Vintage Mini Bikes
 

Just got back into mini bikes about a year ago anybody else? Post your pics! Here are some of mine.

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I restored a 50 dollar swap meet find a few years ago. Its fun to ride at swap meets.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...e/c3b328b5.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...project021.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...project053.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...4cb2e10fbb.jpg

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That's clean love the ape hangers! What brand of paint did you use on the motor? the sliver that is?

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The engine is all powdercoat. Actually, everything on the bike is powdercoat.

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I did this one a couple of years ago. It's a Taco 22 with a 6HP Subaru engine.

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t...psa26d4122.jpg

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Thats a real sweet Taco you can never have enough chrome! Did you use the new kit or redid an older frame?

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Forgot to mention the yellow one is a Trojan and the black one is a bonanza I sold to a friend.

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[QUOTE=6doggie3;6306555]Thats a real sweet Taco you can never have enough chrome! Did you use the new kit or redid an older frame?

I believe the frame is a 1966 or 67.

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Here's my taco 22 with a 62 I picked up!

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Now you have me thinking about stealing the B&S from my edger. Never use the edger.
Now to find a vintage frame......wait I have too many projects now! :lol:

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Those are neat. I hadn't thought about a mini bike in years before yesterday, but saw an article on them in the latest Hot Rod magazine. I had never heard of a Taco before, I guess that was a west coast brand.

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Check out oldminibikes.com web site ! I never knew how many different mini bikes were made until I found this site!

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tractor supply has a nice one ever so often for $150-$200 new, ya couldn't buy all the parts alone for that much.

I like the ones with the snowmobile like belt drive system, giving it "gearing" they go allot better over direct chain drive.

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Mine. I think its an early Rupp, but can't be 100% sure.
http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps8c933da8.jpg

I cleaned it up and got everything working and repainted a few years back. Just pulled it back out of the shed the other day and took it for a ride. Now I'm thinking about customizing it a bit.

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This one is almost ready to put in the bed!

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That was the Cadillac of mini-bikes back in the '70s, and everybody I knew wanted a Rupp. They were kind of a hybrid between the standard mini-bike and a real motorcycle. The spoked wheels, drum brakes, and front/rear suspension were cutting edge for a mini bike back in the day.

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Those Tecumseh engines had good torque as well and had the ability to deveope RPM a bit quicker than the B+S engines.

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Hey guys does anyone know what kind this is? I was thinking about taking a look at it but would like to find out more info first. Thanks
Attachment 1283475

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Looks like it maybe a Sears. Not sure on the year.

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Update Pics!

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That's a good looking bike and truck.

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Picked this up at a local farm sale a few weeks ago.
The seller was the son of the owner. He said
I remember sometime in the early 70's the ups truck coming down the lane and dropped a huge box in the yard.

A few days later my dad had it up and running.
He would ride it up to the milk house every morning pulling a small trailer.
Sometime in the early 80's pops bought a quad and he put this in a run in shed and left it sit. but I don't think anything was wrong with it.

I thought It was awesome looking! Being a one owner and complete(except for the seat padding) I brought it home and started tinkering with it.
A Few small fixes and a good overall cleaning and the tec runs great.

Leaving the patina and just giving it a mechanical freshining.

1974 heald super bronc.
8 horse hm80 lighted coil tecumseh engine with 30 series comet tork a verter.

Should be a fun ride...with a trailer hitch:lol:

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I have two 1969 Honda Z50's two 74 QA50's and one weird project from all the leftovers. No pics right now but all run and I just can't seem to let them go.

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Looking forward to playing in the snow with the super bronc.
I want so bad too customize it but it's too oe too do it and I'm diggin the patina.

I did make a quick cover for the seat and put a basket on too help with those quicky mart milk runs.

A buddy of mine had a perfect nos comet clutch belt that makes this thing move so much better, oh an i put tubes in the tires.

Over the summer I had the lawn wagon hooked too it with 7 kids in it.
They friggin loved it.

I don't believe the tires ever touched anything but dirt until I got it.

I have a line on another hm80 tecumseh for it just waiting too hear what he wants for it.

Pops calls it the moon Rover lol.

