| Good ole mini bikes, an evolution from the go cart, | | | | designed with a centrifugal clutch, chain and sprocket |
| have been a form of recreation and fun for many | | | | assemblies to drive them. As the newer two cycle |
| decades now. Mini Bikes are a great way to put some | | | | engines came into the picture, these smaller cc engines |
| additional fun and entertainment into those outdoor and | | | | were much like their counterpart, larger motorcycles. |
| camping vacations. Being relatively small and not very | | | | They included a gearbox and shift lever that changes |
| heavy, mini bikes are pretty easy to find a spot for to | | | | ratios and gives a variety of ranges to use depending |
| take along no matter where you may be heading. | | | | on the terrain or need of the driver. |
| Adults and kids alike can have a lot of fun taking a spin | | | | The first brake systems were simply a steel pad that |
| on one of these classics. | | | | was mounted in front of the rear tire and actuated |
| Still today, these two wheeled wonders are doing their | | | | with a metal rod attached that was pushed by the |
| part to take outdoor recreation to the next level. | | | | drivers foot to make the steel pad rub on the tire |
| Popular manufacturers of past like Rupp and Fox took | | | | creating friction to stop the bike. It then evolved to |
| advantage of this excitement in the 50's, 60's and | | | | drum brakes that were located inside of a steel hub |
| even into the 70's as these small machines were a | | | | attached to the main drive sprocket on the rear tire. A |
| huge craze to the masses. Manco still to this day | | | | cable was connected to an actuating lever of the |
| makes various versions of this old time favorite. There | | | | brake shoes and usually ran up to the handle bars and |
| are still plans available that one can purchase and use | | | | hooked to a lever much like regular bikes use today. |
| to make their own homemade frame. Even kits can | | | | When the lever is squeezed by the driver on the |
| still be found that one can build and assemble | | | | handle bars, a cable pulls the brake actuator and |
| themselves which saves a few dollars on a minibike | | | | applies the brake shoes to the drum. Finally instead of |
| purchase. The original mini bike was a solid steel frame | | | | a brake drum system, a rotor was used and a caliper |
| welded together, but as time went on they started | | | | which holds disk brake pads. The pads squeeze the |
| adding springs in the forks and to the rear of the | | | | rotor when a lever on the handle bars is applied by the |
| frame as shock absorbers, making it a much smoother | | | | driver through a cable. Some of the more |
| to ride. Some of the latest versions do have shock | | | | sophisticated and expensive mini bikes actually have |
| absorbers just like motorcycles. | | | | hydraulically applied drum or disk brakes much like that |
| Originally they were powered mainly by four cycle | | | | on an automobile. |
| Briggs & Stratton and Tecumseh engines. These | | | | Mini bikes have withstood the test of time and still play |
| were very popular choices of days past. Occasionally | | | | a big part in creating excitement and fun for many |
| you might find a Kohler engine here or there. Today | | | | families. It doesn't matter if it's summer or winter, the |
| these old favorites are still in use along with some of | | | | mini bike can give everyone something to do outside |
| the new manufacturers like, Honda, Suzuki and | | | | year around and have a real blast. |
| Kawasaki. Most of the original mini bikes were | | | | |