Broncco TX1 Frame and misc parts

C

CrossleRacer

Member
#1
#1
Hi

I'm considering buying a Broncco TX1 Frame - it includes the wrong engine (modern), wrong wheels, etc- but does run. Looks like the frame is in good shape- needs to be painted and has shocks etc.

Here's my question- I can buy this for $200, then put together some type of vintage bike- however it's probably not practical to try to find all the parts to fully restore it? So - what would much smarter people than me do- is it worth buying and making a vintage bike out of misc vintage parts? Or should steer clear.

Thx, Paul
 
C

cfh

Well-Known Member
#3
#3
pictures would really help. but on these Bronccos, the thing that makes them unique, among many things, is the 7" alloy wheels. if you're missing those, you're missing a lot. Gas tank needs to be present too. And tires need to be in decent shape (because 7" tires are hard to find.) Also brakes. The front and rear are disc and if the wheels are missing, then so is the brake rotor. that's a big deal. Handlebars are unique on this model. would be nice if those were there. Fenders too. The tubular under-seat toolbox is always missing, but that isn't going to make the bike ride or work any better!

The seat you can have made. The jackshaft stuff you can make. A good Tecumseh flat head painted white will work. Personally i would use a Torque converter on this model (opposed to a clutch), but that's me. Clutch guard will be missing for sure, but that's a pretty easy thing to make or use a Comet style (if you go torque converter route.) The kickstand is unique to Broncco too, but I was able to adopted a type of kickstand that looks very similar and that is readily available.

I did a similar thing to what you are doing a while back on a pair of Bronccos. Bought rollers with some missing parts. this is how it turned out... Note the green one has Tx1 handlebars and the orange one has Tx2 handlebars. Either is fine but technically the green bike's bars are correct. I used HS50 engines for both. The orange Tx1 really started out as a Tx2, that i converted to a Tx1 (adding rear suspension and the jackshaft.) I converted to a drum rear brake (wheel off I think a Tx6.) Note if you do convert to a series30 torque converter, you have to move the footpegs a bit forward (which is actually good, as it's a better position.)

before: http://www.pinrepair.com/minibikes/p/broncco01.jpg
after: http://www.pinrepair.com/minibikes/p/broncco79.jpg
 
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H

Havasu Dave

Moderator
#4
#4
CrossleRacer said:
So - what would much smarter people than me do- is it worth buying and making a vintage bike out of misc vintage parts? Or should steer clear. Thx, Paul
Click to expand...
You asked about the "smarter people" so that rules me out! I routinely buy beat up stuff with missing parts, and then spend 2/3rds more than the machine is worth, finding parts, fabricating, chroming and painting. That is what you are looking at with accurate restoration of vintage bikes. It's a labor of love. There isn't much out there these days for $200, and the value is always dependent upon the nostalgic needs of the buyer.
 
C

cfh

Well-Known Member
#5
#5
Dave is pretty correct about that! ha!!
my approach is a bit different though. i don't do the expensive chrome thing. i guess you could say i cut costs (corners.) Because as Dave said, in the end you could easily spend way more than the bike is worth in parts and chrome. so i take a different approach, as seen in my post above. Make my own jackshaft parts and clutch cover and exhaust, etc. I like doing this, also saves a crap load of money. Also i powder coat opposed to doing chrome (since i do my own powder coating costs are lower.) And i ride my goofy bikes. Expensive restorations kind of get ruined when you take your creation out on the trails... But everyone does this stuff differently and for different reasons. You need to figure out what your reasons and approach will be...
 
C

CrossleRacer

Member
#6
#6
Thank you for all of the replies. The bike doesn't have correct wheels, or fenders- or even handlebars and seat. It's really just a frame with shocks and then misc incorrect parts. If the frame was super desirable i would consider it - and build a vintage looking bike. But i don't think an accurate restoration is worth it. Thx, i appreciate the comments. Paul
 
Lizardking

Lizardking

Well-Known Member
#10
#10
CrossleRacer said:
Here's a photo-
Click to expand...
Looks like most everything is there to be a fun rider! Not all of them have to be all original parts to be fun bikes in my book. If it caught your eye then don't worry what we think is a desirable frame to build back to OG. Some ape bars would make that bike look more vintage.

The advice given by fellow mini bikers is dead on.. if you're looking to collect mini bikes then you're better off buying them complete and original. I agree that $200 doesn't get much bike at least in my neck of the woods. Its a fair bike as long as the frame hasn't been hacked up.
 
Lizardking

Lizardking

Well-Known Member
#11
#11
cfh said:
pictures would really help. but on these Bronccos, the thing that makes them unique, among many things, is the 7" alloy wheels. if you're missing those, you're missing a lot. Gas tank needs to be present too. And tires need to be in decent shape (because 7" tires are hard to find.) Also brakes. The front and rear are disc and if the wheels are missing, then so is the brake rotor. that's a big deal. Handlebars are unique on this model. would be nice if those were there. Fenders too. The tubular under-seat toolbox is always missing, but that isn't going to make the bike ride or work any better!

The seat you can have made. The jackshaft stuff you can make. A good Tecumseh flat head painted white will work. Personally i would use a Torque converter on this model (opposed to a clutch), but that's me. Clutch guard will be missing for sure, but that's a pretty easy thing to make or use a Comet style (if you go torque converter route.) The kickstand is unique to Broncco too, but I was able to adopted a type of kickstand that looks very similar and that is readily available.

