1968 Rupp TT500 Rust Bucket

[gumpit]

I picked up the rustiest minibike I have ever seen. It is a 1968 Rupp TT500. It is pitted pretty badly but no rot. I am not going to do a restore. More like a "puttin lipstick on a pig" type of thing. I took it to my buddies house to have him sand blast off as much as possible. I couldn't believe how easily it came apart. The bolts all came out without a problem except for one of the handle bar clamps. I soaked one rim in Evaporust for about a week. I need to get a new 12t gear for the jackshaft. I need one that has a hole all the way through so it can be pinned like the original. Other than that it is going to be just a slow project to do in between my other projects.

 

[gumpit]

More pics

1968 Rupp TT500

 

[buckeye]

Nice project. Those rims are nice as well.
Welcome to my world of rust.

 

[gumpit]

more pics

more to come

 

[gumpit]

And more

more to come

 

[gumpit]

more later

More later

 

[Peekster]

Do I hear the word clone.:thumbsup:

 

[gumpit]

If it fits..... definitely... I need to find a 12t sprocket 35 chain 3/4" ID that has a hole all the way through to pin it instead of set screws. A couple of new bearings and the jackshaft will clean up. I still cant believe how easy everything came apart. Even the forks...

 

[gumpit]

I am thinking of doing the frame in a metalflake blue... I figured it will camouflage some of the pitting...Any thoughts?

 

[buckeye]

Hammered works great for those issues. Limited colors though.

 

[gumpit]

Hammered works great for those issues. Limited colors though.

Hammered tone... That might work. Reminds me of the old D104 Astatic microphone grey base color.

 

[murrayeliminator]

another option is Powdercoating..That hides some blems as well..

 

[buckeye]

Oh for sure pc. No doubt the best. If your wallet can take it.

 

[derekbmn]

IMO powder coating will show flaws every bit as bad as paint and in most cases worse.

 

[buckeye]

Hmm.. I have only pc'd the rims on my Thunderbolt and the were pretty pitted and turned out great.

 

[gumpit]

O.K. I have never had one of these jackshaft set ups. It looks like a clutch goes from the engine to a sprocket on the jackshaft which spins until the secondary clutch/sprocket on the jackshaft starts to spin the rear wheel. I dont understand what exactly this does other than gets the rpm higher so there is maybe more torque on the take off? Someone please explain why this is so desirable or if I should cram in a 6.5 with just 2 different size sprockets on the jackshaft for more low end to haul my fat ass around better at Windber.

 

[70sVintageTrikes]

IMO powder coating will show flaws every bit as bad as paint and in most cases worse.

Just double coat in those cases.:thumbsup:

 

[kbs8ball]

Gumpit thats the 2 speed jack shaft set up....it works real good. That one almost looks rustier than the one smallbikes has or had.

 

[gumpit]

I have been soaking it and it is looking better. I will get some pics when it is done cooking..The springs in it are working and it seems to move fine.

 

[Joe51]

Hello,
Looks like the 1st gear sprocket is missing. But the bearing support for the first gear is there.
Regards