Mini Bike Restoration

[brianh]

Was at the transfer station a few weeks ago and saw a mini bike in the scrap metal pile. So I grabbed it up with the excitement of my former 14 year old self. My friend when we were kids had a 4hp Rupp with a torque converter we had a lot of fun on it

The frame had been cracked and re welded the welds were large piles but were holding, I stripped the frame down ground the weld blobs re welded them and added a gusset at the head tube another spot that was cracking. Replaced the centrifugal clutch and jackshaft with a torque converter. Eliminated the governor ran the cable straight to the carburetor.

The engine is in reasonable shape it is a Honda GX200 clone I cleaned out the gas tank and replaced the carburetor the tank was not rusted but the old gas was
hardened varnish, soaked it for a few days and it cleaned up.

It did not have a seat, I shaped one out of wood and glued high density foam on it, the upholstery is gorilla duct tape at the moment, I plan on getting some vinyl to cover it

Took it out and it has really good takeoff pulls up steep grades and I think it tops out in the high 30's I ordered new tires the old ones are dry rotting.

I probably wont ride it much but it was fun to restore it.

 

[sick467]

Too Cool! And, nicely done! makes me want to be a kid again (and your neighbor - lol).

 

[ChefRex]

As a kid we would go around during junk week and find every thing to build a bike or two, only thing we couldn't seem to find was a clutch, they never seemed to have brakes but then that what bushes are for. Good times!

 

[brianh]

As a kid we would go around during junk week and find every thing to build a bike or two, only thing we couldn't seem to find was a clutch, they never seemed to have brakes but then that what bushes are for. Good times!

We did the same I got an old beat up go kart frame and put a old brigs 3 1/2 engine on it I got off an edger that was put out to the curb for special pickup.