Just found OldMiniBikes. Looks like a great site! I hope someone can help me out.I`m trying to restore a Bonanza Mini Chopper for my son.I`ve had it for a while,and he just spotted in in the garage.It`s missing the motor,chain guard, and gas tank,but everything else seems to be there.This one has the jack shaft still intact.I`m wondering if it should have the 4hp Tecumseh or ?? I have an old Harley alum. oil tank that looks about the same size as the gas tank i`ve seen in other pictures of the bike...It should work...I hope! Can anyone help me out with a complete motor and/or chain guard for the bike?,or point me in the right direction? His B`Days in late May.I`m hoping to have it done then. Thanks in advance for any help! Mark on the Jersey Shore.
New guy needs Bonanza Mini Chopper HELP!
- Thread starter surfbug62
- Start date
If the jackshaft is original, It came with the Hodaka 2 stroke & about 11hp. I think a Tecumseh 4 hp came on the bikes without a jackshaft. The Hodakas are hard to find and pricey. Without the jackshaft, a Tecumseh might work. Here's a link.
BONANZA MODELS ID & BROCHURES
BONANZA MODELS ID & BROCHURES
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Looks like this Bonanza Mini Chopper is a CR-500 model.Thanks for the help from the members in pointing that out.Now the hard part...Can anyone point me in the right direction to find the Hodaka engine,pipe,and lights used on this model? I can`t say i have a ton of $$`s to sink into this,but lets see what happens! Thanks again for help.
Mark on the Jersey Shore
Mark on the Jersey Shore
Bonanaza c500 mini chopper
Well Looks like two of us will be working on the same bike.lol I decided to go with a C500 nini chopper frame in great condition under the light rust.
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Well Looks like two of us will be working on the same bike.lol I decided to go with a C500 nini chopper frame in great condition under the light rust.
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It just depends on finding one first. I see them turn up on ebay every now and again but usually there's like a million people bidding on them. Check out this link it might help you on your quest :thumbsup:
Hodaka Serial Number Identification
Hodaka Serial Number Identification
Mini Chopper
You need to decide if you want to ride it, or spend a lot on a restoration with correct CR 500 and Hodaka correct parts. Since the Hodaka is a healthy 11 hp, consider how old your son is or who would be riding. I have my CR 400 that I've had since 1970, all original and still ride it. It would be easy for you to put your bike together with a tecumseh HS40 using the jackshaft. The chains and small sprockets between the engine could be #35, but the other parts and the rear sprocket could be the ones used with a Hodaka Ace 100 E-series. It will cost you hundreds to thousands depending on if you buy a new Hodaka,(yes, they are still available) as well as all the parts like the special engine mounts, the expansion chamber exhaust, tank, air cleaner, carb, etc. Really any tecumseh 3, 3.5, or 4 hp flathead engine could be used to get started and riding at much less expense.
You need to decide if you want to ride it, or spend a lot on a restoration with correct CR 500 and Hodaka correct parts. Since the Hodaka is a healthy 11 hp, consider how old your son is or who would be riding. I have my CR 400 that I've had since 1970, all original and still ride it. It would be easy for you to put your bike together with a tecumseh HS40 using the jackshaft. The chains and small sprockets between the engine could be #35, but the other parts and the rear sprocket could be the ones used with a Hodaka Ace 100 E-series. It will cost you hundreds to thousands depending on if you buy a new Hodaka,(yes, they are still available) as well as all the parts like the special engine mounts, the expansion chamber exhaust, tank, air cleaner, carb, etc. Really any tecumseh 3, 3.5, or 4 hp flathead engine could be used to get started and riding at much less expense.
Mini Chopper options
I got my Mini Chopper for Christmas in 1970, I think, but I might be off a year or two either direction. I still have all the paperwork including the parts list that shows the options like the chrome cylinder gas tank, the chrome chain guard, the lighting options, and the motor options for the Ace 100. So your CR400 came with the Tecumseh HS40, but had some of the nice options! Nice to hear there's others kept safe.
I got my Mini Chopper for Christmas in 1970, I think, but I might be off a year or two either direction. I still have all the paperwork including the parts list that shows the options like the chrome cylinder gas tank, the chrome chain guard, the lighting options, and the motor options for the Ace 100. So your CR400 came with the Tecumseh HS40, but had some of the nice options! Nice to hear there's others kept safe.
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