Minibikes have come a long way

[intakexhaust]

dig this Rudge

[Scooter]

I had one these back in 1987:

[Skytrooper]

I pulled the old Rupp out of the chicken coop Sunday and powerwashed it. I'll take some "before" pics, then start disassembly so I can get it down in the basement.

I am thinking that when I finish it I will give it to my daughter for a "pit bike" at her equestrian competitions.

I have to find the 1st restoration pics from when my son was little.

[joe payne]

I loved my mini bike as you can see here. My brother was already killing it on a Yamaha 175 that our Father helped rebuild.

[Seahawk]

You do know the fun police are en route to your home as I type?

There is no statute of limitations on fun violations, and you, my friend, are guilty as sin. We all were.

Originally Posted by joe payne

I loved my mini bike as you can see here. My brother was already killing it on a Yamaha 175 that our Father helped rebuild.

[joe payne]

Ha ha! Now they just sit and wait for me!

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by 1979 930

I had one of them but it only had sneaker brakes or you just layed it down in the grass!!!

LOL mine had a foot-operated paddle that rubbed against the outside of the rear tire. First time I stomped on it the weld broke and I ran over it, right before I went half-way through the neighbor's fence.

Good times.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

My older brother had the same thing, but it was made by Bonanza.

To my way of thinking the yellow SL70 that Kevin Todd posted is a cooler minibike than the Grom in the OP, but I think that's just my latent desire for the Mini Enduro that I never had when I was a kid..

Had that brocure tacked on the wall, man i wanted one of those.

ended up getting an MX-100 that was stripped, 21" front wheel, , plastic fenders, and painted yellow. $125.
For a first bike it was cool, but slow.

[Bill Douglas]

When I was 12 back in 1971 I bought a Francis barnett scambler that looked something like this

Only $50. Mom was furious. A month or two later I bought a Morris mini and An Austin A40 truck. LOL, both were $50 also. Ha back in 1971 what you could buy for 50 bucks

[mattdavis11]

The Rupp looks like the first one I rode but never was allowed to have. It didn't have a lawn mower engine though, it had an edger, or other horizontal shaft engine. A Tecumseh 5 hp.

[Skytrooper]

Ok, I finally found the pictures of the Rupp. We have like 8 million photo albums so it took a while to find them.

Original Condition June 1998



Post Restoration August 1998




How it looks today

[Skytrooper]

I am currently finishing up a FS-509 "Cateye" mini cycle for my daughter to use at her equestrian events.

When I brought it home, hadn't run in several years...so says previous owner



disassembled



breaking down the tiny motor


Almost finished





A little color change. The entire wire harness removed, cleaned, and checked. Everything now works on this tiny bike, lights, gauges, signals, brake lights, electric start. I just need to finish the main fairing.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

My older brother had the same thing, but it was made by Bonanza.

To my way of thinking the yellow SL70 that Kevin Todd posted is a cooler minibike than the Grom in the OP, but I think that's just my latent desire for the Mini Enduro that I never had when I was a kid..

My first bike was a mini enduro! Great little bike!

[asphaltgambler]

Awesome!!!

[porsche4life]

Sold it a few years ago. Wish I could have kept it but space was an issue, and the little bastard really needed a rebuild that I didn't have the time for.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

When I was 12 back in 1971 I bought a Francis barnett scambler that looked something like this

Only $50. Mom was furious. A month or two later I bought a Morris mini and An Austin A40 truck. LOL, both were $50 also. Ha back in 1971 what you could buy for 50 bucks

Yeah, but in 1971 I was getting $1 a week allowance.
That was good for a 50 cent hot wheels car and some candy.
5th grade, the good ole days.

[Skytrooper]

Well I finished the Minibike I rebuilt for my daughter. Unfortunately it doesn't have enough power to ride in the grass at her events. It goes great on asphalt...about 20-25 with 195 lbs (me) on its back. Since it isn't of use to her I have decided to sell it. If anyone knows someone who may be interested let me know. Asking $350.

It is fully illuminated with headlights, rear lights, brake lights, and turn signals front and rear.

What youngster wouldn't like to see this under the tree !

Finished side shot


Headlights on

[ckelly78z]

I had always wanted a Honda XR75 when I was a kid like one of my friends had. I putted around on a 3.5 HP Stinger minibike which was better than a bicucle but not much.
My son has better luck with bikes than I did with my Mother. He has had an electric motorcycle that went about 15 MPH, a 3.5 HP minibike that went about 25 MPH, a Honda 125 ATC 3 wheeler that went about 40 MPH, a Honda XR 100 that goes maybe 55 MPH and now that he is 15 years old, has the same bike that I do (matching Honda XR200Rs).

[David in VA]

Here's my "Grulf". These are great fun, awesome pit bike.

[porsche4life]

That little Honda looks cool, but damn! $3200!!!!