OLD MINI BIKES . COM

[x Baldwin Motion]

does anybody here have an "in" at this place? apparently they are harder to join than the AARP


Dear XBM,

Unfortunately your registration at OldMiniBikes.com Forum did not meet our membership requirements. Therefore your registration was deleted.

Sorry,
OldMiniBikes.com Forum


I bought my grandson a resto project and need to identify what it is


http://www.yenko.net/attachments/usergals/2012/12/full-2847-1742-img_2918.jpg

[Charley Lillard]

It's a mini bike silly......

[x Baldwin Motion]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Charley Lillard</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It's a mini bike silly...... </div></div>


<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif funny, that's what I thought when I bought it, <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif turns out there are several different brands. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/stupid.gif Having more info will help in purchasing the correct parts. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/scholar.gif

[mockingbird812]

Very cool Chris. Keep us posted!!!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[L30M20]

Chris, Looks like a Jc Penney brand, had one. They were called Golden Pinto. Scrape a little paint off and see if there is golden paint under there, if there is, its probably a Penneys brand, made in late 60's-early 70's. I think Bird Mfg. made these for Penneys,or made one very similar. Rupp is another brand similar. Craig

[x Baldwin Motion]

Ok, I'm in. (Charlie thanks for calling over there <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif)


The bike is an ARCO (Alexander Reynolds) Easy Rider

with a name like that I decided to do it up!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

[TDW]

That small coil spring on the fork stem must make it the &quot;Easy Rider&quot; model. I've ridden Harleys with that same style rigid frame for years. I can tell you for sure it isn't a comfortabe ride at all! I cringe and hang on when I see a bump in the road coming up! Ouch, my back!!!!! Cool little mini bike there.

[x Baldwin Motion]

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/usergals/2012/12/full-2847-2015-541813_4617972920077_928575639_n.jpg

Mike stripped off all the parts


http://www.yenko.net/attachments/usergals/2012/12/full-2847-2016-540394_4618267847450_1841008572_n.jpg

spent a few hours removing 40 years of paint


http://www.yenko.net/attachments/usergals/2012/12/full-2847-2017-29564_4623470817521_118620780_n.jpg

some thick primer to cover the ugliness

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/usergals/2012/12/full-2847-2018-15490_4624203315833_1043103729_n.jpg

Have some Olympic Gold left over

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/usergals/2012/12/full-2847-2019-gold.jpg

[David C.]

Wow, I thought I was the only one around here goofy enough to restore a minibike. I just resurrected my old Heathkit. Frame is acid washed, awaiting primer and some Lemans blue. My friend put together two motors for it. One stock and another with so much compression I can't even pull the cord unless it's bolted to something! Already had the seat re-covered as well.


http://www.yenko.net/attachments/usergals/2012/12/full-4743-2021-m1.jpg

[6pakdave]

The bike is an ARCO (Alexander Reynolds) Easy Rider

mini Capt. America clone?

http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af228/6pakdave/Easy-Rider-Captain-America_zps61640556.jpg

[x Baldwin Motion]

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/usergals/2012/12/full-2847-2059-gold_white_prep.jpg


you see where we are going with this

[Xplantdad]

Yes...yes we do!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

[x Baldwin Motion]

unlike the Nova, this gold and white ride is getting the max engine upgrade

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/usergals/2012/12/full-2847-2071-img_31831.jpg


like a big block in a Vega


http://www.yenko.net/attachments/usergals/2012/12/full-2847-2072-img_31911.jpg

[x Baldwin Motion]

Here's Mike showing my grandson and son-in-law how things work, we are trying to convert them from stick and ball sports to motorsports.

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/usergals/2012/12/full-2847-2092-img_31971.jpg


needed to tack on this rod to hold the drum brake assembly, it was formerly a friction brake set up
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/usergals/2012/12/full-2847-2093-img_32071.jpg

[Tommy Nolen]

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/usergals/2012/12/full-5304-2096-doodle_bug.jpg

I'm really enjoying this thread, being older than most of you, as a kid in the mid fifties I had a little scooter that was called a Doodle Bug, this was before the name &quot;minie bike&quot; was coined. These little Doodle Bugs are very pricey now, if you can find one. They are being reproduced at around 3K which is much cheaper than a restored original. The original scooter that I had was like the one in the photo that I attached except mine was black. They had Clinton engines and would run about 25 MPH. They were sold at Western Auto Stores. After the Doodle Bug I moved up to a Cushman scooter which I still have a couple of those today.

