got a Kawasaki 180cc TRIKE!

[Bluethunder3320]

when i was probably around 5 years old i used to see an old 3 wheeler sitting under a tarp behind someone's house.

now 10 years later, i noticed it was still sitting there. so i had an idea. knocked on his door and asked him if he wanted to sell it. the worst he could say is no.

$80 and it is mine. SCORE.

the pull start is screwed up so we put a drill on the nut and got it to start. (of course i changed the oil.) but it ran for 5 seconds and died. i cleaned the carb twice and it still does the same thing.

the gas tank is full of rust and the petcock leaks.

when it did run for a short time, it sounds like a beast. i cant wait to get it running mint and go for a ride.

it has brand new rear tires

 

[porsche930dude]

sweet deal man. trikes are great

 

[j.concepcion54321]

After it runs that should be killer. I'd be tempted to add more rake to the forks. I feel like itd look better. But still a killer bike, and a steal at that price. Especially since its complete and in running condition.

 

[landuse]

Really nice. A little TLC and it should serve you well

 

[bighead]

Saaweet. I think thats the 185 model?

What year and model? Por15 that tank for $20.

Did you clean the filter? Pipe clogged? Good fuel flow to the carb? See thru the jets right? Make sure the slide cap gasket is good.

CDI or points? Perhaps the points need a sanding?

NEW SPARK PLUG RIGHT?

Are the forks bent? Looks like they are into the pipe? Just bend them back with a com-a-long LOL

You will have a blast on that thing. You can tow anything as well.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

Saaweet. I think thats the 185 model?

What year and model? Por15 that tank for $20.

Did you clean the filter? Pipe clogged? Good fuel flow to the carb? See thru the jets right? Make sure the slide cap gasket is good.

CDI or points? Perhaps the points need a sanding?

NEW SPARK PLUG RIGHT?

Are the forks bent? Looks like they are into the pipe? Just bend them back with a com-a-long LOL

You will have a blast on that thing. You can tow anything as well.

the por on the tank will probably happen, if not ill just electrolysis it.

not sure of the year yet but the sticker says KLX160.... not a 180 like the guy said.

it has cdi. didnt change the plug it still sparks

not sure if the forks are bent. ill have to look at it more.


today i boiled the carb in lemon juice and it still ran like crap but a little better. we were able to ride it a little but it kept bogging out and dying

 

[Bluethunder3320]

ok so i think reverse is broken cause it just revvs, maybe the shifter was just acting up

 

[B man]

are you sure its shifting?

 

[bighead]

ok so i think reverse is broken cause it just revvs, maybe the shifter was just acting up

Do you need to pull the lever to lock it into reverse?

 

[Bluethunder3320]

Do you need to pull the lever to lock it into reverse?

didnt know about that. haha. reverse does work

i have a video uploading but its taking forever.

yesterday i went to a dirt bike shop and they have parts galore... got a KLX160 carb and choke, spark plug, and soon air filter.

still need to:

* fix the play in the shifter (splines stripped out so he drilled a hole through and put a cotter pin)

* clean up the wiring

* patch up the exhaust system with welds, it has 2 or 3 holes. (how does this even happen???) also it is hose clamped on because the brackets broke from rolling it.

* get a longer rope for the recoil

* clean the rust out of the fuel tank

* fix the plastics up or just buy a new rear fender. it has been rolled many times

* adjust the brake

 

[Bluethunder3320]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQH2EP-RDeI&feature=youtu.be

 

[Bluethunder3320]

pretty sweet pic of what it looked like back in 1985..... they only made these for one year, so theyre pretty rare. i cant believe i found a carb for it.

 

[bighead]

You need a fab a trailor hitch for that bad boy. Gotta love the 80's Japan Three wheelers. When they say run forever they are telling the truth. I see it over and over all the time.

Also look for one of those big racks for the rear and front. They come in handy depending on what you want to do with it. That bike should take all you can give it if you keep it on all three wheels.

