Fury Bird - knowledge gathering

[CrustyBird]

When I was a young kid in the 70s, my dad made picked up a little red Fury Bird mini bike at the local auction house. We still have it, just drug it out of the shed yesterday, now i'm wondering what I should do with it. I'd like to know more about the company that built it, how many were produced and whatever other details would be helpful before I do something I'll regret. Are there many of these bikes out there yet?
The 3hp Briggs will need a lot of work...or I could buy a Predator to replace it. Obviously the purists will tell me to leave it original, but if my goal is to get a decent performing little bike, what's really my best option?

 

[RobertC]

Welcome to the OldMiniBikes CrustyBird...!

Your best option in my opinion, is to thoroughly clean up, then assemble your bike as original.

Original motor too.

To me, it appears you have an original survivor mini bike.

 

[CrustyBird]

Welcome to the OldMiniBikes CrustyBird...!

Your best option in my opinion, is to thoroughly clean up, then assemble your bike as original.

Original motor too.

To me, it appears you have an original survivor mini bike.

Thanks RobertC! Yeah that's kind of what I thought too...hate to bastardize it, but would love to get a little better performance than the 3hp briggs. I'm not quite sure if that's the original engine or not...I know it's the one we got with it back in approx 1975 or 1976.
I started the teardown today, but only to get it cleaned up right now. I'd definitely like to keep the orginal look...was thinking of a repaint, but maybe just a cleanup and keep it the way it is. I did find a repop fork decal, but it's not exact...might try to get another custom made.

 

[Brooklyn Bob]

Welcome to the minibike madness. Nice bike!

 

[RobertC]

I'd just clean it good.

I'm not sure if the engine is original, but it appears of the same era. @markus , @SimpleTom , @capguncowboy do y'all know ?

And I would not put anything over the original sticker.

I'm tellin' ya' it is difficult to find an original survivor.

 

[RobertC]

Also, check in with @manchester1 , she may be able to advise you on whether the seat can be repaired ?

 

[CrustyBird]

so just for clarity's sake - you're saying do NOT repaint the frame? Just keep it as original?

 

[CrustyBird]

Welcome to the minibike madness. Nice bike!

thank you!

 

[golden pinto]

Nice bike ,I would restore it ! But that’s me. The bird’s had unique names . Remember,these were made for kids ,not 200 lb adults. ‍♂️ Mick

 

[RobertC]

so just for clarity's sake - you're saying do NOT repaint the frame? Just keep it as original?

Yes, exactly, keep the original paint.

I think you'll be impressed how nice it will clean up.

In the end though it is your bike, I am just giving you my opinion.

 

[Rowedoo]

Stick with the original paint.....But if the motor is bad put an HF one on and a different seat and drive it......But save the old parts .

 

[Tom S.]

Fury Bird - what a great minibike name. Welcome. This is a great site. Here is how to date your engine.

Check Briggs & Stratton Model and Build Date

 

[capguncowboy]

I doubt the Briggs engine is factory, even if it is from the correct time frame. The white portion of the seat is made from heat pleated vinyl. It looks like they've come apart and I doubt that can be fixed, but Karen (@manchester1) can tell you for sure.

It's a cool project though! If you decide to give it a detailed cleaning, be sure to start a thread in the projects section.

 

[markus]

they came standard with a Tecumseh H35 (3.5hp) , Your bike is an earlier version, like 1970/71 since it has the bolt on style kickstand, later ones got the welded on centerstand.

 

[manchester1]

Keep it original. Just wax it. Not sure I can save that seat, I would need better photos. I did make one of those seats before. Check the photo gallery. "Media section".

 

[CrustyBird]

Keep it original. Just wax it. Not sure I can save that seat, I would need better photos. I did make one of those seats before. Check the photo gallery. "Media section".

wow...you sure did! nice work!

 

[Taco Loco Joe]

Birds had the Coolest names and fork plate decals. I have a frame with the double kickstand.

 

[DaddyJohn]

Obviously the purists will tell me to leave it original, but if my goal is to get a decent performing little bike, what's really my best option?

Finding a Baja, Motovox, Monster Moto, etc. Chinese minibike and doing a Predator swap would be my advice for higher performance.
Your cost outlay would be pretty low...

Otherwise, that little bike is awesome as is, as many have already stated. It's the original Angry Bird!

Found a reproduced decal; love it!

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5335845805&icep_item=123687502509