[olredalert]

----Hey Tommy,,,I also had a Doodle Bug. I think that by the time I got mine someone had stripped it down a bit as mine didnt have all the sheetmetal on it. Probably trying to lighten it up. Little bugger was fun......Bill S

[firstgenaddict]

The OHV and 2 stroke engines sure beat the heck out of the flathead B&amp;S or the twin Mccullochs we had to work with... twin McCullochs on a Go Kart and we thought we were BIG TIME!

[Tommy Nolen]

Bill,
Check out Ebay Item number: 221171205189

Pretty neat and really looks very much like the original

[x Baldwin Motion]

a bit more drilling and stretching to make some of these newer parts fit on the old frame, plus the extra large motor required some mount massaging

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/usergals/2012/12/full-2847-2110-img_3216.jpg

[x Baldwin Motion]

ape hangers, tighten all the bolts, add an extra throttle return spring (ALWAYS). and we are ready for a test run.

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/usergals/2012/12/full-2847-2111-img_3239.jpg

[x Baldwin Motion]

<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EZ9kQsVQGB8"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EZ9kQsVQGB8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> </embed></object>

[PxTx]

Looking Good Chris! Let's see some air under the tires, a little snow and ice shouldn't matter much.

Here I was about 20 years ago with a bike with about the same amount of power.

http://home.comcast.net/~pxtx/cb750/200jump.jpg

This one here was about 10 years ago

http://home.comcast.net/~pxtx/cb750/motion.jpg

I don't think I have pictures of me one anything older than about 20 years ago, as Mom was pretty against bikes with motors. I think I do have some older go-cart pics I'll have to dig out.

[x Baldwin Motion]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pxtx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Looking Good Chris! Let's see some air under the tires, a little snow and ice shouldn't matter much.

Here I was about 20 years ago with a bike with about the same amount of power.

http://home.comcast.net/~pxtx/cb750/200jump.jpg

</div></div>


ha! I had a 71 CB 350 orange also, back in the late 70's, my first street bike

[markinnaples]

I had a purple CB350 back in the 80's that I rode around until I ran into the front of a 70's Caddy, lol.

[Igosplut]

This is a 71 Rupp Scrambler minicycle (as they called them) I bought about eight years back, a carbon-copy of my first bike. Original right down to the tires. Rupp went bankrupt in 76, mostly due to the fact their main business was snowmobiles an we had two mild winters that they didn't sell enough units. It sits on the counter in my shop office, and even though there's also my 57 Pan in there this attracts more interest....

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g183/Igosplut/2013_0102rupp0001_zpsceff7c8a.jpg

[ssl78]

This is my mini bike from when I was 10 years old. It started as a Sears 2 1/2 HP, I will never forget walking into sears and the first thing I wanted to go look at was the mini bike display. I ended up putting a raked front fork with sting ray handle bars and a bannana seat, I painted it pearl white with gold spider webbing. I always wanted a Honda fifty back then but never did get one, but I do have a few now

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg48/ssl78/IMAG0482.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg48/ssl78/IMAG0400.jpg

[Late BrakeU2]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ssl78</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This is my mini bike from when I was 10 years old. It started as a Sears 2 1/2 HP, I will never forget walking into sears and the first thing I wanted to go look at was the mini bike display. I ended up putting a raked front fork with sting ray handle bars and a bannana seat, I painted it pearl white with gold spider webbing. I always wanted a Honda fifty back then but never did get one, but I do have a few now

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg48/ssl78/IMAG0482.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg48/ssl78/IMAG0400.jpg </div></div>


A few is a relative term..one corners worth.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/LateBrakeU2/group2.jpg

[Xplantdad]

LOL...Nice! Alright, where's Charley's photo of one in the back of his Porsche?

[TMagda]

3 Rupps and a Honda circa 1971!

[TDW]

Igosplut....Any pics of the 57 Pan?

