Taco Vs Bonanza

[6PK2GOBEE]

In 1972 I bought a 1967 Bonanza BC1100 used. Needless to say I rode it everywhere.
The seat cover was pretty tattered so my mother made a new cover out of some old blue jeans and I changed the color from blue to purple.
The muffler of choice was a coke can opened up on one end and a pipe sized hole in the other end which was mounted to a short piece of threaded pipe using pipe nuts.
I can’t say how many engines I went through, but the last was a Briggs 5hp that I milled the head on and it was fast!
I regretted selling it but after 3 years at 15 I was ready to buy my first car-a 1967 Chevy Impala convertible 396 turbo jet that I spent 2 years restoring.
I had my eye out for another Bonanza for a few years now and had just about given up when an ad on Craigslist sent me to look at this one locally.
It is a time capsule low use all original 1967 BC1100 identical to the one I had. The original General Jumbo Jr tires are perfect.
The original ‘67 Tecumseh 2 1/2hp was removed for rebuild and modification(goal is 3 1/2-4hp)and I managed to find an early ‘80’s 5hp low use that I gave a cosmetic restoration.
Back in the day, these were marketed to adults more than kids, now I’m using it to run around my property and having a blast! I’d forgotten how fast these things are!
50+ years later in my retirement I’m regressing I guess...

 

[Scott Engelhardt]

I love minibikes!! I am so happy when the kids are here and we have a 1/2 dozen of them out.

 

[6PK2GOBEE]

I love minibikes!! I am so happy when the kids are here and we have a 1/2 dozen of them out.

Sounds like fun! I’ve picked up a few vintage Briggs engines and troll Craigslist looking for vintage mini bikes. Easy, fun, and inexpensive restorations.
Hey, if “Hoss” can ride one they had to be tough! I knew a lot of drag teams that had them(and still do) for pit bikes.
Now they have fat tire ones for hunting, etc.

 

[Richard Cranium]

By early 70s what I really wanted was the new Honda 70. I worked and hussled my A$$ off to save $350. But my parents would not let me. Even while first saying "If you pay for." (Not believing an 11 year old can earn/raise $350 in one summer) Saying it was too dangerous.

I never fully forgave them until their passing. To the point I nearly bought one Two years ago. (It's bad when you're still pouting 50 years later?)

View attachment 1143107

Those things fetch huge money today.

 

[Darter6]

I guess we never really grow up. I look on craigs list daily to find a project bike that may be close.
My wife just shakes her head."Your last one sat in the shed and you never rode it, then you gave it away."

 

[HawkRod]

I wish I had a picture of my mini bike - it was more of a mini cycle. Picture a yellow off road motorcycle but with a 5 HP Tecumseh engine and centrifugal clutch in it - very unique and I haven't seen one since. I don't even remember a brand name or I might have better luck finding a picture of it. It was pretty much the size of a 100cc Honda motorcycle.

This picture is close, but not exact

I worked hard for that bike and bought if becuase my friend had a mini bike. I had a blast riding this through the woods and on our back streets. We got chased by the cops a few times. Once a bunch of us were in a park and riding around. Several cops came but I was near a few trees in the center. I hit my hidden kill switch under the tank and started pushing my mini bike. A cop rolled up and I said I couldn't have been riding around becuase mine was broken down and wouldn't start. I showed him by putting the switch to "on" and pulling the cord. I don't think he believed my but he let me go! Once I was out of visual range I flipped the kill switch back on, started it and rode it home.


Good Times!

 

[6PK2GOBEE]

I guess we never really grow up. I look on craigs list daily to find a project bike that may be close.
My wife just shakes her head."Your last one sat in the shed and you never rode it, then you gave it away."

You are a sower of good seed!
Our toys and toy boxes(aka garages) just get bigger!

 

[6PK2GOBEE]

I wish I had a picture of my mini bike - it was more of a mini cycle. Picture a yellow off road motorcycle but with a 5 HP Tecumseh engine and centrifugal clutch in it - very unique and I haven't seen one since. I don't even remember a brand name or I might have better luck finding a picture of it. It was pretty much the size of a 100cc Honda motorcycle.

This picture is close, but not exact
View attachment 1356898

I worked hard for that bike and bought if becuase my friend had a mini bike. I had a blast riding this through the woods and on our back streets. We got chased by the cops a few times. Once a bunch of us were in a park and riding around. Several cops came but I was near a few trees in the center. I hit my hidden kill switch under the tank and started pushing my mini bike. A cop rolled up and I said I couldn't have been riding around becuase mine was broken down and wouldn't start. I showed him by putting the switch to "on" and pulling the cord. I don't think he believed my but he let me go! Once I was out of visual range I flipped the kill switch back on, started it and rode it home.


Good Times!

Oh, but if you weren’t sure it was an Indian don’t let that stop you from buying one. The Indian dirt bikes are cool in their own right!
My 2001 Indian Scout “Flaming Arrow”

 

[Darter6]

Around 70-73 I had a Indian 100 dirt bike for awhile.My brother brought it home. It was a friend's bike and never rode it.
One of those "If you like it you can buy it. If not just bring it back" I remember little about it and we didn't keep it.Don't remember why.

 

[6PK2GOBEE]

Around 70-73 I had a Indian 100 dirt bike for awhile.My brother brought it home. It was a friend's bike and never rode it.
One of those "If you like it you can buy it. If not just bring it back" I remember little about it and we didn't keep it.Don't remember why.

