Home Made LIL Indian Taco Look Alike Minibike

[MrDjp66]

Do you make them with 7/8 pipe or 1 inch? i cant find 7/8 anywhere..

[XxhockeybladerxX]

Where did u get the wheels?

[MKerror]

@MKerror Hi brother

[snowmangsx1100]

whats happening ? or Que pasa Amigo ?

[snowmangsx1100]

Hola esse qual es su nombre ?

[hotrodimage]

Interested in selling this or making me one?

[snowmangsx1100]

I appreciate the interest but Im gonna keep this one and Ive found out it would be very expensive to build one along with all the needed parts,,see i already had the motor for this one and most all the parts so you can buy a store bought one cheaper than I can build them,,of course they want be the taco look alike but never the less a new minibike with all new parts,,thanks anway brother.

[snowmangsx1100]

I better kepp itand I have thought about buildiung them to sale but there so much Liabilty,,I'll think about it.

[TheJustinMcAdams]

i have the same motor i cant get a throttle together

[snowmangsx1100]

anytime you put motors where they didnt come or they dont belong you simply have to manufacture the throttle linkage yourself,,,all my minibikes have throttle hook ups and linkages made by me and they vary in whats needed,,this is something I cant put in words on how to do i just have to be there and look at whats needed and build it accordingly,,,thanks,

[Kwheelz24]

So cool. I want to make one.

[snowmangsx1100]

aint nothing to it and I have another one built identical to this one only a fuzz smaller,,haha,,I dont have the motor or wheels for it yet but the frame is complete and ready to go,m,,thanks I appreciate it.

[DianaLovesTacos]

Evil Knievel's childhood must had hundreds of these :D

[snowmangsx1100]

very possible...........

[blueridersteam]

Your lil bikes are the coolest .

[snowmangsx1100]

thanks very much I appreciate it but you to can build one,,nothing to it.

[seelder]

where can i get a clutch for a 2 hp briggs and stratton with a 1/2 shaft?

[felderup]

a nicer looking engine is a bike motor engine... could make something much smaller with it, but it wouldn't look right.

[ledzepplin12able]

what did you make the front forks from

[snowmangsx1100]

from the same thing the frame is made from old buddy,,same tubing all the way and bent by hand the entire thing,,nothing to it.

[KrankieV2]

It looks like a fun tiny machine hehe

[snowmangsx1100]

HaHa,,I appreciate it.

[archer1232]

What is the length of the tube that connect from the foot pegs to the back wheel. Also what is the length and width of the engine plate, and laslty what is the height between the top tube and bottom tube.

[snowmangsx1100]

foot peg bar to rear of tube is 17.5------------motor plate is 8 inchs wide----------------frame height inside to inside where motor is is 11.25 inchs,,,hope this helps.

[archer1232]

@snowmangsx1100 Thank you so much. I hope to be making one ot these soon. I already made a mini but i really like the small look of this one. I may modify the frame to look like the green mini you have but the same size as this one.

[snowmangsx1100]

it sure if fun to build stuff,,have you seen the cannon im building,,cant wait to fire it but want to make sure I dont get blown up also,,haha,,check the cannon out if you havent and see what you think .

[snowmangsx1100]

hey I forgot to tell you Ive built another LiL Taco in the last couple days and you will be tickled to see it,,i wasnt going to make a video of it until finished but may make one tomorrow,,I lowered the handle bars on it a tad and made the frame about 1 half inch taller to easier hold the motor,,otherwise the same size as the original,,,why is the color yellow so pretty on them ? haha.

[ladrave]

Yeah, I had to go taller to clear the breather. Just fit. I don't know…it just looks so small and harmless…especially in the yellow. You just think, nobody is gonna get hurt on something this small. You would have a market for your great frames. But I think you would be giving them away. Yours are a classic style that reminds people of better days. If you sell, you should consider selling whole bikes.…made to order. Copyright your designs, though. Excited to see the next one!

[ladrave]

Here's the search string… Home Made LIL Indian Taco Look Alike Minibike Canadian version

Thanks for all the help!

[snowmangsx1100]

Is your video of it on here,,I didnt see it brother,,where is it ?

