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AutoMX
06-05-2008, 08:52 AM
I'm building a reverse trike for road use, kind of like a T-Rex and I'm looking for a drivetrain for it. It's supposed to be a gas saver that can get me up to freeway speeds (and for legal reasons must be over 150cc). There's lots of 500cc+ motors out there but very few small ones since I guess people crash them way less (makes sense, they're cruisers not racing tuned for the most part). Dirt bike engines are a no-go in California on the street.

I'm wondering how reliable a Lifan type engine is on average. I know that things like my X18 have 100 other parts that fail before the engine, but how good would a 4 speed 150cc or 250cc be on its own (I'm custom making everything else)? I'm also limited to those with the EPA and CARB stickers of course.

The Honda Elite 250 seemed like a perfect donor but I can't find any around here (at least under $1500). Same goes for a rebel 250 or a ninja 250. I'm not gonna buy a good shape bike to tear it apart, would be a shame.

X7rocks
06-05-2008, 09:43 AM
go with either a lifan 141 build or a GPX 146 build either way one can be close to the same amount of power for about the same price

as far as reliability my gpx motor has ben good to me since its build except for 3rd gear that took a dumb after about 2/half years of abuse
lifans if there a all up tranny there good to go since the shift start on 1 down 3 up tends to kinda..get bad from trying to shift from 3rd straight into nuetral

AutoMX
06-05-2008, 11:14 AM
it has to be over 150cc otherwise it's not a full motorcycle by law.

also being that its a trike i prolly wont be shifting much, it wont be much of a performer for sure at ~600lb + me and under 500cc so i'll be taking it easy, at worse 2->N

swheels
06-05-2008, 11:26 AM
What about this one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/200CC-LIFAN-5-SPD-ENGINE-MOTOR-MOTORCYCLE-DIRT-BIKE-ATV_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35595QQihZ005QQitem Z150254695397QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Or this one
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LIFAN-250CC-V-TWIN-HONDA-ENGINE-MOTOR-MINI-CHOPPER-BIKE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35595QQihZ005QQite mZ150253211186QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

AutoMX
06-05-2008, 12:17 PM
yea thats along the lines of what im looking at. while money is a concern, im also more concerned about my trike taking a dump on on me as im halfway through my 50 miles to work or the other 50 back, and then being stranded late waiting for towing or whatever.

X7rocks
06-05-2008, 01:41 PM
lifan 200's are ok
but have horrible jetting from the factory same goes with jialing 200's