Rare Rides features your rare mini-bikes! This page has proven extremely helpful in soliciting information and resources from other readers. Check out these rare and really neat minibikes--I bet most of them you have never heard of!
Rare Rides
Ruttman Grasshopper
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19-Aug-05: Name=Kent feedback=Jay... I am the one that owns that Ruttman Grasshopper you have in your "rare" minibikes. I now have it up for sale on ebay. Would rather it go to a serious collector than some kid to trash it. You may want to let others know it is on ebay. Thanks...Kent
31-Jul-2005: A reader contacted me recently sharing his fantastic Ruttman Grasshopper; I had noted what a great job he did on the restoration and here is his response and brief story:
Thanks for the compliment Jay..... actually I was even thinking about selling it on ebay. Anyway.... I was with my friend when he bought the bike at the Pamona swap meet in california. It was mostly just a frame, forks, and wheels. The motor was trashed. He did the restoration. New techmsua 5 horse motor, wheels, seat, rechromed sissy bar, forks, exhaust pipe, gas tank, even air cleaner. Painted and clear coated frame. He bought the saddlebags from me. Then I bought the minibike from him. I put the different front wheel on (with the small brake on it) but still have the other front wheel. There is no muffler.... the exhaust was made from a honda mini trail chromed (straight pipe). He did resarch on it and got some documentation about it. I really can't see putting a kid on this thing back in 1970.... Its a little tricky to ride! It seems to go pretty fast.... just a little hard to turn.... (extnded forks). I stuck the captian america helmet on the back and thought it looked good. There is 2 stickers on the engine that says 2 different H.P.'s..... he put the one on because it is a old style sticker. Definitely a head turner every time I ride it. More pictures are available...
Larkin Hillcat
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3/14/2005: A reader used this site to help identify his very rare (and ultra-cool) Larkin Hillcat minibike and decided to become a member! Here is what he had to say about The Mini-Bike Connection:
"This website was very helpful in identifying this challenger hillcat mark 1 made by Larkin aircraft in Freedom, CA,--thanks, Bob. I am still trying to find out how many were made and WHERE ARE THE OTHERS? I cant find any more of em...anyone with info please e-mail me shml55@yahoo.com "
Bombadier
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Can anyone help identify this unknown Bombardier mini-bike? A reader from Australia writes:
"Surfing the net I came across your site and write to you in the hope that you can help me.
I am looking for information on a mini bike I have had stored in my shed for the past 25 years.
If you know of this bike are you able to give me some history, I reckon it would be about 50cc, the only identification on the bike is the sticker on the tank and a serial number stamped into the steering head viz: 44408? Gear shift is "English style" right side, one up, three down pattern.
I have attached photos for your info.
Thank you
Regards
Frank O'Brien
Darwin Australia"
06-31-05: A reader named Ted just wrote in and had this to say:
"I had one of those Bombardier minibikes like the guy from Australia.
The "street" version was orange like the one in the pic and the "off road" version was yellow with knobby tires. I remember it well. I had the street version. It was quite powerfull if you wound it out, but quite unreliable. It constantly broke throttle and clutch and brake cables.
It also would foul plugs regualrly. Many times I was left at home when my buddies with Honda CT70's enjoyed a day of riding. However I do wish I had kept it as it was quite rare even at the time...early 70's. Bombardier went on to develop some quite sucessful dirt bikes such as the CanAm series with a rotary valve 2 stroke. Very powerfull. If the fellow would like to contact me ,my email adress is ea000@sympatico.ca It would be fun to reminice about early bike time"
Terra Floater?
A reader, named Joe, just inquired about a terra floater mini-bike he picked up to restore. If anyone has ever heard of a terra-floater minibike or if you have any pictures or specifications please let me know.
16-Apr-06: Here are the pictures. I believe this is a Terra Floater. It said "Floater"(no Terra) on the badge (see picture #2). I bought the frame and wheels at a garage sale. I took a 5hp motor off of an old wood chipper, fitted it with a comet torque converter, put on a new jackshaft brake. The rear tire is from a Dixie Chopper riding lawnmower, and the front is from a trash heap at a local ATV shop. The seat was completely homemade with fake vinyl leather-cloth, foam and plywood. I built it in high school with a very limited budget. The original bars were bmx type handlebars and these pictues is taken after I fitted it with old Harley Davidson bars. The torque converter made it very fast and powerful (wheelie capable). The only other documentation I have of it is a weird student short film starring me and the mini-bike. I could mail you a copy if you have interest in seeing it in motion. That's about all the information I have on it. Tell me if you find anything else.
