If you were going to build the perfect quad from the ground up using a mix of salvaged ATV and/or motorcyle parts, what would you use and why?

For Example: (My idea of a good combo quad.)

Frame - Honda 400EX
Motor - Honda CR500
Front Suspension - Adapted Bombadier DS650
Rear Suspension - Adapted Bombadier DS650
Wheels - Honda TRX 250R
Rear Axle - Honda TRX 250R

I may have at my disposal soon a four stroke Honda 350cc four cylinder from an old CB350-F streetbike. The motor was running fine, but the rest of the bike is no longer any good. I thought I might build a quad with it. I will, if I do this, build the chassis myself as well. I have been looking at a TRX 250R chassis for inspiration.

(I originally stated that it was a Kawasaki 350cc twin, but I was wrong....that's the last time I listen to the voices in my head. Promise.)

 

After posting my original message above, I read further on about the problems associated with installing motorcycle engines in quad frames. I was not aware of the counterbalance dilemma.

I know this question has already been asked, but is there a way to counter this problem? Perhaps vibration absorbing engine mounts? Or is there an aftermarket counterbalance device available for these motors?

Also, how do you know if an engine is counterbalanced or not?

 

im not sure how u do that remember befor the 400ex came out how everybody and there sister was putting xr engines in r frames alot of people just use big rubber mounts everythere and there some counter balncer's you can make to fit i think about of street bikes have them but if not im sure there is a counter balncer thats close and you can have case mods done to make it fit like the cr500 engine has a counter balncer kit so i know it can be done your just gonna have to look into it and as far as the perfect quad well.....thats easy 4trx250r its fast light takes mods really well handles like no other never feels tipsy and its a joy to work on it remind me of a big lego set for grown ups

 

www.hscustoms.com though it's not want your looking for and you probably couldn't afford it. Very cool site!!!!!!

 

A counter balancer is an unbalanced shaft that rotates the opposite direction of the crank shaft. I have never paid attention to if the counter balancer weight is up or down when the piston is up (there are dots on the shafts to line them up properly). Twins vibrate less than a single. The twins I know of do not have counter balancers. The Banshee is one example. There was a thread with pics of a motorcycle with a snowmobile motor in it. The motor was mounted backwards. This may help to reduce vibration in a quad because the motor would rotate the opposite direction of the axle and wheels.

The engine mount in my Drakart is bolted solid to the engine, but stretches out far before it connects to the frame. This allows the use larger rubber mounts without the motor moving a lot because there is more leverage. There is very little vibration.

 

I believe counter ballancers are 180 degrees from the piston. In other words when the piston is TDC the weight is down.
ERIC