Upgrade questions - Suspension / Brakes

bmc · 03-20-2011, 06:07 PM

Hey Everyone,

I'd like to upgrade the shocks on my taotao ata250d to something better. Something softer. The shocks on there now feel like they are all spring with no dampening... Anyone know a good place they sell shocks that I may be able to find ones to fit?

Also, the front Drum brakes on it barely work. I'd like to upgrade to disk brakes but haven't been able to find anyone selling the parts for this. Are drum brakes usually that bad? Should I just be looking to tighten the cable somehow?

Thanks guys,

Brian

katoranger · 03-20-2011, 07:24 PM

Not sure on the shocks, but the drum brakes should be adjustable.

Usually there is adjustment at both ends of the cables.

Weldangrind · 03-21-2011, 12:44 AM

I'd check eBay for shocks. Try searching for atv shocks, pit bike shocks, Chinese shocks, etc. The trick is to try and think of what non-atv people might call them.

I have drum brakes on the front of both of my quads, and they both use a cable equalizer to allow one lever to operate two brakes. Take the time to dismantle the brakes, sand the inside of the drums and lubricate the cam that actuates the shoes. Buy a cable luber and lube each brake cable independantly until lube appears at the other end. I use Maxima Chain Wax as a chain and cable lube. The brakes will likely work well after that.

bmc · 03-21-2011, 10:40 PM

Thanks guys, will check those out and let everyone know what I find.

Jim · 03-21-2011, 11:17 PM

I've been tempted to order shocks from this ebay seller but haven't done so just yet http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ophir4u/

bmc · 03-22-2011, 08:07 PM

I just ordered a rear shock from this guy:

http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/h...id=p4340.l2559

I'll let you know how it works out.

I also decided to go with disc brakes for the front so the part hunt is on. I picked up the front brake assembly from this guy:

http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/b...id=p4340.l2559

I found the spindles and discs I need. The only thing I need now is the hub, bearings, and hardware. Should be cool when it is done.

Weldangrind · 03-22-2011, 08:11 PM

Where did you find the rotors and spindles?

anthonyfa18 · 03-22-2011, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmc

I just ordered a rear shock from this guy:

http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/h...id=p4340.l2559

I'll let you know how it works out.

I also decided to go with disc brakes for the front so the part hunt is on. I picked up the front brake assembly from this guy:

http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/b...id=p4340.l2559

I found the spindles and discs I need. The only thing I need now is the hub, bearings, and hardware. Should be cool when it is done.

where is the front brake assembly??? i don't see it
what rear shock did u buy ???
where did u find the spindles and disk ???

bi0phreak420 · 03-23-2011, 11:17 AM

BMC ..I don't think Ur gonna get those disc brakes to work I have the same Quad and they wouldn't work on mine ...also I know that these shocks will fit your quad...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/13-3-...Q5fAccessories

bmc · 03-27-2011, 11:01 AM

I got the parts for the front brake from:
http://www.buyatvsonline.com/

They are slowly trickling in so I'll keep you updated as to what fits, what needs some fab, and what just doesn't work once I have them all.

bmc · 04-05-2011, 02:20 AM

Quick update:

Well I recieved most of the parts and set out to see what needed to be done to get the brakes mounted up. Had to do a bunch of "tweaking" to get the brakes to mount up. The spindles I ordered were just wrong so I used the stock (wish they had dimensions on these part sites). I had to weld on some mounting brackets for the calipers and other minor modifications. The hubs are fine and the discs are ok (could have gone a little larger diameter for the discs but they work). I'm still waiting on one more hub (forgot to order 2) and then I can go for a test run and see what else may need to be done or tweaked. Spinning the wheel by hand and applying the brake works well anyway.

The stock rims are too small to fit over the calipers so I created an adapter to fit larger rims and tires that I had to the hub. The larger tires look good on her.

I promise I'll get some pictures posted up once I get the last hub on and list the parts I used and stuff.

Oh, I also got the back shock bolted on. It is a bit stiffer than I'd like but still so much better than that stock shock.

-Brian

Weldangrind · 04-05-2011, 09:55 AM

Brian, you big tease.

You can't post about engineering triumphs like that without pics. Post them promptly, or we won't believe you.

mizke · 04-09-2011, 12:21 AM

you have my attention, pictures please.. highly insterested in a disc brake setup for the front..

but to be honest for a price of 200 - 400 i could just go buy a motor less yamaha warrior 350 frame, weld up some motor mounts outta scrap metal and have front disc brakes as well as every single aftermarket upgrade part for yamaha warrior 350 frames not limited but including wheels, brakes, shocks, extended control arms, extended swingarms, wheels and tires, grab bars and nerf bars.

but to each their own and i appluad you for setting out and figuring out a working disc brake swap.. if it works good and holds up maybe you could talk to jim about added a write up with pictures and part numbers as well as make and models off the machines you got the parts off of.. something like a how to/ buyers guide to diy front ddrum to disc brake conversion..

bmc · 04-10-2011, 10:22 AM

Quote:

but to be honest for a price of 200 - 400 i could just go buy a motor less yamaha warrior 350 frame

Sure, there are a lot of different things we can do but that's not the point for me. It is the hobby of building and modifying something. And to be clear, I'm no engineer, I'm a technologist that enjoys anything with 4 wheels and an engine that allows me to 'tinker' with it.

Well here are a few pics, Everything still needs to be cleaned up, primed, bolts torqued, etc.. but you get the idea. I may add some additional strenght to the little mounting brackets there as I'm not sure what kind of force it will be dealing with.

