I’m completely re-working a Gen 1 Trailmaster right now. Getting it ready for the 3rd annual Gambler 500 24hr race here in FL. The heim joints are a definite must.
Hello Red Beard Absolutely love the heim joints. Awesome setup. I agree with the prior comments. When the swing arm is moving its motion becomes limited by the slack in the chain. Everyone tends to run a looser than needed chain to help with this, however, this results in a thrown chain. It also beats the hell out of the chain and jack shaft bearings if the chain is tightened to spec. I'm working on a chain tensioner pulley for just this reason. Can't wait to get it done so I can have full suspension travel thats not chain limited. I'd love to see you folks design a good tensioner setup for the MB200. There's definitely a market for it. Dirt bikes have them for the same reason. Minibikes want them!
We removed the factory driven pulley mount and went with a conventional TC setup. Repositioned the foot pegs - welded on. Replaced the front frame mount with our own. Added a chain guide /tensioner with a 60 tooth sprocket. Still have the rubber bushings in the lower frame. I havent thrown a chain yet. Like your swing arm mod
You should make a chain tensioner for it too. A guy here on youtube called BWX has a video showing a good design for one which will fix this problem, and it keeps you from slamming your crankshaft every time the suspension moves with the added benefit of letting you actually have more than half an inch of suspension travel before bottoming out on the chain.
@@fredbearsq3254 Exactly. Rear suspension on this bike was an afterthought, it was a hardtail bike for years and you can still get them that way. Without a tensioner you either have to let the chain dangle in the breeze and lose it all the time or keep it so tight that it damages the engine and keeps the suspension from working. It's a way more important upgrade than swapping out the rubber cradle mounts and none of the big channels do it so I have to mention it every time I see it until the word gets out eventually.
I believe if you moved the swing arm pivot as close as possible to the jack shaft, it would also help. This would minimize the difference in geometry change as the swing arm moves. Like the changes you've already done, tho.
Leave the rubber bushings in and put a spring loaded chain tensioner on it works great!!! solid bushings and no chain tensioner and you still have the same problem of the chain being to tight or to loose. Try it people it WORKS GREAT!!!
You could eliminate almost all your chain issues if you designed a chain tensioner pulley setup, would allow you to run a "loose" chain setup , I've seen some people make spring loaded setups that are a game changer.
What ever happened to the silver fox go cart project? I have one and would like to see how you upgrade the front suspension to double A arm! It needs it! I also have a Baja Warrior I’d love to see how to add rear suspension too! Thanks for the years of projects!
hmm I have a kart that I installed a 459 in it from a 208 and I keep throwing chains as well. I bet I'm having same issue since everything is square as square can be. Might be time to do a similar upgrade to my kart and see if it fixes it. Then I'll tackle my MB200 she just a stock ride at the time being until I work out kinks in my other rides. Nice video as always.
@redbeardsgarage i am wondering if fitting needle roller bearing with some sleeves fitted would be a better option from factory much like a motorcross swingarm
RBG, I know road to horsepower will be an ongoing series, but have you thought about what projects we'll see in '23? If already discussed, excuse my folly.
What mods are you planning to do with the square tube engine mounts Are you reinforcing them also since the bends are more visible with it being apart Losing the rubber bushings likely will magnify stress on that component Appreciate the variations of your projects
sooo I have a Manco silver fox and I'm looking at upgrading the crappy steering to rack and pinion do you have any good options that don't require too much extra work?
You are still going to lose your chain unless run a spring loaded chain tensioner because the chain gets tighter as the shocks compress. This also means you will also wear out jackshaft bearings unless you run the spring tensioner allowing the chain to have more slack. ua-cam.com/video/XmJWae84tdY/v-deo.html
Yup and I wonder if the jackshaft mount getting torqued by chain tension at top of suspension stroke actually is what bent the engine cradle frame rails? All these guys constantly kick chains on their MBs because they're too tight at top of suspension stroke. I wonder if they'll ever figure it out? ✌
How are you buddy, I live up on Long Island and I’m moving either to Texas or South Carolina my wife and I haven’t decided yet but I have a major phobia of venomous snakes up here on Long Island we don’t have snakes spiders hurricanes earthquakes tornadoes we don’t have anything. I’m sitting here watching you talk with the door open in the background did you ever have a snake go into your garage While leaving the door opened. Or is most of this fear just in my head, thank you I’d appreciate if you or anyone that lives down that way can reply because I’m driving my wife crazy.
