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By Ty Roth

Mini bikes are similar to motorcycles but smaller. They were most popular in the 60’s and 70’s.

Some are still in production but I think they are too modern to call a mini bike. They don’t have the “raw” factor about them. Nevertheless, mini bikes are tons of fun to tinker around with like I do in my shop with my buddies. If you like to mess around with things that can be called a hobby? I would suggest finding a mini bike. They are fun to build up and experiment around with. I go on rides with my friends really late at night. We usually go out at around 11pm or so, then come back around 4am. I know it seems weird that it’s so late, but it’s the best time to go out for a ride. The police aren’t wasting their time patrolling the country roads where there’s no traffic at such a late hour. I have had multiple mini bikes in my possession over the few years I have been involved with them.

My favorite mini bike is a Rupp, they were predominant in the 70’s, and hence I have a 1970 Rupp Roadster. My dad also has a Rupp Roadster. He and I fully restored it two winters ago. Rupps are more of a comfortable ride than most mini other mini bikes, yet there are some out there that can be comfortable too. Rupps are very stylish though, they have a head light on them too! They also come with a complete wiring kit depending on the condition.  

Restoring mini bikes are very common in collectors. Here is a link to browse through many kinds of mini bikes that have been restored: http://www.ruppparts.com/Customer_Rides.php.  A good place to find a cool old mini bike and restore or just play around with is a car show or swap meet. Jefferson, Wisconsin has one of the best car show/swap meets in the state. It is located in the Jefferson county fairgrounds down town Jefferson. http://www.jeffersoncountyfairpark.com/ .

                Mini bikes are different than motorcycles. Usually if you have a motorcycles chances are it’s a nice one or at least it’s in good condition; whereas mini bikes are usually not so nice looking. Don’t be discouraged as the sight of an old ratty looking mini bike. They are the most fun in that condition. You can have fun looking for parts to fix them or even make your own parts like I sometimes do if I know I can make the specific part. If you are not one to make your own parts they can be bought at car shows or Craigslist http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites/ , or ebay http://www.ebay.com/ , or any other online resource.

                If you are having so much fun with this hobby and you can’t help but do something bigger and better with your mini bike, try looking around for a mini bike rally. A mini bike rally is where hundreds of people gather and they go out for a ride and they come back and put all of their mini bikes on display for all the eager visitors to see and admire. I have never gone to a mini bike rally before but I have read tons of information on them because my dad and I would love to go to one of them.

Mini bikes are a good hobby to start out on and expand out on. You just have to make it what you want. There’s no saying what you have to do to them. It’s what you make of it that makes it so special and fun. So if you are bored and need a hobby that keeps you busy, find a mini bike and have as much fun as you can, but be careful!