ATC-Inspired “BW110” Flat Track Pit Bike by A&J Cycles…
How many of you remember the Honda FatCat? In the mid-1980s, three-wheelers were all the rage, including Honda’s red-hot ATC “All Terrain Cycle” range. For 1986, Big Red introduced the TR200 FatCat — essentially a motorcycle version of the popular ATC200X, featuring the same 200cc four-stroke SOHC single-cylinder engine with two wheels instead of three. The result was similar to Yamaha’s BW “Big Wheel” line, with 11-inch ATV-style wheels and tires:
“The suspension was padded out by the big, pillowy off-road tires from the ATC line, and it was apparently a boss in sand and mud.” –RideApart
Only available in 1986-87, FatCats are rare beasts these days. However, if you’re hankering for some big wheel fun, the good folks at BVC Trikes have developed Big Wheel kits for a large range of modern dirt bikes (as well as Trike kits!). Recently, the CRF110 kit caught the eye of Brian Ballard at New York’s A&J Cycles, who thought it would make the perfect pit bike for the flat track races — and for his son to ride. Says Brian:
“Saw BVC Trikes post that they were developing the kit and had to have one.”
The kit included a new swingarm, triple trees, wheels, disc brake conversion, and an offset sprocket. Of course, this is A&J Cycles we’re talking about — builders of some of country’s sweetest modern Triumph customs and flat trackers — so they weren’t satisfied with just the kit.
They outfitted their newly christened “BW110” with an LED ATC250R rectangular headlight, ATC200X front fender, stiffer suspension, Yoshimura exhaust, BBR skid plates and reinforced cradle, Throttle Jockeys seat cover, and a custom wrap from Jamie at R Nyne Designs, which harks back to the Honda ATC trikes of the 1980s.
The result is one of the baddest, most attention-grabbing pit bikes we’ve ever seen, and A&J Cycles isn’t finished yet. This Honda “BW110” is in line for a significant power boost:
“The next steps are a 132cc Big Bore kit along with new cam, throttle body, intake, injector, and tune from CJR Performance.”
Below, we talk to Brian Ballard of A&J Cycles for more details on the build, with more heaters courtesy of photographer Joshua Lagrave (@jlagrave).
Honda “BW110” Big Wheel: Builder Interview
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor?
2023 Honda CRF110.
• Why was this bike built?
Pit bike for when we are at the flat track races, and pit bike for my son to ride.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
Saw BVC Trikes post that they were developing the kit and had to have one.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
Big wheel conversion kit from BVC Trikes that includes new swingarm, triple trees, offset sprocket, new hubs and rims, disk brake conversion.
We also added LED 250R headlight and 200X front fender from BVC.
We beefed up the suspension for adult riders with heavier springs front and rear. Taller bars from Pro Taper.
New exhaust from Yoshimura, skid plates, cradle, and other bits from BBR.
Seat cover was provided by Throttle Jockeys. Jamie at R Nyne Designs worked with us to come up with the old school wrap incorporating elements from older Honda trikes.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
The BW110.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride?
It’s a lot of fun; adding the bigger wheels has definitely robbed some power so the next steps are a 132cc Big Bore kit along with new cam, throttle body, intake, injector, and tune from CJR Performance.
• Anybody you’d like to thank?
BVC Trikes (@bvcracingcom), Darren at Moroney’s Motorsports (@moroneysmotorsports), Jamie at R Nyne Designs (@rnynedesigns), my son Jimmy for being our test rider, Josh LaGrave, Danny and Ryan at the shop, CJR Performance (@cjr_performance).
Photography
Joshua Lagrave: @jlagrave
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