Not a bad deal (I think)

[areams]

Picked this thing up for 50 bucks. Needs some work but is complete! Was told it runs but carb needs cleaned. Took it apart and they were right, it definitely needed cleaned. Luckily though, it is a 19mm slide carb so going to try and clean it and see what happens.

Any ideas what kind it is? Has a Harley Davidson sticker on the front clear plate on the forks that doesn’t look like it was added..

 

[itsid]

looks oddly familiar.. care to show us the other side (the chain guard might be a clue)
I'm getting a Rupp Sprint vibe from that tilted engine.

the wheels trip me off, those are very likely chinese and I assume they do not belong to the mini bike at all...

'sid

 

[Joe-405]

I’m guessing it looks like this on the other side............

 

[areams]

I’m guessing it looks like this on the other side............

That’s it! Mine does have a chain guard but the mounting on that one where the chain gaurd would go is the same.

---------- Post added at 08:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:48 PM ----------

looks oddly familiar.. care to show us the other side (the chain guard might be a clue)
I'm getting a Rupp Sprint vibe from that tilted engine.

the wheels trip me off, those are very likely chinese and I assume they do not belong to the mini bike at all...

'sid

I’ll have to snap another pic tomorrow, but the one joe just posted is it.

 

[Joe-405]

Here’s the other side...........

They are saying on a page that they were carnival bikes and nobody knows the brand.

 

[Texan]

Bird / Phoenix Engineering Nighthawk or Thunderbird. They were out of Nebraska. I have one of each. Those are the correct wheels. I have a thread on here on them if you do a search.

 

[Joe-405]

Bird / Phoenix Engineering Nighthawk or Thunderbird. They were out of Nebraska. I have one of each. Those are the correct wheels. I have a thread on here on them if you do a search.

Sweet ! Definately then. I googled bird minibike and pulled up a few different nice restored or custom ones. Good job sir.

 

[areams]

Any idea how to get the fork tubes unstuck? I assume the springs fully compressed aren't just for show?

 

[Texan]

No, they shouldn't be fully compressed. The upper and lower fork tubes are metal on metal, so it is likely they are rusted/frozen together. The springs are held in by the "cups" on each end. They can be a pain, because as you turn one end to release it, the other end engages further in, so you have to find a way to block one end from rotating. My forks were bent and slightly stuck together, I think a rubber mallet helped me free them. Here is some pics to show you what you will be working with.

 

[areams]

I was FINALLY able to get the front forks apart. 3 days worth of pb blaster and finally with the help of a jack and ratchet strap, they separated.

Had to cut a spring out because someone had tried to re weld the spring cup for some reason and that welded the spring to the cup so it wouldn’t turn out. New springs and cups are on the way. Made my own flapper wheel with a dowel and some sand paper to clean the inner tubes out. Lots of wire wheel action to the outer tubes.

Also, got half of my seat cover sewed up this weekend. Happy with how it turned out for my first time with vinyl.

 

[areams]

Texan

Did you have any trouble reassembling after forks were painted? Mine seem like they have good clearance now but I’m worried if I paint if that will cause binding.

 

[Texan]

Texan

Did you have any trouble reassembling after forks were painted? Mine seem like they have good clearance now but I’m worried if I paint if that will cause binding.

I wire wheeled the upper forks really smooth, then used a Dremel flex shaft to clean the inside of the lower forks. I didn't have any trouble sticking them back together, even with multiple coats of enamel paint. I also lightly coated the contact areas with a good multipurpose grease.

 

[areams]

Here’s my progress so far. Got the motor all finished up today with my carb adapter finally showing up. Can’t wait to fire it up. Got the wheels painted and bracket for the rear disc brake welded up also. No more scrub brake. Got most of the fender painted, still need to add the red and gold stripe. The tank needs resprayed since the stinkin clear reacted poorly with the paint. But will get repainted with the same color scheme.

 

[pRoFiT]

Wow this thread seemed vaguely familiar. i Looked at Texan threads and sure enough i helped Texan figure out what bike this was when he got one.

Nice find areams, looks like you are making good progress. um..Are you in high school? looks like shop class

 

[areams]

Thanks, I figured those that had helped out with some questions would like to see some progress.

You’re not wrong! It is shop class. It’s been a great project for the kids to learn with. Love having people with experience on this site help me out with some tips (like how the forks come apart). First mini bike for me so even I’m learning some stuff!

 

[areams]

Got the front forks painted and reassembled today. I was worried about painting the tubes that slide inside the lower fork tubes but after greasing and assembling, no problems at all!

Replaced both springs and cups with some from omb warehouse. Little larger diameters than the originals but look great and are a little stiffer than I thought. Should be perfect though.

 

[areams]

And finished. Still need to strip and repaint the tank, but it’ll do for now. I was a little disappointed I wasn’t able to use my torque converter with this chassis and motor Combo but oh well. It will get the original motor put back on eventually, just wanted to break in my GX140 build first.

 

[landuse]

Sweet!!!!

Does the air filter not get in the way of your leg?

 

[areams]

Sweet!!!!

Does the air filter not get in the way of your leg?

Thanks! I added a wood dowel for now for an extension foot peg. Without it I could get my heel on the peg and clear the carb and filter. With the peg added it’s much easier to get most of my foot on there.

Once I put the HS40 back on there, I will get new foot peg grips and make it appear more original. That puts the carb straight back instead of to the side.

 

[Texan]

Nice job bringing it back to life I sourced some of the original style Hunt Wilde foot peg grips for my bikes, had to buy them in bulk, so I have extras if you need a pair.