Mini Bikes

[/pine]

Anyone keep a mini bike to putt around their property etc.?

I know most TBN'ers have 4 wheelers, A/UTV's, carts etc...I don't recall seeing any mention of mini bikes...

It's been 45 years since I've messed with a m-b but I just acquired one...I mostly use a golf cart for scooting the quarter mile out to the mail box or to check on neighboring places I watch over for seasonal residents etc.

Although the golf cart has held up well It's time for a major overhaul and I may be without it for a week or more and I thought the m-b would be a cheap backup mode of transport.

For those with some welding/fabricating skills mini bikes are a fairly simple and reasonably cheap DYI project and was considering this option when I found a deal on a new (in the crate) bike I could not pass up...

...it is going to require a few modifications to fit my needs...including a power upgrade (and possibly a torque converter) from the stock OEM 80cc engine to a 212cc Predator ($89 with coupon at HF)...From what I've been reading this is a very popular engine and upgrade...

I'm interested in any mini bike related use/builds etc...

 

[deanwerden]

I have a 110cc pitbike from China that I got given to me with a blown up engine and rebuilt it with China parts from China for a total of about 80 dollars. I use it to walk my shepherd so I don't have to do any exercise

 

[/pine]

I have a 110cc pitbike from China that I got given to me with a blown up engine and rebuilt it with China parts from China for a total of about 80 dollars. I use it to walk my shepherd so I don't have to do any exercise

Sweet!
I was looking at the same or very similar model this morning when I was shopping for a clutch at the local repair shop...
...at some point I hope to add some front suspension (and several other mods)...maybe I can find a cheap (Chinese) fork I can use/adapt...

 

[Happy Gilmore]

I have little Honda 50, if I remember correctly, it's a 1982

 

[Sodo]

I have 3 mini-bikes, and a "mini-ex". Here's putting them up on the "snowmobile shelf" for the winter.

My kids are a little too big for them, but their friends visit they ride the PWs, which is fine by me they can just step off (rather than crash & get hurt).

 

[/pine]

Actually these are a little different class of mini bike than what I was referring to...these are more mini- motorcycles...

 

[Happy Gilmore]

Actually these are a little different class of mini bike than what I was referring to...these are more mini- motorcycles...

Are you referring to the hard tail generic style? Post a pic of yours

 

[Gunny]

I found a great deal on one of those Baja Motorsports mini bikes (TSC sells them along with others) for my grandsons a few years ago, but now they're too "big" to ride it, so I started fooling with it just to keep it from sitting and fouling up. It's kinda fun to tool around on, it'll run quite a bit faster over the fields than I want to go and it'll pull itself up any of the slopes I have on the farm. It does have a small "toolbox" in front of the seat that will hold smaller items. Not really practicable, just a fun little toy every once in awhile. I guess on pavement it will go about 20 mph.

Hard tail with suspension on the front forks, 6 1/2 chonda engine that starts first pull every time, a dinky little headlight, but I do like the fat tires and the torque converter clutch

 

[/pine]

Are you referring to the hard tail generic style? Post a pic of yours

When I think "mini bike" I think a motor, two wheels and a seat...simple frame (usually with no suspension at all) simple horz. shaft engine w/pull start ...
This is the bike I just got...it's available from several retailers including Home Depot etc...Before the holidays K-mart had this bike for $100 less than all the other sources ($299) they have since gone back to the $399 price...

 

[coobie]

I always wanted a honda trail 70 growning up,never had the $$ to buy one.

 

[/pine]

I always wanted a honda trail 70 growning up,never had the $$ to buy one.

I looked at some pics of a honda trail 70...very nice!...but IMO kick starts, multiple gearing and (larger) spoked wheels etc. equal mini motorcycles...To me a "mini bike" is something a lot of TBN'ers could very economically fabricate themselves...either from scratch or from salvaged parts etc...

FWIW...the HF Predator engines (that can be had for about $100 including the Hemi version of the 212) are Honda clones and are quite adaptable/modifiable...also a lot of Honda performance parts etc. will fit out of the box...even more so with the Hemi version...

 

[deanwerden]

everything that you describe as a traditional mini bike are all the things that make them useless. no suspension, lawn mower engine, they don't look appealing at all.

take all the guess work out of it and go buy an older xr100 or something for 500 bucks

 

[/pine]

everything that you describe as a traditional mini bike are all the things that make them useless. no suspension, lawn mower engine, they don't look appealing at all.

take all the guess work out of it and go buy an older xr100 or something for 500 bucks

Useless to you maybe...if I was interested in a mini motorcycle...I would buy one...

 

[Code54]

They are not for a motocross but would be handy to run to get the mail and easy to ride on any semi smooth surfaces. When I was a kid I rode one all over the place and about anywhere on the neighbors farm - really was a lot of fun....

 

[Jim Nelson]

When I think "mini bike" I think a motor, two wheels and a seat...simple frame (usually with no suspension at all) simple horz. shaft engine w/pull start ...
This is the bike I just got...it's available from several retailers including Home Depot etc...Before the holidays K-mart had this bike for $100 less than all the other sources ($299) they have since gone back to the $399 price...

View attachment 405533

When I was a kid this kind of machine was called a motor scooter. A friend of mine, who's family had a lot more money than mine, had one made by Cushman. It sure was fun. Later Tote Goat built a similar unit that was geared real low and good in the mountains.

 

[PapaPerk]

I have 3 mini-bikes, and a "mini-ex". Here's putting them up on the "snowmobile shelf" for the winter. My kids are a little too big for them, but their friends visit they ride the PWs, which is fine by me they can just step off (rather than crash & get hurt).

I like the mini ex. Can you tell us more about it?

 

[/pine]

When I was a kid this kind of machine was called a motor scooter. A friend of mine, who's family had a lot more money than mine, had one made by Cushman. It sure was fun. Later Tote Goat built a similar unit that was geared real low and good in the mountains.

When I hear "motor scooter"...I think Cushman, Vespa, Moped etc. etc...no real difference other than some style and amenities...