It seams like its cheaper to buy then to make, Need advice

[will1384]

I have a problem, I need an off-road mini-buggy kart or ATV,
something that can hall my 250+ pound self around out in the
woods, and be able to do some light yard work.

I need to be able to pull a small trailer, about the size of a
wheelbarrow, 300 to 400 pounds max.

I need to use a Tow-Behind Spreader, Aerator and Trail mower.


Now here is the problem, I only have at most $2500 to spend,
and even that's going to take a few months of saving, and around
here people try to sell there used ATVs for over half of what
the new price is, even if its 10 years old and about to fall
apart, I am not going to pay that

I got thinking about making a small buggy style kart or
ATV, and I know how to weld, and have most of the tools,
BUT with the cost of metal, a motor, all the parts, tires,
rims, and so on, I am very likely looking at about a $1000
or more and not having the power I need.

I also don't want use an old junk car or truck, I don't have
the storage space, I already have two cars and a truck, and
the places I need to go, my old truck gets stuck, or just
wont go, I need something on the small side.

I am thinking I need at least a 250cc motor, and I can get
a Chinese made ATV, with a Honda 250cc motor, likely a
clone motor, for around $1600, no shipping.

And for a $1000 more I can get the same motor in
a mini-buggy.

Any Ideas ?

 

[redsox985]

Where are you located? We have uncanny abilities to find jackpots on your Craigslist. Check the project section, there are a few quad style builds in there.

 

[bighead]

Just buy a ATC 3 wheeler bigread for $500. Are you in the US? Have you looked localy for 3 wheelers? Do they ask a arm and leg for them as well?

 

[will1384]

Where are you located? We have uncanny abilities to find jackpots on your Craigslist. Check the project section, there are a few quad style builds in there.

Arkansas, between Little Rock and Pine Bluff, I have a
truck, but its old and driving it more than 100 miles might
be a tad risky, plus costly in gas.

Just buy a ATC 3 wheeler bigread for $500. Are you in the US? Have you looked localy for 3 wheelers? Do they ask a arm and leg for them as well?

I had an old big red, and it almost killed me, and managed
to destroy it's self in the progress, :angelsad2: so I am not
looking to get one of them, plus I wanted something with a
new or new-er motor.



I dont necessarily mind used, but 10+ years old is to old,
I want something with a good motor because I feel I could
likely fix other problems easier than motor problem.

I have been looking, but all I have now is around $600
and likely not to have that much longer LOL, it looks like
most of the ATVs made in the last 10 years are listed for
$2000 and up and I am not paying that for used.

 

[hoppy]

i guess the question really lies in your abilities to build a reliable machine that will serve your purposes. if your abilities arent that good then buying would certainly be the better option. not only that, what may take you months to complete could be bought tomorrow if you have the means. im 100% for anything home built for those who can do it. anyone can buy something but not everyone can build something like a cart. how much time and effort would you be willing to put into a build vs. opening your wallet for a machine you could have tomorrow?

$600 isnt going to get you a late model quad and it certainly wont get you very far in a build if you are not starting with anything. a new/newer motor that you are looking for could go $600 depending on what you get........might want to think this over abit, save some more pennies, save up a few grand and buy a machine you wont regret.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

a old honda is definitely 100 times better than a new chinese engine. just my opinion.

 

[Rustydog2010]

a old honda is definitely 100 times better than a new chinese engine. just my opinion.

I agree, I would rather by a 10 year old, Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki... Over a cheap Chinese thing any day. They are proved and virtually bullet proof.

Jeremy.

Edit: Whoop 500 posts.

 

[will1384]

a old honda is definitely 100 times better than a new chinese engine. just my opinion.

I agree, I would rather by a 10 year old, Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki... Over a cheap Chinese thing any day. They are proved and virtually bullet proof.

Jeremy.

Edit: Whoop 500 posts.

Well, is a clone Honda 250cc motor all that bad, everything
else on the Chinese made ATV I could likely fix if it goes
bad or breaks - and even if I were to make something
from scratch I was still thinking about that using that
very same motor LOL

If I do get a used name brand, any tips, any info I need to
know ?

