Picked up a project-looking for pointers

md2020

New Member
#1
Hey, it’s been a while. I’m back in action. I bought and sold many a bike since I was on here last.
Picked up an Arco bushwhacker for very cheap. Didn’t know what it was when I bought it, but the price was right.
It appears to be all there. obviously some modifications were made over the years.
what do you guys suggest? Should I tear this thing down and do a full rebuild?
Where would I source the wheel bearings? These are the original wheels looks like. Also looks like PO welded the pegs… i’m stuck on the corner of making this thing a ripper, or going the old-school route. I miss my Ruttman.
image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg
 

Minimichael

Well-Known Member
#2
I'd tear it down in the interest of safety. It looks like a fun bike to ride and I bet some fresh paint and handlebar riser repair would make it a hunner percent road worthy again. That big, stock sprocket looks ready to rip right now, especially in relation to what your clone engine can likely do.

I'd only ask is the foot brake sufficient? But if you do go full restore I'd say add a clutch band brake because of their old school look.

For the wheel bearings, I believe you just get the number off the bearing side, and you may have to pull it out to get a read on that. It's a whole bearing code language thing.

Congrats on your cool bushwacker, if that's what it is. The front end looks just like a mystery bike I have here, so now you got me thinking. Anyway, welcome back and good luck!
 

Attachments

md2020

New Member
#5
Welcome back, I have a bushwhacker roller I pulled out yesterday if you need anything off of it , I won't be doing anything with it, too bad your so far? looking forward to see which way you go with it, keep us posted......
Thanks all! Picked up some bearings and got those in the fronts. Anything that moves/rolls or gets sat on needs replacement.
I did take it for a brief spin to see what it felt like. I was really surprised actually- like really surprised! Very smooth ride overall, much more than what I'm used to. The last mini I rode was a Coleman and that thing just felt unwieldy.
Minimichael- You were right. I changed the oil in that clone and that sprocket does rip!! The engine will be getting the billet flywheel treatment at some point. I do have a 9hp briggs, but I don't think its gonna fit, unfortunately.

Minibikefever- you said you had one of these? That's an awesome offer from ya, if you're going to part it out, I'd of course kick you the $$$. I don't know what parts your frame still has on it, but the chainguard stuff is missing on mine as well as the gas tank. Not that I absolutely gotta have the tank since the engine already has one. I always dug the period correct "old school look", but now I
get the hype with the clone engines. I don't know
 

minibikefever

Well-Known Member
#7
Thanks all! Picked up some bearings and got those in the fronts. Anything that moves/rolls or gets sat on needs replacement.
I did take it for a brief spin to see what it felt like. I was really surprised actually- like really surprised! Very smooth ride overall, much more than what I'm used to. The last mini I rode was a Coleman and that thing just felt unwieldy.
Minimichael- You were right. I changed the oil in that clone and that sprocket does rip!! The engine will be getting the billet flywheel treatment at some point. I do have a 9hp briggs, but I don't think its gonna fit, unfortunately.

Minibikefever- you said you had one of these? That's an awesome offer from ya, if you're going to part it out, I'd of course kick you the $$$. I don't know what parts your frame still has on it, but the chainguard stuff is missing on mine as well as the gas tank. Not that I absolutely gotta have the tank since the engine already has one. I always dug the period correct "old school look", but now I
get the hype with the clone engines. I don't know
Here's the one I have in my pile of misfit toys, rollers and frames that are in my way, Too bad your so far away, the PO cut the tank in half and put a hinge on it and made a glovebox out of it but he lost the top (idiot), if I can help let me know....
 

Attachments

md2020

New Member
#8
What do you guys suggest I do about this bolt hole? This is for the rear wheel. I was wondering if I welded a bushing to the other side if that would hold up over time. image.jpg image.jpg
 

Triley41395

Well-Known Member
#12
What do you guys suggest I do about this bolt hole? This is for the rear wheel. I was wondering if I welded a bushing to the other side if that would hold up over time.
If you do weld the bushing, just tack it first and check to make sure it's straight.
Any of the suggestions will work but with all of them you need to make sure it's straight. Would suck to finish the bike only to find out the rear wheel sits crooked.
 