[snowmangsx1100]

@lMan I am impressed bigtime,,,wow you done a great job and as soon as I figure out how to leave a commenet on your version youtube I will,,for some reason it want let me post a comment but I will,,,,great job.

[ladrave]

Finally got it done! Thanks for sharing your knowledge, measurements and encouragement. Will hopefully soon post a video of my copy of your Little Indian Taco lookalike. I just wish I could make it in sunny Alabama! We have show now!

[snowmangsx1100]

It was my pleasure and cant wait to see it ,,,Rick

[ladrave]

How do you attach the rear sprocket? I have the same wheels you have on the front. I cut some spacers and bolted them between the wheel and the sprocket but the sprocket ended up way off center. Is there a better way? Thanks for any help.

[snowmangsx1100]

hummm,,,ive only done 2 or 3 myself,,,usually I get all the mounting hardware ready and before I drill the holes I slide a extra long axle bolt up through the rim and bearings and then mount it in a vise and then spin the wheel with the sprocket laying on it until it spins true,,then clamp and drill,,,of course depending on how the sprocket is being mounted could cause it to have to be done different ways,,it isnt a easy job thats for sure...

[ladrave]

@snowmangsx1100 Yeah, I already have the four holes in the rim and bought the sprocket that has the same four. I just don't know if the bolts should be tightened on the rim first with one nut, then put the spacers and sprocket on and then add another nut to hold the sprocket on. I tried with just the spacers between the rim and sprocket and it ended up way off. There are no threads in the sprocket or rim. Will it work this way? Did you use bushings to attach the fork to the frame?

[snowmangsx1100]

it helps if the rim is 2 piece,,that way you can seperate the rims and put the sprocket in between the 2 and then run the axle through them and mount it on a vise with the alxe sticking up vertical,that way you can spin the whole thing and get the sprocket spinning true with the rim,then clamp the rims together or if theres a hole going all the way through put a bolt in in it to hold it still and then drill the srocket holes at the same time,youd need a drill bit long enough to reach all the way

[snowmangsx1100]

seems like it would be hard to mount a sprocket to a rim if the holes in the rim arent threaded,,,I drilled and then threaded the holes in my rim,,,what I will do probably is install 6 1/4 inch studs and then screw a nut onto the studs and then put the sprocket on and then put 6 more nuts to hold it hard onto the studs,,best way would to have a spacer but I dont have one and would be hard to make one,,,also i didnt use bushings on the fork I just cut a piece of the same tubing and used that/

[snowmangsx1100]

email me at snowmangsx@charter.net

[redrooster6140]

What a bargin... It has 10 inch rims, I have a 6.5hp clone to put on it with a clutch. It is still a work in progress. I would like to send you some pictures sometime or mabey do a video of them. Now I can actually build my own frame with all your measurements and help. Im just an old guy that's young at heart that like's to tinker around with minibikes and gokarts. Oh I also built a John Deere looking barstool racer which is still being finished. I guess I should finish it first.

[redrooster6140]

Hi Rick.... Yes I would like to swap email address, how can we do that? Thanks again for all the measurements and help. I have a 2 1/2 hp briggs just waiting to be put on something, that's why I want to build the mini taco look alike. I've got a couple of minibikes built. One I got the frame from a guy on ebay and I put a 5.5 hp honda clone engine on it. The second one I picked up a frame kit with the wheels and tires new for $100.00 from someone local, its made by AZUSA mfg,.

[snowmangsx1100]

we'll try it at snowmangsx@charter.net

[redrooster6140]

Hi again... What is the width from side to side of your foot rest? Oh so many questions...thanks again Roger

[snowmangsx1100]

Hello roger,,sounds like we need to exchange email adress's if your that interested,,,but here we go,,the footpeg bar is 16 inchs long,,,from the center of the front axle to the bottom of the first tri-plate is 8.25 inchs ,,from there to the next one inside to inside is 3.75 and from the top of the top tri plate to the top of the handle bars is 9.5 inchs,,,no the wheels are from stuff I had here at home,,the wheels on the green LIL Indian are from northern tool,,im running out of characters.

