New guy with an hack job mini bike.

[Fantasmoslam]

Let me preface this post with a few points.

1. I'm not responsible for what has been done to this poor bike.
2. I'm new to this whole hobby, so I don't know what questions to ask or what I should be asking.


OK, great, now that this is out of the way here's the monstrosity.










As you can see all sorts of goofy stuff has been done to this thing.

From what I've been told this thing is by a company called "Alexander Reynolds" and is a model called "Bushwacker".

My immediate concerns are the axles. Those are obviously hack jobs and held together with cotter pins which makes it extremely unsafe.

I don't have calipers, but I'm pretty sure the front is a 10mm and the rear is 12mm. It took me a long time to get the rear axle out due to the guy hacking it off after he got it in and pinned. The end was flanged due to hammering I think.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure I can get some cheap axles on ebay if need be.

The second area of concern for me is that metal tube sticking out of the engine going up towards the hose coming out of the carb. I have no clue what the **** that is supposed to be or what its for.

I think the carb is by a company called Tecumseh, but that's what I found on the air filter, so I'm not sure if it's just the filter or the whole carb.

Again, I have a basic understanding of how this thing is supposed to work.

Anyway, I guess I'm just looking to see people's thoughts on this monstrosity and also I am curious to know what if any advice folks may have on where I should start.

Sorry for being a n00b, but we all have to start somewhere.

I'm located in Columbus, Ohio if that makes a difference to anyone.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Briggs engine with some Tec parts fubarred on. Maybe the PO wanted to do some underwater riding. Will the engine run?

 

[Fantasmoslam]

Engine is solid.

Engine fires up just fine with minimal effort.

I don't know what kind of carb should be on here, but I hate how it sticks out so much.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

So aside from looking like some kind of Frankenstein bike, what's the problem? Call it a rat bike and roll out.

 

[Fantasmoslam]

So aside from looking like some kind of Frankenstein bike, what's the problem? Call it a rat bike and roll out.

The problem is I don't know anything about the engine, or the carb that is on the thing. I don't know what to look for as far as parts are concerned or how to identify it.

I guess my issue is that I don't know what I don't know about it if that makes sense.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

The only thing you have to fear is fear itself. The engine is a 5hp Briggs and Stratton. Google parts for that and prepare to be overwhelmed. But honestly if it starts easy and runs, Bob's your uncle.

 

[Hellion]

You have a 1970's-80's Briggs & Stratton flathead. It is supposed to have the gas tank mounted to the engine and also a tank-mounted carburetor called a Pulsa-Jet. The engine as a whole is a compact design, all self contained.

EDIT: the engine serial number is usually stamped on the side of the blower housing--e.g. the sheet metal thing that also contains the recoil starter.

The tube coming from the engine is connected to the crankcase breather apparatus. It is designed to connect to the Briggs carburetor and push any oily vapor and blowby back into the carb to get burned in the cylinder. It's basic smog equipment.

I guess the way it is now allows the engine to sit in the frame and not have the gas tank interfere with the back wheel. The gas tank mounted up high (remote) also gives it more of a motorcycle look. I'm guessing the original engine is supposed to be a Tecumseh which typically has its tank mounted forward of the engine(?).

 

[supermanotorious]

I think it looks a lot cooler than it's Doodlebug cousin

 

[ond]

I think the bike you have was a ARCO made bike, manufactured by Alexander Reynolds Corporation. Here's a couple of pictures of another one.