Well...they are aircooled....

[jspbtown]

So after retiring from building old Dune buggies (4 including a real Manx and a Deserter) and several vintage kit cars (Kelmark, Bradley GT & GTII, Sterling. Manta Mirage, Speedster & Avenger) I was enjoying my time away from rust and fiberglass dust.

But I started to get the itch again. My cars are newer and reliable so other than routine maintenance they don't need anything. I really don't want to get into the buggies again because they are a lot of work (I did everything including the body and paint). So I saw these little toys for sale locally for dirt cheap.

The trike is a Alsport from the 1970's I assume. It came with 3 different motors. Its in real nice shape overall with just minimal rust (I am in the northeast so I know rust!). I've got 3 motors to choose from and might so some custom glass work.

The minibike is really nothing fancy. Disassemble it, paint it, reupholster it and its done.

Just something an old man can keep himself busy with

[Chad1376]

Those look like a fun project. I've kinda had the itch to get an old Taco mini bike and hot rod it. I'm not sure what I would do with it after that, but it would be fun.

I see HF Predator in the background. FYI, you can mod the heck out of those, big cam, heavy springs, billet rod, rockers, slide carb etc, etc. I believe there's similar goodies for the old flathead motors too, but I think they are getting more rare and pricey.
_________________
My never ending 1302 Autocross Project:
http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=51&a...02b8f83f22

[jspbtown]

Blew the trike apart yesterday. It was kinda nice being able to tear something down in a couple of hours. Despite being neglected for so long things were in pretty good shape.

I will be stripping it down to bare metal. prime with epoxy I have, then probably go silver on the chassis, black on some suspension components and then a real bright color on the fiberglass part. I will also do some black upholstery.

[mark tucker]

my 4 wheeler is air cooled, my dirt bike is air cooled, my lawn mower is air cooled..even my electrick riding mower is air cooled. wtf even I am air cooled!!!hell my wofes honda eklemt is air cooled.....the air removed some of the heat from the radiator... as does my new roadster. witch is also kool.

[jspbtown]

Have finished all the welding I had to do. I added some 1" square stock near the dual drum brakes to give the braking band some additional stability.

Also added a brace on the support for the fiberglass and cut off the simple angle iron support for the fenders and used some 1/4" flat stock and some 3/4" round tube to make a much nicer brace.

Still trying to figure out how to run the brake lines and throttle cable to the back without using zip ties. I am thinking maybe some steel brake line tube welded to the main tube to run the cables to the back?

Got my resin too so I will be adding a few layers of fiberglass to the underside of the seat and then do the needed repairs on the top.


Also ordered the brake handles and throttle kit

[jspbtown]

Pint done.

Just need to upholster the seat and finish assembly

[Chad1376]

I dig it. Very nice work. Projects like these are great, since they are do-able without a gigantic time and money investment.

Just curious, is that 1-wheel drive, straight axle, or does it have a diff of some sort?

If it's a straight axle, I think the only way to get it to turn well, will be to lean to the outside, get the weight off the inside wheel, and let it spin...kart technique.
_________________
My never ending 1302 Autocross Project:
http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=51&a...02b8f83f22

[jspbtown]

It has a rear differential with dual rear brakes. I was told you use them to make it turn better

[oprn]

This one is air cooled too!

[jspbtown]

Well its just about done. Ordered the wrong clutch/chain combo so that's coming this week. Also was just ONE ss button head screw short so I had to order some.

Now onto this little guy...

[jspbtown]

Listed it for sale and actually had a guy offer me a hang glider in trae?

Huh?

I told him it, or my wife, would kill me.

[p0rschenut69]

Maybe try it off a cliff lol

[jspbtown]

Well sold the trike....and its a great story.

A guy from Long Island bought it. Apparently his father owned a lawn mower repair business in the 1970s and sold Alsport trikes. The guy said he was too young to drive them but his older brothers were allowed to.

He was reminiscing with them the other day and, on a whim, decided to look to see if there were any around. He found mine on EBAY and we struck a deal.

I guess he just wanted to experience a part of his youth that he was unable to do at the time.

[Enkiel]

[jspbtown]

Just about finished with the mini-bike I purchased.

All the body work done, in high build, and should maybe be shooting the fenders and tank this weekend. Then need to paint the frame and all the little add ons. Weather is finally warming up so its a good time to finish up.

Speaking on finishing up.....a local seller was selling two of these little old school minibikes (pit bikes as some call them) for $400. Offered him $300 for the pair and I picked them up yesterday. Looks like I am back to sanding and painting again!

[jspbtown]

Finally starting the assembly phase. Damn pandemic makes getting some parts a very long process. EBAY sellers seem to be real quick. Amazon is weeks now.

[jspbtown]

Finally finished the Harley styled minibike (A Baja 165 apparently) and looks like I have 3 interested parties. Fun little project.

Also moved onto the 2nd of 3 that I have acquired. I think they call it a Doodlebug. Its much smaller than the Baja but has the same engine in it so it will certainly move out.

This one is painted acid rain metallic.

Third one will be a sky blue metallic.

Gotta keep busy during these weird times...

[Da TOW'D]

[jspbtown]

Well that one didn't last long. Sold it for full price yesterday.

Damn...I was hoping to hold onto all 3 of them for a while.

Gold one should be ready this weekend.

Third one gets pulled in tonight I guess.

[oprn]