polaris, CanAm, Arctic Cat, Kymco ATVs

Pages:1

My oldschool 350RX project
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)

Posted by: Slinky

Last January i picked up this 350RX conversion off a guy. It was really clean and ran really well. This summer i started really pounding on it and was having trouble keeping the chain on. Well with further inspection i found the motor to be in the frame crooked and sitting too high. I wanted to have my frame fixed but the cost was too much. so i've been searching for an alternative route and came across this frame on ebay. now all i have to do is make up 2 motor mounts and i'm ready to start putting back together.

Posted by: wishmasstir

good luck with the build, keep us updated with pics

Posted by: Slinky

i'll definately be keeping this posted...i'm hoping to have it all back up and running in about 2 months.

Posted by: JIMFROMTEXCO

I was wondering who was goingto scoupe this up!! i was tempted but shorton cash at the moment... keep this up to date

Posted by: Slinky

i watched it for a while and tried talking them down more. I think it was posted like 4 times on there.

just picked up a gibson +1 stem with mounts yesterday...i cant wait to start putting this thing together!

Posted by: rustyATV

Are the nerf bars welded right to the rear brake lever post like it appears from this angle?

Posted by: wishmasstir

no thats just how the pro-peg mounts are on 86-87 frames

Posted by: Slinky

glad you answered that because i had no clue..i havent even seen the frame yet lol

Posted by: SWIGIN

anything new?

Posted by: Slinky

quote:
Originally posted by SWIGIN
anything new?

frame should be getting finished up soon and off to powdercoating

here's what i have lined up for it...
houser +2 a-arms coming soon
Gibson +1 stem
Renthal Fat bars
Probably TCS fronts and TCS conversion for my rear shock
Picking up an exhaust off of Brian350rx (who also is making the mounts for my frame!..thanks brian)
Ummm....gonna have my swingarm powdercoated its an 86 thats been shortened 3"

I'm debating on what to do for plastic..i'm thinking about going with white and putting my blue N-style alltrac 2 graphics on it.

Frame i'm thinking about either white or gloss black but havent decided on that yet.

thats where i'm at so far...

Posted by: SWIGIN

-3 swingarm?

one question.....why?

Posted by: cbr

do you have a motor mt. for your headstay and back-top of motor on your frame, thats where (frame rail going up and down above the s.arm pivot bolt) mine cracked and i even had it reinforced.

Posted by: brian350rx

cbr - you can just barely notice the headstaty motor mount in the pic.
The other mount you're talking about has been cut out of this frame ( I guess someone wanted to put a 250r motor back into it), but it will be put back in.

Posted by: Slinky

quote:
Originally posted by SWIGIN
-3 swingarm?

one question.....why?

they run them that short for ice racing....i'm actually in the process of getting houser 88-89 length swingarm.

Posted by: Slinky

well getting a Houser 88-89 swingarm now along with the Houser +2 A-arms (thanks flip2spin23)....now i've gotta keep an eye out for some shocks.

Posted by: brian350rx

Just wanted to post some pics for Slinky's "old school" 350rx rebuild. He sent me his frame to make motor mounts and gusset.
Everything is coming together and hopefully he'll be up and running soon!

Posted by: brian350rx

Front motor mount for 350x motor in 250r frame

Posted by: brian350rx

Seat latch area gussets
Slinky - I did find 2 cracks here, but they have been repaired.

Posted by: brian350rx

Frame was in decent shape - just needed some TLC - broken bolts, bad welds,........

Posted by: brian350rx

I just want to make one thing clear - the welds in this pic are not my work - the "bubble gum" has been removed and a real weld was put back. This is the pro peg mount

Posted by: brian350rx

All the welds have been done with a Miller TIG welder
I'll post some more pics as progress continues...........

Posted by: brian350rx

This is what we're after....350RX!

Posted by: Slinky

Frame is looking good brian! i cant wait to get this thing back up and running.... bought some TCS front shocks off a member here last night...this bike if anything is atleast going to handle good.

Posted by: Slinky

little update...

picked up my gibson +1 stem, ProTaper fat bars, scott grips, and maier white plastic this weekend!!!

i cant wait to start putting this thing together!

