TaoTao ATA-250D Mods & Q&A

[anhoard]

So I got my new JT Sprockets 13-tooth front sprocket and HD Chain in today. I put those on, slipped the stock muffler back on and ran up and down the road to gauge speed loss and initial torque feel.

Let me say that I could not "feel" any difference in loss of speed, but the torque was way up! 1st gear is a monster now.

I backed it up to my trailer and hooked on. I pulled it around the block, head first up the driveway and into the back yard, spun it around, backed up several times. The wheeler was way better at pulling the trailer now.

I did notice a little bend in the angle iron, but I figure that is to be expected. My trailer is a heavy bastard with about 450-500 lbs tongue weight. It is an old 21-foot boat trailer converted to a flat deck ATV trailer. If it does become a problem, Hitch 2.0 will have doubled up angle iron instead of single.

[2LZ]

Shot a pic of mine last night. Not a ton of room there between the bolt heads. I can see why you used the angle and not box metal for a receiver. I'm going to have to pogitate on this a bit.....

[Weldangrind]

There was an excellent member on this forum a few years ago (named Jim), and he welded up a receiver that attaches to the small rack behind the seat. He then fabricated a drop receiver, to make the ball line up with his trailer. It was a good setup.

[anhoard]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

Shot a pic of mine last night. Not a ton of room there between the bolt heads. I can see why you used the angle and not box metal for a receiver. I'm going to have to pogitate on this a bit.....

Its so clean!!!! Is it new?

[anhoard]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

There was an excellent member on this forum a few years ago (named Jim), and he welded up a receiver that attaches to the small rack behind the seat. He then fabricated a drop receiver, to make the ball line up with his trailer. It was a good setup.

My only issue with that is that the rack is so light weight, plus it would put pressure down on your suspension constantly.

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by anhoard

Its so clean!!!! Is it new?

Yup... I got it a few months ago and have had it out on the property doing some chores but mostly just playing with and "accessorizing" after I got the jetting, carb, breather and pipe all done. I've been a wee laid up lately....but can get out and play with it. Besides, I have this pesky habit (mental illness?) of keeping everything I own detailed and like new after use. To me, half the fun is wrenching and detailing....with a cold one in hand and tunes on the shop stereo. Mrs. 2LZ says, "You built tons of models when you were a kid. Your models just got bigger."

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by anhoard

My only issue with that is that the rack is so light weight, plus it would put pressure down on your suspension constantly.

That's a fair statement. As I think about more, he never pulled anything as heavy as your trailer; I think he was pulling a garden trailer.

[anhoard]

In a previous post, I mentioned the I had an ATV Rack Bag/Seat that I had put on my TaoTao. Due to the small rack, the pack did not fit right. I had removed the rack and built a custom deck out of treated plywood. It was perfect, except that the TaoTao mounting bracket was cheaply welded and on our first trip, bent and almost broke off. I had tried shoring it up with some supports but it looked like crap.

I have now built a new mounting system out of the same Galvanized Angle Iron I used for the rear hitch. Now my Pack is mounted and is solid. I tested it by standing on my seat and falling down on the Pack Seat from a full standing position. Didn't even bend! I am confident that it will be perfect for storage and the occasional kid passenger.

Next up: Rear Wheel Spacers, LED Head Lights, LED Shift Indicator Lights are being delivered tomorrow.

[Weldangrind]

I'm glad to hear that it passed the bum drop test. With enough weight on that rack, you'll be able to pull awesome wheelies.

[2LZ]

Sturdy! Anhoard, not to hijack the thread but which bottom front shock mounts do you have your shocks mounted to? My Rhino's on the lower holes. Yours looks a bit taller.

[anhoard]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

Sturdy! Anhoard, not to hijack the thread but which bottom front shock mounts do you have your shocks mounted to? My Rhino's on the lower holes. Yours looks a bit taller.

The ATA-250D is taller than the Rhino by about 3-4 inches. Thats one of the reasons I got the ATA instead of the Rhino. I wanted that extra clearance. The ATA does not have "mount adjustable" shocks. It has "ride comfort twist adjustments" on each shock. Take a look at the pics below.

[anhoard]

Ordered these from Amazon:
Factory Spec FS-201 2" Aluminum ATV Wheel Spacers
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o02_s00

Got them in today and installed. Perfect fit! *Be sure to use Blue Lock Tite*

[anhoard]

Ordered these from Amazon:

Nilight 2x 18w LED Spot Work Light Off Road Light Fog Driving Bar
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o02_s00

I removed the stock headlights, built a simple crossbar to use the stock light mounting screws and mounted these over the holes. They turn on using the light switch on the handlebars. I wired them to the High Beam and maintained the Low Beam wire for a future use.

[2LZ]

Lovin the LED's! Nice work! Yah...don't you just love how the factory bulbs shine no where? Wow...thet ATA250 must be dang tall because I thought the Rhino was tall! I'll have to get a seat measure on mine tonight...and I have my front shocks on the lower mount too.

[anhoard]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

Lovin the LED's! Nice work! Yah...don't you just love how the factory bulbs shine no where? Wow...thet ATA250 must be dang tall because I thought the Rhino was tall! I'll have to get a seat measure on mine tonight...and I have my front shocks on the lower mount too.

When I get home, I will get some measurements and post. The main reason I did the wheel spacers is the height. The back tires were the same width as my kids' T-Force 125's. The front wheels are WIDE! It always felt like it was gonna roll over during a turn. Now the backs match the front and it is very stable.

I originally was going to pit the lights onbthe brush guard, hence the long lights instead of square or round. But after much thought, I decided to just put them in the stock spot and run with it. I like the way they turned out! They are so bright! I ran up the road last night and got "flashed" by every car that passed!