[redrooster6140]

Hi Rick... What is the measurement from the center of the front axel to the bottom of the first tri-plate and inbetween the two tri-plates. Thanks for all your help... Im so excited to build this mini bike... Roger

[snowmangsx1100]

Heres some more measurments Roger,axle to axle hole is 24 inchs,from rear axle hole to senter of footpegs is 16.5 inchs,inside of frame from inside to inside is 11 inchs,handle bars from inside to inside of tubing is 4.75 inchs,length of piece of tube the handle bars swivel from are 3 5/8ths inchs,width of frame where motor sits is 8.5 outside to outside,some of the measurements will reveil themselves as you build the rest,also i built it day by day with no planes,built it around the motor.

[redrooster6140]

Hi Rick... Have you tried building a mini bike out of square tubing? Just wondered if it would harder or easier I guess you would have to miter the joints where you welded them together. Roger

[snowmangsx1100]

no I havent Roger but seems like it would be kinda wierd looking,,,you can bend square tubing but I dont think it would look right,,my oppinion is to stick with round tubing brother.

[redrooster6140]

Just looking at them has got me excited to build my own. I would like to build the little indian taco look alike. Are your wheels and tires from Harbor Freight? You build the tri-plate and and rear axel hangers. How wide are your front forks and total length of them? What are you using for the fornt axel hangers? they look like 5/8 washers welded on to the ends. How are you bending your pipe? What are you using for your axel bushings? Thank's for all your help. Roger Dixon

[snowmangsx1100]

alrighty,,,yes I do make the axle hangers and triplates,,,the front axle holders I cut from a piece of 1/4 plate and is shaped like a lolli pop,,it isnt a washer but the whole thing cut from plate,,picture a LOLLI Pop with the little narrow end being the hanlde that goes up inside the frame and the round washer looking part comes out the bottom with the hole drilled in it,,much stronger this way,,I dont use axle bushings I simply rely on the wheel bearings,,the axle doesnt turn at all.

[ladrave]

Picked up a 3hp Briggs but the homedepot here in Canada only has 3/4 conduit. About 1/32 thick. No good. Is your pipe wall about 1/8" thick? I'm hoping I can bend it with MAPP gas since I don't have oxy-acetylene. Thanks for all the tips. Chomping at the bit to get it started!

[snowmangsx1100]

It is 3/4 black gas pipe threaded on each end and in 10 ft sections and its thicker than normal minibike tubing and would be impossible to bend without a torch or maybe a hydraulic bender,,,its very very strong tubing,,,they do make regular thinner type tubing thats much easier to bend but this type tubing is much cheaper,,I have the Taco sitting here next to me getting measurements for another guy and it is cute as a new born bunny rabbit,,haha,,I didnt know people would like it so much.

[redrooster6140]

Hi there... I sure am impressed with all the mini bikes that you have built. They look awesome.

[snowmangsx1100]

I appreciate it Roger but the green LIL Indian is my favorite and I could ride it until the cows come home and not get tired of it,,haha,,of course this yellow Taco is probably as easy to ride as the green Indian since I made the handle bars a little taller to clear my knees,,and the yellow taco is a good bit smaller than even the green LIL Indian,,,wait till you see the new LIL Indian Im working on now,,,,gonna be a heart breaker for sure,,,,it may even take over position as my favorite.

[ccabada]

hay has your foot ever got stuck

[snowmangsx1100]

I dont think so,,,haha.

[ladrave]

Yes, thank you! That is a huge help since I have nothing to compare to. What is the best size tubing to use? I don't want to get something that I can't bend. I think we've got a line on a 2.2 Honda from an irrigation pump. Once we get that, we're committed!

[snowmangsx1100]

Im pretty sure its 3/4 inch which is pretty well standard on all minbikes and gokarts...also this taco frame is the easiest one Ive built yet and the home depo piping I ude is hard to bend and you will need a torch,,,,,good luck,,Rick Norris

[ladrave]

OK, you convinced me. My dad had the old popular mechanics with the Tom Thumb plans in it and I never did get around to it. My boys are begging me to try to build one like the little yellow mini Taco. I just had a couple questions. What is the outside diameter of the tires and what is the size and thickness of the tubing you used? Did you fill them with sand before bending to avoid kinks? It's beautiful work. Such a classic look! 100 times better than a pocket bike! 