I did a similar thing to what you are doing a while back on a pair of Bronccos. Bought rollers with some missing parts. this is how it turned out... Note the green one has Tx1 handlebars and the orange one has Tx2 handlebars. Either is fine but technically the green bike's bars are correct. I used HS50 engines for both. The orange Tx1 really started out as a Tx2, that i converted to a Tx1 (adding rear suspension and the jackshaft.) I converted to a drum rear brake (wheel off I think a Tx6.) Note if you do convert to a series30 torque converter, you have to move the footpegs a bit forward (which is actually good, as it's a better position.)

before: http://www.pinrepair.com/minibikes/p/broncco01.jpg
after: http://www.pinrepair.com/minibikes/p/broncco79.jpg
Click to expand...
Those bikes came out great! They do look like they're begging for headlights! Was headlights an option on those bikes?
 
C

cfh

Well-Known Member
#12
#12
Cross on your bike... man i don't know. the wheels is what's killing it for me. those tiny wheels, that's just not going to ride very nice (or safe.) I guess you could get Azuza 10" wheels (if they fit.) There's a guy selling Azuza 10" wheels with tires and bearings AND full drum brakes for $35 a wheel (plus shipping, turned out to be $100 to my door for a pair.) that would be great (again if they fit.) But those tiny wheels... I would pass personally. also get rid of that china motor, it looks like 10 pounds in a 5 pound bag. i'm sure the thing kicks butt with that engine though, in a dangerous sort of way!

but if the 10" azuza wheels fit, new handle bars (10" wheel speedway bars would probably work decent), it might be decent. Would be nice to get an original gas tank, that would make it look like a Broncco (right now the look is ruined with the motor and tiny wheels.) Again it would all hinge, at least to me, on wheels...

Liz on the lights... there were two versions of the Tx1 but the difference was front suspension and handlebars. Broncco made a "trailblazer" model later that had a light, basically a lighted Tx1. but the original 1969/1970 Broncco Tx1 models had no lights.
http://www.pinrepair.com/minibikes/broncco_ad1.jpg
http://www.pinrepair.com/minibikes/broncco_tx1d.jpg
http://www.pinrepair.com/minibikes/broncco_tx1d1.jpg
 
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1

1971_MB1A

Well-Known Member
#13
#13
cfh said:
Cross on your bike... man i don't know. the wheels is what's killing it for me. those tiny wheels, that's just not going to ride very nice (or safe.) I guess you could get Azuza 10" wheels (if they fit.) There's a guy selling Azuza 10" wheels with tires and bearings AND full drum brakes for $35 a wheel (plus shipping, turned out to be $100 to my door for a pair.) that would be great (again if they fit.) But those tiny wheels... I would pass personally. also get rid of that china motor, it looks like 10 pounds in a 5 pound bag. i'm sure the thing kicks butt with that engine though, in a dangerous sort of way!

but if the 10" azuza wheels fit, new handle bars (10" wheel speedway bars would probably work decent), it might be decent. Would be nice to get an original gas tank, that would make it look like a Broncco (right now the look is ruined with the motor and tiny wheels.) Again it would all hinge, at least to me, on wheels...

Liz on the lights... there were two versions of the Tx1 but the difference was front suspension and handlebars. Broncco made a "trailblazer" model later that had a light, basically a lighted Tx1. but the original 1969/1970 Broncco Tx1 models had no lights.
http://www.pinrepair.com/minibikes/broncco_ad1.jpg
http://www.pinrepair.com/minibikes/broncco_tx1d.jpg
http://www.pinrepair.com/minibikes/broncco_tx1d1.jpg
Click to expand...
CrossleRacer said:
Here's a photo-
Click to expand...
I sent a PM to @CrossleRacer about a Broncco "roller" I have with original wheels and original gas tank but he never got back to me.
 
Lizardking

Lizardking

Well-Known Member
#14
#14
cfh said:
Cross on your bike... man i don't know. the wheels is what's killing it for me. those tiny wheels, that's just not going to ride very nice (or safe.) I guess you could get Azuza 10" wheels (if they fit.) There's a guy selling Azuza 10" wheels with tires and bearings AND full drum brakes for $35 a wheel (plus shipping, turned out to be $100 to my door for a pair.) that would be great (again if they fit.) But those tiny wheels... I would pass personally. also get rid of that china motor, it looks like 10 pounds in a 5 pound bag. i'm sure the thing kicks butt with that engine though, in a dangerous sort of way!

but if the 10" azuza wheels fit, new handle bars (10" wheel speedway bars would probably work decent), it might be decent. Would be nice to get an original gas tank, that would make it look like a Broncco (right now the look is ruined with the motor and tiny wheels.) Again it would all hinge, at least to me, on wheels...

Liz on the lights... there were two versions of the Tx1 but the difference was front suspension and handlebars. Broncco made a "trailblazer" model later that had a light, basically a lighted Tx1. but the original 1969/1970 Broncco Tx1 models had no lights.
http://www.pinrepair.com/minibikes/broncco_ad1.jpg
http://www.pinrepair.com/minibikes/broncco_tx1d.jpg
http://www.pinrepair.com/minibikes/broncco_tx1d1.jpg
Click to expand...
Check out this TX6 I saw on the cycleguide. Head light and Taillight. Is it the Trailblazer you mentioned?

Im digging it with lights and that 2stroke too!
 

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C

cfh

Well-Known Member
#15
#15
Personally i avoid the 2stroke Bronccos (and any other non-Fuji minibike motor 2 stroke), because parts are just too hard to find. I would rather have the Tecumseh models. The Hodaka, Sachs, and other brands are just too difficult/expensive.

Here's the 1972 Broncco models... the Trailblazer (basically a lighted Tx1) shown in the link below.
http://www.pinrepair.com/minibikes/broncco1972_models.jpg
 
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