New to hybrids, help me build one.

[deathcorefan2]

hey guys. i have a 2002 400ex and a 300ex. i might pick up a friends kx250 motor. he just wrecked the bike and might pick up the motor. or my other friend has a yz250 motor and i was thinking of building a hybrid. what would be the easiest and best hybrid to build with what i could get. is it possible to put a 250 motor on the 300ex, or the 400ex? what would be easier? and if i used the 400ex, could i swap the 400ex motor to the 300ex?

just looking for some ideas for some possibly FAST quads i could build.

[LT250RMan]

A 2 stroke dirt bike engine does'nt have a counterbalancer it will cause the engine to crack up a stock frame, the best idea would be to go find a TRX250R engine or a trike 250r engine and use that.. I have a stock 400ex frame thats built for a KTM525 4 stroke dirt bike engine for sale.

[deathcorefan2]

Originally posted by LT250RMan
A 2 stroke dirt bike engine does'nt have a counterbalancer it will cause the engine to crack up a stock frame, the best idea would be to go find a TRX250R engine or a trike 250r engine and use that.. I have a stock 400ex frame thats built for a KTM525 4 stroke dirt bike engine for sale.

so i couldnt put the motor in either?

[jcs003]

the trike 250 is not counterbalanced, same as on 2-wheeler. you can mount the dirtbike engine in the 400ex chassis, you will just need to make motor mounts. you may have some harmonic vibration issues but if you make good mounts and gusset your frame you will be fine.

i would go with the 400ex chassis as it handles much better than a 300ex and uses round tubing which will handle vibrations better.

*don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something. if you wanna do it and don't mind a mistake or two along the way, then give it a shot.*

[LT250RMan]

Originally posted by deathcorefan2
so i couldnt put the motor in either?

I wouldn't.

[deathcorefan2]

i will talk it over with my dad and i guess we might do the 400ex..

now could i do a 400ex motor to 300ex frame swap?

[LT250RMan]

Sell your 400ex and the 300ex and go buy a real TRX250R so you don't have a headache welding up all the cracked motor mounts and stress points on those crappy stock 400ex frames. The R is a way better quad than a 400ex hybrid with a 2 stroke bike engine.

[deathcorefan2]

Originally posted by LT250RMan
Sell your 400ex and the 300ex and go buy a real TRX250R so you don't have a headache welding up all the cracked motor mounts and stress points on those crappy stock 400ex frames. The R is a way better quad than a 400ex hybrid with a 2 stroke bike engine.

...*sigh* here we go, i had to go through this with my little 250 trailblazer i used to have, untill i bought a faster quad...and now i am hearing sell again, lol no thanks, if the hybrid i am looking at will not work, then i will not bother. thanks.

[jcs003]

Originally posted by LT250RMan
Sell your 400ex and the 300ex and go buy a real TRX250R so you don't have a headache welding up all the cracked motor mounts and stress points on those crappy stock 400ex frames. The R is a way better quad than a 400ex hybrid with a 2 stroke bike engine.

the 400ex frame is solid except for the upper shock mounts. the stock 250r frame is not as strong due to the square tubing.

[LT250RMan]

Originally posted by jcs003
the 400ex frame is solid except for the upper shock mounts. the stock 250r frame is not as strong due to the square tubing.

Think about it, the R frame is built for the 250R 2 stroke engine and the 400ex frame is built for a 4 stroke engine. A 2 stroke will have more vibration than a 4 stroke. It only makes scene a 2 stroke fires every time the piston reaches close to top dead center and a 4 stroke fires every second time the piston reaches top dead center.

4 stroke = slower vibration less cracks

2 stroke = lots of high vibration cause stress cracks

[deathcorefan2]

Originally posted by LT250RMan
Think about it, the R frame is built for the 250R 2 stroke engine and the 400ex frame is built for a 4 stroke engine. A 2 stroke will have more vibration than a 4 stroke. It only makes scene a 2 stroke fires every time the piston reaches close to top dead center and a 4 stroke fires every second time the piston reaches top dead center.

4 stroke = slower vibration less cracks

2 stroke = lots of high vibration cause stress cracks

and a gusset kit is how much? lol

sorry diddnt mean to turn this into frame wars.
lol

[LT250RMan]

Originally posted by deathcorefan2
and a gusset kit is how much? lol

sorry diddnt mean to turn this into frame wars.
lol


If your going to be swapping engine's into different frames I'm pretty sure you could just build the gussets yourself. If not buy the gusset kit from Bare Performance.

