Believe it or not, I’m not a big ATV guy. I’ve never had a real one, or at least what most of us think of when we think of three-wheeled ATVs: Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, or others in the sporting category of three-wheelers. As in, just something to have fun riding around on. This 1970s Commuter Industries TE-380 three-wheeler can be found here on Facebook Marketplace in Pulaski, Wisconsin, and the seller is asking $500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Lothar… of the Hill People for the tip!
That being said, I do own one of these unusual Commuter Industries TE-380 three-wheelers. These are tough machines, made more for farmers and ranchers than for people who want to scream down a trail or a gravel road. They even had accessories like an herbicide sprayer attachment and front and rear racks. I haven’t seen a perfect example, and mine is far from perfect, but it runs great, and starts and stops as it should. It’s a little clunky, but maybe that’s just the toughness coming out. Here’s a fun little two-page brochure with some info and specs. And, another one with even more info. And, an overwhelming amount of info, yet still no dates of manufacturer.
The gas tank is unique in that it’s a metal tank with a plastic cover. I’m not sure why the company went that route rather than just using a metal or plastic tank. The seat has seen better days, but that’s an easy fix. The biggest issue with these heavy-duty machines is the one-piece rear body shell/cover. Mine has a couple of big cracks in it that the previous owner repaired, or tried to repair, and some of the edges are chipped or frayed. For the life of me, I have no clue how to fix that. It’s a textured finish, and it would look weird if it were a smooth patch. I’m sure a lot of you have experience with fiberglass repair and maybe making a mold of that, and then pressing it into the curing fiberglass?
Commuter Industries out of Cascade, Iowa, apparently came along after Pacesetter Enterprises, which made really cool mini bikes and also similar three-wheelers and even five-wheelers, as did Commuter Industries, but nobody really knows the exact timeline of when these things were made, unfortunately. The TE-380 (T = transaxle, E = electric start, 3 = 3 wheels, 80 = 80 horsepower. Just kidding, it’s a one-cylinder 8-hp Kohler engine with electric start going through a Comet-40 clutch to the rear wheels. The enclosed transaxle was fairly innovative at the time and helped to keep mud, dirt, and water out of the drive system. There was a TR-380 with a recoil pull-start and a TE-390 with a 9-hp industrial Kawasaki engine and reverse. Reverse would be handy on this 300-pound thing to back it into the storage unit rather than having to drag the back end around every time. Have any of you heard of Commuter Industries’ three-wheelers? How would you restore the cracked fiberglass rear shroud?
Until BF came along some of us folks never heard of some of the more obscure brands and definitely didn’t know about some of the more obscure types of machinery that you and your team write about. And not only educational but definitely entertaining when someone finds something someone has experienced firsthand.
That said, Commuter Industries is one that didn’t show up around these parts so once gain something to watch out for at the various estate/yard/garage/ getting rid of my junk sales we see!
With regards to the fiberglass repair, Scotty, it depends on whether it’s fiberglass or plastic you need fixed.Years ago had a piece of a fairing on my Kawasaki Concours break off. A friend of mine had a unique plastic welding setup that saved me $283!
If it’s fiberglass no experience on this end with the repair end but I’ll bet folks like Curvette and many more have done Vette/Avanti/etc fixes that’ll chime in here.
This looks like a well built 3 wheeler. I have to admit, Ive I’ve never owned one, or a 4 wheeler either. ( I have ridden a couple though and loved it) I’m going to go right along with what Nevadahalfrack said above. Before coming on Barnfinds there is a lot of vehicles and manufacturers and equipment I’ve never heard of, but I really do enjoy learning about them. I can actually see myself on this one, not blazing trails, just puttering along enjoying the ride. Great brochure links too Scotty. Another thing I enjoy seeing with your write ups is the brochures they have from the dealers and whatnot. Its hard to remember a time when they DIDN’T say, please visit us on our website. If you wanted to learn about something for sale, those were your research tools. As for fiberglass repair, Scotty, thats just not in my wheelhouse. Cool find Lothar!!! Thanks for writing this up and showing us your ATV too Scotty.
Growing up as a kid I begged my mom for a Honda ATV-90 when they first came out. WISELY she said NO.
Scotty, I’m not sure which I enjoy best: your well written informative articles or all of the subject-related links. I click them all.
I think I will call it a tie because I enjoy them equally.
Keep up the great work!
Thanks for keeping Scotty well fed, LOTHP.
You guys are way too kind, thanks! This one adds another 742 gray hairs for me because I just can’t track down any solid information on Commuter Industries. Most of it is, “… my neighbor’s cousin’s uncle’s friend worked for the company, and he said that…” But, no hard evidence as far as brochures or things like that. I really like mine, but it’s pretty agricultural compared to Honda, Yamaha, or other fun machines.
✋️ never heard of em. SG and Lothar are quite a team. 👍
Stan, thanks. Scotty does all the heavy lifting on these write-ups and he’s darn good at it!
Scott, keep up the good work.
Since I’m not checking fence lines or opening irrigation gates. I would probably like just tooling around on this as I do on my wife’s 6 wheel Gator. (TOP SPEED 15 MPH! WOO HOO!) It looks like something my kids would have enjoyed. (They had one of the Yamaha Big Wheels that they had to share. ) The electric start is a big plus if just using it to drive down to the mailbox. I had never heard of this unit before either. Even with living in Illinois until 1983. You would think one would show up at a yard or estate sale somewhere.
I have no idea what the texture looks like on one of these. Perhaps you might be able to find a piece of cloth that would match. If it is a random pattern you might be able to use a piece of plastic wrap.