-Dave Vondle
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Ed note: it is unkown if this is actually a Terra Floater or not but judging by the frame and large balloon tires is seems reasonable that it could be.
CESTAD Buffalo
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Ken Thomas sent in photos of his son's CESTAD 'Buffalo' manufactured by Central States Tool and Die Company in Omaha, Nebraska. The bike was believed to have been made around 1973. Neither Ken nor I have ever seen a CESTAD Buffalo on any website.
Terra Cat
Michael Gaffke of Midland, Michigan is the proud owner of a vintage Terra Cat mini-bike, built by Rankin MFG. He had owned one as a kid and just found another! These are the only two he has ever seen though, and probably the first Terra Cat mini-bike on the Internet.
Mike is in the process of restoring this unique machine and is looking for decals and more information.
If anyone has details on this wonderful machine, please contact me and I will pass it along to Mike plus post it for the rest of the minibike community.
Updated! 02/25/2004 Mike has now finished his restoration; check out these great photos:
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07/26/2004 Reader posting:
"Name= Brian btelsner@ameritech.net feedback=Nice site!"
"I have a belt guard for a terra-cat if anybody is looking for one!"
04/23/2005: Reader posting:
Jay, I have scanned the cover of a Terra Cat Manual. If you would post it and let people know if they want a copy they can E-mail me for one at: jcnhjw@fuse.net . I also want as much info as I can get, ie; pictures, so I can restore mine right. Thanks, Jo
Unidentified minibikes:
1. ?
Long-time club member Richard Blue recently acquired this machine. It is a McCullough race kart engine powered Bird mini-cycle. If someone has an article or an ad and can help with information, please let me know and I will pass it along to Richard.
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2.?
YUSUF ALQUTUB from CHARLESTON, WV writes:
"THIS IS A MINI-BIKE I JUST PURCHASED. I HAVE NO IDEA ON HOW TO IDENTIFY IT. THERE IS NOTHING ON THE FRAME TO SHOW ITS BRAND. IT HAS ONE BAR ACROSS THE TOP OF THE FRAME, AND FOUR MOUNTING HOLES TO THE SEAT. THE ONLY ORIGINAL PARTS TO IT ARE THE FRAME, HANDLEBARS, FORKS, AND FENDERS. THE ORIGINAL TIRES WERE TEN INCHES. IM THINKING AN EARLY MODEL MANCO, BUT IM NOT SURE."
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If anyone has any info on this bike please let me know. I will put you in contact with Yusuf.
Here is how Yusuf got into mini-biking in his own words:
"I STARTED WORKING ON GO-KARTS AND MINI-BIKES WHEN I WAS AROUND 11. THE GUY WHO LIVED ACROSS FROM MY GRANDMA GOT ME STARTED WHEN HE HELPED ME WITH MY FIRST GO-KART. IVE HAD 3 GO-KARTS, 1 GO-PED SCOOTER, AND THIS MINI-BIKE SINCE. I AM NOW 14. I CONSIDER THIS MY HOBBY. ANYWAYS HE GOT THE BIKE LAST SUMMER AND IT TOOK HIM A WHILE TO GET IT RUNNING. WHEN HE DID, IT DID OKAY, BUT IT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CHAIN POPPING OFF. IT WAS A COMBINATION OF THINGS. HE REALLY DIDN'T WANT TO LET GO OF IT BUT HAD TO TO FIX AN ATV HE OWNED AND HE NEEDED MORE SPACE. AS SOON AS I BOUGHT A NEW SPROCKET, A SMALLER ONE FOR MORE TOP END, A REAR AXLE, BEARINGS, CHAIN, RIM, INTERTUBE, AND PUT A SEAT ON IT. AFTER A FEW TRIAL AND ERRORS, I HAD IT RUNNING GOOD. AT THE MOMENT IT HAS A 3 HP BRIGGS AND STRATTON. IN THE FUTURE I PLAN TO BUY 10 INCH WHEELS FOR THE FRONT AND REAR. AS THEY ARE THE ORIGINAL SIZE - YUSUF"
07/14/2004: Email sent from a reader:
"Hello; The minibike frame that "Yusuf" has on the minibike connection website is probably made by Alexander Reynolds. I have a frame a lot like it but not exactly the same, maybe a different model. It has the same downtubes, footrests, motor mount, rear wheel mounts, etc."
"Also I'd like to say the website is excellent. Different from the others but every bit as good. I think you might want to add a message board.
thanks John"