[Charley Lillard]

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/usergals/2013/01/full-23-2203-porsche.jpg

[Igosplut]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TMagda</div><div class="ubbcode-body">3 Rupps and a Honda circa 1971! </div></div>

The two in the center are pre-71 as they have the external fork springs. All three are 4HP as they have 12&quot; spoke rims with front brakes. And the last (closest) on either is a black widow, or has the exhaust from one...

[Igosplut]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TDW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Igosplut....Any pics of the 57 Pan?</div></div>

Not stock, but original Harley 57 engine and trans. Not many can say that.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g183/Igosplut/july09127.jpg

[TDW]

Nice looking Pan. I've built many in that style in the last 40 years. Not too many guys still run the mechanical brakes. I like that style.

[TMagda]

The 2 middle Rupps had 3.5 HP motors and the wheels were smaller than the third one with the orange flames. The 3rd one had much more power but was a year or two earlier than the Black Widow model. The 2 middle ones were Scramblers and the third was an Enduro. Custom paint jobs done by the kid sitting on the Enduro (Donnie) who was a very talented 12 year old. His uncle owned a body shop so he had access to equipment. Thats me on the one with the lime green flames! The Honda has a rattle can enamel paint job, but we thought it was the coolest because it had gears and a clutch.

[Igosplut]

Now that you say that, I can see the 10&quot; wheels on the two center bikes. What threw me off was I knew the Scramblers had 10&quot; rims but also knew they had no front brakes (mine and other 71s didn't) And those hubs looked like brakes. And I forgot the Scramblers only had the so-called cookie-cutter rims in 71 too. There really was a big difference in that 1/2HP motor as far as power, a friend had a Roadster and it was much faster.

[Xplantdad]

Thanks Charley! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

[JRSully]

I had a Rupp Roadster and with the torq convertor and the big rear sprocket, that thing could ride wheelies forever. I remember heading out on Fri nights with friends on about a dozen mibikes, tearing through the streets and avoiding the Fuzz. Of course, I now have about 6-7 Z50's and QA 50s in my garage. You never get these things out of your blood. Going to restore 2 for my kids, one for Momma and one one for me, then go have some fun

[TimG]

That picture brings back great memories. I have to dig out the pictures of my orange Rupp Scrambler from 1971. I believe it was a 1970 model and it cost about $250 new. It had a torque converter and that was a cool set-up. Wish I had that one still….I was 15 in ’71.

Nice Porsche, Charley….

[DarrenX33]

Hmm. I may regret this.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v674/dagcostello/B59E9AD4-C299-4B17-96E0-32E3010A5943-564-000000E0CADAFD4D.jpg

[Postsedan]

Darren,

Love it! Check out the Gold Horn necklace <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Dan

[DarrenX33]

And the Thrush bird decal on the side cover.

[Postsedan]

I see it now, Priceless <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

How old were you in this picture?

Dan

[Xplantdad]

That is awesome!

[TimG]

Darren, you look the same.......if I find mine, I won't post.

[TimG]

How about a go-kart. That's me in the wagon and my brother driving. My gosh, a parent would be arrested if they let their kid do that today. I still have the scars to prove it's me. This is 1962 in Connecticut.

[DarrenX33]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Postsedan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I see it now, Priceless <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

How old were you in this picture?

Dan</div></div>

12 I think.

[Postsedan]

The good ole days <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Dan

[mssl72]

I always wanted a mini bike when I was little. I tried to make one out of a bicycle frame once. I never finished it. Some of my friends had Rupp Roadsters/Scramblers, Yamaha Mini Enduro's, Honda QA50's, and Benelli's. I'd still love to get one. Now I don't have a place to ride it. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif

[flyingn]

I just scored this bad boy. Already modifying it too. It should keep me busy over the winter. This baby is way too powerful and can't keep the front wheel on the ground :)

[Crush]

That thing is mint! Is it new?

[Charley Lillard]

Almost NOS.

[Crush]

Very cool! I need to find one and a Honda 50, my first bike!!

[Damien]

I've had this '73 Honda ATC 70 for a few years.
Certainly not NOS, but mostly all there and runs great.

[KenMaisano]

Lately I have been on a Mini Bike Hunt. I thought I was going nuts. Now I see that I am just like the rest of you guys.

