New to the Hobby

[strato1053]

hey folks! My name is Aaron and I'm from Cincinnati Ohio, I have been reading posts on this website but never write anything, I'm just a lurker as I am too poor to own one of these machines and have no place to ride one even if I did have money. However I have always dreamed of owning one so as long as you all don't mind I am going to continue to read posts in this forum but since I am not an AATV owner I will not be able to offer any advise to you experts.

[amphibious drew]

Welcome strato1053,

Its into just lurk and I understand nowhere to ride, but to poordoes not compute. I bought my first aatv because a size was more expensive on the used market. I have pickup up units for as little as $100. With some ingenuity and Soho grease us poor people can have fun too. Enjoy the forum, but keep an open mind and you may have your own machine before you know it.

[LarryW]

Strato- I agree with Drew. You dont need money to own one. Just be able to find them hiding in backyards, tree line or barns. And be willing to learn how to fix them. We will teach you how! Maybe post a wanted ad in your area. Just because you dont own a machine doesn't mean you cant post. Look at mustangwagz, lol. (He sold his) Feel free to ask any questions you have. Welcome to the site. Your addiction is starting.

[strato1053]

Thank you Larry and Drew for the optimism... and I know you are correct when you say I could afford to purchase a unit that has been rotting in somebody's back field for 30 years, but I don't know the first thing about working on these machines as of yet (or any vehicles, engines, or machinery for that matter) so I'm not convinced this is an option for me. I would however really really love to learn how to work on these, rebuild engines, transmissions, and such. So I guess my question is if you gentlemen really feel its possible for a man who knows nothing about this stuff to learn how to rebuild an ancient piece of crap into a functioning vehicle?

[amphibious drew]

Yes these are simple vehicles with simple mechanics and the good people here can and do help teach others.

[rednine11]

You certainly don't have to be rich to have fun with a 6x6.
several years ago I picked up an Attex like the yellow one in Larry's post for 100 bucks !!
This one had a twin cylinder 2 stroke engine and a T-10 Transmission so it didn't take me long to have it running. They are easy to work on. Some of the BIG ones like I have are more complex with hydrostatic drive...when I say big, I mean it's as big as a Toyota Yaris
I for one would like to see Aaron stick around, he can learn about these things here and before you know it he will find one cheap and we can help him get it going !!

[strato1053]

Thank you all very much, I will continue lurking and trying to learn as much about these machines as I possibly can. As of now my only experience with them is from my teenage years when I dated a girl who's father was into these things, he took me for a ride a few times, wouldn't let me drive though, and since the breakup with his daughter was not a good one I haven't talked to him since. But I fell more in love with his 6x6 than I did his daughter! hahahaha Thank you again and I look forward to learning more from everyone on this site.

[LarryW]

Strato1053,
I paid $200 for the one in my signature. I have purchased quite a few for less then that too. Just keep an eye out. But you will have to keep in mind you may have to stick another couple hundred in them for bearings/chains. $300/400 or so at the low end for tires. So even a cheap machine could turn expensive. If you find something, ask us about it before you purchase it. Some are harder to keep going or get parts, etc.... We can help make sure you get something that is easy to work on and keep going. Some machines are finicky and you spend more time working on them then riding and that can discourage people from the hobby so we want to make sure you dont get one of those.

[strato1053]

I will do just that Larry...

what are some models/brands I should be on the look out for? is there anything that can't be fixed and I should just stay away from? such as a cracked underbody? how difficult is it to rebuild the engines/transmissions in these things?

[amphibious drew]

The easiest thing to look for in a machine is a t-20 tranny its like a oversized aluminum football. Many members swear by them. All max II's, max IV's, and hustlers have the, most attex's have them too. I personally like poly body's with no punctures in them, but they can be fixed, although some people prefer abs which is more breakable but easily fixable. The better the body, frame, and tranny condition, the easier the build. Engines are easily swapped so a deal with no engine can be a great deal. Chains and bearings can cost a couple of bucks, but as mentioned before tires can be the budget killer. If you can get a t-20 machine with no engine or tranny but good tires chains and bearings another grand or (less if you get a deal on a used engine) so can make it a reliable rig. Check out the buyers guide here on the site. It post a link but it wont work due to my ipad.

[rednine11]

I live in Parkersburg WV and I know where an older Max 2 is sitting behind a house. I may go try to score it for cheap and see if we can get Aaron fixed up. I think Cinci is about 4 Hrs from me but I do make it that way form time to time though
Max 2 would be a great machine for him

[coosaridgerider]

Rednine11,I am glad to see there are good people out there that are willing to help others.I know too well how tough times are and would be glad to help any way that i could.I'm sure there are other members that would contribute a part here and there to help out a new member.

[LarryW]

Rednine, You are exactly right. An old Max would be the perfect machine for Aaron. Im just thinking of easiness to work on, maintain and get parts for. That be cool and extremely nice of you.

Other good machines would be Argo, Attex or hustler. They are the most common so parts are still around plus they are easy to keep going. Scramblers are good too but its just a bit more to get the older drive units working good again. Just thinking a old amphicat with the plunger style transmission might also be a good one but parts probably a bit harder to find.

[amphibious drew]

We are doing good guys, but noone has addressed his lack of places to ride, so I will. First off member george has every model 3rd gen attex made and lives on long island ny. I personally use a honda element (4banger) to pull my machine around up to 13 hour drives to ride with fellow members. There are always groups going for rides on both public and private land. I know members that live in pittsburgh, cleveland, and nyc with no land at home that all own multiple machines. Heck member JPSwift once built a motorcycle and in an apartment he lived in from what I remember of some pics, and he most likely owned over a dozen machines at the time. So we can get you a place to ride too. Btw,the trailer I use to take my machines to rides I scored on barter for some crap I got for free, so that can be worked into the budget too.

[LarryW]

See Aaron, you have your first own thread now.