Rare Rides

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'll bet many of them you have never heard of!

Ruttman Grasshopper

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...

Ed note: on the members site all thumbnail photos link to full size high resolution images; just one of the benefits of joining Mini Bike Club.

Larkin Hillcat

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 "

Ed note: the members site has a whole page dedicated to the Larkin Hillcat!

Bombadier

A reader from Australia inquired about this unknown Bombadier minibike. If anyone has any information on this mini-bike please let me know and I will pass it along to him.

06-31-05: A reader named Ted 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

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

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 neat machine, please contact me and I will pass it along to Mike, plus post it for the rest of the mini-bike community.

Updated! 02/25/2004 Mike has now finished his restoration; check out these great photos:

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, Joe

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.

If anyone has any info on this bike please let me know. I will put you in contact with 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"