@@shark11175 That’s a drag, my wife and I are looking at a nice piece of property in Easley South Carolina it has a nice creek running through the backyard. I guess it’s like anything else you have to learn to get around
@@timothywilliams2021 my head plays games with me, I’m afraid my kids might leave the door open it’ll come in to the house and obviously it’s gonna go into your bed because it’s looking for a warm spot. I’m just gonna have to get over it it’s just one of those things, Who the hell knows this my drive me to shrink sofa
I know that frame is probably the most comfortable mini bike frame but it is butt ugly. Looks like random pieces of tube welded together covered by plastic. Please make a gravy bones mini bike.
I’m completely re-working a Gen 1 Trailmaster right now. Getting it ready for the 3rd annual Gambler 500 24hr race here in FL. The heim joints are a definite must.
24 hr minibike race??? how does that work lol sounds like a ton of fun
Hello Red Beard
Absolutely love the heim joints. Awesome setup. I agree with the prior comments. When the swing arm is moving its motion becomes limited by the slack in the chain. Everyone tends to run a looser than needed chain to help with this, however, this results in a thrown chain. It also beats the hell out of the chain and jack shaft bearings if the chain is tightened to spec. I'm working on a chain tensioner pulley for just this reason. Can't wait to get it done so I can have full suspension travel thats not chain limited. I'd love to see you folks design a good tensioner setup for the MB200. There's definitely a market for it. Dirt bikes have them for the same reason. Minibikes want them!
We removed the factory driven pulley mount and went with a conventional TC setup. Repositioned the foot pegs - welded on. Replaced the front frame mount with our own. Added a chain guide /tensioner with a 60 tooth sprocket. Still have the rubber bushings in the lower frame. I havent thrown a chain yet. Like your swing arm mod
Did you just buy a TC kit with backplate off of Amazon?
Yes just the standard stuff @@chrismhoyt
I would pack that bearing/shaft housing with grease just to keep the water out.
If you weld a tab on the jackshaft tube and one on the frame to bolt to it, if would further stiffen that area, yet leave the engine cradle removable.
You should make a chain tensioner for it too. A guy here on youtube called BWX has a video showing a good design for one which will fix this problem, and it keeps you from slamming your crankshaft every time the suspension moves with the added benefit of letting you actually have more than half an inch of suspension travel before bottoming out on the chain.
I made a chain tensioner for mine absolute game changer no more throwing chains.
@@fredbearsq3254 Exactly. Rear suspension on this bike was an afterthought, it was a hardtail bike for years and you can still get them that way. Without a tensioner you either have to let the chain dangle in the breeze and lose it all the time or keep it so tight that it damages the engine and keeps the suspension from working. It's a way more important upgrade than swapping out the rubber cradle mounts and none of the big channels do it so I have to mention it every time I see it until the word gets out eventually.
Thanks ... I'm still looking forward to episode 3 of "The Road to Horsepower."
I believe if you moved the swing arm pivot as close as possible to the jack shaft, it would also help. This would minimize the difference in geometry change as the swing arm moves. Like the changes you've already done, tho.
Love the mod on the swing arm
Move the mount for the shocks forward on the swing arm for the shorter better shocks. 1976 Honda cr125m is made that way google it
Awesome video folks! I've needed a video like this. Specifically this. THANKS!!!
Looks like it will be a ton stronger for the next race!
Love this! It's a must do upgrade, I agree!
Leave the rubber bushings in and put a spring loaded chain tensioner on it works great!!! solid bushings and no chain tensioner and you still have the same problem of the chain being to tight or to loose. Try it people it WORKS GREAT!!!
MB200 Metal Slug/Bushing link bit.ly/3ZPitlD
Awesome, upgrades, all the best to yous and your loved ones
Would love to have a shop like that, you can do a bit of everything in it👍
top notch work as usual...thanks for the video!
Very cool upgrades! I've been working on mine as well, adding hydraulic front brakes and doing weight reduction.
Why not weld a riser mount to the swingarm to run the better shocks?
You could eliminate almost all your chain issues if you designed a chain tensioner pulley setup, would allow you to run a "loose" chain setup , I've seen some people make spring loaded setups that are a game changer.
What ever happened to the silver fox go cart project? I have one and would like to see how you upgrade the front suspension to double A arm! It needs it! I also have a Baja Warrior I’d love to see how to add rear suspension too!
Thanks for the years of projects!