[jcs003]

Originally posted by LT250RMan
Think about it, the R frame is built for the 250R 2 stroke engine and the 400ex frame is built for a 4 stroke engine. A 2 stroke will have more vibration than a 4 stroke. It only makes scene a 2 stroke fires every time the piston reaches close to top dead center and a 4 stroke fires every second time the piston reaches top dead center.

4 stroke = slower vibration less cracks

2 stroke = lots of high vibration cause stress cracks

WHAT?

[250Renvy]

If you have 2 complete quads - a 300ex and 400ex, I'd say don't bother, not because it can't be done, it's just that you'll be dealing with trying to figure stuff out and it may or may not work and the whole time you won't be riding which will make you frustrated then you may try to put the thing back together the original way and it will be worthless unless you pour a bunch of money back into it.

If however you happen to have a spare frame and parts for the 2-stroke dirt bike motors then go for it.

You will not likely gain any more power or speed from the dirtbike motors than modifying the 400ex motor or even the 300ex motor.

Another problem is dealing with finding a raditor that will fit either frame, since both are air cooled motors.

Custom making stuff is fun, but only if you have skill and tools. Otherwise you find you need to custom make everything because nothing will fit.

[LT250RMan]

Why would you even want a 250 2 stroke engine in a 400ex frame ? Just go buy a 250R and get the handling that comes with the R geometry.

Pointless !

[jcs003]

Originally posted by LT250RMan
Why would you even want a 250 2 stroke engine in a 400ex frame ? Just go buy a 250R and get the handling that comes with the R geometry.

Pointless !

http://www.servicehonda.com/service.html why???

http://www.exriders.com/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=336762

[907Rider]

Originally posted by 250Renvy
If you have 2 complete quads - a 300ex and 400ex, I'd say don't bother, not because it can't be done, it's just that you'll be dealing with trying to figure stuff out and it may or may not work and the whole time you won't be riding which will make you frustrated then you may try to put the thing back together the original way and it will be worthless unless you pour a bunch of money back into it.

If however you happen to have a spare frame and parts for the 2-stroke dirt bike motors then go for it.

You will not likely gain any more power or speed from the dirtbike motors than modifying the 400ex motor or even the 300ex motor.

Another problem is dealing with finding a raditor that will fit either frame, since both are air cooled motors.

Custom making stuff is fun, but only if you have skill and tools. Otherwise you find you need to custom make everything because nothing will fit.

I agree. If you want a hybrid, find a roller... don't rip apart a good quad. A 400ex in a 300ex frame would be cool, it would be mini 400. But again don't hack up a good quad, find a roller and go from there.

[LT250RMan]

Originally posted by jcs003
http://www.servicehonda.com/service.html why???

They are trying to make a 250r with a stock frame and it sucks.

[ALAMX37]

First and foremost, do your suspension. Doesnt matter how fast your motor is if you dont have good suspension you arent gonna go fast.

Suspension would be my first investment no matter what quad I am on. Then I address the motor.

[907Rider]

Originally posted by LT250RMan
Why would you even want a 250 2 stroke engine in a 400ex frame ? Just go buy a 250R and get the handling that comes with the R .

Pointless !

250r and 400ex geometry is almost the same...........

[jcs003]

http://www.exriders.com/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=336762

http://www.exriders.com/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=133000

[madskrillz2]

Honestly I don't see the point of doing a conversion when you can find aftermarket framed 250r's ridiculously cheap. But hey you're not me so do what you want.

[jcs003]

Originally posted by madskrillz2
Honestly I don't see the point of doing a conversion when you can find aftermarket framed 250r's ridiculously cheap. But hey you're not me so do what you want.

aftermarket frame: approximatly $800 used.

a-arms: $200

swinger: $150

axle/carrier etc. : $200

this is just the major components at the minimum used.

you can get a 400ex roller for about $800-1500. add motor: $400 rad: $60 and if you can weld: priceless...

[madskrillz2]

Originally posted by jcs003
aftermarket frame: approximatly $800 used.

a-arms: $200

swinger: $150

axle/carrier etc. : $200

this is just the major components at the minimum used.

you can get a 400ex roller for about $800-1500. add motor: $400 rad: $60 and if you can weld: priceless...