And has anyone here actually owned a Chinese made ATV,
if so, how long did it last, what problems if any did it have,
and how did you like it ?

 

[Bluethunder3320]

one of my honda clone 6.5's runs amazing...... one doesnt throttle because it keeps bogging...... one runs like crap unless i run it on a straight pipe.

my friends honda quad runs pretty great. its about 10 years old and i think i just did the very first oil change (or first in at least 5 years). WOAH. the oil was naaassstttyyy. it needs a carb cleaning but thats not honda's fault. still runs good though.

 

[Rustydog2010]

Well, is a clone Honda 250cc motor all that bad, everything
else on the Chinese made ATV I could likely fix if it goes
bad or breaks - and even if I were to make something
from scratch I was still thinking about that using that
very same motor LOL

If I do get a used name brand, any tips, any info I need to
know ?

And has anyone here actually owned a Chinese made ATV,
if so, how long did it last, what problems if any did it have,
and how did you like it ?

I have had a 125cc Chinese Pitbike, that failed horrifically, tho I didn't treat it all that well. But then we have a honda lawnmower that is about 20 years old, starts 2nd or 3rd pull every time, and we do no maintenance on it, at all.

If you are to buy a used branded engine, try find on that can be run in front of you, I would be skeptical about buying an engine at that age that wont run. If its just the engine, try get all the electrics, the carbs and the exhaust if you can, will make it 10x easier you.

Jeremy.

 

[will1384]

If I go the DIY route, how big a motor do I need, I
am guessing a 6.5 briggs & stratton is just not going to
give me the power I need, I can get an old 14.5 briggs
& stratton Vertical, but I ruled it out because I would
have to use a 90 degree gear box, and then what kind
of clutch ?

 

[Rustydog2010]

Do you want any kind of speed and performance out of it? Or is it more just for yard work?

Jeremy.

 

[bighead]

How did a atc all most kill you? They are great farm machines for the money.

 

[bighead]

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/mcy/2344480102.html

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/for/2390459346.html

Here is your china quad for $100 http://littlerock.craigslist.org/rvs/2387588103.html

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/ctd/2379324761.html

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/rvs/2375402532.html

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/mcy/2391062175.html

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/mcy/2376112380.html

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/rvs/2374206818.html

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/mcy/2348207676.html

You got some good deals on your Cl.

 

[will1384]

How did a atc all most kill you? They are great farm machines for the money.

I had an Honda ATC 185, it had the huge tires and no
shocks, so it was bouncy when it hit something, I was riding
in the woods on a part of a trail that I was not familiar with
and hit a log, at a sharp turn, the three wheeler with me
on it became airborne, and there was a steep ravine just
on the other side that sharp turn, me and the three wheeler
started going over the steep ravine and I pushed the
three wheeler away, I landed safely, but the three wheeler
tumbled a little over two stories hitting trees on the way
down :angelsad2:

 

[will1384]

Do you want any kind of speed and performance out of it? Or is it more just for yard work?

Jeremy.

30 mph would be the max I would want to go, I am more
worried about pulling, yard work, and not getting stuck
in the mud.

 

[will1384]

I have decided to go the DIY approach to making what
I need, I have a small work shop and most of the tools
and a good welder, I just cant bring my self to spend
$2000 on a used ATV, when I could use that money to
make something with all new parts.

I have some plans from EasyKarts, various other free plans,
and just bought the SpiderCarts GrandDaddy plans, I think I
like the GrandDaddy plans the best.

I plan on modifying the GrandDaddy a bit, its going to
be the same size and everything, but just one seat in
the center, and the steering centered for that seat, I
will have some extra seat and arm space, I am pretty
wide LOL I just hope I dont have to lengthen it, I am
almost 6 foot tall.

Now I just need a motor and torque converter

 

[Odonnellp24]

Check this out this combo for ~$500....

http://www.harborfreight.com/engine...cc-ohv-horizontal-shaft-gas-engine-68306.html
http://www.mfgsupply.com/m/c/218354A.html