Manco 250 build

[MikeInOhio]

Hello all. I picked up a Manco 250 last spring for a real cheap price. The bike was almost a roller. It came with a Tecumseh snow thrower unit on it. Also came with wheels and flat tires. It sat in my garage most of the year just looking sad, but I had every intention of putting it back in running order.
So a few weeks ago I decided I wanted to see what I needed to make this thing work. Last year I also picked up 2 engines from a fellow for 40 bucks. One was an hs30, the other was a Wisconsin Robin Ey20d, a 5 hp unit.
This is where I started.

 

[MikeInOhio]

First, I wanted to clean up the engine. I knew it would fire because when I bought it, I threw a little starting fluid at it and she barked at me real dang good. It was pretty dirty, but I got it cleaned up. Bought a new gasket set and got to work.

 

[MikeInOhio]

I also re lapped the valves seats and took a shot at porting/polishing the intake and exhaust. Never done it before but I figured if I messed it all up, it's a 20 dollar engine. I didn't mess it up, and i think it turned out ok.

 

[MikeInOhio]

I got the engine back together and running nicely, but I kept thinking it was really clunky looking in the frame with the stock muffler and airbox(which I've only got half of). I says to myself, Mike, if you're 13 and you own this bike, its gonna be a Frankenstein hot rod bike, cause that's how I roll. I then proceeded to fabricate a header and wrap it. Then I came up with a different intake. It's a tin of some sort I got from my wife and a scotchbrite pad. Now that's rock 'n roll

 

[MikeInOhio]

Gas tank and seat were next on the list. Bought a gas tank off of flea bay, kinda pricey, but worth it for the look. I decided to try making the seat myself. Now I've definitely stuck a piece of foam on some plywood and wrapped it like a present, but this venture required a little more finesse. I watched Graham from Kart-Fab sew one up so I figure I can do it too

 

[MikeInOhio]

Got new tires, wheel bearings and a new band brake. Gotta be able to stop right?

 

[MikeInOhio]

For the cables, I went with some slick colored jams. You can get bicycle cables in different colors. You can also get colored caps for the cable ends. Also aluminum caps for the cables themselves to prevent fraying. I think it's a cool custom touch

 

[MikeInOhio]

All in all, this was pretty fun to put together. Not a ton of money, and not a ton of time. But definitely fun. Here she sits. Now if this snow would just go away...

 

[minibikin']

Love the 250's. That's a great looking hot rod for sure. Any chance you can get a 90 degree on the tank outlet?If so I think it would put the line about level with the carb inlet and prevent cavitating when you're riding. You could shorten the line, go inside the frame rail and get a pretty straight shot at the carb for gravity feeding.

 

[MikeInOhio]

Love the 250's. That's a great looking hot rod for sure. Any chance you can get a 90 degree on the tank outlet?If so I think it would put the line about level with the carb inlet and prevent cavitating when you're riding. You could shorten the line, go inside the frame rail and get a pretty straight shot at the carb for gravity feeding.

I thought that same thing, the only reason I went with a straight one is because it's what I had laying around. Although I'm sure I can fix that for a couple bucks

 

[aarron]

I like it! Especially the Wisconsin.

 

[minibikefever]

good looking bike Mike, that's getting the job done, cool.

 

[Lizardking]

Great job bringing it back to life!

 

[MikeInOhio]

I like it! Especially the Wisconsin.

Thanks man. I grabbed the Wisconsin because I'd never seen one. I just assumed briggs and techs were the only things around. Looks just like both of them though. And the stock Mikuni carb was a pleasant surprise when I got it cleaned up. The oil dip sticks have Japanese characters on them also. Pretty cool

 

[desert rat]

Thanks man. I grabbed the Wisconsin because I'd never seen one. I just assumed briggs and techs were the only things around. Looks just like both of them though. And the stock Mikuni carb was a pleasant surprise when I got it cleaned up. The oil dip sticks have Japanese characters on them also. Pretty cool

I have one also. After seeing that one in a frame I will hang onto it for a mini.