Probably sitting for 15 years. A little work and it runs. Thats the best $80 you ever spent. I find out thios weekend if my $100 YT175 Tro-Moto will start. I hope I have the same luck as you. But at $80 and $100 you have to take that chance.

Also what was the story of the bike? What history did he tell you? Were the forks bent? How did you get it off the fender?

If you ever buy tires buy the original style ballon tires in the pic above. I ride these 3 wheelers all the time. Those big ballon tires make them sweet and softer. Plus you can drive over anything with them. Curbs no problems. LOL It's like suspension trust me. Much better IMO..... You can drive over large logs with them.

 

[bighead]

patch up the exhaust system with welds, it has 2 or 3 holes. (how does this even happen???) also it is hose clamped on because the brackets broke from rolling it.

Welding on used pipe is really tricky. I have never been able to do it with out cracking the welds. The next time I need pipe repair I will have someone gas weld it or what ever you call it.

If it is just holes you should be okay. But mounts and stress areas I never had any luck. This is why you see pipes that been welded on 100 times. I camp fire my pipes before welding on them. This cleans the layers of oil inside. A hour on a camp fire cleans them right up. More so on two strokes.

Perhaps you can weld in some patches over the rust holes. It is just so thin around rust holes it really hard to patch. IDK like I said never had any luck with nice wire feed. Not a expert welder though.

 

[r97]

That little three wheeler is sweeeet, your going to make me go look on cl for one now! LOL

 

[Bluethunder3320]

alright so i welded the pipe, took me about a frustrating hour of hard work and slow pops with the welder so that the hole wouldnt blow bigger... painted it with grill paint

so the guy said the history, he got it for 150 and put like another 150 into it, and got new rear tires then barely rode it, all his friends rolled it, super dangerous, and the shifter gave him problems once he had to drive for miles in first gear.

no air filter so thats not good, were getting one next week. when i drained the oil there was 1/2 quart of **** in there. theres supposed to be 2 quarts.

today i also replaced the recoil rope, i have 8 feet of cord in it now....

went to a dirt road to test it out, it FLYS! i think i was in 4th gear pinned and it got pretty sketchy. then the shifter broke.. all the splines are stripped on the shifter and the shaft seems beat up but there are still some splines. he drilled holes through the shaft and put large staples through to hold it on. really?

tuesdsay were gonna go buy a new shifter and hope that its gonna have enough splines left on the shifter shaft

 

[bighead]

Do you know if you have to split the case to replace the shaft? Try a roll pin in the hole he drilled?

Make a hitch and trailor and use it for leafs next year.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

Do you know if you have to split the case to replace the shaft? Try a roll pin in the hole he drilled?

Make a hitch and trailor and use it for leafs next year.

yeah maybe ill try getting pins like that. i think we are just going to buy a shifter tuesday and hope for the best.

we will bring the trike with us to strictly dirt so the guy can tell us if its gonna work or not i guess.

i keep saying "we" because i split the cost of everything on this with my friend homemadegokarts1221 and we just share it....


and yea we have plenty of woods, i think a trailer would be a sweet project. only problem is a couple years ago when i was taking leaves down to the woods a woman stopped me and took pictures of me with her cell phone. i asked her what was her deal and she said i was illegally polluting the environment with leaves and she now has my picture she is going to bring to the police...wtf..... i have some nice neighbors huh

 

[Badot]

I imagine a roll pin could still give a good bit of play from it flexing around... a good kick on the shifter can put a lot more force into the shaft than a lot of people realize. Definitely worth a shot though since it would be a dirt cheap fix.

If there's any grab at all left in the splines it might work if you cut a slot in the shifter and then ran a nut and bolt through the pin hole you have now so that it pulls what's left of the splines in and clamps it against the shaft.

 

[bighead]

You can also file some of the shifter down on the split ends so it clamps on the spline harder.