Oh, and the part that stinks is I only have one hub that I made all this for and the other is backordered for 2-3 weeks. So I won't really know how well this works for a while.

http://bmcphoto.shutterfly.com/pictures/11

http://bmcphoto.shutterfly.com/pictures/10

Picture of larger tires (22 rear 23 front)

http://bmcphoto.shutterfly.com/pictures/9

-Brian

bmc · 04-10-2011, 10:24 AM

Apparently I don't know how to post pictures. You'd think it would parse the img tag but guess not.

Anyway, copy and paste the url's.

03-20-2011, 06:07 PM	#1
bmc Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 20	Upgrade questions - Suspension / Brakes Hey Everyone, I'd like to upgrade the shocks on my taotao ata250d to something better. Something softer. The shocks on there now feel like they are all spring with no dampening... Anyone know a good place they sell shocks that I may be able to find ones to fit? Also, the front Drum brakes on it barely work. I'd like to upgrade to disk brakes but haven't been able to find anyone selling the parts for this. Are drum brakes usually that bad? Should I just be looking to tighten the cable somehow? Thanks guys, Brian
	0

03-20-2011, 07:24 PM	#2
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Not sure on the shocks, but the drum brakes should be adjustable. Usually there is adjustment at both ends of the cables. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

03-21-2011, 12:44 AM	#3
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	I'd check eBay for shocks. Try searching for atv shocks, pit bike shocks, Chinese shocks, etc. The trick is to try and think of what non-atv people might call them. I have drum brakes on the front of both of my quads, and they both use a cable equalizer to allow one lever to operate two brakes. Take the time to dismantle the brakes, sand the inside of the drums and lubricate the cam that actuates the shoes. Buy a cable luber and lube each brake cable independantly until lube appears at the other end. I use Maxima Chain Wax as a chain and cable lube. The brakes will likely work well after that. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

03-21-2011, 11:17 PM	#5
Jim Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Abbotsford, BC, Canada Posts: 4,880	I've been tempted to order shocks from this ebay seller but haven't done so just yet http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ophir4u/ __________________ "Be excellent to each other" "We are all human. Let's start to prove it!"
	0

03-22-2011, 08:11 PM	#7
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Where did you find the rotors and spindles? __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

03-21-2011, 10:40 PM	#4
bmc Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 20	Thanks guys, will check those out and let everyone know what I find.
	0

03-22-2011, 08:07 PM	#6
bmc Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 20	I just ordered a rear shock from this guy: http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/h...id=p4340.l2559 I'll let you know how it works out. I also decided to go with disc brakes for the front so the part hunt is on. I picked up the front brake assembly from this guy: http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/b...id=p4340.l2559 I found the spindles and discs I need. The only thing I need now is the hub, bearings, and hardware. Should be cool when it is done.
	0

03-23-2011, 11:17 AM	#9
bi0phreak420 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dayton,Ohio Posts: 160	BMC ..I don't think Ur gonna get those disc brakes to work I have the same Quad and they wouldn't work on mine ...also I know that these shocks will fit your quad... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/13-3-...Q5fAccessories
	0

03-27-2011, 11:01 AM	#10
bmc Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 20	I got the parts for the front brake from: http://www.buyatvsonline.com/ They are slowly trickling in so I'll keep you updated as to what fits, what needs some fab, and what just doesn't work once I have them all.
	0

04-05-2011, 02:20 AM	#11
bmc Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 20	Quick update: Well I recieved most of the parts and set out to see what needed to be done to get the brakes mounted up. Had to do a bunch of "tweaking" to get the brakes to mount up. The spindles I ordered were just wrong so I used the stock (wish they had dimensions on these part sites). I had to weld on some mounting brackets for the calipers and other minor modifications. The hubs are fine and the discs are ok (could have gone a little larger diameter for the discs but they work). I'm still waiting on one more hub (forgot to order 2) and then I can go for a test run and see what else may need to be done or tweaked. Spinning the wheel by hand and applying the brake works well anyway. The stock rims are too small to fit over the calipers so I created an adapter to fit larger rims and tires that I had to the hub. The larger tires look good on her. I promise I'll get some pictures posted up once I get the last hub on and list the parts I used and stuff. Oh, I also got the back shock bolted on. It is a bit stiffer than I'd like but still so much better than that stock shock. -Brian
	0

04-05-2011, 09:55 AM	#12
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Brian, you big tease. You can't post about engineering triumphs like that without pics. Post them promptly, or we won't believe you. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

04-09-2011, 12:21 AM	#13
mizke Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: austin, tx Posts: 1,452	you have my attention, pictures please.. highly insterested in a disc brake setup for the front.. but to be honest for a price of 200 - 400 i could just go buy a motor less yamaha warrior 350 frame, weld up some motor mounts outta scrap metal and have front disc brakes as well as every single aftermarket upgrade part for yamaha warrior 350 frames not limited but including wheels, brakes, shocks, extended control arms, extended swingarms, wheels and tires, grab bars and nerf bars. but to each their own and i appluad you for setting out and figuring out a working disc brake swap.. if it works good and holds up maybe you could talk to jim about added a write up with pictures and part numbers as well as make and models off the machines you got the parts off of.. something like a how to/ buyers guide to diy front ddrum to disc brake conversion.. __________________ 200cc beast replica,carsoli cdi,performance coil,fmf powercore 2,uni air filter,hour/tach meter,jetted mikuni carb,msr bars,moose racing grips,yz250f clutch perch,D.I.D chain
	0

04-10-2011, 10:24 AM	#15
bmc Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 20	Apparently I don't know how to post pictures. You'd think it would parse the img tag but guess not. Anyway, copy and paste the url's.
	0