Choosing projects
1. look at lots of pictures of minibikes that people on OldMiniBikes have restored or maodified to ride or show.
2. Decide if you want to ride or restore/show/ or both on a vintage mini, or maybe you'd like a brand new frame made to look like a Frijole on which you plan to put a Honda GX whatever. Here is where your budget starts to guide you.
3. Depending on budget, shop your local Craigslist, swapmeets, or garage sales trying to find a runner, a roller, or just a frame that you like that is the best buy. Cheapest isn't always the best buy if you can get a complete bike or even one that runs for less than $150 or $200, you could be riding in hours or days. Many people on OldMiniBikes grab a common vintage bike and do a paint, seat and running motor re-do so they can ride. If your mind is set on a Bonanza MX 1410 or Taco 100, then your search goes beyond what was already said. Those harder to locate items can be located through OldMiniBikes members, yet the budget starts upward. I bought a Taco 100 roller for $150 off E-bay, beating out others by driving right over. I put maybe $500 total into it to get a near original restoration. I've put a similar amount into a Bonanza mini chopper restoration (with re-chroming).