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PZR
13th September 2006, 19:43
I got this at the Hamilton swap meet at the weekend for the kids to play with. It needs a bit of work to clean it up including brake levers and a quieter exhaust so it does not piss the neighbours off too much but otherwise it seems fine. I would like to know what brand it is if anyone can identify it. Especially the motor. It appears to be a 2 stroke, but I havent had a good look at it yet
If anyone has any bits like levers it will save me making them
Cheers
PZR
:scooter:

Waylander
13th September 2006, 19:51
So you're the one that bought it....

You might try going to the swap meet again next year and, see if they have anything for it lol.

dangerous
13th September 2006, 19:56
I would like to know what brand it is if anyone can identify it.

Harley Davidson I believe... needs tassels tho :mellow:

PZR
13th September 2006, 19:58
Yeah it was me so once I get it tidied I can piss of people and they can complain like in this thread http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=11978
about the dickhead on the mini bike. But I refuse to wear a hoody. Least it does not look like a Harley, but between you and me I do not think it will go round a corner much better. LOL
If its japanese made perhaps I can pretend its a sports bike. Heh heh!! Shouldn't be hard to scrape the pegs anyway as they are only about 100mm off the ground

07fatboy
13th September 2006, 20:04
couldnt tell ya what it is...ive seen a couple in my time but couldnt say i second glanced it...would of been fun for someone in its time

07fatboy
13th September 2006, 20:06
just a second look at it looks like one of those circus clown bikes

PZR
13th September 2006, 20:13
So what are you trying to say exactly?

PZR
13th September 2006, 20:16
Talk about a clown on a bike?
Oooops hang on a minute!!!
Thats me

LilSel
13th September 2006, 20:35
Its a GEMINI.... trying to remember more... but cant right now lol...
hope that helps

LilSel
13th September 2006, 20:39
or maybe not... lol...
*shrug*... that was my guess anyhow

Waylander
13th September 2006, 20:43
first gen street magic?

LilSel
13th September 2006, 20:51
The Gemini's were the mini bike of the 70's... and came with a lawnmower engine... maybe its an old one of them

T.W.R
13th September 2006, 20:52
Looks like a Steen "TACO" either one of four models: 22 , 33 , 55 , or 66. American built from the late 60s early 70s

PZR
13th September 2006, 20:53
I found another picture of a Gemini on Ebay and its very similar in the collapsable handle bar design but that one had a gearbox whereas mine has a variable belt drive but it could well be a different year

PZR
13th September 2006, 20:57
Geez I hope its a Steen look at the price this is going for. Tho mine is different to this
http://cgi.ebay.com/Taco-Mini-Bike-Orginal-Steens-MiniBike_W0QQitemZ190025746310QQcmdZViewItem#ebayp hotohosting

T.W.R
13th September 2006, 21:08
Geez I hope its a Steen look at the price this is going for. Tho mine is different to this
http://cgi.ebay.com/Taco-Mini-Bike-Orginal-Steens-MiniBike_W0QQitemZ190025746310QQcmdZViewItem#ebayp hotohosting

Ha going on the book I've got here (1968 Motorcycle Sport Book 3rd edt, Petersen Specialty Publication) that Taco is model 22 & was supposed to have a 127cc motor and good for 25mph :shit:

LilSel
13th September 2006, 21:12
lol... :D

apart from the engine (no gear box) it does look really similar to an old gemini like one that myself and a mate rebuilt years and years ago...
esp the back where the shocks join.
There's not much info avail on them on the net tho aye...
*been occupied lookin around* lol...
Something that came up tho said that some had a lawnmower engine?...

Best of luck mate :D

PZR
13th September 2006, 21:13
It just goes to show that there is a whole world out there that I know little about. I found this site with dozens of different types of mini bikes if you are interested
http://www.members.tripod.com/JLEIBOVITCH/id32.htm

LilSel
13th September 2006, 21:14
lol TWR... 127cc?? :shit: alright!!!!

Turtle
13th September 2006, 21:20
Looks like a true test to me....came out orriginally with a briggs an stratton engine and centrifugal clutch....came out way bak but im sure someone brought the old jigs recently and are making them new again ????? could be wrong tho

TLDV8
13th September 2006, 21:37
Looks like a true test to me....came out orriginally with a briggs an stratton engine and centrifugal clutch....came out way bak but im sure someone brought the old jigs recently and are making them new again ????? could be wrong tho

The Trutest had no rear suspension that i remember... fwiw
*
The fuel tank looks like Honda Monkey or perhaps early Z50.