Posted by: Slinky

these came in the mail today

http://i17.tinypic.com/44pytyf.jpg

Posted by: Slinky

and a few other things i've picked up along the way
http://i15.tinypic.com/29fxzk4.jpg
http://i18.tinypic.com/2rqcavr.jpg
http://i9.tinypic.com/2a77hgh.jpg
http://i12.tinypic.com/2u4momw.jpg
http://i17.tinypic.com/2h3ad7s.jpg
http://i18.tinypic.com/43ojnn6.jpg
http://i9.tinypic.com/485418z.jpg

Posted by: wishmasstir

what bend are those bars?

i think theres something wrong with your rear number plates

Posted by: Slinky

quote:
Originally posted by wishmasstir
what bend are those bars?

i think theres something wrong with your rear number plates

CR High....and yeah..definately something wrong..they arent stuck on there yet

Posted by: Creech52

looks sick, but can I thread jack for a moment, Brian, how did you get that broken bolt out of the bumper mount, I have the same issue, but mine looks a lil worse. Ive tried the chisel method, and I tried drilling, but couldnt get the hole to start centered. It almost looks like someone hammered on it cuz you can barely tell where the bolt ends and the frame starts.

Posted by: wishmasstir

quote:
Originally posted by Creech52
looks sick, but can I thread jack for a moment, Brian, how did you get that broken bolt out of the bumper mount, I have the same issue, but mine looks a lil worse. Ive tried the chisel method, and I tried drilling, but couldnt get the hole to start centered. It almost looks like someone hammered on it cuz you can barely tell where the bolt ends and the frame starts.

i'm sure brian will chime in on this but if you cant get the hole to start centered just do your best and get it close then use an ez-out bit. if that doesnt work i've had to get a nut welded to the old bolt before and the heat was added too. sometimes they can be stubborn...

Posted by: brian350rx

Creech52 - a little secret that I picked up from working in a fab shop - we never fooled with the ez-outs and all that.

Get a nut that is just a little bigger than the bolt that you're trying to remove.
Center it over the bolt and weld it (MIG works perfect for this).
Let the weld/nut cool. Then use a wrench to turn the broken bolt out.

Hope this helps!

Posted by: Slinky

good little tid bit of info there...i gotta keep that in mind..i had the bolt problem on my 400ex frame where the bumper mounts...i got pissed and just drilled the thing out on both sides and ran a long both through the whole thing lol...i dont have much patience some times

Posted by: wishmasstir

quote:
Originally posted by Slinky
good little tid bit of info there...i gotta keep that in mind..i had the bolt problem on my 400ex frame where the bumper mounts...i got pissed and just drilled the thing out on both sides and ran a long both through the whole thing lol...i dont have much patience some times

and to think i'll be stayin in the same hotel as you in august ...

Posted by: Slinky

quote:
Originally posted by wishmasstir
and to think i'll be stayin in the same hotel as you in august ...

thats it..i'm changing hotels asap! LOL...i should bring the quads with me that weekend and ride them around the parking lot...that TC shorty should make the hotel guests real happy

Posted by: pb_paulie_b

Everything looks great so far. The oldschool was my school

good job

Posted by: Slinky

quote:
Originally posted by pb_paulie_b
Everything looks great so far. The oldschool was my school good job

so does that mean you used to run one of these? or run against?

Posted by: pb_paulie_b

Nothing against the 4 strokes, just love the old 2 strokes.

Posted by: Creech52

thanks for the info, but I dunno if that will work without welding into the frame or not hitting the bolt at all, its such a mess, it looks like the bolt broke off just a hair deeper then the hole, and then someone sledgehammered the hole down into the bolt, its almost like one peice...grr last thing I have to do before I can start blasting and welding gussets. But thanks for the info, I was actually thinking of doing that before I read the post. Anyway your work is awesome and slinky's bike is gonna be really nice.

