2000 Polaris Blaze mini bike

[firemanjim]

Long time no see me.....
Found and bought this Polaris Blaze mini bike recently. Never seen one before so I HAD to have it.... Pretty complete , only missing a couple fenders and a couple guards . The BnS 3 HP rims like a champ and starts on first pull , but it's coming out in favor of a mildly built GX200 . I just ordered a new driver clutch . Right now my shaft center spacing is 7.875" with a 7" driven clutch. Not sure if that will change with the engine change so I'll order some belts when I actually get the Honda into the frame.
Anyone have any info on these ? I really can't find anything other than they were built by Kart Industries (I believe ) FOR Polaris . Only sold in 2000 and 2001 ? I've only seen it in orange like mine. Just curious about numbers sold , and what years.
I thought I had more pictures , but I guess I don't....

 

[landuse]

Hey there. That is a cool looking little minibike! How fast are you hoping to go?

 

[Denny]

Never saw one before. I never knew Polaris had a mini-bike.

 

[Hellion]

Also never saw one before. Wild. It’s people like you who educate the masses on obscure mini bikes and go karts. Thanks for the photos. Is the Briggs original to the bike?

More photos please.

 

[firemanjim]

Also never saw one before. Wild. It’s people like you who educate the masses on obscure mini bikes and go karts. Thanks for the photos. Is the Briggs original to the bike?

More photos please.

No , they originally came with a 6.5 HP Tecumseh engines. Basically the "power sport" that came on the yerf dogs ECT.
Yeah , I will grab some pics tomorrow. Gonna start pulling the Briggs . The new driver clutch will be in tomorrow, so I can mock up the gx200 to measure the center to center spacing so I can order some belts. Want to be able to ride this weekend.
Still need to pull the gx200 head and install some SS valves and 22# springs. Might as well yank the governor while I'm in there....
Landuse , with it's current gearing , it will probably top out around 41 at 5400... Gotta get a measurement of the tires . I guess-timated while using the speed calculator.
I have a gx270 I'm gonna slowly build into a serious brute. I'm happy with 50-55 mph.... I mainly want low end grunt to do some climbing and trail riding.

 

[firemanjim]

Some quick pics of the bike. I made a rear fender today out of .180" aluminum plate. Gonna try to make the front fender tomorrow.
Also stripped down the gx200 to put in new SS valves and 20# springs. In the middle of a governor removal while I'm at it.
Will take more pics of everything tomorrow as well. Been a busy day. I'm currently working 6 AM to 8 pm ... Never have much free time ,so I work on my toys while I'm on the clock ....
Check out how the swing arm connects. It shares a mount for the torque converter so the chain tension stays the same throughout its travel. There's an outer tube axle , and then the tc axle inside of that. With a grease zirk to boot ! Pretty nifty....

 

[Denny]

Looks like it’s full of bearings too.

 

[Hellion]

More !

Seems to be quite a collector’s item, Gargle can find zero information on them except your thread. Didn’t try any a.i. though. Are you sure “Blaze” is what it‘s called? Also it appears to have Azusa 10” chrome steelies installed. Do you think the wheels are original to the bike?

https://azusaparts.com/product-category/wheels/steel-wheels/10-steel-wheels/

 

[Sparkwizard]

polaris

Polaris Mini bike ?

oldminibikes.com

If the images don't load for nonmembers, let me know. I can copy/paste them here or you can just join the other site.

 

[Hellion]

Would rather see it here, so I posted the image extension. Hopefully it works (credit to SimpleTom)

Many thanks Sparky. I would use nothing other than a Tecumseh OHV Power Sport or equivalent plain jane version. Look how well it is integrated to the bike frame.

I need to get one or more of those engines.....

 

[firemanjim]

More !

Seems to be quite a collector’s item, Gargle can find zero information on them except your thread. Didn’t try any a.i. though. Are you sure “Blaze” is what it‘s called? Also it appears to have Azusa 10” chrome steelies installed. Do you think the wheels are original to the bike?

https://azusaparts.com/product-category/wheels/steel-wheels/10-steel-wheels/

Blaze is the only thing I've seen it called. It was made by Karts International according to the sticker on the neck. Original wheels.
Will be using a Honda gx200. Without the tank , it fits nicely with the stock exhaust.

 

[firemanjim]

 

[firemanjim]

Got the driver pulley and belt installed. Made a new bolt for the crank , 5/16-24x1.25" ... Waiting for the header to be delivered. Installed the 20# springs , SS valves , and adjusted the valve last to .008" on both . Thinking intake should be closer to .006" though
Getting a new fuel line after work. Maybe I can try starting it up tomorrow..... Hopefully.....

 

[Denny]

View attachment 160138View attachment 160139

That’s not a Polaris Blaze. It’s the super rare Polaris Edelbrock, see it says so on the gas tank.

 

[firemanjim]

Got my header today. Didn't think a whole lot about how it would fit when I ordered it. Points right at my shock..... I cut the tip into a spoon shape , then formed the curves with a 1lb brass mallet over the end of a mounting bolt on my CNC tool blocks. Now it at least blows it downward. I'll make a better one later ,so it goes on the other side of that panel .
Need a quart of oil and some 3/16" fuel line. Maybe I should leak test the tank first .... The Honda tank won't fit because of the location for the ignition cylinder.... I don't want to cut that out because I'm going to add electric start kit to this here soon. The ignition switch goes in the little tube , circled in third pic....

 

[firemanjim]

The rear fender. Need to get better looking bolts , and to smooth and polish it.....

 

[firemanjim]

Got the new stainless steel valves lapped in , and put the bike back together . I notice that the throttle is sticking wide open for some reason , but I can drop it back down by twisting throttle back . . I was very anxious to take the first ride so I thought , ehh no big deal.....
WRONG..... I left my center to center distance (TC centers) a hair short so it wouldn't just lock up right off the bat. Set up that way , it acts like I'm dumping the clutch on a big boy bike. I can pop wheelies with ease !
Remember I said the throttle was sticking ? Watch the video to see what happened.. . I torn rotator cuff now and a drop of blood running around in my head that ain't supposed to be there....
Ok it won't let me add the video. Throttle stuck wide open , bike took off on a wheelie and I ran into a wall. I guess the mids REALLY gave the engine some pep. HAD to be doing at least 25 in just 30 feet....

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Been there.
Feel better dude. Were getting too old to do stupid sheet anymore.

That exhaust needs some small spikes added like fangs and a snake head.

 

[Hellion]

Ok it won't let me add the video.

Videos are embedded with the Media adder thing. Video has to be uploaded to a video hosting site and linked here.
But that doesn‘t matter now. Get well!

 

[Sparkwizard]

WOW, get better soon.
This just proves we never do get old enough to know better!