I didn't say all the parts added together. I just meant a built 250r. Oh and the fact that a aftermarket 250r works right: PRICELESS

[jcs003]

Originally posted by madskrillz2
I didn't say all the parts added together. I just meant a built 250r. Oh and the fact that a aftermarket 250r works right: PRICELESS

that is true. an aftermarket chassisied 250r is priceless:D

[madskrillz2]

Originally posted by jcs003
that is true. an aftermarket chassisied 250r is priceless:D

No they're dirt cheap nowadays.

[jcs003]

Originally posted by madskrillz2
No they're dirt cheap nowadays.

where can i get one dirt cheap? what i have seen they're still expensive.

[madskrillz2]

Just keep your eyes open on forums and ebay. I'm just saying I've seen several R's with some sort of aftermarket frame for as low as $3500. That's about how much a well kept 400ex is worth at the most. That's why I don't understand why anyone would do a conversion now. I might could understand it several years ago.

[jcs003]

Originally posted by madskrillz2
Just keep your eyes open on forums and ebay. I'm just saying I've seen several R's with some sort of aftermarket frame for as low as $3500. That's about how much a well kept 400ex is worth at the most. That's why I don't understand why anyone would do a conversion now. I might could understand it several years ago.

i would like to find just an arens, LSR or laeger if i could for under $400 but im not seeing it.

i am doing the hybrid because i feel the 400ex handles better than my 86 250r. so i got the extra parts from my 99 400ex and bought a used frame, along with some other stuff here and there. i have two other 250r motors that i got cheap and run good so i went for it. other guys i have talked to said it is awesome.

[madskrillz2]

Originally posted by jcs003
i would like to find just an arens, LSR or laeger if i could for under $400 but im not seeing it.

i am doing the hybrid because i feel the 400ex handles better than my 86 250r. so i got the extra parts from my 99 400ex and bought a used frame, along with some other stuff here and there. i have two other 250r motors that i got cheap and run good so i went for it. other guys i have talked to said it is awesome.

Well I'm no expert on 250r's or 400ex's by any means. I've got a LTR lol. If I had all the extra parts like you say you do, then I probably would consider doing a conversion. I just thought you meant starting completely from scratch and having to buy all the parts.

[jcs003]

Originally posted by madskrillz2
Well I'm no expert on 250r's or 400ex's by any means. I've got a LTR lol. If I had all the extra parts like you say you do, then I probably would consider doing a conversion. I just thought you meant starting completely from scratch and having to buy all the parts.

i got alot of stock parts from my 400 that were replaced with aftermarket. i will spent maybe $1000-$2000 but i needed fenders powdercoat spincles and brakes among a few other things. starting from scratch would be alot harder. but with an aftermarket build it would be fun to build from frame up with all new parts...i can dream.

[LT250RMan]

A 400ex frame handles worse than a 250R frame. I know this because I have both quads and I don't even ride the 400ex that much anymore because the R is way better.

[ALAMX37]

Originally posted by LT250RMan
A 400ex frame handles worse than a 250R frame. I know this because I have both quads and I don't even ride the 400ex that much anymore because the R is way better.

to each his own. I owned a 250r hybrid and ex hybrid and preferred the ex hybrid. It comes down to what you are comfortable on. Not everyone rides the same or likes the same bikes.

[C41Xracer]

Originally posted by LT250RMan
A 400ex frame handles worse than a 250R frame. I know this because I have both quads and I don't even ride the 400ex that much anymore because the R is way better.

i agree, ive had both also and my R handled so much better

[madskrillz2]

The only thing I don't like about an R is how wide the tank area is. Feels like I'm trying to grip my knees around a cow.

[deathcorefan2]

ok well thanks for the help, i guess ill build a hybrid later in life. lol it will prob be a CRF450R hybrid.

[jcs003]

Originally posted by madskrillz2
The only thing I don't like about an R is how wide the tank area is. Feels like I'm trying to grip my knees around a cow.

LOL! now that would be something new. ride a cow. safer than a bull.

[madskrillz2]

Originally posted by jcs003
LOL! now that would be something new. ride a cow. safer than a bull.

Oh it's not new to me. I do it all the time.....lmao :eek:

[jcs003]

Originally posted by madskrillz2
Oh it's not new to me. I do it all the time.....lmao :eek:

well, you must have many tricks up you sleeves my friend.LOL!