Looks solid.
hmm I have a kart that I installed a 459 in it from a 208 and I keep throwing chains as well. I bet I'm having same issue since everything is square as square can be. Might be time to do a similar upgrade to my kart and see if it fixes it. Then I'll tackle my MB200 she just a stock ride at the time being until I work out kinks in my other rides. Nice video as always.
What size were the inserts for the swingarm? Like what is the ID of the swingarm?
Nice job!
The bushings were likely there to dampen vibrations from the engine. Please let us know if it’s significantly different.
Would love to see a follow up video of how it now handles with the frame upgrades.
@redbeardsgarage i am wondering if fitting needle roller bearing with some sleeves fitted would be a better option from factory much like a motorcross swingarm
Question when are you gonna do the video with the 212 dyno next upgrade.
RBG, I know road to horsepower will be an ongoing series, but have you thought about what projects we'll see in '23? If already discussed, excuse my folly.
Id like to see a 2stroke snowmobile engine in one of these mb200! 😮
What mods are you planning to do with the square tube engine mounts
Are you reinforcing them also since the bends are more visible with it being apart
Losing the rubber bushings likely will magnify stress on that component
Appreciate the variations of your projects
Couldn’t you install a grease fitting in the jackshaft housing?
Top.
Can you guys make cycle karts and race them with other people?
Hi I seen in one of your videos someone gave you a saddle gas tank made for a Baja warrior mini. Info on how to purchase one would be nice thanks
Cool build what size Heim joints did u installed.
sooo I have a Manco silver fox and I'm looking at upgrading the crappy steering to rack and pinion do you have any good options that don't require too much extra work?
Could you do slugs in the swing arm as well instead of the joints?
I'm first now I'll go watch the show
Waiting on dyno content sir
Your lathe doesn't have auto-feed?
Yeet Yeet RBG 🤪 😎 ☮️
when you build a mini bike trike etc what neck tubing size and thickness? and bronze bushing size do you use.
@ 3:24 I need to upgrade mines asap@12:34 I need them
You are still going to lose your chain unless run a spring loaded chain tensioner because the chain gets tighter as the shocks compress. This also means you will also wear out jackshaft bearings unless you run the spring tensioner allowing the chain to have more slack. ua-cam.com/video/XmJWae84tdY/v-deo.html
Yup and I wonder if the jackshaft mount getting torqued by chain tension at top of suspension stroke actually is what bent the engine cradle frame rails? All these guys constantly kick chains on their MBs because they're too tight at top of suspension stroke. I wonder if they'll ever figure it out? ✌
heim joints are cool however that frame is not strong enough for that kind of power. Brent Glendale Az.
Does anybody do a small gearbox for this bike ?
How much would you charge to get the chromoly heim joints welded onto the rear swing arm?
Hey. What belts do you use on this bike with the jugg
What size belt are you running
awesome.God bless.
23-in tires for 2023
Man that was a good video
How are you buddy, I live up on Long Island and I’m moving either to Texas or South Carolina my wife and I haven’t decided yet but I have a major phobia of venomous snakes up here on Long Island we don’t have snakes spiders hurricanes earthquakes tornadoes we don’t have anything. I’m sitting here watching you talk with the door open in the background did you ever have a snake go into your garage While leaving the door opened. Or is most of this fear just in my head, thank you I’d appreciate if you or anyone that lives down that way can reply because I’m driving my wife crazy.
We are in the south, we live in the woods and rarely see them snakes are mostly around water like creeks and rivers
@@shark11175
That’s a drag, my wife and I are looking at a nice piece of property in Easley South Carolina it has a nice creek running through the backyard. I guess it’s like anything else you have to learn to get around
@@jojojeep1 Yea no big deal
Carry a pistol loaded with bird shot if you're afraid of snakes.
@@timothywilliams2021 my head plays games with me, I’m afraid my kids might leave the door open it’ll come in to the house and obviously it’s gonna go into your bed because it’s looking for a warm spot. I’m just gonna have to get over it it’s just one of those things, Who the hell knows this my drive me to shrink sofa
So my neighbor ran over my go-kart frame yesterday. 😐
With a f150 ..
It's been a hell of stressful past few months.
sorry to hear that man
@Rednecks do it better 2 just means I'm not supposed to have projects/toys
I know that frame is probably the most comfortable mini bike frame but it is butt ugly. Looks like random pieces of tube welded together covered by plastic. Please make a gravy bones mini bike.