Maxi-Frame minibike build

[Bison]

I would like to get some comments on the minibike frame I have come up with and have been selling as an unassembled frame kit. I would like to know what direction I should go in and if there is a market.

This minibike frame is designed for the boomers who grew up with these great minibikes but now cannot fit on them comfortably. The average wheelbase for this frame is 59 inches, has a bottom of frame to seat mount height of 16 inches and the engine commpartment has 18" vertical clearance. This solves the problem while keeping the retro feel. The bottom frame has an attachment rail for bolting accessories such as a trail riding peg attachment and an adjustable scrub brake assembly. Other items can be added to the frame. It's just up to your imatination.

I got tired of cutting old minibikes in half to weld in some length. After that was done I was still limited to a small engine due to the limited height for an engine. Adding to the problems is that the old retro minibike frames cannot be modified or adjusted without cutting and welding.

May I have your honest opinions please on the kit and the assembled frame.

Thanks!

 

[r_chez_08]

I quite like it, but I dont like the paint colour.
I think you should try and market a few kits, including wheels and jackshaft etc, all except the engine and clutch, and then people do not have the "hassle" of finding parts to fit.
If you do not find they sell, maybe just list the plans on ebay?
Edit: could you tell us how you made the suspension?

 

[devino246]

I think it would be good to move the back wheel about 10" forward.

 

[Badot]

Good idea but I think it looks rather off. Personally, I'd move the rear wheel so it was fully under your butt (so the seat is inline with the rear) and make sure someone could mount the rear wheel lower so the bottom of the frame remains level. I'd also make the front of the frame more vertical (close up some of the space), along with a more vertical fork mount.

The excess space in the frame would bother me as well... I understand the limitations of seat height vs actually keeping it a mini bike, but maybe move the engine mount to the back... less chain, plus you get to lose what I think is the idler there, and you'd also not have to worry as much about pants/legs contacting the muffler or the exhaust hitting the seat. Then you could use the empty space in the front (if you have any) for something without having to worry about the chains/jackshaft/exhaust there.


I guess to me at least, mini bikes have always been boxy and compact. Since I'm 19 I'm probably the wrong generation to ask though

 

[T-man]

I like it to, but I like the extra room under the seat. good place for a toolbox, spare tire, extra gas tank, 6 pack of bea..... pop. I dont think it would be a good idea to move the rear tire forward under the seat because that is why so many people would pop wheelys and fall back

 

[Bison]

Thanks for the reviews, keep them coming.

This frame was designed with trail crusing in mind. That is why you notice "highway pegs" on the front of the frame. It also has trail pegs for more aggressive trail riding. Not for tricks or sport riding. It's meant to take you on a long cruise on a trail or path. A guy in the country could even attach a trailer hook to the rear of the frame and hook up a small trailer to haul gear to the campsite.

When I originally built the frame I made sure that it could be modified and this is why I sell it as an unwelded DIY frame kit. With the longer frame the rear lower frame support can be moved forward a bit to allow for a larger rear wheel and the front fork was designed to also accept larger a larger wheel. The frame you see in the picture will accept a 20" front and 15" rear wheel. With the support moved a 20" could also be put in the back. The accessory attachment bars on the lower frame rails will allow the scrub brake to be adjusted to fit any size wheel.

Like T-Man noticed, the extra room under the seat offers room for options, including a larger gas tank that can be placed under the seat and use a fuel pump. It's also a good place to put a battery if you choose to use an alternator for power.

There are just too many options that can be done with this frame. The turning radius is around 10 feet. As I sell only the frame I do not put too much thought into the engine as I leave that up to the customer. For my own purposes I have one frame loaded with a 13hp Honda clone. Lot's of working torque and the frame will take a beating.

I've noticed in the polls that and I agree is that I am trying to reach a limited market.

What market should I be reaching for?

Thanks again. I appreciate your thoughts.