It was an interesting time period in the history of Indian. Automotive historian/enthusiast/entrepreneur Floyd Clymer bought the rights to the Indian Motorcycle company and attempted to revive it by tapping into the mini/trail/dirt bike craze by selling “sticker” bikes-that is machines made by other manufacturers and rebadged as Indian.
Here is an interesting site:
www.indiandirtbikeparts.com Indian Dirt Bike Parts specializes in NOS parts for the Indian Dirt Bike

and for mini bike enthusiasts:
OMBWarehouse - Mini Bike Parts and Go Kart Parts- Outdoor Power Equipment

 

[MIKESPOLARA]

When i was a youngster circa 1969 (12 or 13 years-old) I purchased my very own Bonanza mini-bike just like Ricky, the neighbor across the street, was "driving". This was at the Calif-Kart Sales showroom in San Jose, CA (see add photo). If I remember correctly, mine had no lights, no rear suspension, and a worthless front suspension (hardly any fork travel at all). I changed the jack-shaft sprocket for more top speed. It was one speed with the centrifugal clutch.

My next door neighbor Chris, then joined the "club" when he purchased a purple Taco brand machine. I drove mine mainly on Dads 200-plus acre agricultural property in Milpitas, CA. But at home, we had a "circular" type driveway and there I would run laps down the sidewalk directly in front of our house then into the curved driveway and back around again. I did not use the paved street in front of the house.

One day I challenge Chris to a drag race. I use the short stretch of sidewalk (as usual) in front of our house and he sets up on the street alongside me. Off we go and up pulls a CHP patrol car. Gives us both citations and Dad has to later accompany me to juvenile court where we met with some government official where I expressed my remorse. (In 1983, I graduated from the CHP Academy, first in my class). I am guessing a neighbor must have called the CHP on us. It was the only time I saw a CHP patrol car in our quiet neighborhood.



View attachment 1142974

You were obviously rich. The only taco I could afford was from Taco Bell at $.20

 

[Scott Engelhardt]

I wish I had a picture of my mini bike - it was more of a mini cycle. Picture a yellow off road motorcycle but with a 5 HP Tecumseh engine and centrifugal clutch in it - very unique and I haven't seen one since. I don't even remember a brand name or I might have better luck finding a picture of it. It was pretty much the size of a 100cc Honda motorcycle.

This picture is close, but not exact
View attachment 1356898

I worked hard for that bike and bought if becuase my friend had a mini bike. I had a blast riding this through the woods and on our back streets. We got chased by the cops a few times. Once a bunch of us were in a park and riding around. Several cops came but I was near a few trees in the center. I hit my hidden kill switch under the tank and started pushing my mini bike. A cop rolled up and I said I couldn't have been riding around becuase mine was broken down and wouldn't start. I showed him by putting the switch to "on" and pulling the cord. I don't think he believed my but he let me go! Once I was out of visual range I flipped the kill switch back on, started it and rode it home.


Good Times!

something like this?

 

[1967coronet]

I can not let this thread pass by without telling this tale.
It fits here.
aprox 1971 or 72 a buddy of mine had a old Red step through Honda 90, the kind that looked like a girls bike , had the knee fairings ect.
His older brothers had beat on this mini bike before him.
Impressive that it still ran when Ron got used it. I had a trail 70 , we was flying down dirt road at all of 30mph side by side and Ron disappears I stop as fast as I can and look back.
All I can see is a cloud of dirt and dust. Ron is ok but a little skinned up.
That old step through had broke in half at the bottom of the arch, damn thing had prob been cracked for awhile.
At close to 30mph that thing had separated and dug into the road causing the crash.
Funny thing to see was the only connection the front to the rest of the bike had was the cables.

 

[440 4 speed]

View attachment 1142985

At least their car wouldn’t embarrass you >

 

[HawkRod]

something like this?

View attachment 1357007

Wow, yes, A LOT like that! I can't say for sure that it is the exact same thing I had, but it is at least damn close.

Thanks for posting - brings back some good memories!

 

[6PK2GOBEE]

I can not let this thread pass by without telling this tale.
It fits here.
aprox 1971 or 72 a buddy of mine had a old Red step through Honda 90, the kind that looked like a girls bike , had the knee fairings ect.
His older brothers had beat on this mini bike before him.
Impressive that it still ran when Ron got used it. I had a trail 70 , we was flying down dirt road at all of 30mph side by side and Ron disappears I stop as fast as I can and look back.
All I can see is a cloud of dirt and dust. Ron is ok but a little skinned up.
That old step through had broke in half at the bottom of the arch, damn thing had prob been cracked for awhile.
At close to 30mph that thing had separated and dug into the road causing the crash.
Funny thing to see was the only connection the front to the rest of the bike had was the cables.

...and that’s when he vowed to always buy American!

 

[6PK2GOBEE]

What are you doing to your mini bike this winter? Major work? Minor work? Detailing? Modifications?

 

[Scott Engelhardt]

I have a Rupp Black Widow that is ready to be restored. I have all the parts, just need the time.

 

[6PK2GOBEE]

Another “Toy” ‘99 Harley Sportster I bought new….

 

[Scott Engelhardt]

That bike is a Powel Challenger