[snowmangsx1100]

Thanks for the nice comments,,the rims are 4inch and the tire diamter is 10 inchs,,its 24 inchs from axle hole to axle hole,,the length of the bottom farme work from the rear axle hole to the footpegs is 17 inchs,,from where the motor sits to the top inside of the frame is 11inchs,,from the ground to the top of the handle bars is 26 inchs,,from rear of frame where seat mounts to where the frame bends down toward motor is 16 inchs,,frame where motor mounts is 8.5 inchs wide,,,hope this helps.

[snowmangsx1100]

I forgot to ad no I didnt put sand inside the pipe to keep it from kinking but might now in the future,,haha,,,also its standard water and gas pipe they sale at Home depo and its 10 dollars for a 10 ft section,,I think its 3/4 inch but you will recognize it when you buy since the next smaller is way to small and the next larger is way to big,,,easy to pick it out,,,,hope you build you one and I have built another one I have a video of here on youtube only it will handle a 5 hp brigg,,thanks man.

[ladrave]

OK, you convinced me. My dad had the old popular mechanics with the Tom Thumb plans in it and I never did get around to it. My boys are begging me to try to build one like the little yellow mini Taco. I just had a couple questions. What is the outside diameter of the tires and what is the size thickness of the tubing you used? Did you fill them with sand before bending to avoid kinks? It's beautiful work. Such a classic look! 100 times better than a pocket bike!

[memorialbudde]

Here since this is hard too explain i will attach a video of my 2 hp briggs.

[memorialbudde]

how did u get the pulley off?

[snowmangsx1100]

@memorialbuddegosh youve lost me again,,,dont know what your talking about,,,hummm,what pulley amigo ?

[memorialbudde]

@snowmangsx1100 there is a pulley on the side of the shaft and it is connected and is supposed to slide off but i don't know what to pop it off.

[snowmangsx1100]

sounds like a belt type pulley like on a tiller,,,you need a standard pulley puller and sometimes they need heat from a torch to get them off,,,the pulley pullers can be purchased for around 10 to 20 bucks fro most hardware stores,,,hope this helps,,,Rick

[memorialbudde]

@snowmangsx1100 thanks so much!

[snowmangsx1100]

I hate to say thats 99% of why I built this ninibike,,the 2 hp needed to be on something running and now this Taco is probably my favorite,,,haha,,everybody that see's it loves it,,thanks.

[memorialbudde]

@snowmangsx1100 how fast does it go?

[snowmangsx1100]

I really havent tried it but probably 25 to 30 tops,,,the 2 hp really is just to roll it around and Im looking to ad a 3 or 3.5 briggs sooner or later to give it a little more power.

[memorialbudde]

@snowmangsx1100 Well I have a 2 hp briggs and am planning on making a mini bike but Im only 14. just wondering do u have and good suggestions of places i could get a frame from?

[almetej29]

that's sweet! i like it. i got an old 2 horse that i want to do something with. i might do something like this. looks like tuns of fun!!

[no1ife5]

does your band have the friction stuff on the inside

[snowmangsx1100]

I buy these brake bands so yes they do have brake shoe material on the inside and Im telling you as long as the chain doesnt break or come off there is no stronger brakes for a minibike or even gokart,,,your stopping with 6 to 1 ratio just like most of them pull with and very low priced style brakes and fairly easy to install,,thanks for the question,,Rick

[mxkid44]

can you make a video on how you made the brakes work??? im looking for some ideas

[snowmangsx1100]

@mxkid44 yes I will be glad to make one,,the brakes are very simple to install and are very strong when stopping,,thanks,,Rick

[snowmangsx1100]

wow Im getting the big head,,Im also getting close to being through with the newest LIL Indian and hope to finish it next weekend,,just made a 150 dollar parts order for it so maybe finsih it soon,,thanks for the wonderful comment..Rick

[funny0000000]

Damn! That is small when you see it on the table top! Great job! That might be the best mini bike ever.