re-living my childhood!!!

2ndchildhood · 09-18-2008, 01:10 AM

Not sure if this is the proper forum to introduce myself but here goes...

I recently found this mini bike with a "free" sign on it and went for it. I have been searching for a inexpensive Honda trail 70 or 50 but with the prices going through the roof I decided that the ole' trusty mini bike was the route to go for a project for me and my 6 yr. old boy, Bubba. After research on this wonderful site I discover that this mini bike is of 1970 vintage and is a Cat 400x. Sooo, the project begins. This will be a limited budget project since I already have many projects and hobies with the noteable ones being my 89 Mustang GT with a built 306 small block and my freshwater fishing habit. I look forward to interacting with you guys and gals and learning a thing or two from you since the last time I had the opportunitity to play was when I was 10 yrs. old

. My way of re-living my youth

. Wish me luck!!!!

calebthe400xresize.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

COOP1418 · 09-18-2008, 01:25 AM

Graet find,that will a nice one to rebuild.Good luck and have fun.

**GTO** · 09-18-2008, 07:28 PM

Good free find.

It will make a fun and simpler project and better for the boy anyway.

mclothier3 · 09-20-2008, 12:15 PM

Sweet! nothing better than a freebie

**delray** · 09-20-2008, 01:35 PM

2ndchildhood good fine for free

looks like by next year maybe he can ride. make a good winter project

2ndchildhood · 09-30-2008, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delray

2ndchildhood good fine for free

looks like by next year maybe he can ride. make a good winter project

Yea, he's not quite ready for it yet but I'm sure I can get some use out of it

. Just scored a vertical shaft briggs for it too, also free

. So, it looks like my next project will be to go through the carb and maybe a re-ring.

Somebody rigged up a scrub brake so I'm considering switching back to the disc set up. Any insight on the right parts for that would be great. Thanks for the warm welcome's.

That's it for now.

Jamie

zabroluc · 10-07-2008, 10:11 PM

if your planning on using a vertical shaft, you will probably need a transaxle and you would proly not be able to use one on that engine. a horizontal shaft engine will work though.

donkeypop · 10-11-2008, 10:17 PM

I hear ya, saw a honda 50 for sale on ebay today about 200 miles from my house.....i want it sooo bad.

JustEnough · 10-11-2008, 10:43 PM

2ndchildhood,

I bought a CAT 400x for $25 from a craigslist ad two years ago. It appears to be all original and in excellent condition. If you need any pictures of it, as a guide for your restoration, let me know.

2ndchildhood · 10-12-2008, 01:21 AM

Got to work on the Cat a little today...

The "free" engine turned out to have the correct crank orientation and mounts in the frame without needing any modification. My buddy I got the engine from said that he thought it was an old craftsman egder so after doing some research I find that it is indeed a craftsman engine made by tecumseh. I also find that the carb rebuild kit along with some vital gaskets are still available to keep her running. I rebuild the carb and set the air/fuel mixture screws for a test run. It fires but doesn't stay running for long so I set the idle a little high and try again. It fires and starts to run under its own power, enough to refine the air/fuel screws a little more and go get my boy so he can share my excitement. It's always nice to hear a engine fire up after setting around for awhile

. Anyways, got the engine mounted in place and I await a chain, clutch and grips. I will be making a custom pipe very soon. The Cat will soon be ready for a maiden voyage.

Here are some pics. Damn, I having fun

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/f...m/S1050203.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/f...m/S1050202.jpg

Jamie