[flyingn]

That thing is mint! Is it new?

No, its a 15 year old DB30 that was restored. :). I was on the hunt too and found it on my local craigslist.

[Burd]

You may have gotten mixed in With the wave of Russian spammers, I just had 40 sign up in 3 days. If one legit guy is in the mix he suffers. And I just had a guy contact me why I didn’t approve him. Lol. I run IP’s. But I’m getting tired of doing it. If your in Moscow, downtown, I doubt you have a Bird lol.

I got a Chinese dirt bike a bud gave me, almost got it done, the harness was a challenge in itself. Most things were missing and it’s in Chinese. Miniriders.com an Aussie site helped mecout a lot.


http://www.miniriders.com

[markinnaples]

I'd really love to find a nice Honda Trail 70 or 90. I see the ones you guys have and love those. A neighbor kid had a light blue one when we were kids and I always wanted one, ugh.

[Damien]

I'd really love to find a nice Honda Trail 70 or 90. I see the ones you guys have and love those. A neighbor kid had a light blue one when we were kids and I always wanted one, ugh.

When I was a kid in the '70's, we had a mini trail 50 and a QA 50. Great bikes!
I recently missed out on a M/T 50 that sold for $50! It sold in minutes.
The lady obviously didn't realise what she had.

[JRSully]

Just bought a 72 Z50, totally original everything, all paperwork, MSO orig invoice, warranty book. Biggest problem is convincing my 12 yr old that these are for me, he loves riding them

[Mr70]

Had a Heathkit Boonie bike.

[wheelhop]

I still have this 70 Rupp Roadster being ridden by my brother in this pic in approximately 1974

[wheelhop]

My daughter on her 84 Suzuki 50 3-wheeler. She is just sitting on it, I'm working on getting this ready for the spring for her

[jl8z28]

I have 3 50cc broncco minicycle 1a street bike and a dirt bike like i had when i was 13 i would post a picture but i don't know how

[wheelhop]

Here's a pic of me in approximately 1975? With my Honda CL 70, I had removed the lights and steel fenders to make it more of a dirt bike. My younger brothers XR75 can be seen in the background.

[Crush]

I still have this 70 Rupp Roadster being ridden by my brother in this pic in approximately 1974

That is a great pic! I would definitely make a poster of it and put it in man cave!!

[muscle_collector]

heres my rupp roadster 2. I collect all kinds of small motorcycles. cant get enough of them.

[A12pilot]

Man.....is this a new mini section of MCACN coming up??:hmmm: Get it? Mini? Bike? Yeah...I know. But as the newest member of the MCACN staff, I say why not? It's just more work to do:haha: Now I guess i'm on the hunt for one. Those are pretty dang cool!

Cheers:beers:
Dave

[JRSully]

I'm sure a lot folks here were all about minibikes prior to getting into cars. I know I was. Collecting them, just another piece of the middle age puzzle, lol. I remember my older brothers friends dumping minibikes off at my house as soon as they could/drive build musclecars. A lot of them were Stellars, which were made here on Long Island, and command big $$ these days if you can find them.

[cheveslakr]

Love this thread! Those pics Wheelhop posted take me back to just about any summer weekend in the '70s. Around here, we had countless suburban developments that needed to be torn up, trailed, and just plain violated. We'd get kicked out eventually and move to the next. There was an operating rock quarry near us that had some pretty intense hill climbs that our smaller bikes couldn't crest on their own. We sat at the bottom and watched the big boys run their Yamaha ATs, DTs, and 360s, Honda elsinores and huskys. Some would make it, but we'd sit at the bottom, eat our humble pie and dream of the days we'd graduate to anything above 125cc. No helmets, no gloves, just sunrise to sunset fun. Dad drug a Moss Cart up from Torrance with us and he drug a dirt track in the cow field for us to rip around on. That kart was given away but I stumbled on another at the local swap meet around 10 years ago, still waiting resto......

[flyingn]

I'm sure a lot folks here were all about minibikes prior to getting into cars. I know I was. Collecting them, just another piece of the middle age puzzle, lol. I remember my older brothers friends dumping minibikes off at my house as soon as they could/drive build musclecars. A lot of them were Stellars, which were made here on Long Island, and command big $$ these days if you can find them.

absolutely. I was riding a Rupp Spring by 1971 (10 years old) and a new Yamaha LT3 100 in 1973.

