Bird Engineering Thunderbird Mini Bike

[Texan]

Picked this bike up a couple of months ago. It is a Bird or Phoenix Engineering Thunderbird, can't tell on the tag, but basically it's the same company. Also still can't figure out the date code, probably early to mid 80's. I decided to do a light refurb to it.

The bike was a runner when I got it, but the engine only ran on choke, was being run with no air cleaner and leaked gas. I also stole the seat and header to use on my other Bird bike here http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=36358&page=2

I wanted to just fix the engine, seat, and header and run the bike as it was, but a few things bothered me about it. First it looked ugly, the multi colors on the engine, rusty bolts and washers, some ticky tack weld repairs on the kickstand and paint was starting to thin out and rust was coming thru on some areas.


Here are some of pics of the condition I got it in.

 

[Texan]

Tore the bike down. Repaired the repair on the kickstand. Since the paint was not that bad, I only gave it a light sanding, did have to grind the rust off the foot pegs though.

 

[Texan]

Thankfully the tubes still hold air. The rear tire treads are a bit chewed up from the scrub brake, but it will do for now.

The rear sprocket seems fairly new, being the PO couldn't even peel the dang sticker off. Its a #41 54 tooth sprocket, and the clutch is a 10 tooth Max Torque. My other Bird's original sprocket is an #35 80tooth running with a 12 tooth clutch.

Lightly cleaned up the wheels, and gave them a couple coats of paint.

One bearing was bad, so I replaced all 4. I cleaned up the sprocket, and reinstalled with new hardware.

 

[Texan]

Didn't want to spend too much time or money on this bike as I have way too many other project going on. I went with a $5 makeover in a can, one of my favorite paints Rustoleum High Performance Enamel.

The axle and fork bolts and nuts were ok, all I replaced were the washers and hardware for the fenders.

The rear fender is plastic and looks a little goofy but it cleaned up nice and will do for now.

This is how the bike is now.

 

[landuse]

I like the black paint job! Are you going to paint the engine as well?

 

[vpd66]

Interesting 5 spoke wheels. I've never seen them used on a mini bike. What size tires are on it?

 

[Kartorbust]

Nice bike! Those older bikes seem to have more character than the new stuff.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

 

[Texan]

I like the black paint job! Are you going to paint the engine as well?

Yes, I've already painted it. Used same kind of paint as on the bike but in Aluminum color. More info on the engine to come. Here is a quick mockup.

Interesting 5 spoke wheels. I've never seen them used on a mini bike. What size tires are on it?

2.50-10