This thing is a blast and it don't tic off the neighbors like all my other off road toys did.

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I had one of those when I was a kid. Heald Heathkit Super Bronc. Came as a kit and my dad and I put it together. I believe I still have the front ski for it at my mom's in Ohio. Used to jump ground hog holes with it- until I broke my hand.... wow that brings back memories.

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I heard these were real popular up in the north central states since they were made up there.

Heald made the chore helpers line up some of those were very neat.

Did the ski work ok?

That surely would make a cool addition too a vintage peice.

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It was alot of fun with that ski for sure. It is in Ohio and I am in TN, but next time I am up there- will see what I can do for you....

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I have a complete 1970 trail 70 in pieces a couple boxes in my garage.

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While out on a potential purchase of a 71 c10 from a cl listing, it turned out the truck was way too rough too salvage much of anything.
Touring the way overgrown farm and seeing what else was for sale.
I came across this little go cart.
I didnt say anything about it till the end.
Is that for sale?
Yep. Been sitting there for two or more years...it did run.
As the fella pulled the recoil too show the motor wasnt locked up and the rope stayed OUT.
Uh oh, so I pulled the clutch cover off and turned the crank..not stuck:metal:

Thinkin my little guys 11th b day was coming up and i have a spare hm80 here.
I struck a deal for $80.i got the cart and a decent box of needed and spare truck parts.:metal:

Cleaned the gas tank,carb,coil and flywheel.
And put a used recoil on it, we got it fired and running.
Carb throttle shaft holes are wore and leaks alot of air.

We have it in peices as we speak cleaning it up.
New used tires,and recoil new plug and air filter.
We have a new carb, throttle cable and a new comet clutch belt coming.

Still need a need a new seat cover with more padding in it roll bar padding,and a few small fixes.

The cool thing is this isn't a all original vintage peice so I'm not against modifying a few things on it.

The the little guy and I have future plans on doing some mini off roading once we are 100% satisfied it's reliable.

No not a vintage mini but carts fit right in that line up.

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Cool- going to be alot of memories there

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For sure.

He loves too ride the mini bike but I get nervous since he isn't too agile on it yet and that thing can flip him right off if he isn't carefull.
That's the last thing I need is mom patching him up and getting on my butt about it.

Mom approved the cart only cause it has a seat belt but she said it will need lights too.lol.....ok mom, I can do that.

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my 1968 z50 ko owned 30 years or more.

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Found another keeper on cl a while back.

This is a 71 Montgomery wards t555 terrain cycle.

I recall seeing these types of three wheelers around when i was younger but never got a chance to ride one.

I pulled the 8hp briggs flat head and have been fitting a ohv briggs 12 hp with a tav2.

Hoping to have it rideable before any serious snow comes.
My super bronc goes great in the snow but this should be loads more fun.
My boys little cart has been a hoot but it dont go in the snow well and now that he is bigger i think he will enjoy this more.

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still own this one!

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Wow that looks like good ole fashion fun!

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Not exactly vintage, but out of production like all the 2-stroke versions. My stepson mowed lawns, etc. and saved up to buy this X1 mini bike project, a.k.a. a "pocket rocket". I've helped him fix it up with a new exhaust pipe flange, pull starter, and even a new cylinder with piston. It's not been much money-wise and it has been a good bonding experience. As he's getting too tall for it (his father is 6'6"!), he does stand to turn a slight profit someday if he ever sells.

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Thats so cool that some have the ability to hang on to items like you did.

Whats really amazing is the value the old hondas keep.

I grew up on a 70cc 1971 honda sl.

How i wish i still had that one even though i tend to stay away from the metrics anymore.

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Thats was my thought too when i first saw this trike on cl.


I had a regular three wheeler for a bit when i was younger and quickly learned it wasnt for me.

This thing fits my wants better.
As its not to loud, fast or obnoxious for a putt around the neighborhood when i want.

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Honda used to manufacture a three-wheel ATV until they got sued over the tip-over problem on tricycles when they are running at speed. When you turn the front wheel, it drives out the center of gravity and the things high side and slingshot the rider.

You might have discovered that had you ridden one way back when.

Warn your riders before your wife has to deal with a broken kid.