[chevyman0429]

Yup Iv got a storage shed full of the lil indians! They were my first touch with motors as a youngster!

[NorCam]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TDW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Igosplut....Any pics of the 57 Pan?</div></div>

Not stock, but original Harley 57 engine and trans. Not many can say that.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g183/Igosplut/july09127.jpg

Nice putter. I've always liked rigid pans and shovels. Wide glide front end looks great on that frame.

[muscle_collector]

heres another one of mine. this one seems to always peek a lot of interest.

[flyingn]

hers what I am doing to mine. To keep me busy over the winter. Hydraulic disk braking, front suspension and open element air cleaner.

[muscle_collector]

that's cool frank. is that a common kit for the old minibikes or something you are fabricating?

[Steve Shauger]

My son was cleaning out his wife's family airplane hangar and he found this. Any ideas on the make???? or year???. I think I've been tasked to get this running. I see no manufacturer markings.

[flyingn]

that's cool frank. is that a common kit for the old minibikes or something you are fabricating?

The hydraulic brakes are a generic kit so a little fabbing has to be done as well as the front suspension. But generally, its a close fit. I'm trying to figure out what handlebars I need so that it will be a comfortable ride next

[JRSully]

Steve, that's what is called a Pocket Bike, very popular (culty) dozen or years ago. They used to race those things formally. They can be VERY fast. Good luck with it

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

Love this thread, I have to go through the old family photo albums to get pictures of the greatest physical gift our parents gave us. One day out of the clear blue sky my parents arrived home to the farm with a brand spanking new CT70. (There were no funds for this but somehow they made it happen) my brother and I put thousands and thousands of miles on that bike!!!

Ryan W31

[flyingn]

finally got my mini bike done.. Can't wait to her out. :) I just have to rejet the carb and it will be a screamer. Front suspension and juice brakes should really help out

https://i.imgur.com/4WamOckh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/HQ6kZjZh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/5rMIQUMh.jpg

[muscle_collector]

cool looks really good. I rode one of my around my property the other day and when I parked it I came to the conclusion that at 6'2" its a whole different ride than it was when I was 8 years old.

[Big Block Bill]

My Buddy Derick on what would become mine, a Blue 1969 Rupp TT-500 Roadster. 5 Horsepower Tecumseh with 2-speed clutches and Jackshaft. Technology at it's best from Mic Rupp out of Mansfield Ohio in 1969. I remember mud would get stuck under the front fender when I off roaded it and I had to dig it out with a stick, but cool suspension for its day

[Mr70]

Guinea pig optional.

[Big Block Bill]

Rick,

How do you know Derrick?

Bill

[juliosz]

Love this thread, I have to go through the old family photo albums to get pictures of the greatest physical gift our parents gave us. One day out of the clear blue sky my parents arrived home to the farm with a brand spanking new CT70. (There were no funds for this but somehow they made it happen) my brother and I put thousands and thousands of miles on that bike!!!

Ryan W31

Would love to see your pics Ryan. Here is my 1970 CT70H (4 spd) still rolling on it’s original tires:

[Crush]

Love the Honda 70, would love to find one!

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

Would love to see your pics Ryan. Here is my 1970 CT70H (4 spd) still rolling on it’s original tires:

I will start digging!!

Ryan W31

[Charley Lillard]

My latest monster ride.

[juliosz]

I love my Honda 70 but I’m also partial to Ruttmans. Here’s my Spyder almost completed:

[juliosz]

Here’s my 67 Ruttman chrome washer frame (GT250) that is next-up for resto:

[chevyman0429]

Here’s my 67 Ruttman chrome washer frame (GT250) that is next-up for resto:

Now that’s killer!

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

I had dinner at Moms last night and we dug out the old photo albums.

What a trip down memory lane!!

Mom and Dad bought my brother and I this CT70 brand new, these pictures mostly were taken on the first day we had it. One of my first rides I slipped back off the seat, pinned the gas,bounced off my parents Datsun, bounced off my grandparents Cutlass, then hit the ground. You will notice all the. Linkers and mirrors are missing from the afternoon pictures. :-(

The bonus picture is my first kiss, also the same girl riding double on our mini bike.