Oldsalt

Well-Known Member
#13
Hey, it’s been a while. I’m back in action. I bought and sold many a bike since I was on here last.
Picked up an Arco bushwhacker for very cheap. Didn’t know what it was when I bought it, but the price was right.
It appears to be all there. obviously some modifications were made over the years.
what do you guys suggest? Should I tear this thing down and do a full rebuild?
Where would I source the wheel bearings? These are the original wheels looks like. Also looks like PO welded the pegs… i’m stuck on the corner of making this thing a ripper, or going the old-school route. I miss my Ruttman.
View attachment 319135 View attachment 319136 View attachment 319137 View attachment 319138 View attachment 319139
That's a really nice start for a great project with a nice engine. I attached a pic of mine. It was found in a field [no engine]. The vegetation was very high so it was hit by a tractor plowing the field. REALLY bent it up. The wheels were almost unsalvagable. I opened up the frame height so a 7 HP engine could fit. Had the engine and the tank and the seat on hand so I didn't have much money in it. Found the vari-drive on the floor of a junk car at the scrap yard. One of my favorite go-fast mini bikes! On that rear axle problem: I'd make a lay-out of the frame on the bench and draw a 90 degree line across where the rear axle should be. Position the frame on the lay-out and stick a solid rod in the good hole and aline the rod with the 90 degree line. Then measure on right and left to get the dummy axle the same distance on both sides. Tack on a healthy washer and everything should be OK. 100_0108.JPG
 

md2020

New Member
#14
Well here's the "finished" product. Through what I've found, I discovered that this is indeed an Arco, but it is not a bushwhacker as I'd first suspected. Apparently Arco made bikes for Montgomery Ward and this is one of the models they carried. Mostly identical to the Bushwhacker, but the kickstand and front fork piece that looks like a headlight would go are the differences. I picked up one of those Predator Ghost engines. This thing does around 48 MPH which, for me, is scary fast on this bike. More on that here in a second...
Oldsalt your ARCO looks FANTASTIC! I love how you brought it back to life. I dig the color scheme. Your wheels look great. did you have to true them at all..

As for my bike, I rushed it thinking I had the bushing just right, well I was actually off by a hair. I used the wheel as a reference which was a mistake because both the front and rear wheels are bent.
I am at a point now where I'm wondering if I should replace the wheels (and rear sprocket as its off kilter as well and welded to the wheel) because this thing throws the chain pretty easily.
The new engine is really powerful, so I think the frame flex coupled with my wheel issue is contributing to the chain throwing problem.
I just ordered some gold "Xtreme" cart chain and wanted to try that before I went nuclear replacing the wheels. I like these stock wheels and they are not to be found anywhere. Could the wheels be fixed? There is a cracked weld in the spindle of the front wheel. Pretty sure this thing crashed at some point in it's life. Which makes Oldsalts bike even more amazing being venerable in a field with giant threshers running amok!!

What do you guys suggest??
IMG_2253.jpg IMG_2252.jpg IMG_2253.jpg
 
#15
Your bike turned out looking great !

For the wheels, I'd suggest trying to find some that would fit your tires. Maybe some Chinese wire spoked dirt bike rims, or maybe even scooter rims ?

Once you get tru wheels, it'll feel a lot better. Be safe, that's a monster of a motor, relative to your frame size and weight.

Keep us posted.
 
#16
Amazon has some good looking "pit bike" wheels. Anodized aluminum. They do list front and rear, but you might have some challenges finding a sprocket.
Your bike looks fantastic!
I am pretty conservative with my RPM and max speed. I do not ride on pavement because there is none near my home, but 48 MPH on a mini bike sounds too fast for me!
Have fun and be safe.
 

Minimichael

Well-Known Member
#17
More a work of art than work vehicle? It looks awesome, and fun to ride. If you change out the wheels they have to have the pinstriping! You might try a taller front wheel for improved handling. She's a beauty tho!
 
#18
Amazon has some good looking "pit bike" wheels. Anodized aluminum. They do list front and rear, but you might have some challenges finding a sprocket.
Your bike looks fantastic!
I am pretty conservative with my RPM and max speed. I do not ride on pavement because there is none near my home, but 48 MPH on a mini bike sounds too fast for me!
Have fun and be safe.
Yes, pit bike wheels. I was thinking that but forgot what they were called... lol, and scooter was all I could come up with. :)
 

md2020

New Member
#19
The tires should honestly also be replaced. They’re old Cheng Shens and they’re pretty cracked. I remember this brand being on my old huffy when I was a kid.
Is there a trick to wheel vs tire size? Like these tires are 3.00 - 10.00 which I assume 3” width 10” diameter. I don’t want to order the wrong combinations if I can help it!
Thanks, you guys!
 
#20
10 is the wheel size. the wheel and tire need to be the same size...wheel outside diameter is tire inside diameter.
The 3 is (roughly) the tire inflated width. The wheel width is usually about roughly 70% of the tire width. Anything close should be fine.
If you are buying wheels and tires, it might be nice to use a 12 inch wheel and tire up front and a 10 inch combination in the rear. As stated above, that should make the bike more stable at cruising speed. I agree with @Minimichael , the pinstriping should be applied to the new wheels.
 
Last edited:
Top