Posted by: Slinky

got my custom axis rear shock...gonna be getting rebuilt and new powder put on the spring...

http://i14.tinypic.com/49fz4oh.jpg

also have an anti fade with wave rotor
and working on some white powermadds

Posted by: Slinky

man in brown dropped off a few more goodies today

http://i9.tinypic.com/4hx7acw.jpg
http://i12.tinypic.com/49hn2g0.jpg
http://i7.tinypic.com/2yopaat.jpg

Posted by: rustyATV

I'm curious: What kind of Tig welder do you have, how much does a setup cost, and how much of a pain is it to set up in your house?

Posted by: Slinky

quote:
Originally posted by rustyATV
I'm curious: What kind of Tig welder do you have, how much does a setup cost, and how much of a pain is it to set up in your house?

who are you asking this question to? i dont have a tig, brian350rx does, and i have a buddy here that has a tig. Tig welding takes quite a bit to get used to and i dont think its very cheap to get setup.

Posted by: czrider263

Looks sick so far!

Posted by: Slinky

thanks i cant wait to start putting it together!

Posted by: Slinky

frame came in yesterday...Brian350rx does some awsome work...the motor mounts he fabbed up and the gusset job are top notch! If anyone is looking for some fabrication work get ahold of him!

now i need to put my motor in the frame, mount it up. Get my rear motor mount lined up and tacked in....then have that all welded up and off to powder coating. It looks like my project will be coming together...hopefully within the month!

Posted by: 2muchquad

heres a pic of my 385rx in progress

Posted by: Slinky

quote:
Originally posted by 2muchquad
heres a pic of my 385rx in progress

nice...the only thing is keep an eye on your pivot point...if your motor is droped far enough in the frame every time your suspension compresses, your chain will losen up. Did you have to do much cutting on that frame? it doesnt look like you widened the lower frame rales.

Posted by: 2muchquad

no i didnt cut the lower frame rails,pivot point alignment is perfect.
The biggest thing now is carb clearance,i heated the bottom of the tank a bit to gain some clearance but im still not happy.i can get the 400ex carb to work but i insist on using my fcr because it runs better with it.I figured im doing a lot of modding anyway so whats one more thing.Its a pain though because if i extend the tank mounts,the plastic wont line up on the tank sides,so i may end up extending the metal tabs that the plastic snaps onto in the frame.decisions decisions...i could still wind up running my 350x motor later on once i get my 94mm piston kit installed.But with the 350x motor not cutting the lower frame isnt an option,its a must because the head is so much wider

Posted by: Slinky

oh so your running a 300ex motor? am i right?

Posted by: 2muchquad

yes,i have the pro fab 385 kit.

Posted by: Slinky

nice, maybe another motor i can look into putting in my other frame.

Posted by: KingpinsEx

A modded 350x motor would be bad, those suckers run pretty darn good....

Posted by: Slinky

quote:
Originally posted by KingpinsEx
A modded 350x motor would be bad, those suckers run pretty darn good....

i'm hoping to bump my motor up to around 425 by the end of summer. I guess thats the biggest you can go without boring the cases.

Posted by: 2muchquad

quote:
i'm hoping to bump my motor up to around 425 by the end of summer. I guess thats the biggest you can go without boring the cases.

It depends on the kit.Kustom Krafts kit requires case mods for the 425(89mm piston),then they have a 91 and a 92mm(452kit) which is just a over bore on the std 89mm sleeve.If your really serious about 350x performance,they love high compression.They will run hot but so does my yz426.People seem to think just because its air cooled it must be a slug.This isnt the case when they are PROPERLY built.Theres oil coolers and aux fans like i had on my 385 to help keep temps down.Sorry for rumbling but i get misty eyed talking about the venerable air cooled hondas.I have been tinkering wit'dem things for probably 20 yrs,i just love'em

Posted by: Slinky

How do i get in touch with Kustom Krafts? The 425 kit from Four Stroke Tech you can put in without modifying the cases. I'd love to go up to a 452...i was considering mounting up an automotive tranny cooler (i did this on my buddys 600 grizzly) and figuring out some sort of an aux fan. In order to run a fan though i'd have to probably install a battery and rectifier and all that electical crap? I think just installing the larger oil cooler would help a lot with the heat. I dont wanna go too high on the compression because i still wanna run on pump gas (93 tops!)

