Built a set of Bumpers for the 2007 Recon.. what do you think?
All Aluminum/Tig welded and added a 2000lb winch.. mounting some 3x3 LED lights above the Winch fairleads on the flat plate.. just haven't got them in the mail yet..

I know 3/16" steel would have been stronger, but this 1/4" 6061 bumper only weighs 12lbs..
Cost me nothing but my time, although it took a while.. as there is over 25' of plasma cuts, and 230" of weld.. scrap left over from other jobs.. did pay 99.00 for the winch kit, but built my own mount out of 1/4" steel plate.. couldn't see paying 70.00 for a small chunk of plate and a few bolts.. oh, the 3/8" shackles were 4.00 ea.

We did a test lift with a strap and picked the Wheeler completely off the ground.. like a fish on a hook.. LOL

OAD

 

Got the lights mounted.. pretty bright for a 18.00 set of LED boxes.. 24W each..

 

Tough looking bumpers especially the front one.

 

Thanks Old Polaris Tech.. was a fun little project, and might come in handy in some way while out on my Prospecting adventures this summer(3" high banker/dredge combo) in the Pacific NW.. as you well know, being retired has it's benefits!!

 

Places, and some of the equipment I built.. and bought.
1. Skykomish River
2. High Banker/Dredge unit
3. Classifying Pan
4. 3" Pump setup w/6.5hp Clone engine
5. Minelab 705 metal detector

Some of the places I go Prospecting you have to haul the equipment/fuel/hoses up to 1000' from where we park the Camper and Trailer on our claims.. tough on an Old Man..
This little Recon will help with the chores.. even if it takes a few trips..
Besides, if the kids get bored with the digging.. they can take the little Recon out for a spin..

 

Rounding up parts to do a front disc brake conversion using OEM Honda parts.. while retaining the correct bolt pattern to the Recon..
If I didn't care about the front bolt pattern being different, I would just go with newer EX front hubs..
But I just bought brand new OEM wheels and new Swamp lite tires..

Found a pair of 87/88 TRX 250x hubs(4 on 110mm)with rotors and 2001-2006 TRX250EX knuckles along with a pair of 2003 TRX300EX calipers.. all calipers work, 250 to 400EX..

I might need to go with EX brake lines if I cant make the Recon drum lines work.. photos coming during the conversion..

About 125.00 utilizing used Ebay stuff.. after completed, I'll make a list of part numbers so others can do the same thing if desired..
I know i'm not impressed with the front drum brakes..
Middle picture shoes the difference where the lower ball joint attaches.. spindle will end up about 1/2" lower and actually raising the front end a little bit overall.. third picture is an exploded view of the parts needed to do this conversion..
OAD

 

Nice work, the aluminum looks great!

 

Thanks Hydrex, appreciate the nice comment.. I spent some time on them, and did the best job I could without any directions.. Built them the way I thought might look good and be functional..

Stay tuned for the Disc Brake Conversion..

Today I built a "Tire Changing unit" that goes in the receiver of my truck, and it holds the rim while I wrestle with mounting the tire..

Went well, mounted up my Swamp Lites and didn't do much swearing.. LOL, I refuse to pay a tire shop 40.00 to mount 4 tires for an ATV..

I'll put some pictures up tomorrow.. 2x2 steel tube with a 2.125" round tube welded at a 90*.. 1/4" plate with 2 half inch pieces of round stock plug welded from behind.. slip the wheel over the round tube and the two "studs" locate the wheel.. made a handle with a slot, that goes over a tube/plate/strut that locates the handle.. throw the tire on, and run the handle around.. tire on the rim.. easy peasy.. pictures will show you better what i am trying to describe.. try to get those posted in the morning..
Yep.. spent some time doing this, but if I ever get a flat out in the woods.. I can mount a new "spare" up in ten minutes.. as long as I am close to the trailer.. or someone gives me a ride there..

 

Here is a picture of the "Tire Changing Tool" I made.. worked out pretty good, but going to try some different ideas..

Lower the height of the post above the plate, so the tool isn't bent down.. a straight tool would be better and cut some different lengths of tube that slip over the post to adjust for different rim widths(tool height)..

 

Rednecks can make anything with a welder