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Allen Blanchfield (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 214.13.61.105
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 06:38 am: | 
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This is a combination tech/restoration question, so I guess I'll post it here. My biggest hobby is restoring old dirt bikes; I've done half a dozen of them to date. The uniqueness of the AATV appeals to me on a couple levels. It sounds like fun to drive, as a possible backdoor into getting the missus into ORVing (she has no interest in any vehicle you have to straddle), and a rewarding restoration project in its own right. So, a couple questions along with this: For motorcycles anyway, I've found the "best" market is in those 20-25 years old. By then, it's at its depreciation low but parts are still largely available. But, they're still too "new" to be considered antique or vintage - a ridiculously overpriced market. Are these axioms true for AATVs also? Also, I will always reserve the deepest place in my heart for the 2-cycle engine - a type I feel unfairly and unjustly maligned. I almost exclusively rebuild motorcycles with these. At what point did the AATV manufacturers "give up" on 2-cycle engines? In summary, what are the best AATV restoration candidates (brands/models) based mainly on parts availability? STRONG preference given to 2-cycle brands/models. Thanks for all insight and responses. |
Len (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 68.162.149.21
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 09:47 am: |
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Two strokes rule. Four strokes are reliable.6x6 in the woods are happy with 4 stroke and quiet.Old Attex are light fast loud and break alot, but the most fun for the short ride period between repairs. Axel's body's and old 2 strokes create alot of wrench time, but you can scare the hell out of your friends when all is working. Old Max machines had 2 strokes, Kaw 440 is good and parts supply is ok. They are more heavy and more reliable body is hard to break axles are 30% stronger but expect to bend them too.That's my .02 cents. |
liflod
Member
Username: Liflod
Post Number: 32
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 65.209.67.204
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 08:33 am: |
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Your best restoration project would be anything with a T-20 and a decent body. An Attex would be the first choice followed by a Max. As long as you have a complete machine to start with, finding parts is not all that difficult. You may want to call Richard Clark and personally ask him the question. Be careful , because sometimes you can put alot more money into a machine than you can ever get back. At least if you have a T-20, parts are readily available and they are a good transmission. The other transmission systems used in the older machines are no where near as durable or drivable as the T-20. |
Jerry R. Nuss
Intermediate Member
Username: Jerrynuss
Post Number: 65
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 70.106.204.12
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 10:43 am: |
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This is an interesting question. If you have read through this site you are aware there were around 60 manufacturers of atvs. Some never really caught on, or were poorly built or over priced or didn't have a strong established company when the Honda ATC came into the game and then the evolution into the quad.
The two stroke powerplant was common during the early years of the ATV but started phasing out in the late 70's to Mid 80's. The currently manufactured machines tend to go with a lower rpm higher torque four stroke which works well since most owners use their machines for difficult terrain where crawling is necessary or slow moving because of no suspension. But there are some exceptions who love the two stroke and machines capable of 50mph.
Parts availability can be a concern if you are going with a true restoration using NOS parts or used take off parts. Another concern is the material body tubs are made. I like the HDPE and ABS plastic bodies machines that have a solid box and ladder type frame. Some machines are made of fiberglass which can be heavy and also have a lot of stress cracks, need a lot of repair and may absorb water if used amphibiously. Some of the fiberglass machines don't even have a frame but bolt through the fiberglass. Some of them look really sharp with attractive body lines but I don't see them as really useable. At least useable to the way a lot of guys use these machines. A lot of the machines are used daily for some serious off road use. I used to have Jeeps but now I only use an ATV. So of the machines that are made of plastic and have a frame you narrow the field considerably. Then you get into axle material. Does it have solid axles or hollow tube axles. Are the axles and gears splined or are they bolted to the axle. Then what is the transmission, some use some odd ball drive systems and others use a good standard common unit. The T-20 is probably one of the best if not the best transmissions and is still in use and has parts readily available. Argo has a transmission/transfer unit that is unique to them but since they are still in business the parts are available. It also works well but as in anything it has its followers and detractors.
So if it were me looking for a unit to restore and USE... especially using NOS parts and not having to fab up my own I'd go with any of these: Max by Recreative Industries, Argo by Ontario Drive and gear, Attex, Hustler, Trail Boss.
I hope this helps and it is just my opinion so others may disagree or have some additional machines to add. |
david berger
Advanced Member
Username: Davidrrrd
Post Number: 123
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 172.209.223.115
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 09:22 am: |
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any year attex will fit most of your cryteria,
there are a number parts still available threw route6x6 as well as other places and attex has always had a great following, in fact there were several at the jamboree in olean this past july,
even the old ABS bodes can be fixed easy enoph.
there are plenty attex out there with polyethilin bodes as well. |
Philip Croff
New member
Username: F14crazy
Post Number: 7
Registered: 05-2005
Posted From: 24.56.201.68
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 12, 2005 - 12:49 am: |
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Amphicat! |
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