Posted by: JIMFROMTEXCO

cant wait to see this done!! 350x motors were way ahead of there time when they were introduced.. IT IS THE ORGINAL THUMPER!!!

Here is my swap
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/joshdragonn/IMG_2507.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/joshdragonn/IMG_2508.jpg

Posted by: 2muchquad

here it is http://kustom-kraft.com/hondakits.html
Yeah i ran a a small tranny cooler for a light duty pick up on mine,it cost me about $25 with shipping.Better than paying $100 or so for the same thing from one of those aftermarket deals.

i could possibly end up doing that as well Jim,i have a 350x motor at idle for now and a 300ex chassis that i raped the motor from,hmmm... i think i'll do one thing at a time though

Posted by: rustyATV

quote:
Originally posted by Slinky
who are you asking this question to? i dont have a tig, brian350rx does, and i have a buddy here that has a tig. Tig welding takes quite a bit to get used to and i dont think its very cheap to get setup.

Whoever had the tig setup, then, I guess. I've done tig welding in the past and just poked around for prices, but was never sure what I'd need for projects like this one. I was also curious of what it costs to start being able to weld, rather than just the welder cost, since it takes a lot of accessories to get going.

Posted by: 2muchquad

My mig does a pretty good job,they can be had for a pretty good price.

Posted by: rustyATV

Can you keep the welds pretty light with a Mig?

One thing I can't decide is if I want the ability to do aluminum which, unfortunately, seems to really ramp up the price of a Tig welder.

Posted by: 2muchquad

tank clearance is tight with the height of the fcr

Posted by: 2muchquad

heres another of the carb boot,it has been changed though since

Posted by: Slinky

your definately going to have problems with getting the tankon...i wanna do an FCR on mine but i'm worried about my tank not fitting right....hopefully i'll be putting my motor in this week.

Posted by: 2muchquad

Yeah i had to raise the rear tank mounts a bit using 2 peices of aluminum on either side.the plastic doesnt fit perfect but all in all im happy with the results considering what i was working with.the steel collar that threads into the 400ex carb was almost as tall as the fcr so i didnt run it.The fcr makes a huge difference in how the motor runs so i was determined to make it work,you know how it is...

Posted by: JIMFROMTEXCO

im having problems getting my to run

. check my post in 300ex forum

Posted by: Slinky

ok back on the topic of my bike....
i have all my parts and i'm headed to teh garage tonight to weld in my last motor mount....then its time to send the frame off to powder! I'll get some pics of the motor sitting in the frame tonight

Posted by: JIMFROMTEXCO

awesome.. i got mine running now get ready to take a spin

Posted by: 2muchquad

Sorry Slinky we didnt mean to highjack your thread

Posted by: atvracer9m

shoulda bought my frame

Posted by: Slinky

quote:
Originally posted by 2muchquad
Sorry Slinky we didnt mean to highjack your thread

its all good i like hearing about your guys projects

Posted by: Slinky

quote:
Originally posted by atvracer9m
shoulda bought my frame

should have told me about a month before i bought mine! do you still have that thing?

Posted by: atvracer9m

yup

Posted by: elementryder

hey gloop what do you want for that frame?

Posted by: 2muchquad

heres some updated pics,cheapo camera though..

Posted by: 2muchquad

front

Posted by: Slinky

quote:
Originally posted by 2muchquad
front

NICE!! Hopefully i'll be rolling by the end of the month...frame went to get powdercoated at the begining of the week

Posted by: 2muchquad

Once you get your frame back,you'll have it together in no time.Its funny how we are,we could work 12hrs a day 7 days a week at a job but still find time to finish our "projects".Once we get started its all tunnel vision until its completed

Posted by: 2muchquad

quote:
heres some updated pics,cheapo camera though..

Posted by: Slinky

i got my frame back on friday....i still need to have my motor mount powdercoated ( i forgot to send it with the frame) and i need to get the springs for my suspension powdercoated.

Posted by: Slinky

http://i8.tinypic.com/4xpwoeu.jpg
http://i3.tinypic.com/6biyfc4.jpg
http://i9.tinypic.com/62ohzxk.jpg
http://i6.tinypic.com/4ldc7ip.jpg

little bit of progress!

