Just got a Victor Mini-Scrambler!

[DaddyJohn]

I grew up riding an original ‘69 Honda Z50 mini-trail, so am pretty nostalgic for the model. That said, I’m not nostalgic enough to pay what they go for nowadays! Anyway, when one of these came up within a reasonable driving distance, I jumped on it! It’s a Victor Mini-Scrambler (also sold as a Hap Jones Master). It’s got an H35 Tecumseh on it, and I believe was probably bought as a chassis kit that the local retailer or purchaser could add their own engine to. This one is in remarkably complete condition, and not badly rusted or anything. It’s complete other than that ne
Missing tank badge and a broken off lever. The plan is to repaint the silver parts silver, set aside the H35 (that actually fires on ether) with an HS50 (painted silver to match), redo the seat (needs foam and a new cover made, anyone do this reasonably?), and basically just go through it all and get it working again. Should be fairly easy, other than the seat!

 

[Ding Ding]

Neat bike. Very Honda-like looking features.

 

[Lizardking]

Neat bike. Very Honda-like looking features.

I remember reading somewhere that it used the same gas tank as the Hondas... I could be wrong and be thinking of a different bike..??

 

[DaddyJohn]

I remember reading somewhere that it used the same gas tank as the Hondas... I could be wrong and be thinking of a different bike..??

As near as I can tell, it’s exactly the same, except in chrome. Chrome is pretty decent on this one. Should make it easy getting the mounting rubbers, petcock, and cap gasket.

 

[sparkwizard]

Looks like it is wearing Honda wheels, brakes and bars, too.
Great find!

 

[DaddyJohn]

Looks like it is wearing Honda wheels, brakes and bars, too.
Great find!

Believe it or not, the wheels/brakes are not interchangeable, nor the handlebars. The wheels/brakes are stamped “Victor”, and the bars lack the slot/holes for internal slide-actuated throttle and cable. Also, they don’t have the lever perches integrally welded to them like the Z50. Highly derivative though!

 

[DaddyJohn]

Here is the current state. Runs and rides fine, new wheel and head race bearings, new front brake cable (old one frozen solid), new throttle, kill button, grips ,and brake levers (old ones damaged beyond repair), new tank rubber retaining parts (from Honda Z50), new fuel valve, new clutch and chain, Tec HSSK50, custom seat assembly (have the original, but it needs new foam and cover. Would eventually like to make or buy a more correct exhaust.

 

[DaddyJohn]

Opposite view

 

[manchester1]

Looks great. Nice job.

 

[RobertC]

Congratulations @DaddyJohn that is a great looking mini bike !

 

[sparkwizard]

I am sure you know there are Z50 seats on Ebay and pretty cheap for new knockoffs.
Might not be a bolt on, but you could manage it.
Bike looks great.

 

[DaddyJohn]

I am sure you know there are Z50 seats on Ebay and pretty cheap for new knockoffs.
Might not be a bolt on, but you could manage it.
Bike looks great.

I thought about that, but they aren’t cheap. Not cheap enough to prevent me from having the original restored anyway… As it is, it’s wearing a $10 GPS seat on a bracket made from pieces I cut from the impeller off a vintage ROOF Groundskeeper yard vac/chipper. ROOF also donated a Tec HS40 with a 1” shaft to some future project.

 

[RiderZ]

Man, sweet rebuild.
I kinda like the new seat set up. Pretty cool.

 

[DaddyJohn]

Hey Pard, I got a Z50 seat that needs a little love for you for $5 plus shipping. If I have to drive to Fed Ex, I would have to charge $10 plus shipping.

I would have a hard time turning that down! I can think of a way to mount it that hopefully wouldn’t look too Rube Goldberg…

 

[sparkwizard]

YAAYYY for @Havasu Dave !
That little bike would look and ride better with that seat.
If @DaddyJohn doesn't take it, I will.

 

[RobertC]

That will look so good on there.

For folks that aren't familiar, if I recall correctly, this is the seat design this mini bike used.

Like the Hap Jones, it has many parts common with the Honda mini trail...

Wheels, handlebars, seat.

There were a few other mfg's that made a mini trail look a like, like this, with a pull start motor.

 

[DaddyJohn]

That will look so good on there.

For folks that aren't familiar, if I recall correctly, this is the seat design this mini bike used.

Like the Hap Jones, it has many parts common with the Honda mini trail...

Wheels, handlebars, seat.

There were a few other mfg's that made a mini trail look a like, like this, with a pull start motor.

It uses a different seat design. This one has a sprung seat in a horizontal type layout. Also, the 4 mounting points are flat with the bolts going through vertically.

The Honda would have horizontal tubes that pass through the frame, then two long bolts that insert into the seat base and pass through the frame. I can take a pic of the original seat if anyone is interested. The foam and cover is beyond use, but the base is nice.