Ryan W31

[RichSchmidt]

My Honda fiddy pit bike. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/racer7391/Car%20pics/HPIM0752.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/racer7391/media/Car%20pics/HPIM0752.jpg.html)

[RichSchmidt]

My father and his friends in about 1964 or 65 on their mini bikes that they built in high school welding shop class. My father is the one on the bike pointing left. Years later my grandfather bought me a similar bike used out of the newspaper with no engine and my father and I put a 3.5 HP Briggs generator on it. It kept tossing the chain but gave me many years of enjoyment.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/racer7391/25299659_10212688841553752_4828098330849529460_o_z psfqfbzvjy.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/racer7391/media/25299659_10212688841553752_4828098330849529460_o_z psfqfbzvjy.jpg.html)

[TimG]

When I was in about fifth grade I'd mount a B & S motor on a bicycle frame and hook up a pulley to a tire with direct drive, no centrifugal clutch. On a rare occasion, I'd get it going somehow by pushing the darn thing and drive a block or so. Yes, no brakes at all and I'd reach down to the engine to give it gas......

[JRSully]

We had them here on Long Island Tim, we used to call them "Motobikes". Stingray frames worked the best. What it took to build one

1. Good Stingray frame
2. 1.5' piece of 2x2' Angle iron drilled and bolted to the frame uprights
3. 3hp B+S, or Tecumseh that you would mount on the angle iron via 2 of the 4 mounting holes, minibike throttle
4. Mount a large pulley (usually pulled the out of old Dryers) on the rear wheel, with small pieces of wood/metal to hold the bolts going through the spokes (yikes)
5. Fan belt pulley on the engine

When I tell you these death traps hauled ass, big understatement. But a ton of fun

[x Baldwin Motion]

JR we used to make similar motobikes with cutoff baseball bats as direct friction drive.

came across this old photo yesterday

[Steve Shauger]

When I was in about fifth grade I'd mount a B & S motor on a bicycle frame and hook up a pulley to a tire with direct drive, no centrifugal clutch. On a rare occasion, I'd get it going somehow by pushing the darn thing and drive a block or so. Yes, no brakes at all and I'd reach down to the engine to give it gas......

Amazing how we all seemed to have the same idea. I took a girls Schwinn bike, heated an aluminum plate (in oven), bent and bolted it in the bike V and mounted a 6hp Tecumseh. I purchased a rear wheel from Cycle City and mounted a sprocket. The rub was the engine shaft was 1 inch and no clutch would fit, so I purchased a sprocket and my father took it to Boeing where he worked and opened the ID to 1 inch.

I had a group of neighborhood friends donate the bike frame, seat and throttle. I rode it two times that I recall. The first the chain immediately fell off due to alignment issue. The next and final time the front wheel immediately lifted as I accelerated. The time front wheel was up an eternity because time sat still. As I was riding my friends were following and cheering me on. I will never forget the pulsing of every powerstroke of the 6hp engine. I knew it was not functional without a clutch..... I ended up getting a Heath Kit mini bike with the variable ratio trans with the huge back wheel.... what a beast !

[PeteLeathersac]

'

Good fun also cool how many of us here had these crazy bikes as kids.
My best pal and I split on one in '72, used roller Mini like BM's above w/ no brakes but good tires for $10.
We scored a 60's McCulloch 2-Stroke Chainsaw engine for free and got it bolted in but had to pay $20 for a centrifugal clutch which seemed like a thousand then.
The 2-Stroker was way too much power but "luckily" chain and rear sprocket a slightly different pitch than clutch drive gear so chain would come off about 30 mph although gearing felt like it would've done twice that or more.
Yikes it was 50 years ago!
:beers:
~ Pete

[markinnaples]

I had a mini bike BITD that needed a centrifugal clutch but it took my dad forever to buy one. I guess I didn't realize how expensive it was to raise 5 kids on one salary while sending them all to private catholic school.

I'd love to have an early Trail 70 but they're apparently worth their weight in gold these days.

[JRSully]

As I remember them, this were wicked fast (and dangerous)