Posted by: sandthrower

looks good

nice gibson stem

Posted by: Slinky

hmmm i wonder where that came from LOL

Posted by: Slinky

fitted up my plastic, put my seat cover on, mounted my 400ex oil cooler and ran my wiring....
http://i13.tinypic.com/4z2lqwi.jpg
http://i7.tinypic.com/4th74ma.jpg
http://i17.tinypic.com/4y67xno.jpg

oil cooler and bracket
http://i11.tinypic.com/5yvavko.jpg
http://i16.tinypic.com/52cr58m.jpg

Posted by: sandthrower

I like it

in 1 of the pics the warning stickers look like there stuck on the side of the tank

there that set of whtie fenders I have been looking 4

Posted by: Slinky

maier seems to be sending all their new plastics with factory warning stickers now! dont know what is up with that...i gotta get them off so i can put my graphics on.

Posted by: Mxjunkie

Can't wait to see it done, I love these old hybrids!!

Posted by: Slinky

springs for my shocks are powder coated

http://i18.tinypic.com/6gnr420.jpg

http://i14.tinypic.com/68jnjfq.jpg

Posted by: 2muchquad

You building a trailor queen or a rider?Powder coated springs

Posted by: Slinky

quote:
Originally posted by 2muchquad
You building a trailor queen or a rider?Powder coated springs

get it right...its a garage queen

lol...i'll ride the thing....only if it hasnt rained in like a week or more! lol

Posted by: Slinky

suspension is on, just waiting on the linkage to swingarm bolt...got the axle in last night....need to mount up my tires and get the motor in...its coming along

http://i14.tinypic.com/643stqq.jpg
http://i16.tinypic.com/6c33i46.jpg
http://i14.tinypic.com/5x7t1s2.jpg
http://i16.tinypic.com/6btf2bm.jpg
http://i14.tinypic.com/6ce1ymv.jpg

Posted by: Slinky

some updated pics...finished up my rear suspension, rear brakes are on and working
http://i19.tinypic.com/6afibdj.jpg
http://i13.tinypic.com/5x7phmx.jpg
http://i8.tinypic.com/5xz9w1z.jpg
http://i14.tinypic.com/4ysjlms.jpg

and my exhaust
http://i7.tinypic.com/6cq4aqg.jpg

Posted by: SWIGIN

looking good man!

ware can i find a seat cover like that?

Posted by: Slinky

i have another one...i'll sell it to ya...i was going to hang onto as a spare, but i dont think i will need it.

Posted by: 800screws

hmmm, i can't place it, but it looks like something is missing?

J/K, looks good so far.

Posted by: Slinky

its the new gas saving version.....it only goes down hill!

Posted by: SWIGIN

pm sent

Posted by: Slinky

Its alive!!!!!

Posted by: emrtrx450r

what kind of swing arm is that? i see it s a houser, but what is it made for?

Posted by: TWISTED DINLI

its lookin real good.

Posted by: Slinky

quote:
Originally posted by emrtrx450r
what kind of swing arm is that? i see it s a houser, but what is it made for?

88/89 TRX250R

there are finished pics of the bike here
http://www.exriders.com/vbb/showthr...threadid=304685

Posted by: 2muchquad

Keep the ol'skoolers alive..ttt

Posted by: Slinky

thanks for digging this back up...makes me not wanna sell it after i look at all the work i put into it!

Posted by: atvmxr

ohh, nice! I have a 350RX I have never finished. got stuck on the oil cooler mounting and exhaust.

have a 400ex cooler, but didnt know what to do with the lines. is it ok to cut them and use some high rubber plastic hose or??

supposedly bought an modified cobra exhuast, but it didnt fit right...

i think the guy I bought the frame frome didnt know what he was doing either. havent seen another conversion like this one. the bottom frame rails are cut out and moved an inch or so on each side to let the motor sit lower..

Posted by: SWIGIN

i had napa crimp my ends on....they are 350x ends at the motor and i made the other end for my 450r cooler

http://www.exriders.com/vbb/showthr...threadid=328289

Posted by: Slinky

I'll have to look how i ran mine..i forget now...i used the 400ex oilcooler and just had a bracket made.