T.W.R
13th September 2006, 21:40
lol TWR... 127cc?? :shit: alright!!!!


Here's a scan of the page from the book, the Taco is the bottom one. Check out the others though:eek: :lol:

MidnightMike
13th September 2006, 21:51
Isnt it one of those GN250's ?

PZR
13th September 2006, 21:57
Here's a scan of the page from the book, the Taco is the bottom one. Check out the others though:eek: :lol:

Nope its not any of those

sampers
14th September 2006, 07:36
I think it's selfmade, I think it's an monkey Z50A fuel tank and fork...

PZR
14th September 2006, 12:18
I do not think its self made its got too many well made parts on it like neat little chain adjustors. The handle bar top clamp is cast alloy which no one would do at home. The suspension is also well made if it worked properly (bit more work there). Its definatly factory made and well made at that. Thats not to say it hasn't been messed with since as it looks like the chassis has been lengthed and lots of bits are worn

07fatboy
14th September 2006, 13:15
Talk about a clown on a bike?
Oooops hang on a minute!!!
Thats me

:rofl: :2thumbsup :D ...you no the 1's with the clown suits on at the circus hehehe

T.W.R
14th September 2006, 20:04
Nope its not any of those

:nono: no kidding :innocent: was just meaning check the variety of the wee buggers :yes:

found this last night that looks slightly similar to your mystery mini bike, it's a Ssscat MkII and comparing the similarities & allowing for changes yours may be a MkI ?

PZR
14th September 2006, 21:52
Yeah thats about the closest I have seen so far, lots of similarities, I'll have a look and see if I can find some more pictures. Any idea where it was made?

T.W.R
14th September 2006, 22:07
Any idea where it was made?

Made in the US apparently


found it through that site you linked

PZR
15th September 2006, 19:33
Yeah I got about half thru that list the other night but I did not get to that one. I am stunned how many different types there are and those are only what the US gets. Like I said there is a whole world of the little buggers out there. I love the tiger skin pattern on that sscat. Its cool. Not sure that the plain blue vynal on mine is quite as sheik. I cannot seem to find anything on Gemini's or Trutest

Ixion
15th September 2006, 20:11
Back in the 70s there were heaps of people making these in NZ. Take an engine from a ride on lawn mower, weld up a frame, and some wheels. Some had suspension, some fdidn't . Most were made (literally) in back yards and garages, most models only ran to half a dozen or so. Lot of fun though, early version of pit bikes or mini choppers.

Naki Rat
17th September 2006, 10:36
I got this at the Hamilton swap meet at the weekend for the kids to play with. It needs a bit of work to clean it up including brake levers and a quieter exhaust so it does not piss the neighbours off too much but otherwise it seems fine. I would like to know what brand it is if anyone can identify it. Especially the motor. It appears to be a 2 stroke, but I havent had a good look at it yet
If anyone has any bits like levers it will save me making them
Cheers
PZR
:scooter:

A guy by the name of Johnny Callender, who was the Suzuki dealer in New Plymouth for many years, made the first NZ farm bikes which were similar to this. Check out the following link to a New Plymouth museum posting on him.

http://www.pukeariki.com/en/stories/inventions/callender.asp

Cheers,
Tony

Kickaha
17th September 2006, 12:00
A guy by the name of Johnny Callender, who was the Suzuki dealer in New Plymouth for many years, made the first NZ farm bikes which were similar to this. Check out the following link to a New Plymouth museum posting on him.

http://www.pukeariki.com/en/stories/inventions/callender.asp

Cheers,
Tony

I think a Mountain Goat was the first bike I ever rode, just about crashed it as well

there's two of them on trademe at the moment

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Parts-accessories/Other/auction-70558980.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Parts-accessories/Other/auction-69910505.htm

Bren_chch
17th September 2006, 12:06
I think a Mountain Goat was the first bike I ever rode, just about crashed it as well

there's two of them on trademe at the moment

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Parts-accessories/Other/auction-70558980.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Parts-accessories/Other/auction-69910505.htm

NO that was actually was a mountain goat... !

Kickaha
17th September 2006, 12:08
NO that was actually a mountain goat... not a bike!

ah crap I was sure they were handlebars I was hanging on to,they must have been the horns instead